Makaha Caverns from shore - How far?

[KiiY]

Hi everyone. Going to be back home in the islands for Christmas and thinking about doing a couple dives.

Makaha Caverns is often listed as either a boat or shore dive, but how far do you have to surface swim if you do it from shore?

The "Insider Information - Reviews of Hawaiian Dive Sites" thread gives some directions on how to get to the Turtle Cleaning Station and caverns, but doesn't give distances except for a single "100 feet past the orange-buoy". Still not clear what the total surface swim would be like.

And for a second dive on the same day, is Electric Beach a good idea?

Mahalo!

 

[VBlueV]

from the beach to the orange buoy.. 75yds.

from the orange buoy to the caverns.. 100yds.

from the orange buoy to the corner boat mooring.. 125yds.

aerial of makaha.. the orange buoy is under the word "Entry" (not the arrow)..
and the caverns are under the words "Dive Here".
Shore Diving Site Picture for: Makaha Beach Park (Caverns) of Oahu, Hawaiian Islands

good overhead aerials of oahu shore dives here..
Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: Oahu, Hawaiian Islands

 

[DiveWestOahu]

if you go from shore don't forget a dive flag and surface marker or the lifeguards may ticket you, been big big surf there this month so far and more on the way

 

[KiiY]

Thanks for the responses and links. Very helpful!

 

[ChimChim75]

I do it frequently as a shore dive... If you are in shape, not so bad. Long surface swim. I drop just a little further than the buoy and then it is easy to follow the reef. Just make sure you enter and exit in the sandy area waaaay to the left of the lifeguard stand. (And be sure to park near the lifeguards for theft reasons.) Don't enter and exit near the condos unless it is super flat. It is all rock.

Don't go this week. SUPER high surf.