Hawaii · OAHU SCUBA DIVING
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 oahu scuba diving tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Meet instructors such as Alex, Nick, Danny, or Rida at Magic Island Lagoon for a beginner-friendly scuba lesson. You’ll learn in waist-deep water first, then reach about 15 feet while looking for fish, sea stars, octopuses, and other marine life. Gear and videos are included.
“Alex made us comfortable on land and underwater. It was an amazing experience, that I would recommend to anyone.”
Learn basic scuba skills with Kyle at sheltered Magic Island Lagoon, a short walk from Waikiki. After a safety briefing and shallow-water practice, you’ll spend 20 to 30 minutes underwater with a maximum of four participants. Equipment and an underwater video package are included.
“Great experience. Small size group and Kyle was a fantastic instructor! Great experience in a very small group setting. Kyle was a fantastic instructor.”
Join Dive Oahu from Kewalo Basin for two guided underwater sites, often including the Sea Tiger wreck and a shallow reef. A PADI professional leads the trip, with gear, tanks, snacks, and drinks included. Expect a small-boat setting, wildlife sightings, and a 105-foot wreck for certified scuba divers.
“The dives were great. The boat was clean and well kept. The crew and dive masters where professional while still being relaxed enough to have fun. They rotate dive sites throughout the week so be sure to check the full schedule if you are interested in a particular site or multiple sites.”
Spend four hours aboard a Waikiki dive boat with PADI-certified instructors, learning basic scuba skills before two shallow ocean sessions. No certification is needed. Expect warm water, turtles, reef fish, and possibly rays, eels, octopus, or sharks. Instructors including Josh, Chad, Olga, and Red are known for patient coaching.
“My dive was 9:45am on Tuesday morning, received a call Monday evening that the weather was iffy and they may not go out but the dive was still on. I called at 8am on Tuesday to confirm and the boat was going out. On my way to Waikiki I received a call that the trip was cancelled but I could wait around to see if the 1:45 would go out. I waited till 11:30am to call and they cancelled the afternoon boat. I Understand the boat could not go out because of weather and went along with my day. I called on Friday to ask when the refund will be…”
Join Dive Oahu at Kewalo Basin Harbor for two guided shallow-water scuba sessions at sites such as Turtle Canyons, Kaiser’s, or Secrets. PADI professionals provide gear, snacks, and refreshments, with depths of 25 to 50 feet and optional GoPro, Nitrox, scooter, private guide, and photographer add-ons.
“We had a great time. Crew was really fun and nice. Jordan was our dive master and he was very focused on everyone's safety. I haven't been diving in few years, and he took the time to make sure I was good. Their equipment is top notch! We even ended up running into whales and the boat stopped so we can see them. Overall, would highly recommend!”
Join Waikiki Dive Center for a five-hour, certified-only scuba trip from Honolulu. Visit the Sea Tiger, YO-257, or San Pedro wreck, then explore a Waikiki reef with guides such as Ron, April, Dylan, Yoshi, Alex, or Marcia. Equipment, snacks, and water are included.
“Dive Masters Ron and April made both dives easy in and out of the water. All equipment is provided and it's good equipment! I felt totally safe and prepared when it came time to "Giant Step" into the water. We were treated by awesome sites like Sea turtles, a shark, Sea urchins, eels, and lots of different fish. I highly recommend.”
At Kewalo Basin Harbor, a PADI Professional gives you a one-on-one lesson before guiding you over Oahu reefs. Expect about three hours, supplied gear, snacks, and possible sightings of turtles, eels, rays, octopus, sharks, and reef fish. Guides include Jeff, Jared, Ami, Justin, and Lindsay.
“Our first time scuba diving and Jared made the experience safe, exciting and brilliant! After being quite nervous, Jared took his time and was very patient with us, ensuring we went at our own pace and felt comfortable. This allowed us to fully enjoy the experience and get to see some unbelievable things! The first dive site, turtle canyon, was just breathtaking - we couldn’t get over the amount of turtles and how relaxed they are! Then we did a short boat ride, whilst spotting dolphins!! And went to the second dive site, where we went on a dive together and explored the reefs and wildlife. The team are friendly…”
Join Dive Oahu for a three-hour beginner scuba trip from Kewalo Basin. A PADI instructor teaches the basics, then guides you through two Honolulu reef sites. Expect quality gear, snacks, a shaded boat deck, and possible sightings of turtles, eels, rays, dolphins, and tropical fish.
“Brand new to the scuba diving world this was an awesome choice for a first experience! Don’t let the price scare you. It’s worth every penny. My instructor was awesome and very knowledgeable! The boat captain was very personable and they all really made us feel at home. I was worried before we went about how much time we’d actually get in the water being discovery divers, but we got a lot! The gear was very nice as well. Can’t wait to go back to work on my certification!”
Learn basic scuba skills in waist-deep water before exploring Magic Island Lagoon with an instructor. This 1.25 to 1.5-hour ocean session suits beginners age 10 and up, includes equipment and free GoPro videos, and may be led by guides such as Alex, Ryan, Nick, or Scott.
“Awesome activity. Scott was knowledgeable and friendly and made the whole experience memorable.”
Complete a four-part SSI open-water scuba course in Honolulu over two weekends. Study online first, then train from the beach and complete four ocean sessions with instructors such as Anna, Hunter, Chandler, or Ed. Equipment is supplied, except mask, snorkel, fins, and boots.
“Great training. Theo was an amazing instructor and did a fantastic job teaching everyone the basics in a clear and concise manner. He made sure everyone was comfortable with their equipment and the techniques we were going to praRead more”
Meet at 410 Atkinson Drive at 6:00 am for a roughly six-hour PADI Open Water course with Aloha Scuba Diving Company. Your instructor teaches core scuba skills in a group of no more than six, with equipment included and possible sightings of turtles, octopus, eels, and reef fish.
“I was admittedly pretty nervous/at least a little scared to try diving but really wanted to try it so I took the open water diving course with them and they were great! It was so well executed and so much fun that I signed up for the advanced open water diver course with them Read more”
Meet Dive Oahu at Kewalo Basin Harbor at 5:30 pm for a twilight boat session followed by a night-time underwater outing. PADI professionals such as Adam, Heather, Megan, Patrick, Josh, and Nacho have guided this trip, with gear, snacks, and refreshments included.
“Went on my first night dive and it was nothing less than perfect!!! Megan our drive instructor was amazing and very knowledgable, we saw many variety of fishes but the most memorable was an octupus catching a fish then retreating to one of the tubes on the sunken ship. our captain was friendly and knowledgable as well. Overall highly recommended this diving escapades! definitely do it again soon!”
Learn the basics of scuba with instructor Kyle in Magic Island Lagoon, a protected spot near Waikiki. You will practice in shallow water, then spend about 20 minutes with tropical fish and other sea life. Full gear and complimentary videos are included.
“everything was great I had no problem nothing needs to be changed..”
Meet at Waikiki Dive Center for a four-hour, two-tank ocean scuba outing near Waikiki and Diamond Head. Beginners receive one-on-one help from PADI-certified instructors, while certified guests get a refresher. Hotel transfers, equipment, and small-group attention are included.
“Very professional, safe for begginers, dive master was very professional, will definitely be back! We couldn't go on our 2nd dive due to a strong current. Eventhough the trip ended early than expected, we were 100% satisfied. Thank you for the great experience.”
Join Waikiki Dive Center for a five-hour, small-group scuba trip to one Oahu wreck, such as Sea Tiger, YO-257, or San Pedro, then a local reef. Guides including Scott, Yoshi, Captain Jim, and Alex lead the outing when scheduled. Equipment, snacks, and water are included.
“Easy location, great dive staff, good equipment. The experience isn't complete until K puts on the captain hat.”
Pick a coast, a reef or a ridge.
