While Hawaii’s above-water landscapes are unparalleled, some of the most beautiful and memorable scenery is found just below, as well as deep beneath, the surface. One of the best ways to experience such remarkable beauty is through scuba diving, where you can swim along reefs, exotic marine life, and venture through the vast beauty of Hawaii’s waters. The following locations offer dive spots for beginners and advanced divers alike, that are guaranteed to fit both your comfort level and your desire for adventure.
Tunnels Reef and Beach
Located to the north of Kauai, Tunnels Reef is accessible by boat, and like any dive site, can be undertaken with or without a guide, depending on skill. The site offers a dive depth of sixty-five feet, with visibility ranging from ten to sixty-five feet. Beginners will find the calm water surrounding this site perfect for dive practice, while experienced divers can explore the lava formations and underwater tunnels surrounding the reef. Common sea life here includes wrasse, triggerfish, trumpet fish, tangs, moray eels, and green sea turtles. North Shore Divers offer guide service of Tunnels Reef.
Sharks Cove
Sharks Cove is located oh Oahu’s North Shore, and is one of the more popular dive sites on the island. The site is supposedly named for the rock formation that makes up the cove, and its resemblance to a shark. However, live sharks don’t even frequent the area. It’s a good dive site for beginners or advanced divers, with high visibility and shore access. Advanced divers have the option to explore underwater caverns, the most popular being “the elevator.” The elevator is a hole ten feet in diameter that descends twenty feet, exiting through three different tunnels. Two of the tunnels lead divers out into the open sea, but the third terminates at an enclosed dry chamber, allowing divers to surface in a completely enclosed cave. Guides can lead novices on a tour of Sharks Cove, and are recommended for anyone who wants to explore the elevator.
Back Wall
This popular dive is located at the back wall of the Molokini Crater, near the island of Maui. Island legend says the fire goddess Pele fell in love with a Maui prince, but a gecko also loved the prince. In her wrath, Pele cut the gecko in two, and the tail landed into the ocean, creating Molokini Crater. Recommended for experienced divers only, divers must enter the water by boat, and the access point is current dependent. The complex entry, coupled with the fact dive depth is one hundred thirty to one hundred sixty feet, means this spot is not suitable for beginners. The back wall drops out of sight to divers, despite the one hundred foot visibility. What parts can be seen, are covered in sponge and orange tubastrea coral. Lobsters, crabs, and rare species like the long-nosed hawk fish, inhabit the wall, while larger fish, such as reef sharks and mantas rays, swim in the deep ocean currents. Divers looking for a guide can hire Maui Under Water to take them on a comprehensive tour of the wall.
Pyramids
This dive site is located at the south end of Lanai, and is accessible by boat. The site derives its name from the large number of pyramid butterfly fish in the area. Intermediate to advanced divers are recommended to explore eighty-foot plunge into the sea, with visibility extending sixty to seventy feet. Lava arches provide shelter to an abundance of sea life, including snowflake coral, lobsters, viper moray eels and cowry shells. The area is also known for the occasional white-tip shark sighting.