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Shore Dive Sites
North Shore Oahu
Generally, heavy surf makes the North Shore dive sites undivable from late October through mid April.
Sharks Cove-(15/50ft) Beach Dive
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Sharks Cove is one of the premier North Shore diving spots. The name refers to the rocky appearance of dorsal fins from the distance. This great summer shore dive site is protected somewhat from waves and swells. Depths range from 15 ft. at the center of the cove with the outside fringes at 50 ft. Lava tubes and ledges run off to the right while large boulder reefs are to the left and straight out. Reef fish, occasional sharks, eagle rays and numerous invertebrates can be found here.
3 Tables- (20/50ft) Beach Dive
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Three Tables is just a few hundred yards West of Sharks Cove. It is named for three flat rocks running out from shore. They break the surface and drop to about 15 ft. Depths out and to the left average 50 ft., while the right side tends to be in the 30 ft. range. Reef fish, dolphins, and turtles are a plenty at this site.
Waimea Bay- (25/60ft) Beach Dive
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Waimea Walls is on the east side of Waimea Bay and the area is accessible from shore (about two hundred yards west of Three Tables). Three fingers of lava push out to sea starting at 25 ft. and dropping to 60 ft. The base of the drop off and the lava tube are the main sights. Whitetips, turtles and eagle rays are sometimes spotted along with lobster hiding in cracks.
Haleiwa Trench- (15/90ft) Beach Dive-extended surface swim
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Haleiwa Trench is a wall dive almost 100 yards wide and 90 ft. deep about a quarter mile off the west end of Haleiwa Beach Park. The wall is a vertical drop with a seaward side and beach side. The seaward side being the better of the 2 sides (just remember this is definitely a more advanced dive). The top has plenty of reef fish, coral, arches and ledges and holes which may hide lobster or eels. Off the wall is a coral garden which is home to several turtles.
West side of Oahu
With all west side areas, valuables should not be left unattended in your vehicle.
Electric Beach- (10/35 ft) Beach Dive
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Located directly across from the Kahe power plant, hence the name, this site gives you the rare opportunity to dive or snorkel with Spinner Dolphins. Looking out into the water from the park the turbid movement you see is caused by the out flow of heated water from the plant. Be aware that dangerous conditions exist near the end of the outflow-strong moving water can send you seaward and/or upward. Large schools of fish love the heated water you also will see turtles and the occasional shark.
Makaha Caverns- (20/ 50 ft) Beach Dive-extended surface swim
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This is Oahu's second most popular dive site and is a superb shallow water dive. It is located 100 yards from Kepuhi Point-Makaha Beach. Numerous open-ended lava tubes form Makaha Caverns, which is a known 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. Beware that this site normally requires a very long surface swim.
East side of Oahu
Generally shallow with unpredictable rip currents making all but Ma kai Pier, dives for the more advanced.
Ma kai Research Pier-(5/20 ft) Beach Dive
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The Pier is normally a great area for confined water skills with a large surf break to keep the waves down most times of the year. Large Coral head formations make this a desirable location for rare species of marine life such as Picasso triggerfish and the Flying Gruinard.
Makapu'u Beach Park- (10/40 ft) Beach Dive
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Located on the South Eastern most point of the Island, directly across from Sea Life Park and Rabbit Island on the horizon, makes this a beautiful dive spot. Shallower reefs provide a good location for intermediate divers. Just remember the surf can get dangerous in the area and the current can change instantly.
Blow Hole (aka From Here to Eternity Beach) - (15/40 ft) Beach Dive
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The waves at blowhole create a fountain of water. Located to the west side of the Blowhole is the beach. Make sure to check the surf report as this spot is usually only dive able a couple of weeks out of the year and is dangerous in anything but flat, calm conditions. Since the area sees so little water activity it's an excellent spot for shell collectors. Octopus and Green Sea Turtles can be seen here.
Lanai Lookout- (40/80 ft) Wall Dive
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On a clear day you can see the island of Lanai from Lanai Lookout, but we're here to dive. The dive site is midway along the wall that runs from the Blowhole to Hanauma Bay. Like the Blowhole, conditions can make this an undivable spot. The entry can be reached by a long hike down to the edge of the water. You must do a giant stride from a ledge about five feet above. The ledge drops to 80 feet or more in spots. Just past the entry is a large underwater cave that cuts deep into the cliff. This dive can be very dangerous and is only for very experienced and adventurous divers.
South sites of Oahu
Most of these sites are training dives and snorkel spots.
Kakaako Beach Park-(15/30 ft)
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Kakaako is usually reserved as a training site because of the shallower depths. It is easily accessible with 2 sets of steps, one to the east by the channel, and the other in the middle of the park. Reef fish are numerous and the sandy areas are good for shell collecting. You should check the surf forecast before heading out to this site as the surf conditions can get dangerous here.
Magic Island-(10/40 ft)
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Magic Island is the cove on the beach side of Ala Moana Beach Park. Entering the water on the east side in the channel then heading out to sea. Once you drop down out side of the wall, the finger reefs will take you out to deeper depths. This dive is usually done during low surf as the area is very sandy and visibility usually declines rapidly. It is most known for the variety of nudibranchs seen in the area.
Hanauma Bay- (20/70 ft) Beach Dive
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Hanauma Bay is a flooded volcano crater. It is a very popular diving and snorkeling site. The bay has been declared a conservation district; all of the marine life in the bay is fully protected. The bay is normally protected from waves and swells. Depths reach 70 feet in the outer areas with walls and reefs to explore. At the entrance of the bay the walls continue but current in the area can sweep you along the wall or out to sea. During certain Saturdays of the month Hanauma Bay is open for night snorkeling and diving (be aware that the trolley closes at or before 8 p.m. so you will need to hump with your gear back to your car - a very long trek).
