Suggest good sunset/night dives near Waikiki?

[Torontonian]

Aloha.

There are several pairs of locations near Waikiki that seem to be good for day boat dives.

If doing guided boat sunset and night dives near Waikiki, what would be a good pair of locations?

Would a non-diving rider enjoy the trip on the boat and see good Waikiki shore scenery, or would it be 3 boring hours?

 

[chepar]

I've done night dives off the San Pedro or Sea Tiger, with the Kewalo pipe as the second dive - those were fun.

The other night dives that I've done have been in places further away from Waikiki.

I would venture to guess that if you did a pre-sunset and sunset dive, your non-diving companion might be okay with looking at scenery (if that's what they really wanted to do). If your dives were a sunset and night dive, I think they'd be bored once the sun sets. Basically it's just sitting on a boat, in the dark. Maybe the lights from shore would be pretty to see, though. Also keep in mind that if your companion is prone to seasickness, it *might* be worse at night, with a less obvious horizon to focus on.

I'd also inquire with the dive operator whether they will charge a fee for the ride along companion.

 

[Torontonian]

I've done night dives off the San Pedro or Sea Tiger, with the Kewalo pipe as the second dive - those were fun...

I would venture to guess that if you did a pre-sunset and sunset dive, your non-diving companion might be okay with looking at scenery (if that's what they really wanted to do). If your dives were a sunset and night dive, I think they'd be bored once the sun sets. Basically it's just sitting on a boat, in the dark. Maybe the lights from shore would be pretty to see, though.

I'd also inquire with the dive operator whether they will charge a fee for the ride along companion.

Between the San Pedro/Yo and the Sea Tiger, which may have more to see?

Would the Pearl Harbour Wall be a good night dive location (if operators go there at night)?

My wife was thinking of tagging along. And yes operators charge a fee for riders. It could get boring sitting in a boat, maybe learning a lot about Hawaii from the boat captain. Aha, maybe will get her to go to Atlantis submarine, and see the wreck I'll be diving.

 

[justleesa]

We once had a mom and dad go diving with us and they were saying that their kids were doing the Atlantis that day with threir g'ma. Atlantis has 3 or 4 subs, imagine the chances of the kids being on the one that passes thru while they are on the dive? The chances were in their favor...the kids saw mom and dad

As for a night dive. A Friday night night dive would be more interesting for your wife as HHV gives a little firework show every Friday. Pretty to watch from out on the ocean.

 

[Torontonian]

Atlantis has 3 or 4 subs, imagine the chances of the kids being on the one that passes thru while they are on the dive?

As for a night dive. A Friday night night dive would be more interesting for your wife as HHV gives a little firework show every Friday. Pretty to watch from out on the ocean.

Atlantis has 3 or 4 subs, they must be rich. Would have to stay in water a long time to see which of the 4 subs my wife would be on. Need a big nitrox tank then.

Actually it looks like Atlantis has the last sub at 4pm. May not see a sunset diver.

We'll be diving on a weekday night, so won't see the Friday fireworks. Too bad.

 

[pacificparadisedivers]

Aloha-

The San Pedro and YO-257 are basically right next to each other (approx 150 ft). The YO is in better shape than the San Pedro, but both have an amazing amount of life on them. In good conditions (little or no current) you can easily do both sites on the same dive. There is a couple of small resident white tips on the San Pedro - a bunch of turtles on both wrecks. A bit more as far as schools of fish go on the YO-257. The YO is my #1 favorite on the island. Sea Tiger is # 3, & 100 ft hole is my #2 (not far from YO & San Pedro).

The Sea Tiger is a much bigger wreck. It was only sunk in 1999 (YO was sunk in 1988) so it does not have as many differents schools of fish or the number of turtles as the YO or SP yet, but is still a great dive! It is in pristine condition & I have seen many more eagle rays & brown stingrays there- Also great Nudi's on the hull, leaf scorpion fish, octos and more. It is MUCH better for actual penetration- but I do not suggest that on the first dive there. It is also a bit deeper with a max depth around 120ft.

In most cases- chepar is right, Kewalo Pipe is normally the second dive. It is fun with a good variety of life. Also- very easy to navigate! It is simply an old pipe running north and south- but a good guide will take you to flat reef, arch reef, or horseshoe reef (air consumption permiting)

As far as Pearl Harbor Wall- I am unaware of any operator that is currently providing services to that area. In fact due to the new homeland security act- they might not be able to access that site. Although I am not 100% sure on that- I will ask around and repost if new info on that is available.

I just so happen to know a dive operator that does night dives every wednesday and saturday night- to the YO or Sea Tiger ~ If everybody on the boat is in agreement I have seen it go out on 100ft hole for the 1st dive and San Pedro for the second.

If you have any further questions- please don't hesitate.

Enjoy

Chris Wade
Pacific Paradise Divers