Dive with Sharks in Maui: It's safe!

Ever dream about swimming with sharks without ANY protection (like a lame-o cage)?  We have, and you can too.  The Maui ocean center's open ocean tank contains several hammerhead sharks, black tip reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, and even a tiger shark.  And, if you're a certified diver, you can actually go diving in this tank.  It's a highly unique experience that requires quite a bit of pre-planning.  

COST (USD):       $200 per adult + gear rental

FUN:                     5 of 5   

UNIQUENESS:    High

DIFFICULTY:       Medium

TIME:                   3-5 hours

LOCATION:        Wailiku, Maui, Hawaii

First, some logistics to be aware of:

• Dives only happen twice a week, and there's a limit of four divers, so call and reserve ahead of time.

• You'll also need to be a certified diver, so bring your card if you have one.  If you really want to swim with sharks, get certified first.

• The cost of $200 per person does not include gear.  You can rent BCD, wetsuit, regulator, mask and fins at the dive shop in the same shopping center as the Maui Ocean Center.  No need to call ahead, but you'll have to budget about $35 per person for it.

Now about the shark dive

• It starts at 8:15 with a behind the scenes tour and talk about the sharks.  They teach you about sharks so that you don't freak out.  Basically, sharks don't eat people.  Sharks don't want to eat people.  No worries.

• Then you dive two at a time for about 35 minutes each with the dive master.  This is just like a normal dive except that it's in a giant tank, so no current and great visibility!

• While diving, you're pretty much allowed to explore on your own.  There are lots of rays, sharks, and other fish who are pretty used to people and will get quite close to you.  You can feed the rays.

• The sharks mostly ignore you, but when a shark turns quickly and comes straight at you... freaky but cool.  

• Later in the day, people start arriving, and all the kids outside the tank will point at you and wave.  Wave back, you're on camera.  It's actually a lot of fun to enjoy the exhibit from the other side of the glass

Afterwards

• You and a guest get "free" passes to the rest of the Maui Ocean Center.  This is a beautiful aquarium, and definitely take a few hours to explore.  The tropical fish here are the most beautiful in the world, and you'll see more here than in any snorkel or dive spot in hawaii.

• The restaurant has a nice view and surprisingly good food.  Make a whole day out of it here.

• You also get complimentary t-shirts from the gift shop.  =)