Kona Aggressor II

I was a diver on the Kona Aggressor May16−23, 2015. I experienced some major problems with the Aggressor. On the second day of our dive trip I was unable to grasp the top bunkbed as there was no ladder and i was told to climb on the sink and then on the window sill to get to the top of the bunkbed. As I grabbed a hold on the upper bed, I fell backwards and hit my head on the floor. We turned back to Kona (3 hrs) from where I was transported to the hospital. Diagnosis: major concussion with vertigo. I was in the hospital for nine hours, where the doctors took several test to see if there was any internal damage. None that could be observed at that time. The night I went back on the boat only to find out that the crew needed to be told by another passenger to change the bedsheets as I had vomited after the head trauma. The whole trip was a trip from hell as the ship was very dirty, the cook was being tried out, consequently the meals were not appropriate for divers, and the safety measures on the boat are a joke. I have not been contacted by the company to make reparations or to find out how I am doing health wise. I find that irresponsible by the company and would never recommend anyone to go with the Kona Aggressor as the rooms are unsafe, the cleaning was not done properly and there are no ladders to get to the second bunk

This is a top notch crew that exercises great judgment in selecting dive sites, and allow their divers sufficient leeway to dive their own dives. The meals are great as well, and if you are kama’aina, the rates are hard to beat! Half the crew has turned over since March, but I still expect the same level of service.

Overall — really enjoyed this dive operation. Crew was super helpful. We did not have a large group (~10 people) –so, the boat did not feel too crowded. The food was very good — so, be prepared to eat. The food is good, plentiful and varied. The snacks after the dives were equally good — warm cookies-​mmmm.
The dive guides did a good job with the briefings and they were very helpful on the dives (of course, there is always that diver that pushes you out of the way because they think they are a professional photographer).
Unfortunately, the on-​board videographer/​photographer was on vacation the week we went. So, we did not get many shots from the crew. The guy that was substituting took some pictures of fish but did not take any of the divers –then, at the end of the dive he had a CD with some pictures from our week but many more pictures from previous dives.
The boat is a bit dated in the cabin area and a bit shabby. But, I always view liveaboards as «camping» anyway. The ac was cold –they had warm water for post-​dive showers and en suite lavatories –that is better than some operations.
The dive platform is a bit challenging. You have to suit up and then walk down 3 – 5 stairs to get to the platform to get in the water. Then, after the dive, you have to pull yourself up the ladder out of the water and then climb those same steps to get to the equipment area. Not too bad for me and my son but we had a few older folks on the boat that struggled from time-​to-​time getting up both after some challenging currents.
The dives sites were great — the manta dive was great but crowded. There are only two sites that the dive boats typically attend –so, you have a ton of divers in the water and many snorkelers above. There were divers on top of divers. Of course, with the liveaboard, we were able to stay longer than the other operations –so, after a while, it cleared out and we were one of the only groups still there.
The diving in April was pretty cool –water temps were typically in the low 70’s. So, I wore a full 5 MM wetsuit and gloves — a hood on most dives and all of the night dives.
Enjoyed it!

Here is an update with a sample of the weekly itinerary on the Kona Aggressor II:
Day 1 — Saturday — Guests arriving at Kona International Airport Saturday afternoon are transferred to the yacht. Passengers may board after 5:00 p.m. Once everyone is aboard, the yacht departs for its first anchorage while the chef serves dinner. After dinner the Captain gives a safety briefing which is followed by a welcome party.
Day 2 — Sunday — Divers suit up for the first dive and the guests can go up to five dives each day. Excellent snorkeling is available for non-​diving passengers too. The chef prepares snacks and meals. Night dives are offered throughout the week too. Kona is known for some awesome night dive encounters with 2,000 pound Manta Rays.
Days 3,4, 5 and 6 The West Side of Hawaii — Diving continues Monday through Thursday at favorites such as: Paradise Pinnacle, Tubestria Tunnel, The Hive, Turtle Pinnacle and Rob’s Reef. The yacht goes as far as South Point, the southernmost tip of Hawaii and the U.S. if the weather permits.
Day 7 — Friday — After diving the Kona Aggressor II returns to Kailua-​Kona in the afternoon. The Captain and crew host an evening cocktail party at 5:00 p.m. This is what I attended and I had a great time.
Day 8 — Checkout — Checkout is 8:00 a.m. on Saturday. Guest are transferred to the airport or a local hotel.