YOU REALLY REALLY REALLY SHOULD BE ON ONE OF THE OTHER ISLANDS IF DIVING IS YOUR THING - Oahu just doesn't compare. However if you are on Oahu, try Rainbow Scuba.
I've been diving for a good few years, mainly Monterey, but occasionally I feel the need to get out of the cold and go to Hawai'i.
At the last minute I took advantage of a great flight deal and flew to Oahu for a weekend of solid diving. After booking my flight I started calling around the dive boats looking for last minute reservations for as much diving as they (and Nitrogen) could fit in. Everyone was full and panic started to set in. A few people mentioned Rainbow Scuba to me, and their reviews online looked very good with one exception. When I read reviews I tend to ignore the very best and very worst, and with only one bad review it seemed a safe bet!
I called and Ken found a way to fit me in for 6 dives over the weekend. I dived with Ken, and Enrique, both of whom seemed to be extremely experienced divers, and fun, relaxing people. Both days they picked me up at my Waikiki hotel and brought me to the boat, fitted me out with a wetsuit (I had the rest of the gear myself) and off we went.
We dove some great wrecks in the Honolulu area, and I had a blast. Ken and Enrique were good leaders, and took great care of the divers, both experienced and learning. On two of the dives had some very new divers and I was very impressed with how they handled some situations. Whilst intervening when necessary they were careful not to let it be interpreted negatively, thus preserving the confidence of new divers whilst teaching them and keeping them safe. One was a new diver who looked like he become an really exceptional diver, they made one mistake, and it was dealt with both effectively and in a manner so as not to wreck the divers confidence. Ken and Enrique seemed to have the touch... keeping people safe, letting them have fun, without seeming overbearing.
For day two I really wanted to use my own computer, so they drove me to a dive shop, Breeze, who sorted out the hose issue, then Ken brought me back to my hotel. WHERE can you get that service? Impressed.
They also take lots of photos underwater and upload them to flicker where you can get them for free when you get home. Many outfits charge dearly for bad photos if you don't have your own camera.
There was never any rush, no sense of the cattle boat trip, and everyone had a blast.
They don't operate their own boat and share with other operators, however the boat was very relaxed and they did have the ability to select dive sites.
Cash only, not a problem as they tell you in advance.
Great prices, and surprisingly good service!
My only complaint, I really didn't like one of the dive sites I did twice, an old pipe outlet - however I can see why it's used, near the port, shallow and no hazards. Bad vis by local standards, but I'm not sure how much else is available near port in the 35-55 range for shallow dives.
Oahu is not my favorite island, but it's cheap to get to, and when I'm there again I will certainly be talking to Rainbow! next on my list there is a repeat dive on the YO wreck with Nitrox.
I just don't get the issues in Tom's review (the only negative one). Many diver operations don't have stores. They instead have relationships with stores. There's a very good case for not providing snorkels to trainee divers - accidents happen, one doesn't work so well underwater. I never saw any damage to the wildlife, though I don't see too much on an issue if they picked up a starfish to show to a student - I've a hard time wondering how someone could get their jollies from flinging starfish around.
I think that bad review is a simple case of personality mismatch. It happens. Even if both sides are faultless, they won't necessarily get along or have matching expectations. Rainbow does not run a highly regimented assembly line scuba operation. Some people do need and want that, but most of us visiting Hawai'i want to relax, have fun, and stay safe. I see one 1 star review, lots of 5 star reviews from people who do not look like sockpuppets, multiple reviews etc. Draw your own conclusions.
Almost minus a star for the location - not their fault. It's Honolulu, a state capital city. Don't expect Fiji underwater. Reef's teaming with life just won't happen (the wrecks are full of life tho'). Great wrecks tho'!
VERY VERY STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
Safe, smart, great prices, no "cattle boat" feeling. Professional. If in Honolulu you really should dive with Rainbow! That said, you really REALLY REALLY should be on one of the other Islands if diving is your thing. Check out Big Island Divers on Hawai'i read more