Hawaii Diving

[diverdown204]

Hello all. I am an experienced diver wanting to maximize our vacation to Hawaii. My wife will not be joining me, so I’m wanting to stay somewhere that offers shore diving access from the hotel/resort beach. Does this exist or are the best dives boat dives?

I haven’t decided on which island to stay on yet. We are going the second week of July for a week and a half. Thank you for recommendations!

 

[ECHIV]

Puako for shore dives on the Big Island.

 

[DoubleZero]

Electric beach on Oahu but get there before sunlight to park. Locals love that site it seems.

Hanauma bay Oahu but outside the tourist areas that are marked off. This is more or less a snorkle though. First come first serve ensure your early.

Past the breakers on waikiki but watch the currents. Surfers will look at you funny as your going out.

Dive Oahu is the shop that covers about everywhere there

multiple beachs have snorkling until a drop off the tanks make it nice if you want to go down and check out those drops.

 

[SushiDiver]

I just wanted to chime in just in case anyone references this in the future. I agree with DoubleZero on Electric beach, in fact Trident Adventures used to dive that site regularly with their boat and it is pretty epic. It was a bigger area to explore (compared to shore) since the mooring was in between spots but I'm not sure they do this dive anymore. You can check with them, great operator. - Trident Adventures - Electric Beach

I would pass on Hanauma Bay as it is crowded and a bit of a pain to get into the park nowadays. Line is long and entrance is limited. Suggestion would be to dive Lanai Lookout if you are a decent diver. - Lanai Lookout

I would also pass on shore diving from Waikiki past the break. It is a looooong swim. Do yourself a favor and book a boat trip ast most dive shops go there. I find Aloha Scuba to be reliable, affordable and as opposed to Dive Oahu not crowded. - Aloha Scuba Diving

If you'd like to dive around the Waikiki area, go to Point Panic and do Horseshoe or Pipe from shore. Much more pleasurable to get to. Access through the stairs in the channel and hug the jetty to the right. - Point Panic

Now, if you haven't decided what island you want to go and you are a) Coming in the summer b) An experienced diver. I would suggest you take your happy butt to Kauai and dive Niihau with the crew at Seasport Divers. I've been here almost a decade and nearly every diveshop I've been involved with their crews frequent this dive. You wont regret it. - Seasport Divers - Scuba Diving Mag Niihau

You can't go wrong diving anywhere here in Hawaii but I suggest you splurge and dive with a dive operator. It will be way more enjoyable as the Pacific can get tricky. Happy bubbles!

 

[BabAle]

is it possible to hire a private dive master in puako area for shore dive?

 

[BLee88]

Now, if you haven't decided what island you want to go and you are a) Coming in the summer b) An experienced diver. I would suggest you take your happy butt to Kauai and dive Niihau with the crew at Seasport Divers. I've been here almost a decade and nearly every diveshop I've been involved with their crews frequent this dive. You wont regret it. - Seasport Divers - Scuba Diving Mag Niihau

10000% agree with this. Did Niihau with Seasport in June 2024 and it was absolutely epic.