Oahu's Premier Boat Dives...
(808) 542-1509
info@barefootscubadivers.com 
Dive
Boat Dives
Dive Site: Sea Tiger
This 168-foot vessel was sunk in 1999 as an artificial reef.
Marine life and growth is still in the early stages. This wreck offers penetration through its cargo holds, passageways and stairwells surrounding the outer portion of the ship. Exploration of the inner cabins and passageways is restricted by means of welded barriers. The Sea Tiger is visited daily by Atlantis Submarines. For added safety, it is highly recommended that divers stay clear of the submarine and pay particular attention when transiting between the surface and the wreck. Although this wreck is relatively new, it has already attracted numerous species of fish including, squirrelfish and filefish, along with visits from morays and occasional reef sharks.
Depth: 80 - 120 feet
Level: Intermediate to Advance
Sitting within a 10 minute boat ride outside Kewalo Basin, and resting upright in 120 ft of water, is the wreck of the Sea Tiger. This 168-foot vessel was originally built in Japan for fishing. Originally named Yun Fong Seong No. 303, it was confiscated in February of 1992 for transporting illegal Chinese immigrants into Hawaii. After being renamed the Sea Tiger, it was then sold at auction for a dollar. It was sunk in 1999 as an artificial reef and tourist attraction for Voyager Submarine tours. The company discontinued the tours a year later, and this wreck is now a haven for scuba divers. The main deck has a depth ranging from 75 ft to 95 ft and offers penetration through its cargo holds, passageways, and stairwells, which surround the outer portion of the ship. Exploration of the inner cabins and passageways is restricted by means of welded barriers. Now that this wreck is an established reef, it attracts numerous species of fish, including: squirrelfish, frogfish, butterfly fish, and filefish. Green Sea Turtles, occasional reef sharks, and eagle rays often visit the wreck.
Dive Site: Y0-257 and San Pedro
The YO-257 was a Navy yard oiler built in the 1940's. It was bought by Atlantis Submarines Hawaii and sunk as an artificial reef off Waikiki in 1989. In 1996, a new ship, the San Pedro, was sunk within 50 yards of the YO-257 as an additional dive attraction.
There is sometimes a strong current at the surface, which eases as you approach the wreck. A decent line is always rigged to mooring buoys on the wreck. The typical dive profile is 90 feet for 20 minutes. The YO-257 is one of the south shores more popular boat dives.
The ship rests upright in 100 feet of water with the main deck about 85 feet. It has been prepared for diving with many large access holes cut through the structure. It is the home of many colorful fish. Moray eels may be found around the wreck.
Wave to the Atlantis submarine as it passes by on its tour. Visibility is normally 100+ feet.
Depth: 80-100 feet
Level: Intermediate to Advance
Within a 25 minute boat ride of Kewalo Basin sits the wreck of the YO-257. A Navy yard oilier built in the 1940's used by the coast guard during its heyday. It was bought by Atlantis Submarines and sunk as an artificial reef off Waikiki in 1989. The ship rests upright in 100 feet of water, with the main deck at about 85 feet large access holes were cut through this unique structure preparing it for divers. Numerous Green sea turtles and the occasional Hawksbill turtle call this wreck home. You may even be able to wave to the Atlantis submarine as it passes by on its tour. Just remember no touching or mooning the submarine. Visibility is normally 100+ feet with a strong current on most days.
The San Pedro was originally built and used as a fishing vessel in the Hawaiian waters, but accidently caught fire off the Big Island of Hawaii in 1975. After 14 years of being moved from one port to another, it was finally purchased and sunk in 1996 for the Atlantis Submarine tour. Now lying approximately 100 ft from the YO-257 and resting in 85 ft of water with the main deck around 60 ft, this new wreck has given a home to the white tip reef sharks that are most likely seen just below the main deck.
Dive Site: Turtle Canyon
This dive site is located in Maunalua Bay and is one of the best sites to see turtles. You can expect to see several large turtles on a single dive. They often rest on the bottom or on the lava ledges that extend over the sand. The turtles are used to divers and photographers can get close and take all the pictures they way. The lava ridges contain numerous pukas, overhangs, and ledges that also host a variety of critters and are worth exploring with a dive light.
This dive site is located in Maunalua Bay and is one of the best sites to see turtles. You can expect to see several large turtles on a single dive. They often rest on the bottom or on the lava ledges that extend over the sand. The turtles are used to divers and photographers can get close and take all the pictures they way. The lava ridges contain numerous pukas, overhangs, and ledges that also host a variety of critters and are worth exploring with a dive light.
Depth: 20-40 feet
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Just outside of Waikiki's surf break this site not only delivers turtles, but also the views of Diamond Head and Waikiki are breathtaking. There are 5 different mooring balls at this site, so waiting is never a problem. Underwater the scene of turtles flying past and schools of reef fish will bring you back again and again. The finger reef structure at this site brings in all of Hawaii's marine life from sharks to octopus, and yes Turtles as the name implies.
Dive Site: Horseshoe Reef
Not going to Turtles today, Horseshoe reef is the best alternative for seeing Turtles, Sharks and the occasional eagle ray. The reef itself holds numerous schools of trigger fish, Hawaiian Sargents and rare eels, such as the Dragon Moray. Frog fish are also commonly spotted in the area.
Depth: 40-60 feet
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Not going to Turtles today, Horseshoe reef is the best alternative for seeing Turtles, Sharks and the occasional eagle ray. The reef itself holds numerous schools of trigger fish, Hawaiian Sargents and rare eels, such as the Dragon Moray. Frog fish are also commonly spotted in the area.
Dive Site: Kewalo Pipe
This artificial reef is named after an underwater steel pipeline that is now broken up into pieces. There are several finger reefs to be found here interspersed with sand patches. Keep an eye out for the variety of juvenile wrasses to be found on this dive. This is a great spot to find octopus, leaf scorpion fish and the devil scorpion fish.
Depth: 30-60 feet
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Just outside of Kewalo Basin lies a 1950s poop pipe, starting in the shallows at 22 ft and continuing out to 63 ft at the deep end all of which is coral encrusted. On either side of the pipe you can find numerous other pockets of fringing reefs home to all sorts of marine life. Octopus, spinney puffer and eels are just a few of the inhabitants of the area.
Dive Site: Corsair
The pilot of this Corsair ran out of fuel on a training mission in 1946 and ditched his aircraft. Luckily for us it was on a perfectly calm day and had created one of the islands original wrecks. It settled intact in 107 feet of water.
The white sand bottom reflects plenty of light in waters that have rarely less than 100 feet of visibility. With the tips of its blades bent back from the impact, the propeller settled into the sand up to its shaft, while the aft landing hook and taxi wheel is still fully exposed, encrusted with a brilliant orange sponge. The port wing is buried almost to the fuselage, but the starboard one remains accessible to the marine community. A large Antler Coral has established itself just behind the open cockpit, with schools of tropicals swimming the oasis amidst an oceanic desert. Green sea turtles, reef sharks and eagle rays also visit this artificial reef for shelter and to seek food. Besides the depth, the main drawback is the strong current that picks up within three hours of the tidal shift.
Depth: 107 feet
Level: Advanced
In 1945 the pilot had to ditch this piece of history in the deep water off Hawaii Kai, after endless searching and accounts from the pilot and the official document filed by the Navy it was determined that mechanical failure caused the crash. This is the only true wreck in recreation dive depths on the island. With decent water visibility, sitting alone in sand, and void of any reef structure makes this a great habitat for schools of blue striped jack. Rough seas and strong currents make this an advanced dive.
Dive Site: Baby Barge
This barge was intentionally sunk in 1995 as a growing artificial reef system on the south side of the Island. With the bottom of this wreck sitting in 65 ft of water and the main deck around 45 ft, it can be visited by all levels of divers. Resting on a ledge with a large cavern next to it make it the perfect habitat for green sea turtles. Following the ledge towards diamond head will bring you to other caverns where white tip reef sharks call them home. Antler coral is the largest in this area with all types of marine life as inhabitants, including the Harlequin shrimp.
Depth: 65-95 feet
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
This barge was intentionally sunk in 1995 as a growing artificial reef system on the south side of the Island. With the bottom of this wreck sitting in 65 ft of water and the main deck around 45 ft, it can be visited by all levels of divers. Resting on a ledge with a large cavern next to it make it the perfect habitat for green sea turtles. Following the ledge towards diamond head will bring you to other caverns where white tip reef sharks call them home. Antler coral is the largest in this area with all types of marine life as inhabitants, including the Harlequin shrimp.
Dive Site: Portlock Wall
Also mentioned as a shore dive, this site sees the most action from a boat; the current in this area is known to be hazardous at times making this an excellent drift dive location. Divers are brought in close to the wall by boat then dropped off like a group of paratroopers descending automatically, and drifting along in the currents. Spitting caves can be along the way as we drift by; watching above and out into the blue water is recommended as Hawaiian Monk Seals visit this area often.
Depth: 30-50 feet
Level: Intermediate
Also mentioned as a shore dive, this site sees the most action from a boat; the current in this area is known to be hazardous at times making this an excellent drift dive location. Divers are brought in close to the wall by boat then dropped off like a group of paratroopers descending automatically, and drifting along in the currents. Spitting caves can be along the way as we drift by; watching above and out into the blue water is recommended as Hawaiian Monk Seals visit this area often.
Dive Site: Koko Craters
Depth: 30-40 feet
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Three large craters make up the underwater topography of this location, with overhangs along the edges perfect for napping turtles. There is a Buddha with coral grown on the right side of the head giving the area a Zen like feel. Openwater students will enjoy the shallower depths here.
Dive Site: Mahi
Depth: 65 - 95 feet
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
The Mahi, originally the USS Scrimmage
Hull Number AM 297
Built and used as an admirable class minesweeper, the Scrimmage received 6 battle stars for her World War II service in the Philippines Campaigns during 1944-45.
After being sold in April 1960 she subsequently became the British merchantman, Giant 11 and used as a cable laying ship. Sold in March 1968 to the Dillingham Corp. and leased to the University of Hawaii as a research vessel being renamed M/S Mahi.
In 1982 Dacor Scuba Diving purchased the ship to be sunk as an artificial reef approximately 1 mile off the Waianae coast in 90 feet of water. After hurricane Iniki passed on Sept 11, 1992, the most powerful hurricane to hit the Hawaiian Islands, the ship was moved over 100 yards from its original position and its main superstructure was severally damaged. Access to any passageways is off limits as the possibility of collapse is imminent. The up side is that squadrons of eagle rays regularly visit the site as do whales and other large pelagic mammals in the winter months.
Dive Site: LCU
Depth: 60 - 80 feet
Level: Intermediate
The Landing Craft Utility (LCU) is a type of boat used by amphibious forces to transport equipment and troops to the shore. They are capable of transporting tracked or wheeled vehicles and troops from amphibious assault ships to beachheads or piers. Resting in the clear water off the Waianae coast this wreck gives a new home to skittish white tip reef sharks and occasional frog fish.
Dive Site: Beech craft
Depth: 65 - 105 feet
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
On December 10, 1953, the prototype of the Super 18, the last version of the Beech 18, made its first flight. The last three production aircraft were delivered in November 1969. More than 9,000 Model 18’s were produced since 1937, and in 1970, more than 2,000 were still being flown in the United States alone. This twin engine beech craft now resting in 105 feet of water is an attraction for divers, with its schools of reef fish and the occasional eagle ray to greet you.
Dive Site: Makaha Caverns
Depth: 30 -50 feet
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Superb shallow water dive located 100 yards from Kepuhi Point-Makaha Beach. Numerous open-ended lava tubes form Makaha Caverns, which is a home for turtles and white tip reef sharks. Outside the cavern, the site spreads over a large area. Working seaward, the coral thins out, but the pockets are home to octopus, and several species of eels. You will also find this site in the shore dive area - for advanced divers only because of the extended surface swim.
Dive Site: OZ
Depth: 30 -50 feet
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Given its name because of the previous land owner who decided it would be a good idea to smack golf balls at the charter boats in the area, who was nicknamed OZ. The site offers numerous lava tubes with large octopus and the occasional white tip reef shark.
Dive Site: 5 inch Reef
Depth: 30 -50 feet
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
All scheduled boats and charters have a 24 hour cancellation policy.
At the present time we do not provide boat dives on the North or East sides of the Island. Keep watching for changes.
TOP
send us your thoughts