Hawaii · SCUBA DIVING
The 15 best scuba diving tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason, so start there.
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.”
Meet Galapagos and Sandbar sharks off Oahu’s North Shore from a floating cage. Hawaii Shark Encounters takes small groups of up to 12 about three miles offshore, with gear, safety guidance, and commentary from crew such as Caleb, Dave, and Efraim. No scuba experience is needed.
“It was great and so much fun. The boat and crew were great and very confident. The trip to the site was 3 miles offshore and beautiful. The actual cage was easy to use and provided a superb view of many sharks. We had plenty of time in the cage to enjoy the wildlife.”
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.”
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…”
Haleiwa Shark Tours takes you from Haleiwa into open water aboard a stable double-hull catamaran. You’ll receive snorkeling gear, a safety briefing, and time in the cage with Galapagos sharks. Captains Derrick and Kama, along with crew such as Taylor and Forrest, help keep the trip calm and personal.
“The provider called a couple of days before the scheduled 11am May 1st, 2024 excursion and said they will be cancelling the 11 am trip because of the weather and rough seas. They tried to get me to do the 8am excursion but I told them we just got to Hawaii and have a rental car scheduled for pick up at 8am the morning of the 1st and could not make the 8am new time. They said OK and would get back with me. They called me at 4:45pm the night before (April 30th) and said they are cancelling the 11am trip because of rough seas. I told them I…”
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 Deep Blue Eco Tours in Haleiwa for a cage-free shark swim lasting about 1 hour 45 minutes. A crew of up to six provides equipment, safety instruction, and conservation guidance. Kai, Meg, and Maddy have led past trips, while an underwater photographer can capture your time in the water.
“Absolutely incredible, the crew were so friendly and knowledgeable. Felt safe from the minute we got on the boat and the talk you through everything and teach you a little about the sharks too! If you’ve ever considered diving with sharks I can’t recommend these guys enough”
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”
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..”
Head three miles off Oahu’s North Shore with a local crew, then watch Galapagos and sandbar sharks from a floating cage. You’ll use a mask and snorkel at the surface, hear about shark biology and Hawaiian culture, and support conservation work. No scuba experience is needed.
“Ich kann keine Bewertung abgeben, da der Trip, leider wegen schlechten Wetterverhältnissen ausgefallen ist !!!! Ich werde ihn aber auf jeden Fall , irgendwann noch machen !!!!”
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.”
Meet at Maunalua Bay Beach Park at 10:30 a.m. for a three-hour boat charter to two Oahu reef sites, each 30 to 40 feet deep. Aaron’s Dive Shop separates beginners, students, and certified divers by experience. Equipment is included, and the group is limited to 14 people.
“Francisca was great and the captain was so helpful. We came to see turtles and they did not disappoint”
Pick a coast, a reef or a ridge.
