The island of Oahu in Hawaii offers a range of scuba diving options, from shore dives to boat dives for both beginners and advanced divers. If you want to try wreck diving, Oahu is the only island in Hawaii to do it.
What to Look For
Colorful reef fish, living coral, star fish, sea turtles, octopus, lobster, shells of different shapes and sizes, and other marine life. Hawaii as more over 650 species of reef fish. In fast, 200 unique species that live in these waters are found nowhere else in the world.
Look for a spectrum of moray eels, frogfish, scorpion fish, marine flat worms, nudibranchs, shrimp and giant sea turtles.
Where to Go
Dive sites are scattered all around the island, depending on what you are looking for. The Corsair wreck on the south end of the island is popular with advanced divers who go there to see rare crocodile and garden eels, horned helmet shells, barracuda, jacks and stingrays.
The Mahi shipwreck on the west side is a 186 foot U.S. Navy vessel sunk that sunk to 90 feet. Scuba divers can see three ship decks.
The the Windward side, Moku Manu, about 500 yards off Mokapu Point, features rich marine life including eels, turtles, reef fish and lobster hiding in the caves. Diving depths range from 30 to 90 feet.
On the North Shore, you can dive in Shark's Cove nearby Waimea Bay in the summer. Depths run to 60 feet and sights include a reef with caves, lava tubes and ledges.
Charters & Gear
There are over 25 dive shops on Oahu, Hawaii. Many charters offers small excursions of eight divers or less.
AquaZone
2335 Kalakaua Avenue
Phone: 808-923-3483
AquaZone
Breeze Hawaii Diving Adventures
3014 Kaimuki Avenue
Phone: 808-735-1857
Breeze Hawaii Diving Adventures
Surf-N-Sea – Surf, Sail & Dive Shop
62-595 Kamehameha Highway
Phone: 808-637-9887
Surf-N-Sea – Surf, Sail & Dive Shop
North Shore Surfing
Surfing enthusiasts planning a trip in the winter can take advantage of Oahu's North Shore waves which are known to reach heights of 25 – 30 feet. Some of the most popular surfing spots on Oahu include Ehukai Beach Park, Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay.
Ehukai Beach Park attracts a number of experienced surfers and body boarders in the winter. 100 yards to the left of Ehukai Beach Park is the famous Pipeline where waves fall forward to form a near-perfect tube. World championship surf competitions are held at Pipeline as well as Banzai Beach just west of Pipeline. Sunset Beach features waves reaching 15-20 feet from September to April, attracting surfers from all over the world. Waimea Bay, also located on the North Shore, offers some of the biggest waves for surfing.
South Shore Beaches
Oahu alone boasts 110 miles of diverse beaches, ranging from powerful waves on the North Shore to calm waters along the South Shore coastline. The South Shore offers many family-friendly activities such as swimming, picnicking and snorkeling. Water temperatures range from 75 to 80 degrees year round.
Ala Moana Beach is located within a 76-acre park which offers tennis, jogging, rollerblading, picnicking, sunbathing, swimming and surfing. The famous Waikiki Beach, two miles long and one half mile wide, is actually a collection of many beaches. The area is a favorite for swimming, snorkeling and people watching.
More Scuba diving ideas on Oahu
Watch this unique video about underwater currents while diving.
