For those who are interested in trying scuba diving or even snorkeling, there are few places in the world that are more suitable for this activity than Hawaii. Not only do the islands boast warm, clear waters and an abundance of interesting flora and fauna beneath the waves, but scuba diving is woven into the Hawaii way of life with the shores lined with dive shops and resort hotels catering to diving enthusiasts. There is no shortage of places to dive when visiting Hawaii, but to help you narrow down your options, check out this list of three of the best diving spots in all of Hawaii.
Kee Beach, Kauai
For more experienced divers, Kee Beach north of Kauai offers some spectacular offshore reefs. However, it is important to note that in the winter months, conditions can be particularly harsh and somewhat dangerous. When summer rolls around, the sheltered lagoon offers fantastic snorkelling opportunities, even for beginners, and the beach is perhaps one of the most scenic Hawaii has to offer.
Hanauma Bay, Oahu
At the most southeastern tip of Oahu, you’ll find one of Hawaii’s most popular diving and snorkeling spots. Hanauma Bay is actually Hawaii’s first marine life conservation district, created to protect the delicate ecosystem beneath the waves. Boats are prohibited in the bay, so all dives have access to shore, making this particular site suitable for divers of all ages and experience levels. It is ideal for family dives, even if some of your group do not want to participate, they will enjoy relaxing on the beautiful beach. Only a handful of dive companies are allowed to dive in Hanauma Bay to restrict the number of divers at any given time, making it a great option as the limited number of divers gives you the best opportunity to properly explore the coral reef.
Sea Tiger, Oahu (wreck diving)
One of the most exciting aspects of scuba diving is exploring wrecks and there are few that are more beautiful than The Sea Tiger. This particular wreck is unique in the fact that it was actually sunk on purpose! The Sea Tiger was confiscated from the Chinese while conducting an illegal activity and was later purchased from the Coast Guard by a private company. In 1999, The Sea Tiger was sunk to create an artificial reef that is now home to a wide variety of sea creatures. The 190-foot-long wreck has multiple entry points that allow ample opportunity to explore the vessel both inside and out. This is considered a specialized dive, as it requires a specific skill set to visit the wrecks, so this is one for more experienced divers.