Hawaii · OAHU SCUBA DIVING
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 13 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…”
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.”
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..”
Join Dive Oahu for a three-hour, small-group scuba outing from Kewalo Basin. Certified divers visit the Sea Tiger or YO-257 and San Pedro wrecks, followed by a guided reef stop. PADI professionals provide gear, wetsuits, snacks, and refreshments, with English instruction throughout.
“Amazing dive experience!! North Shore waters are a bit choppy so be prepared for turbulence. The wrecks were huge and teaming with life. The biodiversity in Maui is a wonder and worth every penny. I highly recommend this dive and dive company for anyone visiting the island that's hoping to see all the various aquatic life only found in Hawaii.”
Join a PADI-certified instructor aboard a 46-foot Newton boat for two guided shallow-reef scuba sessions near Honolulu. You may visit Kaiser’s and Turtle Canyons, where turtles, rays, octopus, reef sharks, and unusual Hawaiian fish can appear. Captain Nacho and instructor Dan have worked these waters.
“A great dive with lots of sea turtles and two white tip reef sharks. The equipment was very good and all is very organized and safe. The captain (Nacho) was a great guy and Dan the instructor took really good care of everyone and was a very good spotter of sea life. Absolutely recommended if you are in the area.”
Join a PADI-certified guide for two nighttime scuba outings off Oahu’s south shore. You’ll use supplied tanks, lights, wetsuit, fins, and BCD while watching reefs change from twilight to darkness. Certified divers only, with snacks and refreshments during the sunset surface break.
Learn the basics of scuba with a PADI instructor at Electric Beach, then explore Oahu’s reef in a group of no more than six. You need no previous scuba experience, but you must be a swimmer and carry about 50 pounds of gear a short distance. Photos are included.
Pick a coast, a reef or a ridge.
