Honolulu Certified Boat Dive

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.

You need to be in reasonable physical health, certain conditions will impact if you can safely dive or not. Discussing with your doctor ahead of diving is the best way to check your eligibility to dive. There will be a medical questionnaire that must be filled out ahead of the dive. If you answer yes to certain questions, you may be asked to obtain a doctor's note clearing you for the activity. The questionnaire often used can also be searched as the PADI/DAN Medical Scuba Statement. It will be up to the divemaster if you can participate depending on your comfortability in the water in order to keep everyone safe.

Incidents of sharks biting people in Hawaiian waters are very rare, occurring on average at a rate of about three or four per year. Fatal shark bites are extremely rare, especially considering the number of people in Hawaii’s waters. People who enter the water need to recognize that there are hidden dangers. A number of marine animals can cause serious injury to people, and sharks are just one example. Entering the ocean should be considered a “wilderness experience,” where people are visitors in a world that belongs to the sharks. The risk of injury caused by sharks is extremely small, but it is a risk accepted by anyone who enters the shark’s world. By learning more about sharks, using common sense, and observing the following safety tips, the risk may be greatly reduced.

For beginner first time Discover Scuba divers, the ratio is four beginners to one Instructor. For certified divers on our boat charters, the ratio is generally six to one.

We are located in Hawaii Kai, roughly 20 minutes from Waikiki. The dive sites are all in Manaloa Bay with views of Diamond Head and Koko Head.

We are located about an hour from the North Shore of Oahu. If you choose to take the scenic route down the east side of the island it will take longer than the views are with the trip.

All our scuba diving is done off boats designed to make getting on and off easy for SCUBA divers and snorkelers alike.

The best time to dive in Honolulu is year-round, thanks to Hawaii’s warm, tropical climate and consistently good visibility underwater. However, certain months offer unique benefits:

• Summer (May to September): The waters are calmer, with temperatures ranging from 78–81°F (26–27°C), making it ideal for beginners and those seeking relaxed conditions.
• Winter (November to March): While there may be bigger swells, especially on the North Shore, many dive sites on Oahu’s south shore (including Honolulu) remain protected. Winter diving offers a chance to see migrating humpback whales from the boat.
• Overall: For the best underwater visibility and calm seas, late spring to early fall is preferred.

Honolulu's waters are teeming with colorful marine life, including many species found only in Hawaii. On your dive, you might encounter:

• Reef Fish: Yellow tangs, butterflyfish, parrotfish, triggerfish (including the state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua’a).
• Eels: Moray eels peeking out from coral crevices.
• Turtles: Green sea turtles (honu) are commonly spotted on most dives.
• Other Creatures: Octopuses, rays, monk seals, and occasionally reef sharks or dolphins.

Absolutely! The Green Turtle is a Federally Protected Species and with the lack of human harassment they are very calm and tolerant of scuba divers. Our usual dive spots are where they like to rest on the sand for shell cleaning by cleaning fish.

No, we can, however, still take you snorkeling.

We recommend taking a motion sickness pill the night before and the morning of your dive.

Yes, our boat has a bathroom, or in boating terms, a "head."

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.’