Scuba Diving In Hawaii For Beginners

Private Waikiki Turtle Snorkeling Tours

To encounter Hawaii green sea turtles without scuba diving, we offer private boat charters at Waikiki’s Turtle Canyon reef.

Located next to the famous Diamond Head crater is Waikikiâs Turtle Canyon reef. You will snorkel with Hawaiian green sea turtles and numerous species of Hawaiian fish. Fun snorkeling and a fantastic time for the entire family! The Private Snorkel Boat is exclusive use for up to 6 passengers.

Why Go Scuba Diving In Hawaii

Located approximately 7 hours from Tokyo and 6 hours from Los Angeles the Hawaiian Islands is one of the most accessible exotic locations for travelers from around the world. As a result of Hawaiis popularity as a prime tourist destination, the islands of Hawaii have the most flourishing scuba industry in the Pacific .

ACCESSIBILITY

Along with being one of the top destinations in the Pacific Ocean for recreational underwater diving, The Aloha State is also considered one of the best diving spots for beginners in the United States and North America. Scuba diving in Hawaii offers a huge advantage compared to other places for those who are just starting out. Even though places like Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island are often cited as excellent options for novice divers, there is no specific location in Hawaii that absolutely stands out above the rest.

Each of Hawaiis multitude of diving sites provides distinct experiences for everyone to enjoy. What they all have in common, however, is not requiring a complicated and lengthy excursion across the open seas to find them. It is easy to travel to Hawaii, and the local infrastructure and travel services provide simple access to great scuba diving spots for people at any experience level.

BIODIVERSITY

GEOGRAPHY

WORLD-CLASS SERVICES

Scuba Diving For Beginners In Kailua Kona

For non-certified divers

Introductory dives begin with a short introduction to the rules of SCUBA diving, learning about basic equipment and practicing a few safety skills in shallow water. Once you become comfortable, then you go on a guided tour with your instructor no deeper than 40 feet. It is a great way to try diving without being certified.

Open water certification classes can be completed in three to four days. Call or e-mail ahead to reserve a space in one of our small classes. Smaller groups mean better training, attention, and guidance, allowing you to perfect your skills while attaining good buoyancy and confidence. Our teachers exercise calm, personal instruction and make safety their number one priority.

You May Like: Used Pontoon Boats For Sale By Owner Nc

Certified Scuba Diver Tours

Certified scuba divers, this is truly the Premium Scuba Diving experience here in Waikiki.

We first explore the best dive site in Waikiki, being either the Sea Tiger or YO-257 shipwreck with average depths of around 100 underwater.

Second dive site is a shallower reef location with maximum depth of 50 underwater. We frequently encounter schools of tropical fish, green sea turtles and smaller reef sharks on this scuba dive.

What You Will Learn

All you need to bring is a towel, sunscreen, swimsuit, snacks, water, and a willingness to learn. Everything else you will need is already on the boat and will be prepared for you before you arrive. You will then be briefed on the dive location and given information about the surrounding areas. We will then begin to teach you some basic skills about SCUBA diving and how to keep yourself safe. You will learn how to clear your mask, equalize your ears to the water pressure, regulator clearing and recovery, proper fin kicking, and basic hand signals. Remember with a 4 divers to 1 instructor the instructor is never far away and will be able to answer any and all your questions.

“Mum,” from the UK, is all smiles after her first dive!

Read Also: Las Vegas Jet Ski Rental

What To See Underwater In Maui

Beyond being a fantastic place to visit, Maui has a lot to offer scuba diving-wise, with many endemic marine species you wont see outside the Hawaiian Islands. There is something for every diver in its waters all around the island.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of the fascinating marine species you may be able to see underwater in Maui. I divided it into four parts, the large marine animals, including the pelagic species such as sharks, the tropical fish, the macro critters and I made a special list for nudibranchs. Generally speaking, if you love turtles, be prepared to see many of them!

Tropical fish

How Will You Communicate And Where Are You Going

If youre diving in Hawaii with a buddy only, agree on hand signals and a dive plan before you hit the water.

If youre diving with a dive guide, listen to the briefing before the dive.

Its inevitable that the person who is not paying attention during the briefing is the one who jumps in the water and swims in the wrong direction.

A professional divemaster or instructor leading a group will review hand signals and dive procedures before every dive.

Also Check: Pontoon Boats For Sale Mn

Dive With The Most Experienced Scuba Instructors On Maui

All Dive Maui instructors teach scuba diving because we love to dive. Dive Maui instructors are all seasoned PADI professionals with years of teaching experience and thousands of dives under our belts.

Our team dives for work and for fun. We care about taking you diving. Youâll feel our devotion to the ocean translated in our small group sizes, attention to safety, and passion for education.

Best Scuba Diving In Honolulu

Hawaii is know for surfing and honeymoons but certified and first time divers can experience the best SCUBA diving in Honolulu. Rainbow Scuba Hawaii has daily dive boat charters for Advanced or Beginner SCUBA divers and now even Snorkeling tours.

Enjoy SCUBA diving on the best shipwrecks and reefs in Honolulu. Safe dive sites for the entire family, both certified as well as first time divers from our private dive boat. Enjoy diving the diverse reefs found here in Honolulu with our team of professional scuba instructors.

Recommended Reading: Biscayne National Park Scuba Diving

Where To Go Diving On The Big Island

If youre looking for awesome things to do on the Big Island, scuba diving should be at the top of your list. Since it has more coastline than any other island in Hawaii, its a paradise for Hawaii marine life!

If youre really serious about scuba diving on the Big Island of Hawaii, youll want to head straight for Kona. The scuba diving in Kona Hawaii will blow your mind.

Crescent Beach

If you want to see super cool Hawaii animals like Tiger Sharks, Manta Rays, and Dolphins, Crescent Beach is the place to go!

Its just outside Honokohau Harbor and you can shore dive just off the beach.

Puuhonua o Honaunau

If youre looking for cool things to do in Kona, Puuhonua o Honauau National Park is a great option. Not only is it one of the most historic places in Hawaii, but its got some awesome Kona Hawaii scuba diving and shore diving.

This Hawaii National Park is also nicknamed Two Step because of the two-tiered lava formation. Youll find Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, Octopuses, and Black Tip Reef Sharks, here.

Honokohau

Another cool Kona scuba diving spot is at Kaloko-Honokohau National Park. Its a local favorite because of the cool coral reef, underwater sea caves, and lava tubes.

Here, you might glimpse Spinner Dolphins, Eagle Rays, and even the endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle.

Four Mile

Theres great visibility and you can swim around a lava tube. You might see Sea Stars, Coches, and possible White Tip Sharks.

Suckem-up

Touch of Grey

Big Island Scuba Diving Tours

Can You Scuba Dive In Hawaii Without Certification

Absolutely. Although the safest way to do that is with a guided scuba dive tour in Hawaii.

Like we mentioned earlier, there are lots of dangerous things in the ocean and its always safest to have an experienced scuba diving tour guide help you.

Plus, its the easiest way to get to cool Hawaii dive sites!

Read Also: Fishing Paddle Board With Motor

Do You Have All Your Equipment And Is It Working Correctly

Whether youre leaving your house or a hotel room, take a few minutes to check your dive bag before you leave.

Verify that you have all the things you need for your dive. Its easy to walk out the door without something small but essential, like your dive watch or dive computer.

Once you arrive at your dive site or youre on the boat set up, check the function of your equipment as you put it together.

Dont ignore potential problems.

Its a good idea to carry a small kit with spare parts and basic tools so you can make simple repairs on the spot. If youre diving with a commercial operator, they probably have parts and tools with them also.

If you have an equipment issue and you cant fix it or rent or borrow a replacement, know when to cancel the dive.

Diver training organizations teach buddy checks.

Once youre ready to go in the water, take a couple of minutes to go over the equipment with your buddy. Each one makes sure the other has all the necessary gear in working order before the dive begins.

Oahu: Shallow Reef Scuba Dive For Certified Divers

Level: Certified diversBOOK HERE

Scuba diving here gives certified divers the pleasure of experiencing two reef dives with a lot of tropical marine life to make them even more interesting.

Bear in mind that even though this dive is meant for certified and experienced divers, you will always be guided by an instructor. All the diving equipment and gear needed will be made available to you.

In this dive, besides seeing sharks, dolphins, starfish, and Hawaiian endemic fish, you get to visit Turtle Canyons. This is a reef site that was formed due to volcanic activity on the island several thousand years ago.

You get to see rock encrusted coral formations that protrude out from many of the canyons.

Another extraordinary treat is catching a glimpse of Hawaiian green sea turtles, which are quite rare to see. They come out from their dwelling sites to the reef site to clean their shells.

You can also check out the endemic gold ring surgeonfish or saddleback butterflies if you are lucky enough.

The Kaiser reef site also offers as much excitement as Turtle Canyons with as many sea creatures thriving in their natural habitat.

Recommended Reading: River Boat Cruise On Mississippi

We Do 2 Dives Not 1 Scuba Dive Oahu Like Our Competitors Do

No experience necessary! That is right, beginner scuba diving in Waikiki customers like you do not need to go through months of Oahu diving courses to get a thrill of a lifetime diving with all kinds of cool underwater animals. Ever wonder what it is like to dive with the Hawaiian green sea turtles? What about dolphins? Ever seen a shark in Hawaii before? Wait even better, did you know Oahu has seals? No problem, diving you can see all of these incredible marine life and it is all completely safe. Scuba diving should be a must adventure for any person, even if they think they don’t have time for scuba certifications. It truly is like traveling to space the weightlessness and complete alien world will leave you wanting to scuba dive again and again. Trying scuba diving for the first time will definitely change your opinion in a positive way about the ocean and its inhabitants.

How do we get started?

FORM #1 FORM #2

Any “YES” on the Medical Questionnaire Form you must consult with a physician.

*****ALL TRAINING IS PERFORMED ON THE BOAT- NOT IN A POOL*****

As always there are inherent risks to scuba diving which can be potentially dangerous to your health. Sinus and ear problems can result from not performing proper equalization orValsalva maneuver. Sinus and ear injury can result if not done properly. Oahu Diving and instructor will not be held responsible for any injury.

First Time Diving Tour

Prices includes

Safety Tips For Scuba Diving In Oahu

This part will equip you with some valuable tricks and things that should be done to keep you safe during your dives. Please do not skip any tips since they can save your life under a few particular circumstances.

• Attend a scuba diving course and get proper training. You should get at least one certification to maximize your safety when below the surface.
• Ascend gradually to avoid lung injuries.

Don’t Miss: Lake Mead Paddle Board Rentals

Scuba Diving In Oahu: The Ultimate Guide For Beginners

When it comes to scuba diving in Oahu, you may think about gentle green sea turtles, world-famous wrecks, and magnificent lava caves. However, it would be a big mistake not to mention schools of sparkling tropical fish swimming along vivid coral reefs.

Meanwhile, Oahu is also an ideal island for first-time divers or beginners to get new certifications. Dive operators here offer various diving courses suitable for all experience levels. They operate fascinating tours as well.

This article discusses all you need to know about scuba diving in Oahu, such as famous dive sites to go to, the best time to visit, and where to stay. Besides, the most crucial survival tips are also attached to this post.

Where To Go Diving When You Visit Maui For The First Time

If you are not yet an advanced diver with enough experience, you want to choose wisely where you go diving. The best spots for beginners are definitely the shore dive sites of Wailea-Makena near Kihei. Even if you are an experienced diver, its a perfect way to start your diving trip in Maui.

Experienced divers will love the Molokini Crater back-wall, where strong currents can be expected. If you are a certified diver but with less experience, you can still have a wonderful time by exploring the inner crater of Molokini Island.

In any case, beginners like experienced divers, dont miss a shore dive at Mala Wharf in Lahaina on your first trip to Maui!

Read Also: Kayak Rentals West Palm Beach

Why Scuba Dive With Rainbow Scuba Hawaii

We often are asked about our Honolulu scuba company or dive shop in Oahu. As the owner/operator of our Oahu dive boat, we limit our group sizes to no more than 6 on-board. It’s a unique dive boat in Honolulu because of this. Most boats bring out group sizes of 20 – 30 on-board. Why dive with a Honolulu scuba company that doesn’t own a boat or uses a cattle-maran jammed full of 30 divers? Smaller size groups equate to increased safety and greater fun!

Our PADI Instructors have been scuba diving in Honolulu seven days a week for over 20 years! Local knowledge of the Hawaiian dive sites is crucial if you want to encounter marine life. Most importantly, our experienced instructors have a 100% Safety record, ensuring a safe, fun underwater adventure in Hawaii. In conclusion, by working from our private dive boat and not a true dive shop, we ensure you the lowest scuba diving cost and no pressure of buying scuba gear.

Beginner Scuba Diving In Waikiki Hawaii

Truly an amazing experience with beginner scuba diving in Waikiki. Likewise, no experience required to safely try scuba diving in Waikiki. Let our highly experienced instructors guide you on two scuba dives with turtles in Waikiki. Safe fun scuba tour for the entire family on vacation in Waikiki. Most importantly, this is a scuba tour in Waikiki the entire family on vacation can experience.

Read Also: Jet Ski Rental Panama City Beach

The Cathedrals Dive Sites In Lanai

The Lanai cathedrals are well worth a dive trip. The Lanai cathedrals are caverns that have opened up to the water above. They were formed by collapsed lava tubes. Rocks have fallen out of the cavern ceilings which allow light from above to pass through. On a clear day, the light shines through from above. When it does, it illuminates the caverns, making a stunning visual. So stunning, in fact, it earned them the cathedral nickname. People have likened it to experiencing light through the high windows in an old church.

The sites are full of incredible topography. The volcanic formations are unique and plentiful. There are areas to swim through and stunning lava shoots. With dives that range from 15 feet to 65 feet there is something for everyone at these dives sites.

Its not just divers that have taken to this area. Hawaii marine life here is plentiful and diverse. Sharks, turtles, dolphins and more abound. There have even been whales sighted in the area.

There are two cathedrals in the area. Cathedral one and cathedral two are usually done as separate dives. We recommend one as the best of the two, but you shouldnt skip out on the other. The stained glass effect of light coming through the holes in the ceiling is remarkable.

The 15 Best Scuba Diving Sites In Hawaii

by Ian Fortey Updated on June 7, 2021. In Scuba

There are more places to dive in Hawaii than you could hope to visit in one trip. Even if you live in Hawaii, you could spend years visiting the Hawaii scuba diving spots. But if you do plan a trip, there are some real standouts you may want to check out. From wreck diving to sharks and whales, there is a ton to see. Grab your scuba fins and a scuba mask and check out some of the best scuba diving in Hawaii.

Don’t Miss: Jet Ski Tours Key Largo

Best Maui Scuba Diving Locations

There are lots of great options for scuba diving in Maui Hawaii. Plus, its a great jumping off point to do Molokini scuba diving, Maui shore diving, or hop over to Lanai or Molokai.

Lets take a look at some Maui dive sites:

Honolua Bay

This Maui Hawaii scuba diving spot is a bit of a trek. Youll have to hike down to the rocky beach , but the diving here is pretty cool because they are part of a Marine Life Conservation District.

Airport Beach

This is next to the Westin Kaanapali Resort Villas, so its easy if youre staying in Kaanapali or Lahaina.

Its a great Maui shore diving spot for beginners or intermediate divers who want to explore a colorful coral reef.

Makena Landing

Another place for Maui shore diving is Makena Landing. This is where youll find Five Caves Maui, an awesome spot to see turtles on Maui.

Carthaginian II

If you want to see a Maui shipwreck, head to Lahaina to see the Carthaginian II thats 97 feet below the surface. Here, youll get up to 100 feet of visibility and calm water.

Molokini Crater

Molokini Crater is some of the best scuba diving Maui has to offer. Youll need to take a boat tour to get there since its located off the shore of Maui.

There are almost no currents and there are places for Maui scuba diving for beginners or for expert divers.

Maui Scuba Diving Tours

Maui Scuba Diving Introductory Lesson from Lahaina

Maui Dive Shops

Its hard to know which is the best dive shop on Maui because there are quite a few options.