Private Discover Scuba Diving Charter in Maui - No Certification Required!

No prior experience is needed! This tour is designed for first-time or non-certified divers who want to try scuba diving without committing to a full certification course. A certified instructor will guide you through the basics before you dive. However, since this is not a certification course, you won't be able to scuba dive on your own afterward.

No. The short PADI e-learning class is recommended and can help you get underwater faster, but your instructor will cover the fundamentals on board.

Your instructor will introduce the basic principles of scuba diving, including how to use the equipment (tank, regulator, BCD, mask, and fins), how to breathe underwater, basic safety rules, and underwater hand signals. You'll practice essential skills with your instructor before exploring the reef.

Discover Scuba dives on this charter explore dive sites at depths of about 20 to 30 ft (6 to 9 m).

Yes. Friends and family who don't want to scuba dive are welcome to come along as snorkelers.

Maui's reefs are home to Hawaiian green sea turtles, schools of tropical reef fish, and coral formations. During whale season (roughly December through April), you may even hear humpback whales singing underwater.

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 18 hours suggested.
• Multiple dives per day or multiple days of diving, a minimum preflight surface or any driving to above 1000ft (305m) interval of 24 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 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.

You can't wear glasses with a dive mask, but contacts are totally fine and often the best option for seeing clearly underwater. If you have a prescription mask, feel free to bring it, as rental gear typically doesn't include them. Fun fact: everything appears about 25% larger and closer underwater, which helps visibility a bit even without correction, but for the sharpest view, contacts or a custom mask will give you the best results.

Yes. All participants must complete a diver medical questionnaire before diving, even if they've never scuba dived before. Certain medical conditions, medications, or previous health concerns may require a physician's approval before you can participate.

We strongly recommend completing your medical questionnaire well before your scheduled dive so you have enough time to obtain medical clearance if needed. If your questionnaire requires physician approval, you will not be permitted to dive without the necessary signed clearance.

Important: If you cannot participate because you failed to complete the questionnaire or obtain required medical clearance, you may not be eligible for a refund. Review the outfitter's cancellation policy before booking.

No. Discover Scuba Diving is an introductory experience, not a scuba certification course. It allows you to experience real scuba diving under the direct supervision of a PADI instructor without completing a full certification program.

Afterward, you will not be qualified to scuba dive independently or rent scuba equipment for unsupervised diving. If you enjoy your first experience and want to continue diving, the next step is typically completing a PADI Open Water Diver certification course.

Certain medical conditions require additional evaluation before scuba diving because changes in underwater pressure can affect your lungs, ears, sinuses, and other parts of your body.

Conditions that may require medical clearance include asthma or other breathing difficulties, heart conditions, a history of seizures, certain ear or sinus problems, previous lung injuries, and some recent surgeries. Certain medications and other health concerns may also need to be reviewed.

Having one of these conditions does not automatically mean you cannot scuba dive. However, you may need a physician to confirm that diving is appropriate for you. Always answer the medical questionnaire accurately, even if your condition is well controlled or hasn't caused problems recently.

Diving with a cold, significant nasal congestion, an ear infection, or difficulty equalizing pressure can increase your risk of ear and sinus injuries. Even if you feel well enough for other vacation activities, you may not be fit to dive.

Never force your ears to equalize or rely on decongestants simply to push through a dive. If you're experiencing symptoms, contact the outfitter before your scheduled experience and seek medical guidance when appropriate.

Please check in 30 minutes before departure. Our standard departure time for dive and snorkel charters is 7 a.m., because ocean conditions are usually best in the morning. Since every trip is a private charter, we can adjust the departure time to fit your plans.

We meet at Slip 14 in Ma'alaea Harbor, Maui's centrally located small boat harbor. Head to the ocean side of the harbor, past the boat ramp and around the corner. We're on the wing of the harbor that looks out at the bay. Look for our 40 ft (12 m) orange rigid-hulled inflatable boat.

Yes. Paid hourly parking is available near our slip, and dockside spots are usually open before 7 a.m.

No. Please use the harbor restroom before departure.

Our boat is a 40 ft (12 m) rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB), custom designed and built by our captain. The engine sits mid-ship rather than hanging off the back, so the weight is balanced and the boat glides over waves for a much smoother ride than a typical RHIB. Open seating gives everyone unobstructed views, and the boat is quick enough to reach Lana'i in about an hour.

We take a maximum of six passengers per trip. Private charters are a flat rate, so the price is the same whether you bring two people or six, and the entire boat is reserved for your group.

Your group will have a captain, a guide, and an additional crew member. On dive charters, the scuba guide leads your group underwater while the extra crew member can serve as a snorkel guide or as a "bubble watcher" on drift dives. You may request an additional scuba guide for your group.

Yes. Because the boat is yours for the day, we can personalize the trip for mixed groups and combine snorkelers and divers on the same charter.

Our charters include all the gear you need, taxes, fees, and food and drinks. Nitrox is not included, but it is available upon request for an extra fee.

On our longer charters, catering includes deli sandwiches (turkey, ham, roast beef, or veggie), fresh fruit, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, locally made granola bars, hot cocoa, soft drinks, juices, and water. Please let us know in advance about any allergies or dietary preferences.

Occasional sea spray is possible on the ride, so bring a windbreaker or light jacket. We provide drybags for your personal items. Please leave larger items ashore.

We partner with Maui conservation nonprofits, including Pacific Whale Foundation and Maui Nui Marine Resource Council. Through reef cleanup dives with our partners, more than 2,700 lbs (1,225 kg) of lead, fishing line, and other marine debris have been removed from Maui's reefs. We also provide boat support for reef surveys, coral outplanting, and water quality monitoring, and our captain melts down recovered lead to make our dive weights.

Yes. Our captain also speaks Spanish.

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.'