Kauai Diving w/o going thru a dive shop?

[frogwash]

Just wondering what the regulations or laws are as far as diving Kauai without using a dive excursion or guide. Headed there in April. Was wondering where the locals dive. I assume they do not pay every time they want to go diving! We dive Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen and know there are areas that are just not open to the general public. You must have a guide. Appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[bwerb]

Same as anywhere else in the states...rent tanks, go diving.

There are some great shore diving references in books and on-line. Google Kaui dive shops and I'm sure someone can arrange your gear and point you in the right direction.

 

[diversteve]

There are no regulations or laws other than not diving from private property. Koloa Landing is a great site on the south side. Don't try Sheraton Caverns from shore, you might not make it back. Other sites are listed at shorediving.com. We rented tanks from Seasport Divers, they have a shop in the Poipu Beach area.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

Depending on the mood of the enforcement officer(s), state law requires a dive flag.

 

[Hank49]

If you're going to dive Kauai without guides or a shop, it would be good if you're an experienced ocean water man/woman. Kauai is a little different from the other Hawaiian islands. It's more round and has no real leeward side which allows the waves and currents to wrap around it. Definitley check with some locals before jumping in.

 

[Tom Winters]

You don't want to mess up offshore off Kauai - the next landfall after the Na Pali coast is the Kamchatka Peninsula, where we always had fun messing with the Russkies off Petropavlovsk.
Or worse - wash ashore on Niihau and get eaten.