Niihau Island 3-Tank Boat Dive - May to September

No. This is an advanced dive requiring certification and prior dive experience.

Only tanks and weights are included. Full gear packages and individual items can be rented for an additional cost.

The tour includes dives ranging from 45 to 105 feet (14 to 32 m).

All year round! There is no real peak season for diving in Kauai. There are different reasons to dive during the different seasons. For example, if you are interested in possibly seeing whales, whale season is January.

Our 38' boat is a 6 passenger dive vessels, designed specifically for diving Hawaiian waters. It’s equipped with safety equipment, a shaded area, and ample space for divers and their gear.

This is a 2.5 hour boat ride to Niihau, so those of you that are prone to sea sickness this might not be the best charter for you.

Niʻihau dive sites are remote, deep, and exposed to strong ocean currents, which makes them better suited for experienced divers. Many of the sites exceed 60 feet in depth, and the dives involve multi-level profiles, potential surge, and boat entries in open ocean with no easy exit point. Divers need to be comfortable managing their buoyancy, air consumption, and underwater navigation in less forgiving conditions. For your safety and enjoyment, an Advanced Open Water certification (or equivalent) is required, and if you haven’t dived in over two years, a refresher dive is strongly recommended before joining this trip.

Known as the “Forbidden Island,” Niʻihau is a privately owned island located just 17 miles southwest of Kauaʻi. It has been owned by the Robinson family since 1864 and is home to a small native Hawaiian population. The island is closed to the public to preserve its traditional lifestyle, language, and culture, and only those with special permission—such as invited guests or military personnel—may step onshore. While access to the island itself is restricted, the waters surrounding Niʻihau and nearby Lehua Rock are open for diving, offering a rare opportunity to experience this untouched slice of Hawaii.

Niʻihau is famous for its crystal-clear water, dramatic lava formations, and thriving marine life, thanks to its isolation and lack of human development. On a single trip, you might encounter Hawaiian monk seals, whitetip reef sharks, gray reef sharks, large schools of ulua (jacks), butterflyfish, parrotfish, and even endemic species found nowhere else in the world. The underwater topography is just as exciting, with lava tubes, caverns, drop-offs, and arches that make every dive feel like an exploration. The visibility can reach 100+ feet, allowing you to take in the full scope of these breathtaking dive sites. It’s a true wilderness dive experience that showcases Hawaii’s raw, natural beauty beneath the surface.

The dive sites around Niʻihau and Lehua Rock are some of the most spectacular and untouched in all of Hawaii. Their remoteness and limited access mean the reefs are pristine and teeming with life, free from the pressure of heavy tourism or development. The underwater landscape is dramatic—lava tubes, sheer drop-offs, caves, arches, and volcanic ledges create a rugged underwater terrain that feels like true exploration.

Add to that exceptional visibility (often exceeding 100 feet) and the chance to see rare marine life like endangered Hawaiian monk seals, gray reef sharks, and schools of pelagic fish, and you’ve got a world-class diving experience. These sites combine advanced diving conditions with raw, natural beauty and biodiversity, offering a rare chance to dive in an ecosystem that remains largely untouched by humans. It's not just a dive—it's a true adventure into the wild heart of Hawaii’s underwater world.

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.

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.