Location
Hawaii is actually made up of 8 distinct, major islands in the North Pacific and nearly 2000 miles from the nearest contient. They form part of the USA. They were formed by volcanic action, but today are famed for the beautiful beaches, inviting waters and tropical jungle.
Covid Travel Information
View entry requirements here
Most fully vaccinated foreign citizens can enter the USA. The US authorities will accept any COVID-19 vaccine approved for emergency use by the World Health Organisation or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These are the AstraZeneca, BIBP/Sinopharm, Covishield, Janssen, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Sinovac vaccines. In addition, those who have received the full series of an active (not placebo) COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trials are considered vaccinated.
All air passengers to the USA are also required to provide contact information to their airlines before boarding. You should check with your airline before you travel for more details. Effective from Sunday 12 June 2022 at 00:01 ET (5:01 am BST), the CDC no longer require pre-departure COVID-19 testing for USA-bound air travellers.
Upon arrival, fully vaccinated travellers:
do not have to quarantine
are recommended to take a viral test within 3 to 5 days of arrival in the US.
From 18th March, when you travel to England from abroad you:
do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive
do not need to fill in a UK passenger locator form
do not need to quarantine when you arrive
This applies whether you are vaccinated or not.
It includes people who are transiting through England.
Updated 13 SEP 2022
Weather and Climate
Hawaii’s proximity to the equator means that the its weather is tropically warm and consistent throughout the year. Rainfall is usually overnight, rather than during the day.
Hawaii’s weather is warm all year round with daytime high temperatures ranging from 78F in the “colder” months to 88F in the hotter months. Typically December, January and February are the coolest months, while July, August and September are the warmest months.
Travel
Flight options
The most direct routes to Kona Hawaii are via LA or San Francisco. Flights depart regularly with most of the major American carriers, as well as BA and Virgin. We are able to book most major airlines. Please ask for a quote.
Stopovers
As you are flying through the States, why not add a night or few en route to break up the journey.
Arrange before you go
Visa requirements
Please ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. if your flights transit through the USA, you MUST have a valid ESTA or visa before travel. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Previous travel to certain countries (eg Cuba, Sudan) will exclude you from the ESTA programme and you will need to apply for a visa before travel. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here to review
Insurance
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities.
We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.
Immunisations
Your covid proof of vaccination must match your passport name and flight ticket name. Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on updating your NHS details or for other travel immunisations: click here to go to the NHS
Preparing to fly
Seating
You will be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.
Check in
As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.
Lounge
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world.
click here for more info on Lounge Pass
Parking
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think.
click here for holiday extras
What happens when I arrive?
On arrival please make your way through baggage claim and immigration. Local regulations mean that we are not able to prebook transfers, but taxi are easy to find outside the airport. Please check your onward address prior to travel.
If you have any issues on arrival, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
Transfers
Local regulations mean that we are not able to include transfers in the cost of your holiday. Taxis are widely available. Certain resorts offer car hire as part of your package. Full instructions will be in your travel documentation.
Departures
Disembarkation is after breakfast in the morning. You can leave your bags on board until your departure time for your flight. The crew will assist with a taxi, that needs to be paid for locally. You may be required to pay a departure tax leaving the island.
Info
Tipping
Crew gratuities are not included in the charter. Aggressor believe gratuities should be voluntary and based upon the quality of service the crew has provided. When settling your account on the final morning morning, the Captain will have an envelope for gratuities that will be divided equally among the crew.
Currency
The USD is the currency of Hawaii. The yacht will accept US dollars cash, mastercard or visa (credit card surcharge may apply).
Phone coverage
There is a satellite phone onboard for emergency communication. Mobile phone coverage may be limited throughout the itinerary, depending on your carrier.
Plugs and electricity
Electrical outlets onboard are standard US 110 volt
Extras
Hire equipment
A full line of Aqua Lung rental gear is available aboard including regulators, BCs and dive computers.
Extras
Several diving specialty courses are offered onboard including Nitrox, Advanced Open Water, UW Photography, Master Diver and more.
Souvenirs
There is a mini-boutique onboard with assorted t-shirts and miscellaneous items
Nitrox/Gas
Unlimited Nitrox is $100 per 7 night charter/ $150 per 10 night charter
Payments
Deposits and Balances
A typical deposit for your Aggressor liveaboard package will be 50% of the trip cost. Your final balance will be due 100 days before travel.
Ways to pay
We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 2% surcharge. Overseas bank transfers must add £6 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions.
Group Payments
If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation
Discounts
Repeat Guests
Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers? Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.
And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.
5% off for repeat customers travelling with Scuba Travel within 24 months
Plus travel on a second Aggressor trip in 12mths for an extra $100 discount or $200 on your third trip in 12 mths.
Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices
Included
Your liveaboard accommodation is based on a deluxe cabin on a full board basis - your last night dinner is not included in your charter package
Soft drinks, water, tea, coffee and a limited selection of local beer and wine
All diving, 12lt international tanks, air fills and weights are included
Airport transfers for embarkation/disembarkation can be prebooked but are paid for locally
Excluded
International flights, domestic flights and any overnight stays where required are not included in your trip. Please ask your travel consultant for a quote to add these
There are currently no port fees or park fees for Kona Aggressor
Nitrox for 7 nights is $100 on all Aggressor charters, kit rental, souvenirs or private guiding services are paid for on board.
