- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Kaimana Divers
Categories: Active Life Diving Education Specialty Schools Diving, Specialty Schools
1051 Ala Moana BlvdHonolulu, HI 96814
(808) 772-1795
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am - 8 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
33 reviews for Kaimana Divers
33 reviews in English
-
Review from Margie S.
San Diego, CA
2/6/2012 1 photo
I have been meaning to write a review for Gabe and Kaimana Divers and since I am still recovering from yesterday's superbowl festivities figured this is a good time rather than attempting any type of work.
My boyfriend and I dove with Gabe in December 2011 and although later on we realized that two of our good friends used Kaimana Divers back in July, we had found Gabe by chance. Chance being that I pretty much created a swot analysis of all the diving outfits in Honolulu based on price, reviews, and other factors and came up with a top 3. We had a specific day we needed to go because of our tight schedule and flights and Gabe was the only one who could accomodate us. In fact, one of the diving shops actually said "Sorry, we are full but try Gabe, here is his number". If your competition recommends you, it doesn't get better than that.
It was a great experience. He picked us up at the exact time he said he would from our hotel in Waikiki. He drove us and two other experienced divers to the boat that was run by his friend. We did the Corsair (plane wreck) first and Coco craters (TURTLES!!) second because my bf insisted on seeing turtles before we left. Hanauma bay did disappoint us there.
Gabe gave us very specific instructions. Helped us suit up. We didn't want to bring all of our equipment from the mainland so he brought us equipment (incl in price). Thank goodness he did because although the water was 70 degrees the 3mm suit he brought was totally needed to keep me warm in December. He asked us what we wanted out of the dive experience and he gave it to us. Maybe too much. I think I got tired of seeing sea turtles--not really!
Where some places charge you for pictures--not Kaimana. He took our pics with his digital cam and sent it to us and posted on FB on his page.
Will come back to try shark diving! We definitely recommend Kaimana Divers!!! -
Review from Linda H.
San Francisco, CA
2/4/2012
I'm pretty surprised by all the glowing reviews here. I actually thought that Gabe was a jerk. Maybe he was having an off day but he was pretty impatient and rude. It was my birthday and skydiving plans had fallen through so we called around, seeing if there was something else special that we could do. I felt SOOO lucky to hear that Gabe would take us that day and that scuba diving was something that I could do, despite having no previous experience. Gabe asked us to meet him in an hour.
We arrived early and kicked back, enjoying the scenery and the other people there (regular scuba divers who were sharing the same boat as us). It was my first time and my friend's first time scuba-diving so we were both pretty excited. Gabe arrived on time with 2 friends who were experienced divers.
On the boat, we noticed that others (the seasoned group of scubadivers that were with a different instructor) were geared up but didn't think anything of it. Halfway through our boat ride, we were told to gear up too. It was not until the boat stopped and the other divers were getting in that Gabe began giving us instructions.
His instruction was clear and easy to understand but if we asked him to repeat himself (even once), he would talk to us like we were idiots and forcefully jerk us around in an impatient manner to show us what the steps were. I'm a pretty quick learner and was surprised by his attitude. At one point, I even snapped back at him (which means that he was REALLY out of line since I was raised to have a high respect for teachers and it is not normal behavior for me to mouth off to my teacher).
He did calm down a little after I snapped at him but I think the damage was done, although I didn't realize it at the time. I was too excited about scuba diving to be other divers that it was a compartively murky day since I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever experienced up until that day.
My friend had purchased the scuba-diving package for me for my birthday. While we were boating back, his two friends began telling us over and over again how we should give Gabe a tip. Now, just to give you an idea, I'm usually a "by the disturbed by his behavior, while my friend, unknowingly to me, was getting anxious by his behavior. Looking back now, I wish I paid attention more to my friend's feelings
The instruction took about 20 minutes or so and then we went in. My friend couldn't get down all the way so he signaled for me to wait at the bottom while he helped her. That was the end of her scuba-diving experience because he just helped her back up the rope and onto the boat.
I went out with him oblivious to the fact that my friend was back on the boat (I mean, he had come back so quick that I had assumed that she was swimming around up higher somewhere with his friends). I must admit that it was a wonderful, breathtaking experience. Thankfully, I got along with Gabe much better when he has a regulator in his mouth. I was surprised to learn from the rules" tipper. I usually tip whatever is customary (ex. about 20% in restaurants) and maybe slightly over if I think the service is great (or if I'm getting a pedicure, I always tip high when getting a pedicure). My friend, on the other hand, is a BIG tipper. For example, when we went skydiving, she tipped her tandem diver $80 while everyone else was tipping $20. In fact, we have been friends for over 25 years and I can vouch that 20% is the beginning rate for her tipping scale that is usually reserved for those that give subpar service. In this case, my friend tipped NOTHING. She now cites this as being one of the only two times in her life that she purposely did not tip.
My experience with Kaimana diving was in June 2010 and I have since gone scuba-diving again. Coincidentally, someone in our party had difficulty going down the line and let me tell you, the way they handled it was much different than Gabe. I was honestly shocked by these reviews because the Gabe I met was nothing like the Gabe in these reviews. Anyways, maybe it was a one off due to the last minute nature of the trip -- really, I just can't figure out how my chiller-than-a-pothead friend and my "It's my birthday! I'm going scuba-diving in Hawaii and am going to grin like a goofy chimpmunk all day because of it" self could have set him off otherwise. Despite how much I enjoyed myself while down there, I have to admit that I longed to join the other instructor's party and be with them instead because he was much nicer.
Although everyone is entitled to their off days, I think Gabe should have never said "Sure. I can do it. Can you be there in an hour?" if he was on edge. And, after having gone scuba-diving again, I'm even more surprised that he had the audacity to treat us like we were idiots when he was giving us the quickest crash introductory course to scuba diving imaginable before having us get in the water.Comment from Gabe S. of Kaimana Divers 2/8/2012
Aloha Linda, Seeing how your dives with us were a year and… More » -
Review from Katie K.
Kalamazoo, MI
9/27/2011
My husband and I found out about Kaimana Divers through recommendations from people in his Seattle dive club.
We had a great time diving with Gabe and the crew. They all were professional and fun. The dives were great. I especially loved diving a plane! I was a little rusty going out and the all made me feel safe and comfortable. I wish we were able to do more dives with them! -
Review from Annie W.
9/3/2011
For $118 with a Living Social deal, my husband and I were on a way to our very first introductory dive.
Gabe, who appeared to be the owner took down most of our information for our reservations and our dive instructors for the day were Leaf and Drew.
The crew was cool, but I'm not so sure about the set up and here's why.
We arrived at the shop, watched a short video about diving and off we went to our dive site at Kewalo basin. The crew was helpful and answered all questions, showed us hand signals which was super important and most importantly they were patient.
When we got to the boat, there were 5 other groups on there. It was fairly crowded and getting around was not a pleasant option. That was my only peeve during my experience because I managed to get a tank nearly smash my toes (not my fault) it was just way too crowded on the boat.
As first time divers, they do their best to prepare you for the unexpected. As much as I snorkel, it's a total different ball game. They taught us how to clear our masks, do hand signals to communicate with our instructors and equalizing under water.
I'm not sure if it had to do with my body composition, but I had the hardest time managing to stay under water and equalizing. My ears were piercing in pain and after 3 attempts, I just gave up. Drew was so patient, I could not have asked for more. I'm sad that I didn't get to see the ocean floor, the shark or the mori eels, but my husband had the best experience and that made up for everything.
Here are some quick tips:
- If you normally get sea sick and it's rough the instructors will tell you to take some non drowsy motion sickness pills the night before and the day of the dive. I needed mine and still felt woozy throughout the trip.
- Do pay attention to the hand signals, because when you're not feeling well, it's a lifesaver
- Bring some food, even though they offer snacks, this 4 hour adventure and it will bring out a man sized hunger
- Bring your own towels, the dive is cold and you will thank me when you have your wet suit off and need something to keep you warm
This is an expensive sport, but it seem so worth it to see a whole new world below us. It's nothing that I could have imagined and I'm hoping that equalizing will come easier the next time around. It was just one of those days. The reason why I gave them 5 stars was because they were chill, but they focused on our safety.
#34/365 -
Review from Luanna Y.
8/11/2011
I am about the most uncoordinated person ever. The ocean + unfamiliar scuba gear + swimming + me = disaster waiting to happen. But it was my bf's first trip to Hawaii, and I decided the an intro scuba dive for the both of us was a must-try.
Enter center stage: Kaimana Divers. Gabe and his crew are pretty awesome. They made the entire process of scheduling a dive as painless as possible - I pretty much contacted them last minute, and Gabe was able to fit us into his schedule without a problem.
On the day of our dive, we filled out the requisite paperwork, watched a short video, got fitted for gear, and off we went with our instructor, Michael. We shared a boat with a few other dive companies and divers of all levels, but it wasn't crowded and everyone was super nice and welcoming.
Michael rocks! Super chill, down to earth, and patient with questions. He took the time to explain everything thoroughly and never made us feel stupid or silly for being nervous. It was clear he has a passion for diving, and it was exciting to share his enthusiasm.
For those considering doing an intro dive, I would highly recommend a 2-tank dive. The first dive you will be floundering around just trying to figure out wtf is going on, how to breathe under water, and trying not to look too moronic. The second dive is when you will actually start enjoying yourself, looking around, and taking in everything around you. Also for those who get motion sick - don't worry about the actual diving. I am about the most sensitive person I know... I get motion sick just snorkeling or even driving in my own car. But I was fine during scuba. I think it's just much calmer further down in the water.
Diving is amazing. My bf is all excited about getting certified now, and I would love to as well! Thanks, Kaimana for introducing us to this whole new world of diving. If we ever come back to Hawaii (soon I hope!), we will definitely contact you guys for more dive trips. Thanks again! -
Review from Min L.
Torrance, CA
7/5/2011
I've been FOKD'ed! WOO!
Never in a million years have I thought that I'd be swimming in the ocean with various sea life. On a spontaneous impromptu trip to Hawaii, my friend suggested scuba certification.
I'm a terrible swimmer. I get too anxious. I'm a little claustrophobic. Have you worn a wetsuit? Constricting!
You name it. I've tried using pretty much all the excuses I could think of to avoid it.
With some coaxing and delusional bravery mustered up by a split bottle of Malbec, I called Gabe and signed up for the 3 day PADI certification.
I had read reviews about local diving companies being unable to accept credit cards and not having an office space. Neither held to be true for Kaimana Divers. We were quite surprised to meet Gabe in his office, our pockets laden with unnecessary cash.
I told Gabe I was afraid of my mask filling up with water like it did with snorkeling. He went through the motions of clearing the mask and assured me that I had nothing to worry about. However, my anxiety still managed to keep me from sleeping the night before the first pool session and the stress physically manifested as ugly red marks on my face.
The next day, we met Drew. Very easy on the eyes. Apparently, this is how my recent ginger fever has spawned.
Anyway, Drew had us practice underwater techniques for the rest of the day. Minus a minor snafu of accidentally placing a regulator upside down and swallowing a bunch of chlorinated water while madly dashing to the surface, I made it through day 1.
The incident in combination with my initial apprehension had me believing that I wouldn't make it to the next four open water dives. However, we were thoroughly briefed on what we were to expect and I felt my comfort level rising with the completion of each dive. It doesn't hurt to add that Drew is super relaxed. His voice is vaguely reminiscent of Squirt's dad in Finding Nemo.
On day 3, we were finally Open Water certified. I saw a whole bunch of amazing sea life up close such as turtles, harlequin shrimp, a spotted eagle ray, moorish idols, coronet fish and black tip reef sharks. Being my usual silly self, I was most excited about the moorish idol (Gil from Finding Nemo!)
Now I'm going a little crazy scheduling dive trips for the upcoming year and trying to get comfortable in the water so that I can go back and get my Advanced certification through Kaimana Divers.
Join FOKD (Friends of Kaimana Divers) on Facebook. Gabe frequently updates the page with photos and upcoming dives that will make you want to book your trip back. Also, nearly a month after coming back to the mainland, I messaged Drew and he was helpful in offering his suggestions for dive gear.
Why book with any other company? -
Review from Kim W.
7/8/2011
I was referred to Gabe Scotti (Kaimana Divers) by a friend that I worked with at school. When I met my husband out here, I scheduled an intro dive for the both of us (I had been on one before on Kauai and loved it!). We both fell in love with diving and have since gotten our Open Water, Advanced, and Nitrox Certifications through him.
Both Gabe and Drew are awesome. They are professional yet friendly and super easy to get along with. But more than that...when I was a beginning diver and felt nervous, they always made me feel at ease and that I was in good hands.
When I first started diving with them in 2009, it was a one man business that he was running from home. It has since blossomed into a dive shop and I am sure that is because of the great recommendations they get and their loyal cliental.
If you are on island for an extended period of time or live here, join his club: FOKD (Friends of Kaimana Divers). For a small fee (around $50 I believe) you get boat dives at a discounted rate and are able to attend group gatherings. It is a great deal! He also has a Facebook page which keeps us updated on the dives happening on a weekly basis and any new news he has.
Anytime someone asks my husband or I who they should get certified with....we always tell them Kaimana Divers! -
Review from Jason W.
Tazewell, IL
Updated - 7/5/2011
In May, 2011 my wife and I met a diving buddy in Hawaii for a diving vacation. First on our agenda was to call Gabe at Kaimana Divers (808-772-1795) to set us up with some great diving. We lined up the 10-dive package with him and got our gear ready.
On 05/16/11 we met Gabe at the dive boat in the downtown Honolulu area. The dive boat was a catamaran style and is very stable in the water. Gabe brought our tanks and weights and even had a wetsuit for my wife.
The wreck we dove was the "Sea Tiger", and our maximum depth was around 100'. It's a very short ride out from the harbor - like 10 minutes. The wreck is fantastic! There is lots of sea life ranging from huge, resident turtles to tiny nudibranchs. We swam through a few passageways including the pilot house.
Our second dive was on the Kewalo Pipe and Horseshoe reef. Gabe knows his way around these sites like a New York Cabbie knows the streets of Manhattan. He found whatever critters we told him we were interested in. I think our favorite was the octopus he convinced to come out and pose for some pictures.
The second day we met Gabe up the leeward coast in the Waiane Small Boat Harbor to dive from the dive boat "The Beach". The captain and crew were amazing - friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, funny, and they brought sandwiches for everyone!
The dive site was the wreck of the "Mahi" and again a pretty short ride out (max depth of about 88 feet). Gabe told us that this was his favorite wreck and we quickly saw why. It's a fantastic wreck with lots of life. My personal highlight was getting two spotted eagle rays on video!
After the wreck dive we hit Makaha Canyons, a nearby reef. There were arches, swim-throughs, caverns, crevices, and cracks here. What a fun site! The highlight for me was the 5-foot white tip reef shark we found.
The third day we were back downtown to dive the Sea Tiger again. This time Drew was our guide and he did a fantastic job! Drew and Gabe both exhibit amazing diving skills and know their sites, the ecology, and history well.
After the Sea Tiger we toured the Horseshoe Reef again, but this time covering different ground. Drew pointed out two very small Hawaiian Lion Fish hiding in coral. Fantastic!
On day four we dove from the south side of the island to see the Corsair. This is one of my favorite dives ever. I dove the Corsair with Gabe in 2008 and have been dreaming of coming back. The dive was even better than my dreams!
Gabe arranged a small boat to take his group of 5 divers to the Corsair - we had the entire dive site to ourselves! The site is relatively deep at 106 feet, so our time was short. Having just us on the dive site gave us ample time to get pictures and videos. This is a magical site!
After the Corsair we went to nearby Keano Reef, also known as Schmiddy's Reef. This is a deeper reef at around 70 feet, and had lots of eels and octopuses.
On our last day we left from the downtown area again with Drew and went to a double wreck site, the YO-257 and San Pedro. The wrecks lie just 50 yards apart so we were able to dive both in the same dive. Our maximum depth was 93' with lots of superstructure at shallower depths so we could really extend our dive time.
After the wrecks we dove Turtle Canyon, which is very appropriately named. There were turtles everywhere, from small to very large. A few boats full of snorkelers had tied up on the shallow end of the reef so they too cold see the turtles that came up for a breath. The snorkelers were not in our way though.
After our last of the 10 dive package we knew we weren't done! We booked another day with Gabe.
We had one final, glorious dive with the Sea tiger where Gabe found a huge frog fish hanging upside down. We took lots of pictures and shot some video of this fantastic fish.
Gabe knew we had been to Horseshoe a few times already, so he asked the captain if we could check out nautilus Reef instead. I'm so glad we did! There were four octopuses on that dive, plus two small white tip sharks (among lots of other awesome critters).
Gabe and Drew are fantastic divers, great leaders, tons of fun to be around, and the epitome of professionals. We can't wait to get back to Oahu and dive with these guys again!
Contact him at:
Gabe Scotti
(808) 772 1795
http://www.waikikiscub...2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
5/22/2011
This is the second time we have come to Oahu to book dives with Kaimana. The three of us traveling… Read more »
-
-
Review from Curt M.
Los Angeles, CA
6/13/2011
This is a really easy review to write. I wouldn't consider going out with any other group besides Gabe and Kaimana when I return to Oahu. I'm sure there are lots of divemasters out there who know sites and animals and know boat captains. What sets Kaimana and Gabe apart as a world class diver is recognizing situations and acting. My wife had two cases of the nerves on our two days of dives, it had been awhile since our last dives. Gabe was able to recognize the situation, calm her down, communicate with a distressed diver (not the easiest thing to do, I've known her 15 years and he still figured her out underwater quicker than I did!) and bring things to normal.
Yes we had amazing vis, yes we saw a crapload of wildlife, yes Gabe is a super knowledgeable, but when things came up Gabe was cool as a cucumber, which is just what you want. If you dive with Kaimana and don't have a great time, call me and I'll reimburse your trip.*
*figurative :) -
Review from Matt P.
Santa Monica, CA
8/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
These guys are the best dive shop on Oahu. They have taken care of everything for us, taken us to the best dive spots and even given us rides in the morning. Gabe, Drew and Liv are great master instructors and guides. Super chill and very professional.
They took us to the Corsair (a WWII era plane wreck), the Sea Tiger (a 175 ft fishing vessel sunk at the bottom of the ocean), two beach dives at the North Shore Three Tables site, and tons of very cool reefs. We have seen sharks, giant sea turtles, frog fish, Titan scorpion fish, leaf scorpion fish, eagle bat rays, and many many more.
This is the best time you will find on the island. -
Review from Linda T.
4/16/2011
We did the 4 hour introductory scuba dive with Drew in the open ocean. He was so awesome and had such great stories to tell about his life.
For someone who has never scuba dived before, it was such a stressful experience at first. But Drew gets you acquainted with the techniques with a video at the office and a follow-up review at the marina. Lastly, a couple of feet underwater, you'll practice those techniques.
We saw sea turtles, an octopus and many different types of fish. I can never see snorkeling the same again. -
Review from Keith S.
Honolulu, HI
7/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is my 4th time going out with Kaimana Divers and they always do a superb job! Gabe and Drew make sure they take care of their customers. I had yet to dive the corsair wreck and Gabe was basically able to make it happen. I put in my request and he set up a date and time for me. The day I went out, Drew was our divemaster and did an awesome job. He made me and the other guests feel very welcome took good care of us making sure we had a fun time. The staff at Kaimana divers is very knowledgable and definately take good care of thier customers. Highly recommedned! Like I said, it was my 4th time out with them and I will definately be going back for more!
-
Review from Jen R.
Honolulu, HI
4/12/2011
I just moved to HI a few weeks ago, first thing on my agenda was to get my PADI cert. Coming from SF, the land of yelp... my first step was to start checking out reviews. Yelpers raved about Kaimana, but just to be sure I did a google search AND checked with tripadvisor. The end result: EVERYONE LOVES KAIMANA DIVERS!
I gave Gabe a call, set up a time to stop by the shop and pick up the [oh so fun] PADI learning materials. He gave me the spiel about what I needed to do and how the process would go down and I went on to schedule my confined water and first 2 open water dives for the following weekend. Gabe was totally flexible and willing to accommodate my work schedule without any pressure (he must have sensed my commitment issues).
The morning of my confined water I woke up super early to finish my assigned reading... amazing how even when it's something I'm interested in I still manage to put it off to the last minute! Anyway... I called Gabe to tell him I was totally unprepared and instead of being a prick about it (as he had every right to be since it was the morning OF) he told me to take another hour and get as much done as I could, with the understanding that I would have it all complete BEFORE the open water dives. Fair man, this Gabe fellow.
The pool session was great, I don't know how I got so lucky as to have private instruction but I'm certainly not complaining. Gabe only rolled his eyes at me a hand full of times when he realized how little I had retained during my cram session. And as an added bonus... the view from the pool spot is breathtaking.
Day 2 turned out to be with Drew. I must admit, I was slightly disappointed at first... but now that I think about it the disappointment was completely unnecessary, OF COURSE someone as awesome as Gabe would have someone equally as awesome working with him. Drew is a wealth of dive knowledge, amazing at spotting marine life, easy to look at AND funny. Have you ever laughed so hard you almost peed your wetsuit 40 feet underwater? No?!? Then you clearly haven't had the luxury of diving with Drew. Yea, day 2 was a blast... I SWAM WITH SEA TURTLES and managed to pass all of my quizzes at the end of the day. Isn't life beautiful?!?!
My last 2 open water dives were with Drew again, no complaints here. (Rumor on the street is that Gabe was so embarrassed by being ANNIHILATED by yours truly in Words With Friends he was conveniently busy with family duties.) The water conditions were a little less desirable for diving on this day (awesome for surfing) but we still managed to see a couple reef sharks, an octopus, and my personal favorite.. leaves. SCORE, another amazing day in the deep blue sea.
Usually to find a high level of professionalism you have to sacrifice the comfort and ease of a laid back environment and vice versa. I can 100% say that is not the case with Kaimana Divers. The guys were professional and serious when necessary but also maintained a fun, exciting, relaxed atmosphere even amongst the somewhat chaotic boat full of rookies.
I don't have any first hand experiences with other companies to compare KD to, and don't intend to while I'm on the island... but I have talked to plenty of other people who have had a sub par experience. I plan to point everyone I know in the direction of Gabe and Drew at Kaimana Divers and will head to them for all my future dive needs on Oahu! Don't waste anymore precious time... CALL GABE NOW! -
Review from just k.
San Francisco, CA
3/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
DREW YOU ARE HOT! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
he was nice. interesting experience. went with a group of 6.
they said pick up at 9:15 and they he was there right on time!
the office is not very decorated, but its very nice.
gabes wife was very nice and very very preggo. -
Review from Weihan C.
Torrance, CA
7/4/2011
Kaimana Divers will always hold a special place in my heart--it is where I was introduced to the wonderful world of diving, where I got my OW, AOW, and EANx certifications. Crazy to think that my brush with Kaimana was a random phone call because another planned course with another dive school fell through. Long of the short, my friend at the last minute decided to take the course with me and as availability had it, only Kaimana could accommodate us. I'm not a real big believer of fate or destiny, but even I have to admit there was an element of serendipity.
Every bit of the three courses I took with Kaimana exceeded my expectations. My instructor was Drew D. for all three certificates, and he was not only professional and friendly, but he is bred from a line of conservative divers that likes to have fun but always keeps close attention to the details of safe and conservative diving. This was a huge plus, particularly for my friend because she was a little nervous and hesitant about getting into the water (hence the last minute decision to get certified). Drew's constant reminding of safe and conservative practices kept her nervousness at bay and made our diving experience all the more comfortable. For myself, his attitude inspired me and really hooked me into diving. His teaching style is both relaxed and structured. It really was like Tai chi underwater.
Our class size for the OW course was just three of us plus Drew. This made him available for all of us at any given time for any help. The class consisted one day of confined water, and two days of open water dives (4 open water dives all together). For my AOW dives, I did the mandatory UW navi and Deep Dive, then I chose UW photography, wreck dive, and peak performance buoyancy, which i completed in three days in a total of 6 dives. What I loved best about the AOW course, Drew made efficient use of time. Even though only one dive was officially my wreck dive, each of the three days started at a wreck site at around 100 ft, then followed by a dive in shallower water that we frequented during the OW class. Through each of the dives we practiced all the skills related to the 5 adventures dives required for the AOW certification(On the first we visited the Sea Tiger, and the second day the YO 257/San Pedro combo.)
All in all, Kaimana Divers was a great experience. They strongly emphasize safety and other dive fundamentals without sacrificing the fun and beauty of the underwater world. When I come back to HI, Kaimana Divers will be one of the first people I call. -
Review from Imran G.
Cupertino, CA
2/21/2011 2 photos
Kaimana means 'Power of the Ocean' in Hawaiian. It's very close to Kamina which in Hindi means b*stard lol. This couldn't be a further description of how Gabe is.
Gabe (the owner/dive master) is awesome. No joke, this man knows what he's doing and really does it because he loves it and not for just the money. He was very accommodating for my friend and I as we hadn't dove in a while but still wanted to do the wreck dives. He went over the basics in the truck and BAM we were in the water. Dive wreck was awesome and the reef was very cool. We played with an octopus and saw a Sea turtle!
As a person who has dove in large groups, having a group of 4 was AMAZING. Very personalized and he's very attentive. *When* I go back, he's going to be the person I dive with. No doubt about it! -
Review from Eddie B.
Sacramento, CA
9/3/2011
Steve and I will not dive with any other outfit in Oahu. After doing a lot of research on Oahu-Waikiki scuba we chose to go with Gabe! Gabe makes you feel like you are diving with your buddy and not like you are just another diver with a corporate type dive company.
With about 12 dives under out belts, but only diving a couple of dives a year, it takes a few min on the first dive to get the swing of things again. Gabe was brilliant on his Handling refresher type info and made our safety number one.
Honestly, if you want to dive in Oahu, check out Kaimana! You won't be disappointed. -
Review from Eva M.
New York, NY
Updated - 8/28/2011
Well Kaimana Divers conts to grow but the quality of the company has stayed the same FABULOUS!!!! Gabe cont to give the same quality customer service as he did when HE was the only person who made up KD. No matter what I will still cont to dive with KD any time I visit the island!! Great dives with great people!! I always feel safe and have a great time when Im on the boat with the KD's crew!!!!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/16/2009
I was living in Honolulu for about 2 years and and while out there did my advanced certification… Read more »
-
-
Review from chris l.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
7/10/2010
Gabe Scotti is the kind of dive master you want to trust your life with. This guy knows how to have fun and keep you safe at the same time. And he does it without trying to upsell you because he has nothing to upsell. Gabe runs a small operation which allows him to give you the personal attention that makes your dives spectacular and memorable.
If you want to avoid feeling like one of the herd, then dive with Gabe. Keep up with him on Facebook (Friends of Kaimana Divers) and you'll always be jealous of all the dives you're missing. Of course, you'll also be kept up to date on what Gabe's up to.
White tipped reef shark, tons-o-turtles, a couple of octopus, frog fish, rays, devil scorpion fish are just a few of the critters we saw with Gabe on two dives this week. (Thanks for firmly reminding me not to touch that scorpion fish!)
Happy 4th anniversary Kaimana Divers!
Thanks for another great couple of dives Gabe! -
Review from Denise S.
Honolulu, HI
6/26/2011
This is a GREAT place to learn to dive (our kids just earned their PADI certification this week) and experience the lovely waters of Honolulu. The owners and dive instructors are gracious, professional, patient and enjoyable.
I HIGHLY recommend this company!
Mucho mahalos to Drew and Gabe!
Aloha, Denise -
Review from Mat R.
Saint Petersburg, FL
9/12/2009 2 photos
During my 2 years in Honolulu I completed more than 200 dives with Gabe and Kaimana. I saw him work with divers of varying skill levels from beginners in the pool, to those in need of a refresher course to professional commercial divers looking for a little play time underwater. In each case Gabe is adept a understanding a diver's skill level and adapting the dive profiles and buddy pairing to maximize everyone's enjoyment and bottom time. If you're looking for personalized dive services without paying the boutique price then Gabe and Kaimana should be your first and only stop. You'll find plenty of other "cattle" operations on Oahu, but few can match Gabe's commitment to his clients and passion. Oh, and did I mention he's one of the few operations that can get you diving ALL over Oahu instead of just out of Honolulu??
For a fun, safe scuba dive on your vacation I highly recommend Gabe! -
Review from Chris P.
Palo Alto, CA
8/16/2010
KaimanaI was referred to me by Aquan Sports in San Carlos, CA. I called Gabe two days ago and arranged a two-tank dive with a group of good divers(Karen, Wayne, and...) who had been diving with him for a few days. Gabe was very accommodating and relaxed. We went out to two dive sites outside of Hawaii Kai in a sunny afternoon, swam with beautiful marine animals. He was quite disciplined on my first rusty dive. Then my body gradually got back to the memory. At 2nd dive, we were very relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful underwater world.
If you are looking for a dive master who is knowledgeable and cares about your pleasure and safety, Gabe is the guy in Oahu!! -
Review from Erica F.
10/3/2010
Gabe is extremely trustworthy and helpful in a dive! I arranged all my diving with him remotely here in LA via email & phone, and then when I got to Hawaii, he actually came and picked me up from my hotel and took me to the dive boat. We did two dives. He is patient and helpful but also has fun on a dive. I liked that his company was small, and they do a max of 6 people per group on a dive. I felt completely safe and at ease with Gabe, and was lucky enough to only have 2 other people in the group with me that day. Gabe brought his camera and we got a ton of great pics w/ turtles and an eagle ray. Highly recommend Gabe and Kaimana Divers!
-
Review from Lisa R.
Pleasanton, CA
10/23/2009
I went on a dive with Gabe in Oct. 2007. you really do get _that_ close to sea turtles (see his pic)! it was amazing! I'm a beginner and he made it very easy and comfortable to learn and he's just so down to earth, it makes for a great afternoon out on -- and under -- the water. Also, I went out with a mix of folks... there was a father-son combo celebrating a birthday and then there were some peeps looking to get certified; Gabe's good at accomplishing everybody's individualized goals and dreams simultaneously.
Oh, and if you're a Pac-10 sports fan, don't diss the Ducks... he's very passionate about Oregon FB :) -
Review from Jeffrey A.
San Francisco, CA
3/18/2011
Had no clue about scuba diving. Did the intro dive with the roommates and had a blast. Loved the relax learning environment. Drew and Gabe were very knowledgeable about their craft and very approachable if you had any questions. You'll definitely have a great time with Kaimana Divers.
-
Review from Ash B.
Mountain View, CA
12/4/2009
Gabe here is a great instructor! We went on our referral open water dives in Nov - Dec 2009 and Gabe made it an unforgettable experience. He knows what he's doing, is a patient teacher and makes you feel comfortable in the depths of the ocean. We saw HUGE turtles, octopuses, sting rays and a whole variety of fishes. Gabe even let us play with the octopuses.. It was in all a great way to get certified!
If I'm ever in Oahu again, I'd definitely go diving with him. -
Review from Michael C.
Cupertino, CA
5/3/2011
His vm was always full and impossible to make an appointment and did not treat us well seemingly because we bought on living social. After i had an appointment set, he would not allow us to reschedule when I got bronchitis. I never even got to go. Horrible experience.
Comment from Gabe S. of Kaimana Divers 5/3/2011
Aloha.... Just wanted to see if I could tell our side of… More » -
Review from Chris M.
Arvada, CO
3/11/2010
Gabe certified me both open water and advanced in short order. After diving on Oahu for 2 years, I can easily say he is the best dive instructor and most informed diver on the island. His promotional dive club provides a great value and service that is unmatched in Hawaii. Thanks for everything Gabe!
Listed in: Island Love
-
Review from John R.
HI
9/15/2009
Kaimana Divers has showed me every cave sharks cove has to offer. The lead diver, Gabe, has an impressive understanding of the underwater landscape of the North Shore. He'll take you diving at spots you never knew about and then grill you a hot dog and throw the bee around with you. Quality Service..
-
Review from Matt H.
Seattle, WA
9/11/2009
Last summer I visited Honolulu in Oahu Hawaii for the first time of my life. I had the awesome chance to go Scuba Diving with Kaimana Divers. Amazing time! Did a intro dive on the North Shore to start off a new love of Scuba diving. Gabe is a great instructor, the perfect mix of fun and business while diving. The second time I got out to Hawaii I stayed in Waikiki and brought friends to Kaimana with me. We had a blast, got to do a wreck dive off a BIG Catamaran. Great time, great diving and great instruction.
-
Review from josh r.
Austin, TX
9/14/2009
I went to Oahu for the first time in 2007, traveling there twelve times over the course of the year for work. I looked up Gabe and Kaimana Divers at the recommendation of a friend who had been diving with Gabe the year before. She couldn't have been more right on! Gabe worked with my unique schedule and I became PADI certified, first Open Water, and then Advanced Open water. Gabe is professional, knowledgable, and fun! Over the course of my travels to Hawaii, I've been on over twenty dives with Gabe, all over the island. From a shore dive in Shark's Cove at the North Shore to a night boat dive in Maunalua Bay! With Gabe, I've been diving with dolphins an swimming with sharks. If you're in Hawaii, Kaimana Divers is the one stop shop for all your diving needs!
-
Review from bret f.
Honolulu, HI
9/14/2009
I did some intro PADI classes with Gabe a few years ago. Best thing about him is that he is flexible. Whatever your looking for he will do his best to accommodate you. From beginners to experts, he can handle all your diving needs.
-
Review from Sallie B.
Daphne, AL
3/22/2010
My hubby and I just spent a week in Oahu and got to dive with Gabe. After a very depressing leg injury that happened right before our trip, I was afraid that my diving would have to be canceled completely. However, Gabe and the boat crew did every thing possible to see to it that I got underwater!! He is so flexible and patient, especially for someone stubborn and whiny like me :-) We saw LOTS of amazing turtles, an octopus or two, beautiful fish, eels, etc... Next time I'm diving with him EVERY day!!! And by the way Gabe- you get to use the camera AHHHmazing pics!
