2-Tank Shallow Reef Scuba Dive or Snorkel Experience

Non-certified divers cannot use cameras, but a photographer can be arranged. Certified divers are welcome to bring a camera or rent a camera through us.

• Rider (Ride-Along): Perfect if you just want to relax on the boat and enjoy the views of Honolulu’s coastline without getting in the water. Riders can sunbathe, take photos, and watch friends or family snorkel and dive.
• Snorkeler: Great for anyone who wants to explore the reef from the surface. With just a mask, snorkel, and fins, you’ll float above shallow reef areas, spotting colorful fish and sea turtles in clear Hawaiian water.
• Discover Scuba Dive: Designed for beginners with no certification required. You’ll receive a lesson from a professional instructor, practice basic skills, and then head on a shallow reef dive (usually 20–40 feet). It’s a safe, fun introduction to scuba diving.
• Certified Diving: For guests with an active scuba certification (Open Water or higher). Certified divers get to explore deeper reefs and dive sites with the freedom to experience longer bottom times, more complex terrain, and a wider variety of marine life.

The diverse marine life that live in the sea are affected by ocean conditions, seasonal changes, feeding trends and other uncontrollable factors. While our experienced and knowledgeable crew make all reasonable efforts to find specific ocean dwellers, no guarantees are made for their presence. We are a leave no trace company. We do not allow our customers to touch marine life including turtles. A customer who actively tries to touch ocean dwellers, will be immediately returned to the boat and the rest of the dive(s) forfeited with no refund.

Reef Sites–Ewa Pinnacles, Keehi Pipe, Turtle Canyon, Nautilus Reef, Horseshoe Reef, Kewalo Pipe, and Fantasy Reef

Ewa Pinnacles

• Depth: ~55–90 ft (17–27 m)
• Overview: A cluster of large coral pinnacles surrounded by sandy bottom.
• Marine Life: Eagle rays, reef sharks, turtles, schooling goatfish, porcupine pufferfish, scorpionfish, and moray eels are common. Look closely for nudibranchs and crustaceans.
• What Makes It Special: Towering coral formations make it feel like diving through an underwater canyon. Great spot for wide-angle underwater photography.

Keehi Pipe

• Depth: ~25–40 ft (7.5–12 m)
• Overview: A shallow reef dive near a storm drainage pipe—don’t be put off by the name!
• Marine Life: Frogfish, octopus, boxfish, triggerfish, and Hawaiian green sea turtles. Also a hotspot for nudibranchs and cleaner shrimp.
• What Makes It Special: It's a macro photographer’s dream. Shallow and full of nooks and crannies, it’s perfect for long bottom times and slow exploration.

Turtle Canyon

• Depth: ~25–40 ft (7.5–12 m)
• Overview: Located just offshore from Waikīkī, this reef is named for its abundance of sea turtles.
• Marine Life: Green sea turtles are almost guaranteed. Also common: parrotfish, surgeonfish, butterflyfish, moorish idols, trumpetfish, and urchins.
• What Makes It Special: The cleaning stations here attract turtles that hover while small wrasses and cleaner shrimp groom them—an amazing behavior to witness up close.

Nautilus Reef

• Depth: ~30–50 ft (9–15 m)
• Overview: A reef near Waikīkī with moderate coral coverage and mild current.
• Marine Life: Hawaiian squirrelfish, wrasses, moray eels, tangs, and the occasional white-tip reef shark.
• What Makes It Special: Easy and scenic reef dive that’s perfect for a second tank. Known for its healthy hard coral formations and calm conditions.

Horseshoe Reef

• Depth: ~30–60 ft (9–18 m)
• Overview: A U-shaped reef formation with swim-throughs and coral heads.
• Marine Life: Butterflyfish, pufferfish, octopuses, nudibranchs, and scorpionfish. Great site for spotting peacock flounder and decorator crabs.
• What Makes It Special: The unique shape makes navigation easy, and the variety of habitats means there’s something different to see around every bend.

Kewalo Pipe

• Depth: ~25–45 ft (7.5–14 m)
• Overview: A long pipe covered in coral, running parallel to the coast.
• Marine Life: Frogfish, lionfish, nudibranchs, hawkfish, and moray eels. Also a great spot for octopuses and turtle sightings.
• What Makes It Special: Known as one of the best macro diving spots on Oʻahu. It's shallow, so bottom time is long—perfect for underwater photographers.

Fantasy Reef

• Depth: ~25–50 ft (7.5–15 m)
• Overview: A reef system with archways, coral overhangs, and tunnels.
• Marine Life: Triggerfish, parrotfish, trumpetfish, eels, and cleaner shrimp. Occasionally Hawaiian monk seals or spotted eagle rays.
• What Makes It Special: One of the most fun reef dives for exploration—it's like swimming through a reef playground. Great for newer divers too, thanks to the shallow depth.

The reefs off Honolulu are teeming with tropical life. Expect to see schools of reef fish in every color of the rainbow, Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu), octopus, eels, and bright coral formations. On many dives, you may also spot rays, reef sharks, and unique species found only in Hawaii, like the state fish, the humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa. Even snorkelers and ride-alongs often get to enjoy encounters with turtles and fish from the surface.

Yes! We welcome all experience levels. Certified divers will explore deeper reef sites, while beginners can try a Discover Scuba Diving experience with full instruction and guidance from a professional instructor. These shallow reef dives are designed to be safe, relaxed, and fun, making them perfect for first-timers. If you’d rather stay on the surface, snorkeling and ride-along options let you enjoy the beauty of Honolulu’s coastline without going underwater.

Scuba diving is great year-round in Honolulu, but the best conditions are typically from May to October, during the dry season. Summer months offer calmer seas, better visibility (often over 100 feet), and warmer water temperatures averaging around 78–81°F (25–27°C). Winter months (November to April) can still offer fantastic diving but tend to bring larger ocean swells and slightly reduced visibility. However, winter diving has its perks—this is also humpback whale season, and while you can’t dive with them, you may hear their haunting songs underwater or spot them from the boat.

Flying directly after scuba diving is incredibly dangerous and could result in a life-threatening illness called the Bends/Decompression Sickness. The Divers Alert Network (DAN) guidelines for flying after diving include:

• A single no-decompression dive, a minimum preflight surface or any driving to above 1000 ft (305 m) interval of 12 hours suggested.
• Multiple dives per day or multiple days of diving, a minimum preflight surface or any driving to above 1000ft (305m) interval of 18 hours is suggested.
• Dives requiring decompression stops are recommended to have longer than 18 hours.

Please discuss with your dive guide ahead of time what is suggested!

Any activity that brings you above 1000 ft (305 m) can trigger the Bends/Decompression Sickness. Please check your hike elevation to ensure that at no time you will be going up in elevation. If the hike does go to elevation, you must treat it like a preflight interval as listed above in the flying FAQ.

TripOutside recommends knowing how to swim before snorkeling, but participation is ultimately up to you and the tour operator's discretion.

• Check ocean conditions and only snorkel at lifeguarded beaches. The chance of rescue is much higher with trained lifeguards present.
• Never snorkel alone. Always bring a buddy. Beginners should consider booking a guided tour.
• Rest after flying. Flying can dehydrate and exhaust you—give your body at least a day to acclimate before snorkeling.
• Test your gear on land or in a pool first. Make sure your mask fits snugly, you can breathe through the snorkel, and you know how to clear water if needed.
• Practice with fins. You should be able to scissor kick while swimming. Avoid doggie paddling—it won’t get you far.
• Don’t wear fins on land. Walk into the water, get past the waves, then put your fins on. Remove them before exiting.
• Take it slow. Breathe calmly, relax, and avoid overexertion to keep your heart rate low.
• Know your limits. If you’re feeling tired, anxious, or unsure about conditions, skip the snorkel session. Panic in the water is dangerous.
• Stay aware of currents and tides. Even experienced swimmers can get pulled out. Know how to identify rip currents and how to escape them (swim parallel to shore).

Common sunscreens contain chemicals that can harm coral reefs, as the particles are small enough to be absorbed by corals, causing toxicity and coral bleaching. Reef-friendly sunscreens are formulated without these harmful chemicals. Reef-SAFE sunscreens go a step further by using non-nano particles, which are too large for corals to ingest, helping to preserve marine ecosystems. 

Please avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone, octinoxate, and parabens. Consider wearing sun-protective clothing, like long-sleeve rash guards, as an alternative to sunscreen. If you choose a mineral-based sunscreen, ensure it is labeled ‘non-nano.’

You can dive with a beard or mustache but it can prevent a tight seal between the mask and your face, which may cause water to leak in. It is often recommended to shave at least your mustache before diving. If you’d prefer not to shave your mustache, please bring petroleum jelly or chapstick with you. If you coat your mustache in that chapstick or jelly, it may be able to seal and prevent water from getting in.

Glasses cannot be worn while diving, but contacts are perfectly fine and recommended for the best experience. Prescription masks are not available for rent, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Additionally, there is an automatic correction effect that occurs underwater due to light refraction, making things appear clearer, but contacts or a personal prescription mask will provide the best visibility.