Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Anyone use Torpedo Tours recently?

I%26#39;ve searched the boards and only came up with one or two mentions. Seems unusual for a company that says they%26#39;ve been around since 1999.





We are doing a mini-family reunion in June and want to take mom (72) on a snorkeling trip. She is an avid snorkeler with years of experience and is excellent in the water but no longer has enough muscle to get in and out of two step or kayaks at Kealakekua. Initially we were going to book with Fair Winds or similar, but several family members balked at the price and looked into a cheaper option (i.e. torpedo tours charter at $50 pp, 18 persons). I%26#39;m a little skeptical because other charters I%26#39;ve looked at (recommended by TA%26#39;ers) have been several thousand dollars per day, and I can%26#39;t find recent reviews for Torpedo Tours anywhere on the web.





Any feedback is helpful! Not looking for snorkeling recommendations as we%26#39;ve been almost every shore-accessible place and that is no longer an option for mom, except perhaps at Kahalu%26#39;u.



Anyone use Torpedo Tours recently?


Why not just take Sea Paradise to Kealakekua? It is a large catamaran with a staircase they lower into the water. You walk down steps and up. To get out, you swim up to it, can turn around and site on the step two or three steps up, put your feet on the one below you, stand up, walk up. There are handrails. If she can climb regular stairs this is possible. The boat takes dozens in theory but is usually not crowded--in this economy trying to make the minimum of 6 or 8 is an issue. If you each paid regular you%26#39;d have it (almost) to yourselves...or call and see. We got a direct booking discount for the 2 of us.



http://www.seaparadise.com/contact.htm



Anyone use Torpedo Tours recently?


OK, I googled and found this



http://www.torpedotours.com/





This is clearly a dive boat. I have been on similarly sized ones and though they say they ';have room'; for 14 that would be VERY cramped. Plus, dive boats have good ladders but they will be harder to get out of the water than a staircase that goes well under water such as on a snorkel catamran. I have bad knees and came to HI one year 6 weeks after knee surgery. Ladders were a big issue for me that trip.





Perhaps you are interested in the ';torpedos'; they have for additional money. Kealakekua is very calm, she can mostly float and see a lot.




Sea Paradise was my first choice, but the other members are there on a budget and balk at having to pay $100 instead of $52. The other members are also divers so that may have something to do about it. We%26#39;re OK if being a little cramped is the only concern, and mom can make it up a dive boat ladder in a calm sea, but I%26#39;m always a bit cautious booking a company that has so few user reviews. We are not into using the torpedos as we have our own and think they%26#39;re of limited use.





I have found TA%26#39;ers to be mostly ';spot on'; with reviews and appreciate anyone%26#39;s input who has used Torpedo Tours in the past, or know of Nicky and Mike.




I%26#39;d call Sea Paradise. If they charge $100 and would go with 8, that%26#39;s $800. If they charge 18 people less, that can be more especially if you bring your own food.




The Torpedo tours...is for divers, Skilled divers who can master depth control......its not a ocean walker for the disabled or weak. In addition your



mon wont be able to climb the ladder back into the boat.......and its a small boat to start with.



This totaly eiminates any and all boat snorkeling for her





In the interest of safety...yours and hers....if she is too weak to get in and out of the water than its time for her to hang up the mask and snorkel. She can present a danger to you and herself. If there is any problem, she could very easily kill you and herself... experience means nothing without condition.



When you cant do something because of physical problems... you should not to it. Its natures way of protecting us.





They wont be able to take you to Capt Cook or Place Of refuge....because they dont have a state permit that allows them to .....the area is strictly regulated due to heavy traffic. by the state





Take her for free to Kahaluu ....




Thanks for your concern hawaii dan. My mother still works full time and last year climbed machu picchu without oxygen supplement. However, even a very strong swimmer cannot swim out to Captain Cook, and on most days even an athlete can have entry/exit trouble into Two Step as you know.





My question is not regarding my mother%26#39;s abilities, but about the reputation of Torpedo Tours from someone who has used this company recently.




Honu Ohana,





I did call Sea Paradise. They are firm on their $99 price, even for 18. No senior, kama%26#39;aina or group discount available. Surprised me, but business must be better there than on Kauai.




Sorry about that. Maybe business is picking up--or so bad that they have cut back crews to only go out a few times a week and they can get their minimum then.

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