Shore diving Kauai

[okfiremn]

Hello fellow bottom dwellers!

I'm brand new to this forum so please... be gentle.

My wife and I are fairly seasoned divers and love the freedom of exploring on our own pace and schedule. We are planning a trip to Kauai in November and are looking for recommendations on some great shore dive locations as well as dive shops to rent tanks and weights from.

In Maui last year we found Maui Divers an excellent resource for information and equipment. If any one knows of a shop and locations we would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks from the way to land locked city of Tulsa Oklahoma,

John

 

[Cave Diver]

Welcome to the board John! For information on Hawaii, check out the local forum here: Hawai'i O'Hana - ScubaBoard

 

[ae3753]

Welcome to SB.

Agree with Cave Diver that you'll get more responses to your query in the Hawaii subforum.

That being said, we dove with Bubble Below, and would recommend them to anyone. They discovered a lot of the sites and are fun group to dive with.

We are avid shore divers, and we found Kauai shore diving disappointing compared to the other Hawaiian islands. It was only when we got on the boat with Bubbles Below were we impressed with Kauai. Some amazing structures and life in Kauai, we just couldn't access it from shore.

 

[carpmaster_22]

I am also new to the forum. I've been diving Kauai every year for the past 6 years.

I agree with the previous post that there are relatively few shore dives on Kauai. One of my favorite ones is the Koloa Landing in Poipu. It is a very easy to dive due to the ramp entry and calm water. Although it is a boat ramp, I've never seen any powerboats in the area. I snorkled there yesterday and it was great. Saw a few turtles and a good mix of fish. The water is typically slightly murky at the entry point, but then clears up the further you go out.

I typically dive here without an instructor (or large group). As you enter, the reef on the right is the best side. Depths range from shallow to 75 feet.

I would recommend Seasport Divers if you choose to use a dive operator.

I'll send you the link to a good Kauai shore dive website (Scubaboard won't allow me to post the website until I have 5 posts under my belt).

Cheers!

 

[carpmaster_22]

Scuba Shore Diving Site Page for: Koloa Landing of Kauai, Hawaiian Islands

Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: Kauai, Hawaiian Islands

 

[llqwyd]

Aloha okfiremn,

Welcome to SB.

Koloa Landing is the "premier" shore diving location in Kauai. It is the original port of entry into the island of Kauai and during its "hey-day", it was the third busiest port in the islands. All this is amazing, because looking at the site, you can hardly imagine that boats would ever come into the area.

As carpmaster 22 said, "The water is typically slightly murky at the entry point, but then clears up the further you go out". This is because there is a freshwater stream at the entry-point that draws in tons of aquatic life.

With the right guide, Koloa can be one of the most amazing sites you will dive in Kauai. Here are just a few things that can be seen there:

Scuba Dive Kauai Dive Kauai Scuba Hawaii Vacation Activity

I will agree with ae3753 in that Linda at Bubbles Below will most certainly show you a good time and some of the best spots on the island.

Here is an aerial view of the landing -

Mahalo, and keep diving