Kona Aggressor
I've been on many liveaboard dive boats, but I've had a little trouble with mobility lately, and haven't been on one in almost 2 years. Even though it's been hard to get around, I went on the Kona Aggressor last week. The KA has the cabins, dive deck & galley on the same level. They gave me cabin 5, which was about 4 feet from the coffee pot, 5 feet from the dive deck, and 6 feet from the tequila bottle, so it was easy getting to everything I needed for a great trip.
I've been to the island of Kona several times, and have made at least 50-100 dives there over the past 25 years. In the past, all of my diving was with land-based operators. I've been to all the normal sites along the lee coast of the island, and even over to the windward coast for 2 shore dives. I was there last September, for some dives to get warmed up for the EDG Bonaire trip.
This time, diving the Big Island seemed better from the Aggressor boat. First of all, the Aggressor does a manta night dive (which is the signature dive for that island) without any other operators, which makes it way more fun than having a bunch of other divers & snorkelers swimming around while the mantas are there. The KA's manta dive had the big pacific mantas literally in our faces again & again. Second, the Aggressor gets to some sites that are too far for land-based operators, down at the southern tip of the island. Third, there is a much better chance to enjoy the critters when you're on a liveaboard, because you're never in a rush.
With 5 dives a day, you always have plenty of opportunities to see whatever you want. This trip, we had all of the best diving Kona has to offer. While the reefs are not quite as busy & colorful as in the best spots of the Caribbean, we had 80 degree water, 80-100' visibility, no currents, and lots of good stuff.
I'm not good at listing all of the critters, so let it suffice to say we had good diving. On the last 2 dives alone, we had several of the green Pacific turtles and a whole pod of spinner dolphins. There was lots of stuff you can't see in the Caribbean, such as a Dragon Moray, Pacific Green Turtles being cleaned, a pod of Spinner Dolphins, a school of Pacific Barracudas, and lots of mantas up close & personal.
I should also mention that the passengers that let me join their group were extremely nice, gracious and welcoming. The crew, as is usual on Aggressor boats, was great. The food on this trip was unbelievable, with gourmet dishes every night.
Here are a few pictures. Enjoy, Marcos
I've been on many liveaboard dive boats, but I've had a little trouble with mobility lately, and haven't been on one in almost 2 years. Even though it's been hard to get around, I went on the Kona Aggressor last week. The KA has the cabins, dive deck & galley on the same level. They gave me cabin 5, which was about 4 feet from the coffee pot, 5 feet from the dive deck, and 6 feet from the tequila bottle, so it was easy getting to everything I needed for a great trip.
I've been to the island of Kona several times, and have made at least 50-100 dives there over the past 25 years. In the past, all of my diving was with land-based operators. I've been to all the normal sites along the lee coast of the island, and even over to the windward coast for 2 shore dives. I was there last September, for some dives to get warmed up for the EDG Bonaire trip.
This time, diving the Big Island seemed better from the Aggressor boat. First of all, the Aggressor does a manta night dive (which is the signature dive for that island) without any other operators, which makes it way more fun than having a bunch of other divers & snorkelers swimming around while the mantas are there. The KA's manta dive had the big pacific mantas literally in our faces again & again. Second, the Aggressor gets to some sites that are too far for land-based operators, down at the southern tip of the island. Third, there is a much better chance to enjoy the critters when you're on a liveaboard, because you're never in a rush.
With 5 dives a day, you always have plenty of opportunities to see whatever you want. This trip, we had all of the best diving Kona has to offer. While the reefs are not quite as busy & colorful as in the best spots of the Caribbean, we had 80 degree water, 80-100' visibility, no currents, and lots of good stuff.
I'm not good at listing all of the critters, so let it suffice to say we had good diving. On the last 2 dives alone, we had several of the green Pacific turtles and a whole pod of spinner dolphins. There was lots of stuff you can't see in the Caribbean, such as a Dragon Moray, Pacific Green Turtles being cleaned, a pod of Spinner Dolphins, a school of Pacific Barracudas, and lots of mantas up close & personal.
I should also mention that the passengers that let me join their group were extremely nice, gracious and welcoming. The crew, as is usual on Aggressor boats, was great. The food on this trip was unbelievable, with gourmet dishes every night.
Here are a few pictures. Enjoy, Marcos
