It’s no secret that Hawaii is one of the best places to scuba dive in the world. The warm waters and diverse marine life make it an ideal location for diving no matter what your experience level is. So whether you want to see a shipwreck, swim with sea turtles, spot manta rays or just relax and take in the natural beauty of coral reefs, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll highlight some of our favorite places on each island where you can go diving.
Molokini
Molokini is a small crescent-shaped island that’s located off the coast of Maui. It’s one of the most popular scuba diving spots in Hawaii, and it’s also a marine sanctuary.
Located within the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, Molokini is part of what makes this area so special: it’s full of historical significance as well as archaeological sites and pristine natural beauty. This makes Molokini an ideal place to explore on your next vacation—whether you’re looking for something new or have been here before!
Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline
Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline is a great place to dive, snorkel and explore. The area has many fish, coral and caves. It’s also known for its lava tubes and lava arches. Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline is best accessed from the east coast of Oahu where it’s located between Makaha Beach Park and Kaena Point Beach Park on the north shore of Oahu.
To get there: Drive south on Kamehameha Highway to Kahala Avenue then turn right onto Kaiulani Street which leads directly into the parking lot behind Waikiki Aquarium (where you pay admission).
Waianapanapa State Park
You should know that this park is only open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the gates will be locked at sunset. This might sound like a lot of time, but you’ll want to get there early so that you can enjoy the beach for as long as possible before it’s time to head home for dinner!
There are many different things you can see when snorkeling at Waianapanapa State Park: sea turtles, reef fish and coral reefs (if you’re lucky!). The best months for snorkeling are March through May when visibility is highest due to warmer water temperatures. In fact, if it’s raining outside on your visit day then try not to let that deter you—you may still have good luck with visibility even if it seems foggy out there!
This site is perfect all year long because water temperature varies little between seasons; however summer months tend towards slightly higher temperatures than winter ones do which may make swimming more comfortable during these months if that concerns anyone who likes swimming in colder waters (like me!).
Kahekili Beach Park
Kahekili Beach Park is located on the island of Maui and is a great place for snorkeling, swimming and scuba diving. The beach is surrounded by rocky cliffs, which provide shelter from waves and wind. This makes Kahekili Beach Park a good place to swim and snorkel, but also means that it’s not as safe for diving as some other places on this list. There are no lifeguards at Kahekili Beach Park so it’s up to you to make sure you’re safe when swimming at this location
Sharks Cove
Sharks Cove is a great place for both beginner and experienced divers. The cove’s name derives from its popularity with tiger sharks, but there are also many other species of fish including gray reef sharks and the occasional whale shark.
Diving at Sharks Cove can be done year-round, although you’ll find warmer waters during the summer months (May through October). The best time to dive here is when it’s calm outside; otherwise, your visibility may be limited by choppy seas or windy conditions that make it hard to get in and out. This spot tends to get cloudy after heavy rains, so if you want clear water on a good day then plan ahead!
Turtle Canyon
Turtle Canyon is a popular scuba diving site located off the coast of Oahu in Hawaii.
Turtle Canyon is a great place to see turtles, sharks and coral formations.
It’s also one of the best places to snorkel in Hawaii because it’s shallow enough for you to see tons of marine life without any experience needed!
Pupukea Marine Conservation District
If you’re looking for a dive site that will give you the best of what the Islands have to offer, and all in one place, look no further than Pupukea Marine Conservation District. Named after a legendary chief from Kauai, this conservation district provides access to some of Hawaii’s most magnificent marine life.
Dive sites include Shark’s Cove (home to an abundance of turtles), Three Tables (a popular spot for snorkelers), Tunnels Beach (where divers can see arches formed by lava tubes) and more. There is also a popular kayak trip offered here which takes visitors through Mokolea Island before returning them safely back to their starting point on Lualualei Beach Park.