Date: April 2008
Aloha all,
I am so excited to share with you THE most amazing activity I have done since being on Maui!!
Recently Expedia added NORTH SHORE EXPLORERS (Scuba and boat tours) to what we offer to our guests.
For those of you who have not yet met Chris & Todd the owners.. They are fun, educated, really honest guys that offer a stellar product. They are the ONLY vendor of any kind that offers a tour of the back side of Hana! NO ONE ever sees this coast line otherwise! This is a product that is perfect for those guests that want to do or see something different or for the time share locations where the guests have done it all! This is definitely for EVERY diver that has either dived here or not! These areas are completely unexplored by the masses and are breathtaking!! I HIGHLY Recommend this to you and to your guests!
So as for our day of fun.. Well I could write a novel of the experiences we had and the millions of times I said this is incredible with the goofiest smile ever!
We started off at their office in Wailuku with a light breakfast and a briefing that explained all of the unique creatures big and small we may see that day. We got fitted for our gear and we were off..
Their one of a kind rafting boat, (previously used by the Navy seals), it is built to weather all seas.. The boat has comfortable seating and can hold up to 6 people for their adventure of a lifetime..
We jetted along the breathtaking coastline of the North shore. We went past the Hookipa kite sailors having a blast, and the big waves of Jaws (Peahi). We saw waterfalls that you would NOT believe.. I have pictures at the bottom.. Worth viewing! We continued on our way catching waves and laughing like goons the whole way. Todd and Chris both pointed out many different points of interest as we moved along this pristine coast. I was awe struck with a rock formation called Puka Maui. Chris and crew will tell you the tale of the Demi God Maui and his victory of the Monster, which created the Puka. I could never describe in writing the beauty of the Explorers cove, the Puka and the rock formation called whiskers. My jaw dropped even more seeing the “Jurassic Rock” that before I could only fly over for a brief moment. This rock formation is Stunning!! There is a small perfect tree in between these 2 sharply peeked rocks that actually had a beam of sunshine glowing on it, with gulls encircling the area! For those of you that know me well.. YES I felt like crying!! It was that beautiful!
We got all set and ready to start our DIVE portion of our day. I was so ready to see what this underwater landscape had to offer. I was not surprised at all that the underwater world in this area was as equally breathtaking as the coastline above. We dove down and through a cathedral that was full of larger fish untouched by man. We saw a few prized fish that are actually worth a great deal of money! Then the coolest thing was this field of leather coral.. Yes I said leather coral! This was something that you could actually touch and it felt like you were wriggling the tip of your nose!! Fun on the fingers!
We went approximately 80ft down but there was so much to see at a variety of depths to suit all divers’ abilities. I was told that at certain times they may even see a hammer head shark or monk seal out there as well! We chose not to do our second dive site as we spent so much time gawking over the above water coastline, but I absolutely can’t wait to go out again..
As we cruised back to the harbor Todd kicked it up a notch and we “flew” home! I loved EVERY minute of this extremely unique boat ride!
When we got back to the office, we had delicious gourmet sandwiches and refreshments. They did offer these to us on the boat after Scuba but at that point I was just to into the day to eat! We did have water and snacks along the way though..
So as for other things they offer go check your Aldesk and get going.. They are truly amazing people with a killer crew! I am HIGHLY recommending it to all of you, as a boat tour or Scuba! As I said you will not believe what they have to offer and the pure beauty you will see!
I hope to hear of your adventures soon! The guests will LOVE you for this I am sure of it!
Enjoy the pictures!
Cara
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Trip Advisor-Trip Report: Part 3
scubawifeinmaui
billings,mt
Joined: Jan 2008
Forum posts: 28
Travel map pins: 0
Posted on: 4:58 pm, May 28, 2008
Day Fourteen: My husband went diving with North Shore Explorers & he said this was a highlight of the trip. They try to go in water not normally dived & provide a pretty good adventure. He will definitely dive with these guys again.
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Date November 2007
Canadian Diver
“You guys should charge $200 for the boat ride & $75 for the diving” “An awesome day!”
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Date: 2/08
Dr. Sylvia Earle-National Geographic Explorer in Residence. Named by Library of Congress as a “Living Legend”.
“She is an elegant vessel” “ I had a wonderful time and hope to return”
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Date: June 2008
Daniel Opitz-International Director and Film Producer-Part time Maui resident.
“I am so glad I found you guys, I’ve had more fun in the past few weeks going out with you than ever before on Maui”.
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Date: July 4th 2008
Scubaboard posting-“Maui Trip Report” by sbaggs
North Shore Explorers: This is a "newish" dive operation that operates on the north shore...duh. They are located in Wailuku, which isn't far from the airport. They are the only such outfit that does so due to the rough conditions on that side of the island. They have a very unique dive boat, a rigid hull inflatable, which is what the Navy Seals use. Go to their site to check it out: northshoreexplorers.com. The ride itself, being able to explore that side of the island on your way to the dive sites, is worth the experience in itself. You are able to see sites that normally you would not be able to see except from a helicopter. These guys only take out a maximum of 6 divers, but we were lucky and it was just the two of us, plus the two of them. How awesome is that? One of the great things about diving on the north shore is that nobody else is out there. No other dive boats go there, so therefore the diving is way more pristine. Our first dive was a dive they had done before, a place they call Jurassic Rock. This is where they filmed the helicopter scene in the beginning of Jurassic Park. Absolutely beautiful. We saw many fish that are considered rare to see and I would name them, but I can't remember all their names at the moment after several beverages! They see things on the north side that are rarely seen on the south side, such as Hammerhead sharks (although we missed those). Fish are bigger and more abundant due to lack of diving over there. We saw one turtle who was a bit surprised to see us and it was clear they are not used to seeing people down their diving. Quite humorous. Our second dive was a dive they had not done before, but it too, was awesome. It was a great wall dive. The scenery when you surface is just spectactular. Though the dive rates may seem a little steep, when you consider the experience you are getting and the parts of the island you are able to see, it is well worth the expense. You are not diving with the masses. Both Chris and Todd are knowledgeable, fun to get to know, and very excited about their jobs. They love what they do. They have the latest safety equipment, complete with SOS beacons that they attach to each diver so no "Open Water" experiences will occur with them!
We would recommend if diving in Maui for the first time, starting with an outfit that goes to Molokini, such as Mike Severns, and getting that experience first since it is nice diving and worth seeing several times. Then we highly recommend trying North Shore Explorers and getting that experience as well, especially if you want something more grand and much more unique. It's really a once in a lifetime thing, although if we come back to Maui we'll be using them again. So maybe it's a "once every Maui trip" thing! Check out their site and give them a try.
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Date:11/2007
Instant Reader Report
on North Shore Explorers / [same] in
Hawaii / Maui on
2007/11
by
Peter Heseltine , CA, USA
NSE (Todd Winn and Chris Quarre, both with many years as professional
divemasters) offer unusual diving on the North Shore of Maui and
excursions to Molokai. They opened for business in Sept 2007. Their boat
is an ex-USN 30' Rigid Inflatable powered by twin 300hp Jet drives. This
part of Maui has brisk winds, choppy waves and is largely unexplored by
tourist divers. The dive locations are pinnacles and lava strewn, rocky
bays. Hammerheads are not uncommonly seen. We saw 15-20 lobsters in a
single cave, nudibranchs, schools of fish, turtles and were followed by a
curious 6' Green Jobfish over the course of a 100 min relaxed, rebreather
dive (Todd dives an Innerspace Porpoise Pack). They also support open
circuit nitrox, as well as mixed gas technical diving. Good dive for a
change. Choppy seas, windy boat ride and great scenery add zest for
advanced divers. Helpful crew made climbing back on the boat using a
purpose built ladder, tolerable for this geriatric diver. Contact NSE, 786
Alua St. Bay 5 Wailuku, HI. 96793 Email: info@NorthShoreExplorers.com
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Date: April 2008
“Thanks again for a great adventure.”
Erik Foreman-Advanced Diver Magazine, ADM Staff Explorer
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Date: Feb 2008
GUYS, We had a great time. I also found my sunglasses that I called about Thursday.
Guys, I will ONLY be using you guys from here on out each year. I will sing your praises daily!!.
Thanks again.
Ken and Erin Caviness
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Date: March 2008
THank you so much for the great dive experience in Hana!! You and your team were wonderful! The pictures of the fish will be on the way when I get a chance to upload them!!
Lyndy and JP
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Date: Jan 2008
Mike Elams Scuba Blog from Maui.net
Exploring the North Shore
GO BOLDLY! That’s the slogan of Maui’s newest dive boat operator…North Shore Explorers. Have you ever wondered what reef life was like on Maui’s south and west shores decades ago? Go dive with these guys…it’s all still there on Maui’s more remote and rugged north shore.
The only spot I have ever dived on the north shore is at Maliko Gulch which I have done many times and I have written about in a previous posting. I always wished that there was some way to visit spots further east towards Hana and north towards Kahakuloa without the need to be a Billy Goat and climb up and down the steep cliffs.
NSE can get you to these spots and more in style and in a hurry!! NSE uses the 30’ Rigid-hull Inflatable Boat Pailolo, built in a special project for the Navy's Combatant Craft Department and used by the elite Special Boat Units to insert, support and extract SEALs and other Special Operations teams in "over the horizon" missions in extreme conditions. This is the boat that the Seals attach a parachute to and throw it out of airplanes!!! The Seals can’t just say: “Oh, too bad the conditions aren’t ideal today. We can’t complete our mission.” So it’s the ideal vehicle for NSE to tackle Maui’s often rough wind and sea conditions.
The Pailolo allows NSE to visit some famous Maui surf spots with some equally amazing diving. Paia, Ho'okipa, Pauwela and of course Peahi (aka Jaws) to name a few are easily within reach. Then there is the Po'i, Puka Maui, and some incredible caves along the way to Honamanu bay. Depending on the weather, sites around the Keanae peninsula and beyond aren't out of the question!
NSE can also take you diving to the Island of Molokai including its famous sea cliffs and the infamous Mokuho'oniki, or Elephant Rock and its bevy of dive sites are well within striking distance. Other known Maui northwest treats include Nakalele Blowhole, Kahakuloa with its amazing underwater pinnacle, and outside Waihe'e.
We departed from the Kahului boat ramp on the Pailolo and a screaming, bouncy 40 knots per hour, 40 minutes, and a whale breach later we arrived at our first dive site—Puka Maui, out past Huelo but not quite to the Keanae Peninsula. This is a spot that NSE visits regularly and it’s nothing short of spectacular featuring a bevy of caves and a HUGE dramatic underwater archway!
And the quantity and variety of fish life here was outstanding… what you would expect to see at Molokini Crater! Schools of surgeonfish, Sergeant Majors, several varieties of butterflyfish swarming together with parrotfish, wrasse, and on and on—a true fishbowl! We saw a HUGE turtle sleeping in one of the caves that must have been close to 80 year old (yes, they can and do live that long). At the end of the dive a trio of large Kahala (Amberjack) swam by.
North Shore Explorers means precisely that. These guys are out to explore Maui’s North Shore. Most of the Maui’s northern coastline is completely inaccessible for scuba diving other than by boat. So for the second dive, NSE scouted the coastline to select a spot that looked promising. As is the case with most of Maui’s North Shore, NSE had never dived at this particular spot before. We were exploring a brand new dive site!!
So we dropped in to crystal clear water at this new location somewhere along the northeast shore. I thought the fish life was great on our first dive, but it was even better here. We spotted a VERY rare Whiskered Boarfish, a HUGE Titan Scorpionfish, a couple of Bandit Angelfish, a HUGE Triton’s Trumpet, eels, as well as a menagerie of other critters. I found evidence of abandoned fishing nets and line and weights, so someone is aware of the bounty available here.
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Dive stats:
Dive 1
Location: Puka Maui
Maximum Depth: 65 feet
Bottom Time: 45 minutes
Visibility: 80-100 feet
Water Temp: 73°
Dive 2
Location: Who knows???
Maximum Depth: 53 feet
Bottom Time: 60 minutes
Visibility: 80-100 feet
Water Temp: 73°
Date: Feb 2008
Your Name: Patrick Hatcher
Subject: dive on feb 28
Message: Hey guys. Wanted to once again thank you for an excellent dive on Feb 28. I'll be sure to tell my Maui bound students to make sure they look you guys up!
Thanks again for a great day
- Patrick
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Date: June 2008
Your Name: Paul Schmieder
Subject: Friday Dive
Message: Hey, guys. Thanks for the wonderful trip yesterday on Friday the 13th. I'll always remember your opening comment during our briefing, Chris, that "you could die today." How cool is that? I have a few pictures, some OK and some just fair, but the memories are the best. Good luck and Mahalo, Paul
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Date: Nov 2007
"North Shore Explorers put Pailolo (their ex-US navy marine zodiac) to the test with our small corporate group from Australia. Staring into the face of the world famous 'Jaws' surf wave breaking 30ft+ was a highlight of our client's incentive reward trip. I highly recommend Chris and Todd and North Shore Explorers for an exciting day out on Pacific waters around Maui." Theo Scholmann - 35th Parallel, Corporate Adventure Travel
Mucho gusto,
Theo Scholmann
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Date: May 2008
Gentlemen,
I just wanted to say again how much Colin and I enjoyed our dives with you. It was a pleasure to be treated as divers rather than tourists needing our hands held. I'll be sure and pass on to our dive club and the local shops our experience.
In the meantime, I forgot to get from you the dive site names for our logs. The first day was: Jurasic Rock and ? Whisker Bay?
The second day was the northeast corner of Molokai and then the ? Three Sisters?...is that what you're really going to call them?
Thanks again and we'll be back, most likely next year.
Steve Ratcliffe
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Date: March 2008
I really enjoyed diving with your team.
Thanks again,
Peter Bortel
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