This dive experience was unsafe. Basic practices were neglected (including the 3 minute safety stop). We were not given any demonstrations or in the water practice before descending. “2 dives” is just 2 dives at the same site. For the first one we didn’t even leave the rope. For context, there were 4 of us diving. I am a certified diver, and my friend has done one discovery dive (this being her second). We also dove with another couple who had never been diving before. I believe that as a teacher / dive master it is essential that you ensure everyone feels safe, and you are available for questions. Max did not do any demonstrations, got into the water first and then began descent with no explanation or basic equipment checks. One of our group members panicked and shot back up to the top, her partner then followed. They had not been told that rapid ascents were unsafe, and so cannot be blamed. Max then followed them up without informing us and we were left for 10 minutes underwater, so began to slowly ascent. I believe there wouldn’t have been an issue if there had been basic training & reassurance offered at the top of the water! The experience stopped her from coming on the second dive as she felt unsure & unsafe. Not once did max check me or my friends oxygen consumption. We were asked ONCE between the two dives if we were okay. I took it upon myself to check in with people, and felt responsible for the group. The gentleman whose first dive it was was continuing to go up & down throughout the dive and was unaware that Max or he could even adjust buoyancy. To add to it, Max purposefully touched & damaged live coral which is diver (or even human) 101!! There were plenty opportunities for briefing or lessons - for the first hour there were certified divers diving with another company whilst we waited on the boat. We could have gotten into the water and done basic demonstrations. Also, during this time one of our group felt sea sick and wasn’t at all offered any help/ advice. We were very excited given we were recommended this company, and incredibly disappointed with the experience. We tried to discuss this with Max at the end of the dive and instead were blamed for not following his lead. Given there were no instructions offered either above or below the water, what lead I should have followed? I do not appreciate being blamed when feeling I had put a friend in a vulnerable situation. It is unsafe to dive with Max.

Very good training from a true professional! Took the group training, yet no one but me was in the class. In the result I got the private experience, and it was very awesome. Max always always positive and informative.

Max was fantastic. My wife and I had previously done an introductory scuba dive in Cancun several years ago but max got us back up to speed quickly and we had a great time. I will dive with him again in the future.

Had a fantastic time with dive instructor Max on a two tank dive in Honolulu. All of the gear was provided. He had snacks and water included as well. We visited two reefs and saw more aquatic life than I've ever seen on a dive before. Tropical fish, dolphins, sea turtles, octopus, and more. Max also took some great pictures during the trip. He provided a much more personal experience than a large commercial dive outfit ever could. If your looking to dive in Honolulu I highly recommend Manini Dive co. They cater to anyone with no prior dive experience all the way to advanced divers.

Max at Manini Dive Company is the man to see for a great dive experience! Great value, equipment included, and he is a great photographer! We will definitely dive with him again on our next Hawaii adventure!

Did my first ocean scuba dive with Max at Manini Diving Company and loved my experience. He is an expert and uses his experience to find what the other guides might miss, like the octopus on my dive. I noticed the other guides came to him with needs and questions throughout the journey and he was very happy to make sure everyone was having a good time. I found he was very personable and a joy to get to know as well as Crash and Sushi our boat captain and first mate. Max is good for a no nonsense dive. Thanks for the great experience.

Great explanations. Wonderful photos. Loved the experience.

If I could offer 10 stars, I would. Max is an accomplished scuba instructor and guide. He reads his clients’ experience level and the present diving conditions and tailors the diving experience that he leads accordingly. My wife and I are repeat clients over many years. The only time we’d consider an alternative dive company is when Max is taking well deserved time off.

Experience was super safe. Max did an excellent job of guiding us through each step. Equalizing the air pressure was no problem as we took it in steps while we used the rope to guide us to the bottom. The gear fit well, even around a middle aged body. We saw turtles, an octopus, and some nice patches of reef - with healthy coral and the usual fish. It was a very easy experience. The only skills you really need are calmness and maturity. My daughters fell in love with the octopus and didn't want to leave.

We had an amazing scuba diving experience with Max! He was fantastic — not only knowledgeable but also made the whole experience incredibly fun. Safety was a top priority, and it really put us at ease. We got to explore a variety of fascinating underwater sights, making the entire adventure unforgettable. We're definitely coming back for more underwater adventures. Highly recommend for both beginners and experienced divers!

Max, our instructor, provided a very memorable diving experience to my daughter and me. As first time divers, we both were quite nervous but he had such a calming aura, it helped us overcome the fear immediately! This wonderful diving experience will stay with us forever. Here’s a pic of my daughter swimming with a giant turtle. If you are in Oahu, don’t think twice about diving under the Pacific with Max and Manini Dive!! I would give them 6 stars but Google only allows for 5!!

Max was amazing, patient and so comforting to me as a first time diver. He definitely brings the Aloha spirit to the experience. He was able to show me so many amazing things and he is an excellent underwater photographer. It has been the highlight of my visit to Oahu.

Max was great! He guided me through my AOW course while making all the dives fun. Highly recommend for a personable diving experience.

I dove with Max for 3 days in March 2023 to get my advanced open water PADI certification and had a GREAT experience. We shared the boat (a big catamaran) with a number of other dive groups, but Max only takes out small groups himself. I got lucky and had him essentially as a private instructor for 3 of my 6 dives, and even when there were other people in our group, there were no more than 4 of us total. Max was super knowledgeable and great at explaining the practical applications behind various certification requirements. I don't have lots of experience (only had 7 dives when I started with Max) and he made me feel very comfortable, even in some relatively difficult conditions on the last day. On our six dives, he found two octopuses, we saw tons of turtles and several eels and a crab, heard the whales singing underwater, and even saw two sharks! I will 100% dive with Max on future trips to Honolulu. If you're thinking about doing your AOW certification, check with Max to see if he's still offering the deal where if you book three 2-tank dives with him, you can add on the AOW certification for free - it's a great value!

I had the most incredible experience diving with Max, the owner and dive master of Manini Divers, I was the his only diver on a boat shared with other dive shops and I felt incredible lucky. After exploring the Sea Tiger Wreck, I can confidently say that Max's expertise and passion for diving truly made the trip. Max ensured that I felt valued and well taken care of throughout the entire experience. His professionalism and attention to detail were unwavering, making me feel like a priority despite the presence of divers from other shops. Max's extensive knowledge of the wreck and the surrounding marine life was evident as he pointed out remarkable features underwater (the nesting octopus)! He guided me with precision, ensuring that I got the most out of the dive while maintaining a strong emphasis on safety. This dive is for experienced divers, but Max made that clear from the time I booked. I would dive with Max anytime.

Max was amazing! Was our first experience scuba diving and it was a trip! He explained to us on the boat what we would likely experience, but emphasizes that everyone has their own experience. I ended up not being able to fully do it (got freaked out), but Max was attentive and patient. He ended up taking my husband out to get the full experience and he had rave reviews. . Max lets you roam around a bit, but is there when you need him! Would recommend Max to any first-time divers!

I would recommend Manini Dive Company to anyone just beginning their dive journey and to certified divers who want to spend the day with a great guide. A highlight of my time on Oahu! I will be back. Thank you Max and crew!

Max is such a great diving guide! I haven't done scuba diving for 5+ years since my last dive in SE Asia, so I was worried that it would take quite a long time for me to get back into it in a new area. Max was experienced and super clear with his instruction, which helped a lot as I refreshed my skills. He was super knowledgeable about the area and knew when and where he should looking for the right stuff. I enjoyed the trip with him and would definitely come back to him again.

We had a great dive experience with Max today. We saw multiple turtles, different kinds of fish and amazing octopus! Max is very experienced and knowledgeable. As a first timer, safety is my major concern (e.g. fear of sharks haha), and Max is a very patient guide, he answered all my questions and made me feel much less panicky about it. I'll definitely dive with Max again next time I visit Hawaii.

Max was referred by another dive master that I originally tried to book with (he had appts that day). Max brought all the gear that I needed and saw to it that I had fun and safe dives. I bought the photos package, it worked out well for me because we came across giant turtles. If visiting Waikiki, definitely book with Max. Mahalo Max!

I really enjoyed my dives with Max. He is a master diver and made me feel completely relaxed on our deep dive. Thank you for retrieving my weights.

One of the best few dives I have done for not being in the water for 6 months. Max is great to dive with and makes you feel like a seasoned diver without trying too hard. He stays in Zen mode even if you are nervous. The deep dive was one of my all time favorite dive where i got to beat my record diving depth at 100ft!!! The Sea Tiger Wreck is a must see. Oh ya, Max has dad jokes. I think it is to get his divers into the water faster :) Had a very fun time. Thanks Max!

Did the introductory Dive with Max. He was awesome! We shared a boat with another dive team but there was only 2 of us with Manini Dive. He tests you on the 1st dive and depending how you do determines the second dive. I got to see lots of cool fish, a big turtle, and even hold a baby octopus 🐙 Max was very patient, but I liked the we got right out there. He even took great pics! It was a very memorable experience.

The dive trip was organized and went smoothly. Max showed us a lot of cool wildlife and helped my first-time-diver friend get his bearings and feel comfortable underwater.

Max was great. We had a party of two; her first dive and my 3rd. Everything went great and the 2 dive spots were cool. I got awesome footage on my GoPro. We saw turtles, cool fish, dolphins and each held a little octopus! Other people (in other dive groups) saw a shark (white tip and harmless) but the ocean doesn't wait for anybody. Highly recommend.

Max is the man! I have always wanted to go diving in Hawaii and I ended up coming across Manini Dive Company. Max puts his heart into these dives for whoever he takes and he goes the extra mile to make you feel like a pro no matter how experienced you are. My dive experience couldn't have been better and I 10/10 would recommend to anyone out there! Max wont disappoint!

Max was amazing! I have been on over 50 dives and was bringing my girlfriend on her first dive. Max was very good teacher and helped ease her nerves. Very interactive and professional during the dives. Took care of everything, I have been on dives where the expect you to help with hauling gear or tanks, Max took care of everything all we had to do was put it on and jump in. Highly recommend to any experienced or beginner divers looking for a great experience in a Hawaii!

Had a fantastic time diving with Max. I did both the morning and afternoon dives and we saw everything turtles, sharks, octopi and plenty of fish. Max took care of everything including setting up all of the gear on boat, switching tanks and recovering a lost weight belt. I would highly recommend booking Max for his individualized attention.