One of the best things to do in Hawaii is scuba diving. The clear, pristine water of all of the islands gives an incredible glimpse into the world beneath the waves. From colorful coral to playful dolphins, Hawaii has so much to offer scuba divers.
Scuba diving in Hawaii is a breathtaking experience that immerses you in a world of vibrant colors and marine wonders. The crystal-clear waters offer incredible visibility, allowing you to explore a diverse underwater landscape. From the iconic lava formations of the Big Island to the vibrant coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, Hawaii’s dive sites are a paradise for adventurers. Encounter majestic sea turtles, graceful manta rays, and playful dolphins as you navigate through the warm Pacific waters. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a beginner, Hawaii offers an unforgettable underwater adventure filled with awe-inspiring sights and a deep connection to the ocean’s beauty.
Discover the best places to go scuba diving in Hawaii. Be sure to check out more adventurous things to do in Hawaii to make your vacation epic!
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Turtle Canyon, O’ahu
Recommended by Seth of The Wanderlust Dragon
When you think about Hawaii, you can’t help but conjure up mental images of crystal blue waters around the islands. And you’d be right to do so. Hawaii is a scuba diver’s dream, with warm, clear waters and a plethora of wildlife to witness. Turtle Canyon is one of those less-known gems when compared to nearby Waikiki Beach. Part of the reason is that it is about a half-hour boat ride off the coast. It’s well worth i,t though. When I dove there, we were accompanied the entire time by jumping and dancing bottlenose dolphins. And it was just as magical under the waves. Turtle Canyon is a finger reef and is home to so much marine life. The site is aptly named, as there are sea turtles galore. I was with a larger group of about a dozen, but there was at least that same number of turtles, all gliding happily along among us. I couldn’t begin to count all the fish that we saw. Another rare treat though was an octopus that floated lazily nearby, curious at what we were doing, and perhaps at what we were. If you’re headed to Hawaii to dive, Turtle Canyon is a top-notch choice.
Shark’s Cove, O’ahu
A great place for snorkeling and diving on the north shore of Oahu island is the little bay known as “Shark’s Cove.” Exploring the blue waters around this beach is definitely one of the best things to do in Oahu Hawaii, and it’s completely free!
Don’t be scared off by the name — you aren’t likely to run into any dangerous sharks here, although the cove does have plenty of fish, turtles, and other marine life to see. You may occasionally see a black tip reef shark swimming through the underwater lava tubes, but they are generally timid and harmless to humans.
Overall, the cove has some wonderful views, and it’s a very fun place to go scuba diving in Oahu. Animals to see here include parrot fish, eels, triggerfish, and more. The summer months are generally the best time to visit because of calmer waves and gentler waters.
The Shark’s Cove parking area has public showers and restrooms, as well as a fair number of parking spots. Remember to give plenty of space to the fish and coral and take only pictures so everyone can continue to enjoy this place for many years to come!
Waikiki Beach, O’ahu
Scuba diving and surfing in Hawaii are the best water activities that you can enjoy all year long. However, when it comes to Waikiki Beach, scuba diving is your best option. The Waikiki Dive Center can offer you the best diving experience. It is an opportunity of a lifetime, and it is something that you do not want to miss.
The Waikiki Dive Center can guide you to several diving spots depending on your diving expertise. Whether you are an expert diver or a beginner diver, there is a place for you where you can relish and enjoy.
I highly recommend the Waikiki Sunset Night Dive Adventure. The tour takes you to a spot where you can explore Hawaiian marine life and natural coral reefs at sunset. You can expect to see Garden Eels, green sea turtles, reef sharks, and spotted eagles.
You will be diving twice. The first dive is at sunset where you can see the marine life while the sun fades away, and then you will take a break to watch the sunset. The second dive will be at night when you can watch the marine animals swimming around in the dark with the help of a flashlight. The scuba diving equipment are provided, so you only need to bring a towel and after-swim clothes.
Diving with Manta Rays, Hawai’i (Big Island)
One of the best places to scuba dive in Hawaii features some of the most graceful oceanic creatures – the Manta Ray. These animals are not dangerous to humans as they do not have a stinger and only eat krill. This is an awesome ethical animal encounter – so learn more about it here!
The animals discovered that flood lights from a house woke up the krill at night (they’re usually sleeping on the ocean floor), allowing the mantas to easily get food. Eventually, humans discovered this and now dive companies can bring flashlights to make ‘campfires’ in the ocean and see these incredible creatures up close.
Since the dive is at night (don’t worry, there’s plenty of light), you do have to be a certified open water diver. If you’re not, you can snorkel at the top of the water. They had flashlights attached to a paddleboard and still got really close to the manta rays.
Seeing the beauty and elegance of manta rays is an incredible experience – making it one of the best scuba diving spots in Hawaii.
Kaulia-Kona, Hawai’i (Big Island)
The Kona side of the big island is home to some of the best scuba diving in Hawaii – throughout a variety of locations. From lava rock cliffs to coral-lined tunnels hiding sea turtles, Kona’s unique landscape has it all. The water temperature is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. If you like to swim with dolphins, then you should visit Kona during whale season (roughly December to March).
There are over 80 dive sites in the Kona region, so work with your dive company to pick the ones that feature what you want to see. We wanted to see sea turtles and sharks, so our spots included known resting areas for both! While we got close to a turtle, our luck with the shark was limited to only a tail swimming away from us. I was impressed with Kona Diving Ecoadventure’s knowledge of the Kona coast and their determination to show us turtles and sharks!
Read More about Hawaii
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Best Places to Go Scuba Diving in Hawaii
Visiting the USS Missouri, Hawaii
Save “Best Scuba Diving in Hawaii” for Later
