Mike T.
Yelp
Bucket-list experience for our special-needs child!
I could not have asked for a more professional, customer-oriented operation - this company is the real deal.
Our severely autistic, intellectually disabled son has been bugging us to jump out of planes and helicopters since he was 10 years old, leaving us replying with "uhh . . . not until you are older" while scratching our heads and hoping he would grow out of it.
Thanks to Trident Adventures, he had the experience of a lifetime this week!
At first, I did not realize what we were getting for the price, so let me fill you in:
-A mini-helicopter tour of the Waikiki area with an extremely experienced pilot who will fly as dynamically as his passengers dictate
-A jump from the helicopter into the ocean, anywhere between 10 to 65 feet above the water (based on sea state and jumper preference), with safety swimmers waiting below
-Waiting next to the drop zone will be a fully equipped dive boat, ready to equip the jumpers with SCUBA or snorkel gear over a great dive site with lots to see
-Guided SCUBA/snorkeling
-Snacks and beverages provided on the dive boat
-After SCUBA diving or snorkeling, the dive boat will return to the pier, and passengers are transported back to the Trident Adventure store (where they originally parked).
I initially had no idea that so much was included in the price, but there are a lot more intangibles worth mentioning that really set this experience apart for my family:
-It was clear that safety was paramount, as every reasonable aspect was briefed, including emergency contingency plans. As a former Navy pilot and Navy-trained SCUBA diver used to highly detailed briefings, I felt right at home as Steve walked us through the plan and "what if" scenarios.
-This is an operation run with military precision, but also with customer satisfaction the highest priority (ok, second highest priority next to everyone's safety). Trident Adventures will bend over backward to make sure you have the most memorable experience possible. Here are a few ways:
-Want to SCUBA dive after you jump? No problem. If you have no SCUBA experience, they will put an instructor with you for an introductory dive. Already a qualified diver but need a buddy/guide? Not a problem.
-Want to snorkel instead? Not a problem.
-Not sure if you want to dive or snorkel? Want to change your mind? Feeling unsure/scared/nervous? Not a problem. You can throw on some SCUBA gear and try it with an instructor, then switch to snorkel gear if you prefer. Or you can snorkel and throw on a tank for a quick intro after. They will work with you.
-NONE of these options increase the costs.
-Have a family member not keen on jumping out of a helicopter? No problem, they can ride the boat out to watch you jump, then snorkel/SCUBA dive with you.
-A truly ridiculous level of photo and video documentation. Steve was taking photos and video constantly as we worked through the training, launch, jump, and follow-on dive activity. There were no less than 6 GoPros mounted inside and outside the helicopter, with more carried by staff underwater documenting every moment. For $30, you'll get access to about 50 GB of raw footage from every possible angle. You can leave your devices with the staff and enjoy the experience without having to worry about photos/video and keeping track of your electronic gear - they have you more than covered!
-All equipment was top-level that had clearly been prepped with care and attention to detail. Everything just worked, allowing everyone to focus on enjoying the experience.
-Trident Adventures is highly experienced in supporting special-needs and disabled customers, from wounded veterans to Make-A-Wish kids. They will go the extra mile to accommodate individual limitations and are incredibly supportive. It's clear they get a massive kick out of helping people achieve what they never would have believed possible before.
Watching the grin on Matthew's face as the helicopter banked sharply over the ocean, then dramatically flare into a stable hover next to the dive boat while Mom screamed and waved from the deck is something I'll never forget. I stood next to him on the skids, staying out of the way while Steve did his thing from the other side, hoping I would not need to jump with him. But Matthew confidently launched himself off the skid at the first count of three. The next thing I knew, Matt was snorkeling with Mom, while my oldest son (who has no SCUBA experience) knelt on the ocean floor next to me 45 feet down while we gazed upon 4 sea turtles getting cleaned by fish, with Steve watching over us with the GoPro running.
After Steve returned my son to the surface (new diver excitement eats up a lot of air), he returned with a powerful thruster for each of us to stick between our legs, allowing us to rip around like Iron Man before it was time to head back to the boat.
What an epic day for my family!