Hawaii is made up of eight islands and several atolls. The islands were formed by volcanic activity and lava eruptions. Hawaii is located in the middle of the north pacific ocean.
Hawaii is home to some amazing dive sites. They offer vast reef systems, caves, shipwrecks, lava formations, and dense marine life.
The Big Island in Hawaii is the region’s largest island and it has some amazing dive sites. Let’s take a look at the top 15 dive locations you need to explore on your next trip.
Hawaii Diving
| Year-round Diving | Water Temperatures 70-80 F (21-27C) |
| 100+ ft. (30+ m) Visibility | Dense Marine Life |
| Lava Formations | 14 Species of Sharks |
Pentagon
Expect to See: Reef sharks, turtles, eel, octopus, tropical fish, coral, lava formations, caverns
Skill Level: Beginner
Lava formations, arches, caverns, and plenty of tropical fish are the main attractions at this site.
The central lava formation is a cavern with five entry points all leading to the center. There are smaller holes on the top of the cavern which allows light to illuminate to inside.
The cavern is coated in colorful coral and lots of tropical fish. You will even see a few turtles roam past the area.
There is also a 40 feet (12 m) lava tube to explore and you’ll probably run into a few whitetip reef sharks while you are there.
Additionally, are several arches and swim-throughs just nearby the lava cavern. Most are coated in coral formations and are home to small marine life.
Visibility goes up to 98 feet (30 m) and there is no current. Depth ranges 33-49 feet (10-15 m). It’s a wonderful spot for beginners or anyone looking for a casual yet interesting dive.
Leleiwi Beach Park
Expect to See: Whitetip sharks, dolphins, turtles, tropical fish, arches
Skill Level: Intermediate
The topography is stunning at Leleiwi Beach Park. There are arches, tubes, canyons, and cliffs all filled with lots of tropical marine life.
There is plenty to explore at varying depths with shallow going all the way to 100 feet (30 m). About 30 feet (9 m) right of the entrance point is some small arches to look at.
It’s also an amazing site to swim with turtles. It’s common for there to be 20-30 turtles on a single dive. Pods of spinner dolphins are also common at Leleiwi Beach Park.
It is sometimes difficult to enter the water. The rocks are slippery and the waters are sometimes rough.
The coastline is rugged and there tend to be water surges. For these reasons, this site is best for intermediate divers. If the waters are really calm them it can be attempted by divers who are more toward the beginner level.
Place of Refuge
Expect to See: Reef sharks, dolphins, turtles, eel, pufferfish, pencil urchin, crabs, tropical fish, coral
Skill Level: Beginner
Place of Refuge is located inside the clear, peaceful waters of Honaunau Marine Wildlife Preserve.
Upon entering the site you will see a sandy patch beneath you. Someone used cinder blocks to spelled out the word “Aloha”. It’s a fun photo opportunity.
There are several coral heads, channels, overhangs, slopes, and a drop-off that goes down 100 feet (30 m) so there is lots to explore.
Green sea turtles are prevalent at this dive site. They are the most active during the late afternoons when they move to shallow waters to feed on algae. Green sea turtles are protected so it’s illegal to touch them just in case you get tempted.
There is a small $5 entrance fee to enter Honaunau Marine Wildlife Preserve. The money goes to preserving the area which is well worth it.
Haunted Caves
Expect to See: Caves, coral, sea sponges, tropical fish, turtles
Skill Level: Beginner and up
Also called Mauna Lani Caves are located just 200 yards from the beach making it an easy shore dive. However, you can also get there via boat if you prefer.
It’s a network of many caves that are easily explored. Some caves are too small to actually enter but most are large enough for 3-4 divers at a time. There are too many caves to explore in one dive so it would take at least 3 dives to see it all.
The cave runs along the reef and the entrances can be found 15-30 (4-9 m) feet below the surface.
Maximum depth is 50 feet (15 m) and visibility ranges from 50-100 feet (15-30 m). Water temperatures range from 70-80 F (21-27 C).
Black Coral Forest
Expect to See: Barracuda, hawkfish, eel, tropical fish, coral
Skill Level: Beginner
For a little change in scenery head on over to the Black Coral Forest. Here you will find 90 feet (27 m) black coral trees everywhere. It really is a forest of black coral trees.
Black coral is rarer than other varieties. There are over 500 total species of coral and of that, 150 species are black coral. Hawaii is home to 14 species of black coral.
Black coral gets it’s name from their black or brown skeletons that house thousands of polyps. This makes up the overall coral structure.
Longnose hawkfish and viper eels use the coral trees as the perfect habitat to hide and take shelter.
It’s fun and exciting to wade through the coral trees and inspect them for small signs of life. You will definitely leave with some spectacular photos.
Crescent Beach
Expect to See: Blacktip and tiger sharks, dolphins, turtles, rays, eels, barracuda, coral
Skill Level: Beginner
Crescent Beach is lively coral reef site filled with medium sized marine life. It’s an easy shore dive located just off Honokohau Harbor.
Tiger sharks and blacktip reef sharks are common sights at Crescent Beach. There are also lots of manta rays, eagle rays, sea turtles, and dolphins. Some of the tiger sharks are over 20 feet (6 m) long.
Schools of barracuda will definitely come check you out and the coral reef formations are vibrant and healthy.
The reef stretches out and gradually falls down to the sandy seafloor. The maximum depth is 80 feet (24 m).
The easy access, shallow depths, and protected waters make it great dive for everyone including beginners.
Honokohau Harbor does have some boat traffic so be mindful of that when entering and exiting the water.
Honokohau
Expect to See: Dolphins, turtles, rays, eel, octopus, barracuda, tropical fish, coral, lava tubes
Skill Level: Beginner
Honokohau dive site is located inside the Honokohau national historic park. It’s a colorful site with hard and soft coral, tropical fish, lava tubes, and turtles.
The amount of hard and soft coral at this dive site is really exciting. There are tons of fun formations and vibrant colors.
Plenty of tropical fish hide out in the crevices of the reef and lava tubes which makes for a fun game of hide-and-seek.
The sandy bottom makes for a great spot for hawksbill turtles to hang out. Dolphins and eagle rays hang out at the reef’s drop-off.
Visibility ranges from 30-80 feet (9-24 m) and the maximum depth is 90 feet (27 m).
Honokohau is usually a shore dive but you can certainly visit it by boat as well. There are occasional swells during the winter months that can make the site difficult to get to.
Au Au Crater
Expect to See: Whitetip and hammerhead sharks, jacks, turtles, eel, shrimp, tropical fish, reef
Skill Level: Beginner and up
This steep wall dive is actually a volcano crater with depths up to 200 feet (61 m). It holds lots of fish like jacks, whitetip and hammerhead sharks.
The crater is v-shaped and the lip starts at 30 feet (9 m) beneath the surface before plunging down to 200 feet (61 m). Three sides of the crater are intact and one side has fallen.
Vertical reefs hang from the sides of the crater and stretch toward the shore. There are vertical reefs on two sides of the crater with on ranging 30-70 feet (9-21 m) and the other 50-200 feet (15-61 m).
The area is famous for having huge schools of jacks along with hammerheads and oceanic whitetip sharks. Many divers describe Au Au as being an aquarium filled with tons of different species of fish.
Au Au Crater is also a popular night dive where conger eels come out and put on a show for divers. You will also see a few sleeping turtles as well.
Pelagic Magic
Expect to See: Micro-organisms
Skill Level: Beginner
Pelagic Magic is a night dive location one could only dream of. Plankton and other micro-organisms glow an iridescent blue when light it shinned on them. It’s like being dropping in the middle of nowhere to watch as blue glowing creatures dance in the water.
Divers hang onto a tethered line as they dangle over the endlessly deep site that plunges to 5,000 feet (1,524 m).
Which on the line you shine your lights around the water to see the glistening marine life move. It’s magical in everyway and an interesting dive.
Pelagic Magic is located just 3 miles (5 km) off the coast of Kona and is only used for night diving.
Puako
Expect to See: Turtles, rays, eel, tropical fish, coral, lava formations, tunnel, canyons, drop-off
Skill Level: Intermediate
Puako is a lava shelf that is filled with sea urchins, a coral-covered tunnel, and a drop-off ready for exploring. It’s considered one of the best shore dives in all of the Big Island.
The colorful reef, interesting lava formations, canyons, and variety of fish species make Puako a divers paradise.
The canyons start 6-10 feet (2-3 m) below the surface and extend down to 30 feet (9 m) below the surface.
Puako is used as a cleaning station for green sea turtles. It’s quite a sight watching the turtles get cleaned by smaller fish.
The tunnel at the site is an easy swim-through filled with small life. Sometimes there are stinging anemones that attach themselves to the roof of the tunnel so just be careful not to rub against it.
The drop-off offers a look at larger marine life including Ulua that are up to 200 pounds (91 kg). Once near the drop-off be careful for the current. It is sometimes strong and sweeping.
The site is located south of Hapuna beach and is a shore dive when the waters are calm. The best time to go is the early morning because the waters are calm and the visibility is the best.
Maximum depth of the site is 88 feet (27 m) and visibility is 60-80 feet (18-24 m).
Golden Arches
Expect to See: Whitetip sharks, dolphins, eel, turtles, snapper, octopus, tropical fish, coral, lava formations
Skill Level: Beginner
The Golden Arches are two huge rock arches covered in coral formations. The swim-throughs are fun and make for great photo opportunities.
Near the arches are several coral heads and sandy patches filled with tropical fish, octopus, blue stripped snapper, and reef sharks.
Colorful schools of fish wander around and through the arches along with octopus and turtles.
There is no current and the dive is very easy and enjoyable for all levels of divers including children.
Maximum depth is 65 feet (20 m) and visibility is always over 100 feet (30 m). It only takes 10 minutes to reach the Golden Arches via boat.
Suck-Em Up Lava Tube
Expect to See: Reef sharks, dolphins, pufferfish, eel, octopus, tropical fish, caves, coral
Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate
Suck-Em Up is a site with two swim-through lava caves to explore. Both caves offer schools of tropical fish and whitetip reef sharks which lurk around the bottom of the ocean.
Suck ’em Up is a 40-foot (12 m) lava tube located 25 feet (7 m) beneath the surface. The cave should only be explored by intermediate divers. The cave has two entry points. The one on the south is larger than the one on the north side.
It gets its name because the differing sized entry points create a current that draws you through the cave. The current is somewhat strong but certainly very fun.
Dives begin when the current is more calm so you have enough time to wander through the cave at your own leisure. As the dive progresses and you move closer to the exit point the current picks up and literally sucks you out of the cave.
Skull Cave is next to Suck ’em Up and is suitable for beginner divers. It’s a large cave with sea sponges and orange cup coral covering the walls. It’s bright and vibrant with lots of tropical fish. You can even see pufferfish here.
Skull Cave is more relaxed and there is no sweeping current dragging you in or out. Explore at your own pace making sure to inspect the rock for smaller forms of life like anemone.
At both locations, the maximum depth is 60 feet (18 m) and the water temperature is 75-80 F (24-27 C).
Nai’a
Expect to See: Spinner dolphins, tiger sharks (June-September), rays, eel, stonefish, frogfish, boxfish, snapper, barracuda, tropical fish
Skill Level: Beginner
Nai’a is Hawaiian for dolphins and that is exactly why you want to dive here. Spinner dolphins come here during the mornings to rest and relax. The site is also sometimes called Ripoff Reef.
If you like underwater photography then be sure to bring your camera along. Even though there is no guarantee as to how close you can get to the dolphins, visibility is so amazing that they are easy to capture on film.
Apart from the dolphins there are some beautiful reefs and lots of schools of fish passing through. Stonefish and frogfish are very common at this sight. Stonefish are highly venomous and they camouflage very well so be careful.
Visibility is at least 100 feet (30 m) and sometimes over that. Maximum depth varies slightly depending on the tide but averages 60 feet (18 m).
Turtle Pinnacle
Expect to See: Turtles, dolphin, eel, octopus, barracuda, surgeon, coral
Skill Level: Beginner
As you might expect from the name, Turtle Pinnacle is an amazing location to swim alongside turtles. It’s actually a popular cleaning station for them which lures them in.
The dive site is located on the northwest side of Big Island and is popular on liveaboard trips.
The tall coral pinnacles offer shelter for smaller tropical fish and keep the turtles occupied as they wait their turn to get cleaned.
Green sea turtles come to have cleaner fish (surgeonfish) remove bacteria from their bodies. The surgeonfish get a meal and the turtles get cleaned. It’s a win-win.
Fast Fact: The IMAX movie ‘Coral Sea 3D’ was partially shot at Turtle Pinnacle
The turtles vary in size but you can expect to see some impressively large ones either getting cleaned or waiting to be next in line. Many turtles take naps at the bottom of the ocean after getting cleaned.
Green sea turtles are a threatened species and are protected by federal law. It’s important not to touch or disturb them.
Turtle Pinnacle is a relaxed dive that can be as shallow as you like. Making it ideal for beginners or anyone looking for an overall easy dive.
Maximum depth is 59 feet (18 m) and visibility is incredible at 148-197 feet (45-60 m). Water temperatures range from 72-79 F (22-26 C).
Garden Eel Cove
Expect to See: Eels, manta rays, tropical fish
Skill Level: Beginner
Garden Eel Cove is an interesting site that boasts great experiences in both the day and night.
The day dive begins by dropping down to 62 feet (19 m) to the sandy bottom. This is where hundreds of garden eels.
Garden eels live in groups and bury themselves in sand on ocean floors. They can grow up to 16 inches (41 cm) and blend well into their surroundings. The eels tend to be curious creatures and are really fun to watch as they sway back and forth in the water.
Spinner dolphins also commonly make an appearance at the cove especially in the morning. The dolphins hunt during the night and come to the shallow waters of Garden Eel Cove to rest. Try not to disturb the dolphins so that they aren’t discouraged from returning to the area.
After exploring the garden eels divers begin to slowly ascend. Right around 33 feet (11 m) depth you will notice a sandy patch surrounded by rocks. On the sand, there is an artificial ring of lights called the “campfire”. The campfire is used to attract plankton and manta rays for night diving.
Garden Eel Cove is where the Manta Ray night dive occurs. It’s by far the most popular night dive in all of Hawaii. It takes place around a ring of artificial lighting which attracts plankton. Rays love feasting on plankton so they come by the dozen to grab a late-night snack.
The rays range in size from 5-16 feet (1-5 m) and completely surround you. It’s a truly unique experience that everyone highly enjoys.
Water temperatures range from 70-79 F (21-26 C) and offers great diving year-round.