Dive Kauai: Not recommended to advanced divers, and good luck if you get Nick as your boat driverĀ
So, you will probably do ok if you're a beginner, and you are likely to be disappointed or even upset if you are an advanced diver.
Dive Kauai does offer free gear rental included in the price, which is nice of them, but they only have one diving boat, and it is a very small diving boat. If they get 6 people, it will be super cramped and do not expect to have any room for a camera bag or any personal gear. Nick, the boat driver I was unlucky to get, even told me that the next day because the boat would be full, I'd have to put my multi thousand dollar cameras on the ground (and hope no one would step on them or that they wouldn't get banged up). On that topic, I would add the boat has no rinse tank, which is an issue since I had a camera spring corode due to lack of cleaning on a previous trip, which in turn caused a latch to unlatch and the camera housing to open under water, ruining an expensive camera and all my pictures.
That said, Nick, found a way to fix that problem by calling the owner after the trip, mostly lying about me , and getting me kicked off future trips I had pre-booked with dive Kauai.Ā Obviously that was a major inconvenience to have to rebook with another company at the 11th hour, but although it was a very clear inconvenience to me, wasting hours of my vacation time and a dinner, to rebook the evening, Fathom Five was able to take me last minute.
So, talking about Nick, and a longer story which is my word against his, but basically boils down to: dive kauai is forced to mix advanced divers with total beginners who run out of air in 10-15mn (when I do 60 to 75mn on average), has no protocol for this and not ruining the time of advanced divers. It was easy to predict, so I agreed with the dive guide before the dive that when the other divers would run out, I would wait under the boat for him to take them back up (they are supposed to be able to go up on their own, but dive kauai doesn't trust total beginners to do so safely, so the guide goes up with them) . I want to be clear that the dive guide agreed.
When I did so, Nick got super upset at me for "refusing to follow direction and go up", when no such direction was given to me and I was waiting under the boat for the guide to come back. He did come back and signalled for us to go up because the conditions weren't good and Nick wanted to leave early. Ok, so I did, and after that Nick was pissed at me the whole time for somehow not respecting his authorita (only happened in his head, he refused the explanation of what happened, and then found a way to kick me out "his boat". Well done Nick!)
The real problem, outside of harboring this totally unprofessional boat driver I wouldn't wish on any diver, is that this company is not setup to deal with advanced divers, has no protocol to do so, and does not have two boats or two guides to split groups by skill, like most respectable dive company would (I know, I've dived around the entire world and am just shy of 900 dives in over 20 years)
The afternoon of that day, I went shore diving with another group of 2 and they were inexperienced, they didn't have a working mask and couldn't even go down, ultimately cancelling my dive.Ā So disappointing.
But you know the best part? After Nick found out that I went to Fathom Five to dive with them, he actually called the owner to badmouth me further and try to get me kicked off their boat. OMG, how does that even?
So there you go, you have been warned. They cost me hours of wasted time and struggle on what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation and I cannot wish them on you or anyone.
And yes, Fathom Five has two boats, the boat I was on was much bigger, had room for cameras, had a rinse tank, and of course had a protocol for divers low on air to go up on their own without ruining the remaining time for everyone else, and they could not believe that Dive Kauai did not
Response from Host
Jan 2025
Dear Marc,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We genuinely appreciate hearing from our guests, even when their experiences donāt meet expectations, as it helps us identify areas for improvement.
We are sorry to hear that your experience with Dive Kauai did not align with your expectations as an advanced diver. While we aim to cater to divers of all levels, we also prioritize safety and clear communication above all else, especially given the unique conditions of Kauai's waters compared to other global dive locations.
Addressing Specific Concerns:
Wetsuit Thickness: We understand that water temperatures in December can be a challenge for some divers. Our 3mm wetsuits are provided as standard, but weāll evaluate the feasibility of offering additional wetsuits for guests who may require additional insulation.
Boat Size & Equipment Storage: Our boat is designed for small, intimate groups to ensure a personalized diving experience. While space is limited, we strive to accommodate guestsā equipment safely and encourage divers with extensive gear needs to inform us in advance so we can provide the best support possible. Your concerns regarding a rinse tank are noted, and weāll consider solutions to better meet photographersā needs.
Diver Grouping: As discussed prior to your reservation, your initial dive was scheduled on a beginner boat to allow for acclimatization to Kauaiās conditions. This arrangement was made with your safety and comfort in mind, but we understand that mixing experience levels can sometimes lead to frustration. Weāll continue refining our processes to better match divers by skill level when possible.
Interaction with Staff: Regarding the situation with Nick, we are truly sorry that you felt your interactions with him were unprofessional. Our team is trained to maintain clear communication and professionalism, and we will address this internally to ensure all staff uphold our high standards. That said, safety concerns raised by multiple staff members (3 separate divemasters) which led to our difficult decision to discontinue your remaining dives with us.
Commitment to Safety:
We deeply regret the inconvenience caused by this decision but stand by our commitment to prioritizing the safety of all our divers and staff. Diving in Kauai's unique conditions requires adherence to safety protocols. Unfortunately, consistent reports from our team about miscommunication and non-adherence to instructions raised concerns that we could not overlook.
We are glad to hear that you were able to continue your diving experience with another operator, though we are deeply saddened to learn of the emergency situation you encountered resulting in surgery. We hope you are recovering well and wish you the best in your future diving adventures.
Moving Forward:
Your feedback highlights areas where we can improve, including better upfront communication and more transparent management of diver expectations. We are taking these lessons to heart and will strive to make Dive Kauai a welcoming and safe experience for all divers.
Thank you again for your feedback.
Warm regards,
Kevin Abernathy
Dive Kauai