Scuba Diving Hawaii: the 15 Fantastic Dive Sites

The ocean is a never ending vortex of wonderment. It has so much to offer, from the simple beauty of sea shells on the beach to the amazing life that thrives in its depths. The ocean offers something for everyone who ventures into it’s vastness and there are many different ways you can get your fix. One way is by scuba diving!

Hawaiian islands are the magical place. There are so many amazing things to explore in this tropical paradise, but one of the most amazing activities is scuba diving. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline rush or just want to see some cool underwater creatures, Hawaii has it all!

If you’re an experienced diver or not quite ready to hit the water yet, come with me as I take you through some of the best diving sites in Hawaii:

OAHU is famous Hawaii island for a lot’s of wrecks

Many distinct wrecks can be found on Oahu, with over 10 of them being completely accessible, giving you plenty of options and opportunities to investigate. These wrecks have become a hotspot for aquatic life and they are often the best dive locations for seeing hawaiian stingrays, eagle rays, white tip reef sharks, galapagos sharks, pelagic fish and Humpback Whales.

If you’re looking for an adventure, the best place to start is near Oahu’s southern shore. Known as one of the most beautiful places in the world, this island has much to explore and offers a variety of things that will keep you coming back time and again. It’s not just about beaches on this island- there are also some great dive sites! One place that divers should add to their list is YO-257.

1.YO-257 Wreck Site, Oahu

The Atlantic Submarine Company, which is still operational, sunk the submarine in 1989. The YO-257 doesn’t have a lot of penetration options, but it features one of the most stunning swim throughs of all the wrecks on Oahu. The entire stern can be swum through, and the inside is lined with blue octocoral that hangs from the roof and walls. A huge turtle frequently rests here, and it doesn’t appear to mind the passing divers.

The Yo-257 shipwreck scuba dive is possible seven days a week, weather and surf permitting. Early dawn is the optimum time for this amazing scuba dive Oahu because the winds are mild and the currents aren’t as strong. Because of its proximity to Diamond Head State Park, the Yo-257 shipwreck can experience strong currents, making it one of Oahu’s top 5 advanced scuba dives. The YO-257 should provide a thrilling shipwreck dive in Hawaii for any experienced or expert scuba diver.

This Honolulu wreck dive is for experienced divers only. As a result, you must be appropriately qualified and have recent deep diving experience.

There are plenty of other wrecks around this area too, including San Pedro .

2.San Pedro Wreck Site, Oahu

The San Pedro, located at a short distance from the YO-257, is a more recent addition for divers. It is rarely dived as the main wreck, but rather as an add-on to the YO-257 wreck dive. It used to be a beautiful swim through, but since the bridge in this location fell during a storm, it’s become a great spot for photos.

The San Pedro, despite being one of Oahu’s easier shipwrecks in terms of depths, is nonetheless one of the most difficult shipwrecks to enter in Hawaii. The Atlantis Submarine Company sunk this Oahu shipwreck in 1994 for aesthetic reasons and to give a nicer scene for taking customers on their submarine. The San Pedro is situated in 85 feet of water, with 65 and 70 feet of main decks. Although the upper decks have collapsed in owing to recent storms, the core hull continues to contain a vast amount of aquatic life. Sharks, rays, eels and a large number of Hawaiian green sea turtles are all expected to thrive.

The San Pedro shipwreck is straightforward to penetrate, although due to the collapse of the upper wheel house, caution is advised. Enter with caution, and keep an eye on your hands, feet, and head. Do not bring any loose equipment that could become tangled in this disaster; bent metal and steel are all too prevalent, increasing your risk of a mishap. The San Pedro shipwreck is an excellent shipwreck for divers of all levels. This Oahu scuba dive spot is accessible to divers with as few as 6 or 7 dives.

One or two whitetip reef sharks can often be found hiding in the wreck or nearby in one of the coral overhangs. It’s also a turtle magnet with five or more lounging on the wreck most of the time.

MAUI is known for Black Rock, eagle rays, turtles and schooling fish

Maui has some of the best dive sites in all of Hawaii…just ask any scuba diver! One minute you might be exploring Black Rock where eagle rays are frequently seen swimming by your side, then next thing you know your sighting turtles on Molokini Crater.

3.Molokini Dive Site, Maui

Molokini is a small inactive volcano visible from Maui’s southernmost point. Snorkeling is possible in relatively shallow places, as well as scuba diving in deeper locations.

During World War II, Molokini Crater was used as a bombing practice field!

Scuba diving with the Maui Ocean Center is an experience not to be missed! Located on Front Street in Lahaina, this aquarium has a number of exhibits that are perfect for diving enthusiasts. From the Hawaiian fish exhibit which features schooling fish and turtles, to the eel garden where divers can come face-to-face with moray eels, there are plenty of opportunities for underwater exploration.

Angelfish, butterfly fish, Moorish idol (black and yellow striped fish), Hawaiian white-spotted you, white spotted fluff, striped fish (‘O’ili), fish-parrot, and spotted eel may all be found there. You can even come face to face with reef sharks and barracuda.

Whether you want to explore shallow waters or go deep sea scuba diving off Maui’s coastlines, Maui Ocean Center has what you need.

If you’re looking for something more adventurous, then head over to Black Rock – it’s one of the most popular scuba sites in Hawaii with lots of marine life .You may fly from Maalea’s harbor (behind the aquarium). It will take roughly 25 minutes. The water is crystal clean and deep blue. There’s a good possibility you’ll see a white-spotted eagle, spotted eel, and a variety of gorgeous fish, including the white-spotted bream and spotted butterfly, both of which are unique to the area.

Maui is unique in that you can hop on a boat and be diving in a great spot in 20-45 minutes. Beach dives are offered by some hotels and diving shops, where you may jump immediately into the sea and begin exploring right on the beach! You can stop at Kaanapali Beach if you’re traveling by boat.

It’s crucial to double-check the scuba diving conditions on Maui the day before you depart. Immersion is unpleasant when visibility is low and the current is strong. It is frequently warm enough to only need a protection suit and not a wetsuit.

4.Lanai Dive Site, Maui

From the beaches of Kaanapali and Lahaina, you can see Lanai Island, which appears to be so close! A 20-30 minute drive from Lahaina Harbor, there are numerous diving spots on the southern edge of Lanai.

The First Cathedral is one of the top Hawaii adventure diving in the area. When you swim through the lava tube, you’ll notice a large space about 2 stories high with holes in the rear that appear like stained glass windows in a cathedral, and a rock known as the viola in the middle. Lobsters on the sides and fugu fish floating around the “cave” are common sights.

There were tons of fish at the Secret Cove dive location. Long nose butterfly fish abound, with yellow being the most common, while all-black long nose butterfly fish are native to the area.

Wash Rock is also a nice spot to visit, featuring beautiful coral formations and the Love Tunnel, a lava tunnel. A crab sponge, as well as sculptural and royal lobsters, enormous moray eels, and tiny barnacles, can be found in the tunnel.

5.Kaanapali and Lahaina Dive Sites, Maui

The Carthaginian II Shipwreck is a fantastic place to visit! The ship was built in Germany in 1920, and after a few rebuilds over the years, it was renamed the Carthaginian. Carthaginian was bought by the non-profit “Lahaina Restoration Foundation” after filming and converted to a whaling ship museum and tourist attraction in 1967. Carthaginian, on the other hand, was lost when it ran aground on the Lahaina Reef on Easter Sunday 1973. The Carthaginian from the ship Komet was replicated.

The ship was renamed Carthaginian II and restored over several years after installing cement and steel ballast to balance the rigging.

The ship was reopened as a floating whaling museum in 1980. The addition of ballast, on the other hand, caused moisture to leak into the steel hull, which rusted to the point that it nearly broke in half. The LRF chose to sink it and turn it into a tourist attraction since keeping it afloat was too expensive. The boat was towed and buried in 2005, 0.5 mile (0.80 km) off the shore near Puamana Beach Park, to create an artificial reef in the water at a depth of around 97 feet (30 m).

An undulated moray eel beneath the ship, a small whitetip reef shark , butterflyfish, endemic cleaner wrasse, yellow fingeat fish, and Spongebob will be waiting you there.

Also I heard the night dive on Black Rock is spectacular. I haven’t done it yet, but at the site, Airport Beach, my diver friends conducted a night shore dive and witnessed bioluminescence glow at the bottom! Airport had a beautiful Hawaiian coral reef, a lot of fish, and a few eels when they went shore diving during the day.

6.Olowalu Dive Site, Maui

Olowalu scuba site and a large stretch of beach are just south of Lahaina. Olowalu Reef, commonly known as turtle reef, is a beautiful diving spot just off the coast where turtles come in to have their shells cleaned by other fish.Turtles may be seen swimming around, as well as valuable corals that were colorful and teeming with tropical fish.

KAUAI is known for Hawaiian green sea turtles

The diverse coral morphology of Kauai’s waters, along with a diverse array of marine life, provide for genuinely exceptional scuba diving.

Many colorful fish including as triggerfish, surgeonfish, parrotfish, butterflyfish, frogfish, scorpionfish, and moray eels may be found in Sunny Poipu dives sites such as Koloa Landing, Sheraton Caverns, Zach’s Pocket, Fast Lanes, General Store, and others. Magnificent lava tubes, rocky outcroppings, and massive coral structures provide the ideal environment for fish to thrive.

On practically every dive in Kauai, you have a good chance of seeing an endangered Hawaiian green sea turtle! Green Sea Turtles, which can weigh up to 300 pounds, are abundant on Kauai. Because Kauai is one of the wettest places on the planet, algae, their main food source, grows in profusion.

Rivers that flow into the sea from our mountain ranges disperse nutrients that feed and sustain algae. As a result, the sea turtles stay close to the coast, allowing for fantastic viewing opportunities.

On Kauai, the Hawaiian green sea turtles are a sight to behold. They’re the last of their kind, and it’s heartbreaking to think that our waters may soon be devoid of them.

7.Sheraton Caverns, Kauai

If you happen to be visiting Kauai’s lush and rocky Garden Isle, do yourself a favor and go diving at Sheraton Caverns. Collapsed lava tubes make beautiful tunnels to explore while also providing a safe habitat for a diverse range of marine species, including, most notably, sea turtles.

Sheraton Caverns scuba site is a world-class scuba diving destination! Hundreds of sea turtles may be found grazing, dozing in rocky crevices, and surfing the warm Hawaiian currents thanks to the reef’s collapsed lava tubes, which serve as an excellent sea turtle sanctuary. Even though they resemble your cranky bald grandfather, turtles are wonderfully beautiful, curious, and fascinating creatures.

Those collapsed lava tubes provide for a highly entertaining dive, in addition to providing a sanctuary with more turtles than you can count. The caved-in roofs create intricate and magnificent tunnels that are full of light and hiding spaces for all kinds of sea animals… while also providing plenty of passageways for a speedy escape if you get uncomfortable. Because the maximum depth is roughly 65 feet, no specific diving certification is required, making Sheraton Caverns a great place for both novices and experienced.

MOLOKAI

The south side of Molokai is protected by one of Hawaii’s most stunning and unspoiled reefs. The 30-mile-long reef is a scuba diver’s dream, with great scuba diving.

This natural sanctuary offers some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Hawaii.

Hawaii clear waters teeming in fauna, including several rare fish and coral species. Green turtles, rays, sharks of all varieties, and colorful coral fish abound, as do the many humpback whales that visit during the winter months. Multiple turtle cleaning stations, blue holes, tropical fish, and miles of immaculate coral can be found here.

With unspoilt waters and plentiful sea life, Molokai’s reef is unlike any other in Hawaii. It has almost 40 different dive hawaii sites and kilometers of bordering reef. This, combined with the fact that there is very no commercial activity, results in a reef that is extremely healthy, beautiful, and alive, just waiting for you to discover it!

It’s a frequent misperception that Molokai diving is reserved for skilled divers.

The reef is truly untouched and pristine.

8.Fish Rain Dive Site, Molokai

Because of the high currents in the Pailolo Channel, this dive is usually done as a drift dive. Fish Rain is notable for its diverse sea life, which may be found at depths of 80 to 100 feet. Pelagic fish, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, monk seals, damsels in distress, mahi-mahi, and even tiger sharks are all possible sightings.

9.Fish Bowl Dive Site, Molokai

Fish Bowl, located in the Pailolo Channel between Molokai and Maui and difficult to access due to currents, allows scuba divers the chance to observe whitetip reef sharks on ledges around 55 feet. Eagle rays, octopus, lobster, reef fish, and possibly hammerhead sharks can all be found between 40 and 60 feet. Large boulders with coral coverings jut out over the edge of the bowl.

10.The Cove Dive Site, Molokai

The Cove is a more easily accessible diving location off the coast of Molokai. The Cove is home to antler coral trees, butterfly fish, spanish dancers, hawkfish, pelagic fish, lobster, manta ray and sharks, with depths ranging from 20 to 100 feet. The Molokai dive site’s protected half circle creates a slope that dips off at 50 feet.

11.Hole in the Wall, Molokai

Hole in the Wall is named after the hole above water in the cliff wall in front of the deep gigantic pinnacle below, which is impossible to access due to the wind and currents from the Pailolo Channel. The pinnacle is around 60 feet tall, with a 100-foot base. On the top of the pinnacle, you will find schools of butterfly fish, vivid corals, and moray eels. During the winter season, you might observe black coral, manta rays, sharks, hawk fish, and even whales in deeper waters.

12.Mokuhooniki Rock, Molokai

Mokuhooniki, also known as Elephant Rock, is located in the Pailolo Channel, closer to Molokai than to Maui. When the conditions are favorable, this dive site is unspoiled and offers fantastic scuba diving in Hawaii. This location is home to massive versions of Maui’s usual sealife. This is one of the best dive spots in all of Maui County if the winds are quiet.

NIIHAU, “Forbidden island”

Niihau is the smallest populated island in Hawaii. The island is known as the ‘Forbidden Island‘ since it is normally off-limits to the general public, with only family of the island’s owners and invited guests permitted to visit. Niihau, a 4.9 million-year-old island, is about 6 miles broad and 18 miles long, with only a few hundred permanent people, practically all of whom are native Hawaiians.

Niihau Island and the nearby flooded volcano crater of Lehua may likely offer the best scuba diving in the entire state of Hawaii.

The island of Kauai is located 17 miles off the shore. Not only do you have to walk on the open ocean to get there, but tours to the area are normally only available during the summer months, until perhaps early October, when the sea is calm enough to go. Even during calmer times, traversing the ocean can be challenging. The adventurer who decides to take a chance, on the other hand, will be rewarded generously.

In general, experienced scuba divers should avoid these “for certified divers only” scuba diving tours.

What will you find when you arrive? Prepare for a list of Hawaii’s most desirable marine animals, which might happen as soon as your first dive, if not inside the first fifteen minutes. Where else can you virtually certainly encounter one of Hawaii’s rare and endangered monk seals? Gray reef sharks and white-tipped sharks, manta rays, green sea turtles, endless flocks of tropical fish, and one or two kinds of dolphins are among the sharks. These dives might be called “rich in marine life” because of the possibility of seeing pilot or killer whales while traveling back and forth.

Even if you ignore the aquatic fauna, the plain geography of this area is enough to make a geologist happy. Both above and below the ocean, the volcanic caldera of the Lehua rock went away in the sunshine. It looks like the surface of the moon from beneath the water, and the morning sun typically casts a shimmering spectrum of hues that refracts at obtuse angles, giving the impression of an underwater cathedral. Spring cliffs and slopes abound, and you’re constantly in awe, having created something once in a lifetime.

13.Vertical Awareness Dive Site, Niihau

This massive pinnacle rises from 300 feet to 45 feet! At this site, it’s not uncommon to encounter three or four different shark species on a single dive, and the seals love it! It’s not uncommon to witness numerous types of large predatory fish attack large bait balls of little fish! You’re in for a treat if you haven’t seen this before! Large schools of butterfly fish cover the pinnacles, feeding on plankton as the currents pass by. Here you’ll find the endangered Red Lion Fish, Tinkers Butterflyfish, Long Handed Spiny Lobster, bicolor anthias, and black stripe coris.

KONA

Diving is a popular activity off the Kona Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island because of the excellent visibility and the abundance of coral and marine life.

14.Manta Ray Night Dive, Kona

Possibly the most well-known dive in all of Hawaii. The Manta Ray Night Dive is unlike any other dive. You may expect to see enormous schools of manta rays if you go on one of these dives. The point is to keep an eye on them as they feed on zooplankton in the dark. These big fish put on quite a show, and if you go out on a good night, you can witness hundreds of them feasting. They will occasionally swim all around you. Being in the center of famous manta night dive is quite an experience. Manta rays move in a way that is unlike anything else you’ll see on a dive, especially in the dark.

15.Black Water Dive, Kona

This dive will take you well beyond the Kona coast’s blooming reefs, past the point where the shelf begins its precipitous decline to -18,000 feet, and into the pelagic abyss. Despite the fact that this may sound like the stuff of nightmares for some, the majority of people who participate in the Black Water Dive describe it as a peaceful, otherworldly experience, similar to being in space. You and your fellow divers will hover in a formless emptiness under the surface, watching as ancient animals pass by, briefly illuminated by the beam of your dive light. This dive is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see larval stage marine species, jellies and siphonophores, and cephalopods at night.

This is not a game for the inexperienced. Dive operators often ask that you have completed at least 25 dives in the past, including night dives. It is certainly a one-of-a-kind experience if you meet the qualifications and are interested in experiencing something a little out of the ordinary.

Conclusion

Hawaii is one of the most popular scuba diving destinations in the world. It is a tropical paradise with year-round warm waters, and it has some of the best dive sites for the best scuba diving on earth.

You have a chance of seeing or hearing blue whales as they travel across Hawaii if you dive between November and May. Usually, you can watch them spew water and then, if you’re lucky, you can see them breach or see their tail come up and out of the water after a few minutes.

If you’re looking for your next adventure, consider taking a dive trip to one of these scuba diving Hawaii amazing place.