Dive Sites in Hawaii (North America)

The pacific paradise of Hawaii offers amazing and diverse diving from underwater lava tunnels, whale sharks, colourful reefs, wrecks, dolphins and fish.

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Dive Site Overview for Hawaii

Hawaii is an island chain consisting of 132 islands in the Pacific, 2400 miles from the nearest continent this tropical paradise offers crystal warm waters and absolutely stunning diving.

Each island offers exciting and unique diving experiences and up to 25% of all marine life around Hawaii is considered endemic so don’t forget your camera!

Kauai, ‘the garden island’ has so many sites to choose from including Tunnels Reef and Ke’e Lagoon in the north (sometimes large winter swells make diving in the north inaccessible) and Turtle Box, Fishbowl and Icebox in the south. Ni’ihau, off the southwest coast of Kauai, is great place to see the endangered monk seal, great underwater arches and large pelagics.

Oahu is most popular visitor’s island offering underwater lava formations, several shipwrecks and even a plane to dive. This is a great place to see green sea turtles and colourful reef fish. Lanai Island is also known for its lava formations and diverse marine species.

Maui is surrounded by underwater valleys that provide shelter to a huge range of marine life. Most diving happens on the west coast, top sites include the Five Caves, Black Rock and Molokini. The nearby island of Molokai hosts Hawaii’s longest barrier reef abundant with life including rare corals and fish although large swells and high winds can make it difficult to reach.

Hawaii itself is the youngest island, sheltered from the trade winds by its tall mountains, the visibility is usually superb. Explore lava tunnels, caverns, reefs, dive with mantas, dolphins, pygmy orcas and whale sharks.

Diving is possible all year round, although some less sheltered areas may be difficult to reach in winter if there are strong swells and high wind, visibility is excellent and water temperatures are fairly consistent. The best time to see humpback whales is during winter when they migrate to give birth to their calves.