Help Please on activities on Big Island

[suzanne]

I was looking at the Manta dive/snorkel trips offered and in reading the info on the mantas it said they stayed close to the surface for feeding. If this is the case would we not be better off snorkeling instead of diving with them? Anyone done the trip that can offer some info for us on this trip? This is one thing DH and I really want to do. We are both certified divers.

Other question is about the Volcanoes National Park. It seems that in the other threads it talks about going to the park from the Hilo side. We are staying at the Wyndham Kona Hawaiian Resort in Kona area, first week and it looks like on the map that it is a shorter drive to the park from there. Our 2nd week is at the Hilton Waikololo Beach Resort. It shows a much longer drive from there on the map and I think from that side we would really want to stay overnight. See the Park and Hilo area including the Botanical Gardens. Does the road circle around the Island or is the map wrong and the only way to get there is thru Hilo? Would like to see VNP first week and Hilo area 2nd week but since the map is in the Fodors book not sure just how accurate it is.:ignore:

Suzanne



Suzanne

 

[rcollinsny]

The Island Road

We stayed at the Wyndham Royal Sea Cliff in Kailua-Kona. We drove the road all the way around the island, yes it does circle the island. It is a long drive and we spent the night in the rain forest on the Hilo side making it a 2 day road trip. With all of the touristy stops, it makes for a very long 2 days but we had a blast, the big island offers such a diversity of climate and viewership, you will have an awe inspiring trip.

 

[Sandy VDH]

The dive to see the manta is easier than the snorkel. At times it can be a bit surgey, depending on the time, water, and weather, and that is easier to handle at depth than on the surface.

I would recommend dive over snorkel for Mantas, based on my person experiences.

 

[Luanne]

We are staying at the Wyndham Kona Hawaiian Resort in Kona area, first week and it looks like on the map that it is a shorter drive to the park from there.

Suzanne

When you are staying in Kona the drive to Volcano Park is "faster" if you go the southern route. If you do drive this route be sure to stop at the Punalu'u Bakery and pick up some of their wonderful sweet bread.

 

[scrapngen]

I was looking at the Manta dive/snorkel trips offered and in reading the info on the mantas it said they stayed close to the surface for feeding. If this is the case would we not be better off snorkeling instead of diving with them? Anyone done the trip that can offer some info for us on this trip? This is one thing DH and I really want to do. We are both certified divers.

My understanding is that if you dive, the mantas are circling overhead and very amazing to see - coming in close and doing loops, vs. looking down at them from above. Since you are certified, I'd recommend diving..

Other question is about the Volcanoes National Park. It seems that in the other threads it talks about going to the park from the Hilo side. We are staying at the Wyndham Kona Hawaiian Resort in Kona area, first week and it looks like on the map that it is a shorter drive to the park from there. Our 2nd week is at the Hilton Waikololo Beach Resort. It shows a much longer drive from there on the map and I think from that side we would really want to stay overnight. See the Park and Hilo area including the Botanical Gardens. Does the road circle around the Island or is the map wrong and the only way to get there is thru Hilo? Would like to see VNP first week and Hilo area 2nd week but since the map is in the Fodors book not sure just how accurate it is.:ignore:

We stayed at the Wyndham Kona Hawaiian Resort and drove the South route to the Park. We made the drive out to the green sand beach with the hike, and stopped at the black sand beach on the way.
At the park, we walked through the lava tunnel and went further with flashlights. Had dinner at Thai's Thai (yum!!) and then back to the park to see the crater in the dark. We did not make the drive to see the lava flowing through the subdivision because it wasn't doing much at the time of our visit. We drove back the same night. The chain of craters road was blocked off during our stay and you couldn't drive down it. It was a long day, but doable.

Our second stay was also at Wyndham KH, this time we drove North and went over the road between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea to the Hilo side. We looked at the valley (can't think of the name - but beautiful where you usually have to take a trip in. Would do that next time!!) and then drove South. We hiked in to Akaka Falls and drove some roads down to the water at various places. Went through Hilo and on to the park (stopping at the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut factory - not impressed) Next time would stop at the Imiloa Astronomy Ctr in Hilo - heard it's great! On to Volcano Park. Did some hiking, stayed until sunset to see crater glow. Again, didn't have good luck with lava flowing so didn't do a boat tour or walk into home area with lava flow...back the same night via the rest of the circle loop. So we've done both directions in one day. Honestly, though, if you want more time in and around the Park, you should stay overnight in the area at least. And you probably don't have my crazy DH who doesn't mind driving forever. (I did do part of the driving, but he tends to hog it...LOL!)

Roads are fine in both directions!! Well, except for going down to the green sand beach - that's more of an adventure, and it would help to have a jeep.

Suzanne



Suzanne

Hope this helps

 

[timesharejunkie4]

I would definitely recommend diving with the mantas. Divers cannot wear snorkels because the mantas will touch the top of your head and you wouldn't want your snorkel to scratch them. This is still my favorite dive!
We spent a night near the volcano (Kileaua Lodge) and another night in Hilo and made a large circle aorund the island. We got to everything we wanted to see without rushing. After spending the night in Hilo we did a helicopter over the volcano out of Hilo which was one of the highlights of out trip. Look for the book, Big Island Revealed and you will see just how much there is to see on the other side!

 

[geoand]

We r staying at PG. We drove to downtown Hilo in an hour and 15 minutes at speed limit. Drove the saddle road. Came back the same way tonite at same time.

We left at 9 am today and came back at 8 tonight.

 

[suzanne]

Thank you all for your help. I have ordered the Big Island Revealed Book, can't wait for it to get here. My DH doesn't like to do long drives but my BF'S DH does hog the driving and we are willing to let him. LOL this way my BFF and I can visit and sight see and DH can relax and rest. We are all so excited about our first trip to Hawaii.

Suzanne

 

[daventrina]

We've done the manta dive twice with Kona Honu Divers.
And can't rule out doing it again

Here is the link to the video of one of our dives:
http://youtu.be/Amx_AtHi2yQ

Awesome dive!!!


Manta Heaven Boat Dive.
It is a two tank dive that take place in a bay right off of the Kona Airport..

The first dive is to 60-70 feed to check out the garden eels that hang out in the bay next to the airport. The dive then usually continues back up the reef to where the manta dive will take place. This gives folks a chance to get oriented before it gets dark.

The second dive heads out to manta heaven where a crate of lights had been located pointed up to the surface. The divers from all the boats form a circle around the light crate (kinda like a circle around a camp fire). The divers hold their light up to towards the surface (above your head or the mantas will get closer than you like) . The snorkelers shine their lights down from the surface and the manta when they show up loop and swim around between sucking up dinner.

You never know how many are going to show up. Could be none or a dozen. Our first time we had 3 or 4 the second we had 12.

Read Bo Derek's story, The World Of The Manta Rays, in Chicken Soup from the Soul of Hawaii.

 

[Sandy VDH]

+1 for Kona Honu.

We have done the Manta dive 4 times now. The last 2 with Kona Honu.

Love the dive.

 

[suzanne]

Thanks for everyones help. I enjoyed your video thanks for sharing. Do the Dive Ops video and sell you a copy of your dive/snorkel trip?

DH and I will dive, Friends will be bubble watchers as neither of them dive or snorkel, but they want to see the Mantas.

Suzuanne

 

[daventrina]

Thanks for everyones help. I enjoyed your video thanks for sharing. Do the Dive Ops video and sell you a copy of your dive/snorkel trip?

DH and I will dive, Friends will be bubble watchers as neither of them dive or snorkel, but they want to see the Mantas.

Suzuanne

Kona Honu didn't the two time we were with them and don't think that anyone else does either. Self serve photo op.

Besides the dive... you can go down to Sheraton and watch them swim from the patio...
Wonder if there is enough light to watch them on this web cam?
http://livesurfcamhawaii.com/bigisland/keauhoubay.htm
Something to check out tonight....

 

[MON2REY]

I don't scuba. If you snorkel on a nice day can you easily see the mantas or would it be a waste of money. Do you have to be on a tour to snorkel with the mantas or can you swim by yourself? Obvoiusly I have never done this before but we will be staying at the Sheraton near Kona in May and really want to try it.

 

[dsyrcle]

Manta Dive

We used Neptune Charlie’s when we did our Manta Night Dive several years back. I would recommend scuba over snorkeling. We purchased the video package and were very pleased with the result. It included scenes on the boat while we were getting ready for the dive as well as great views of the mantas and each individual diver in the water. The video also had music added. If they still offer the video, I would highly recommend it.

 

[daventrina]

I don't scuba. If you snorkel on a nice day can you easily see the mantas or would it be a waste of money....

The mantas come in to feed at night...

 

[dsyrcle]

I don't scuba. If you snorkel on a nice day can you easily see the mantas or would it be a waste of money. Do you have to be on a tour to snorkel with the mantas or can you swim by yourself? .

I have never seen a manta while snorkeling but have seen a couple while doing scuba during the day. The night dive is a totally different experience. The Manta Rays feed at night on the plankton that are attracted by your flashlight beam. The mantas have been conditioned to show up for dinner at the same time every night. You will also have a lot of reef fish drawn in by the plankton. On our dive we also saw several moray eels attracted by the activity and were feeding on the fish that wondered too close to where they lay waiting on the bottom. If you are snorkeling, you will not be a close to the activity but you will have a good view of what is going on below you. You would have to be on one of the many tour boats to be part of this experience.

 

[dsyrcle]

.duplicate post removed

 

[daventrina]

"Have to" is a rather strong word. Both sites are diveable from shore IF your are experienced, and have a GOOD dive plan . But, for most folks, you want to be on a boat. We haven't done it from shore yet, but we have friends that have.

Also, you can hang out at the Sheraton and watch from the patio.