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Hawaii > Scuba Diving > Best Hawaii diving spots
Hawaii diving spots
Each of the islands of Hawaii has outstanding diving spots. Coral reefs, lava tubes, caves and sandy bottoms create Hawaii's unique underwater terrain. There is a big variety of spots, and here only some of Hawaii diving attractions are listed.
Big Island Hawaii diving spots
On the Big Island diving spots are located only along the leeward, Kona and Kohala coastlines. The most popular of the Big Island Hawaii diving spots are Cavern Point, Place of Refuge, Kailua Pier, Pine trees and Red Hill. Near the Red Hill drop off, manta rays are frequently met. Kona and Kohala coast diving spots range from Novice to advanced with depth ranges from 10 to 130 feet.
Oahu Hawaii diving spots
The most interesting diving spots of Oahu are concentrated in the area of Waimea Bay and the Waianae coastline. Major sites feature wrecks, large grottos and caral bottom bays. Hanauma Bay offers one of Oahu's most breath taking panoramas along with advanced, intermediate and novice dive spots accessble from shore.
Molokini crater and Maui Hawaii diving spots
Maui diving spots are located mainly on the western shore of the island and include Honolua Bay, Olowalu and Five Caves. These sites are accessible by shore and range in depth from 5 to 60 feet. Five Caves are shallow, 30-40 feet, and it's excellent spot for any level of scuba diving. The area is composed mainly of lava ridges and small pinacles. It's home to a colony of turtles, angler fish, tame conger eels, and white tipped sharks.
Another diver's attraction of Maui island is Golden Arches. They are named golden, because the undersides of these three arches are covered with gold and orange tube coral and bright red and yellow sponges. The depth is 70 feet. Lobsters live in the cracks and crevices of the arches.
A short boat trip to Molokini Crater reveals some additional sites of Hawaii diving. Molokini is an ancient, sunken volkano. Highlights include black corals and schools of tame fish in depth of 10 to 130 feet.
Lanai Hawaii diving spots
Barge Harbor: Directly in front of the northern side of the harbor is a unique reef that terraces from shallow water to a shear drop-off within a a few hundred feet of shore. The base of the wall is about 110', but the most interesting part of the site is the multitude of cracks and shallow caves ripe for exploring
Sgt. Major reef is named for the large schools of Sgt. Major damsel fish, the reef consists of three lava fingers, which create picturesque underwater gorges with thousands of hidden paces for fish and invertebrates. The depth is app. 40 feet. Located just north of Sgt. Major Reef, Sgt. Minor Reef is not as dramatic as Sgt Major, but it's a good exploratory site. It is made of several lava ridges which run from about forty feet to very shallow inshore depths. With lots of lava voids throughout the area, it is a good place to explore for animals that hide from light.