Hawaii’s Back yard
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi
Scuba diving unveils
world of wonderDeep below the cobalt blue waves off Kauai's southern coast, Malie Rosare has come face to face with green sea turtles, moray eels, colorful fish and even white-tip sharks.
Rosare has been teaching scuba classes and leading diving tours for Seasport Divers for four years. She went on her first dive six years ago when she was still living on the mainland, and has been enthralled with the sport ever since.
"It's an amazing world down there," Rosare says. "It's peaceful, quiet, relaxing. You only hear the sound of your own bubbles when you're exhaling. Look around you and you see pretty coral formations and all kinds of marine life. You can't imagine the beauty until you've seen it."
During whale season, from now through May, humpbacks usually can be spotted during the 10-minute boat ride between Kukuiula Harbor and the dive locations and during the 40-minute surface intervals between dives.
"Last year," Rosare recalls, "we were blessed with the presence of a mother and her calf while in the water. It was an awesome sight to see such huge and graceful creatures. Two years ago, two whales appeared on the surface only 10 feet from our moored boat. Needless to say, everyone was ecstatic to have their company!"
The only full-service dive shop on Kauai, Seasport offers South Shore tours where calm, clear waters provide excellent viewing of marine creatures and abundant hard coral growth year round. There are at least 10 deep dive sites (beyond 65 feet) and about eight shallow sites (60 feet and less) along this warm, sunny coast.
SEASPORT DIVERS
Swim with creatures large and small in dives geared toward your underwater experience level.
Rosare ticks off their names with the speed that familiarity brings: "Brennecke's Ledge, Fast Lanes, Icebox, General Store, Beachhouse Archway, Toilet Bowl, Marvin's Gardens, Turtle Bluff, Sheraton Caverns -- ancient lava flows at the different sites give each one a unique terrain, which attracts different sea life."
THE POPULAR four-hour, two-tank A.M. Charter provides two dive opportunities; the location of the first, a deep dive, varies, depending on ocean conditions. The second dive usually is at Sheraton Caverns, where participants swim through dramatic archways that are actually blown-out lava tubes. Because the first dive ventures as deep as 85 feet, this tour is reserved only for experienced, certified divers.
Seasport's 90-minute Discover Scuba program introduces novices to the sport through a lecture and practice time in a pool. According to Rosare, the biggest challenge for most is gaining the assurance that they can breathe underwater and don't need to panic when they descend and see the surface getting farther and farther away.
"Our pool lessons are free, so you don't lose anything if you decide scuba isn't an activity you'd like to pursue," says Rosare. "But, after participating in this program, if you're comfortable performing four basic skills in the pool, you can go on an ocean dive with us."
Fledgling divers have little to fear in the able company of Seasport's dive masters; the ratio is four noncertified divers to one instructor. Rodale's Scuba Diving magazine currently ranks Seasport No. 5 in the category of Best Boat Operator in the Pacific/Indian oceans, No. 4 for Best Beginning Diving and No. 3 for Best Shore Diving.
Noncertified divers are limited to a depth of 40 feet, deemed shallow by RSTC (Recreational Scuba Training Council) standards. Even then, Rosare promises there's plenty to see. "Imagine swimming in a vast ocean aquarium rather than just looking at a small fish aquarium!"
SEASPORT DIVERS
Divers must be at least 10 to become certified. Younger children can still experience the thrill of learning to dive in a pool until they are old enough to meet sea turtles on their turf.
Those with the goal of full certification can earn it in as little as three days. It requires reading, viewing videos, confined-water (pool) sessions and four open-water (ocean) dives.
"Many people opt to begin their certification course with a dive shop in their hometown, where they complete their academic and confined-water sessions," says Rosare. "Then they'll complete the certification by doing their open-water dives in warmer water while they're vacationing on Kauai. This is what happened with one of my recent classes -- a father and his three sons, ages 17, 13 and 10, from Sonoma, Calif."
Younger children also can experience the thrill of scuba, with restrictions. Through Bubblemakers, a program of PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), kids as young as 8 can scuba in the pool and dive down to 6 feet in the ocean.
Keikis as young as 5 can have fun through SASY (Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youths). This program supplies kids with a vest that looks like those worn by scuba divers, made of the same material, which keeps them afloat on the water's surface. They breathe from a regulator connected to an air tank on their back.
"This is a great way to introduce 'scuba' diving to them," Rosare says. "Many times, mom and dad will dive underwater while their child uses a SASY unit under the supervision of an instructor."
Whatever your age, Rosare suggests getting your feet wet in the pool first. "Find out how easy the breathing is, then take that confidence and allow us to show you a whole new world underwater!"
Address: 2827 Poipu Road, Koloa, HI 96786 Seasport Divers
Hours: The A.M. Charter, for certified divers only, departs daily from Seasport Divers' Poipu shop. Check-in is at 7:30 a.m.
Cost: $100 for certified divers ($85 for kamaaina), including beverages and cookies. There is an additional $20 charge for gear rental. Inquire about discounts for multiple dive charters.
Other options: Two daily afternoon trips are geared for novice and first-time divers and snorkelers. In addition, Seasport Divers offers a seasonal charter to Niihau for experienced divers. This all-day adventure includes breakfast, lunch and snacks, and is offered between late May and mid-September. Call or check out the Web site for details.
Restrictions: To become a certified diver, you must be at least 10 years old. People with high blood pressure, ear and respiratory problems, and other serious physical conditions will be required to have their doctor's approval prior to scuba diving.
Call: 742-9303 on Kauai or 800-685-5889 from the other islands
Web site: www.seasportdivers.com
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based free-lance writer
and Society of American Travel Writers award winner.
