The 15 Best Scuba Diving in Kauai

1.Kauai’s Ultimate South Shore 2 Tank Dive (Certified Divers Only)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 190 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $210Our pick

Meet at Koloa Landing for a guided two-tank shore excursion in protected Hanaka’ape Bay. Certified scuba users descend in two areas, reaching about 50 feet and often seeing green turtles, moray eels, octopus, tropical fish, and reef life. Gear, snacks, water, and a marine ecology briefing are included. Guides such as Logan, Josh, Dominic, and Jimmy are known for careful, attentive support.

“This was absolutely the best adventure we had while in Kauai. Josh, our dive master, was knowledgeable, curious, funny and helpful. 100% recommend! We saw tons of marine life and had an amazing time!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Kauai’s Ultimate Discover Scuba Dive – OCEAN EXPERIENCE (1 Tank Dive)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 186 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $186

At Koloa Landing in Poipu, you’ll learn basic scuba skills, practice in shallow water, then explore Kauai’s open ocean to a maximum of 40 feet with a PADI instructor. Groups are limited to four. Guides including Logan, Alessandra, Benji, Claire, and Dominic have helped first-timers handle nerves, equalize, and spot turtles, eels, octopus, and reef fish.

“Our dive was AMAZING! We saw so many turtles and schools of fish. Avery was a splendid instructor and was very patient with us. He has great humor and made the experience chill and fun. Would recommend for any first timers!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Kauai’s Ultimate Dive Boat Adventure (for CERTIFIED Divers Only)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $285

Join Dive Kauai from Kukuiula Small Boat Harbor for a four-hour, two-tank scuba trip aboard the 26-foot Ho'onui. With room for six certified divers, you’ll visit south-shore reefs, lava caverns, and turtle-rich waters with crew members such as AJ, Nick, Dominic, or Drew. Equipment, snacks, water, and marine-life briefings are included.

“What a special time! AJ and Captain Nick were gracious hosts. If it’s turtles you want to see - this is the dive trip for you. Also, a ton of fish and marine life. Boat is for 6 divers doing a two tank dive. They supply everything to include mask, fins, 3mm wetsuit and dive computer. Did Fishbowl and Sheraton Caverns. Turtles of every size on the surface, underwater and tucked in the caverns. Big plus about AJ and Nick is they’re locals and knowledgeable about everything Kuaui. Dive was easy, visibility was so-so but experience was amazing.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Kauai’s Exclusive Morning Scuba Charter for Experienced Divers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $259

Join Seasport Divers at 7:30 am for a small-group morning scuba charter from Poipu. Designed for experienced divers, the crew can choose among Kauai’s south shore sites based on conditions and ability, with chances for lava tubes, sea turtles, sharks, schooling fish, pelagic species, and seasonal humpback whales.

“Beautiful dive in and out of lava tubes with tons of sea turtles! Staff was professional and helpful! Would recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Scuba Dive at Ni’ihau (Forbidden island)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $655

Meet Nick and Jessie at 6:30 am for a fast one-hour crossing from Kikiaola Harbor to Ni'ihau. Certified scuba divers make two underwater visits in clear, remote waters, with possible monk seals, sharks, rays, dolphins, and endemic fish. Gear, lunch, snacks, and water are included. Six people is the maximum.

“I would highly recommend Nick and Jessie and their dive operation to anyone. They are safety conscious but also relaxed. Their hospitality on board was unmatched. Jesse even baked us some blueberry bread! They are very knowledg”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Kauai Scuba Diving for Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $202

Start at Seasport Divers in Koloa, then ride to Koloa Landing for a shore-based beginner scuba lesson. Your instructor covers equipment, safety, communication, and basic skills before guiding you to depths of up to 40 feet. Choose one or two 30 to 45 minute underwater sessions, with turtles, fish, eels, and octopus possible.

“Great instructor they get a great job 100% all the way through Would definitely recommend Thank you very much for the experience”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.1 Tank Discover Scuba at Koloa Landing with No Experience needed

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $162

Learn scuba basics in a one-hour lesson, then follow an instructor into the clear waters of Koloa Landing for a guided one-tank session. The small group, capped at four, suits first-timers age 10 and up. Instructors such as Sivan, Devon, Will, Reed, and Jules are praised for calm coaching, with turtles and endemic fish often spotted.

“The entire experience was great, would recommend to anyone! Price was right, great equipment, great guides, can't say enough.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Kauai’s Ultimate Scooter Adventure 2 Tank Dive (Advance Certified Divers Only)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $310

Meet at Koloa Landing in Poipu for a four-hour, two-tank shore scuba outing reserved for advance-certified divers. Your local guide leads a group of no more than four, provides TUSA DPV scooters, full scuba gear, snacks, water, and a marine ecology briefing. Expect reef cruising, 20 to 60-foot depths, and possible turtles or octopus.

“Awesome experience, two tank shore dive using “scooters” will make you never want to dive without one. depths from 20-60 feet, sea turtles, octopus, every other reef fish, water temp in the 80’s no need for a wet suit but available for the skinnier crowd. Loved my guides and had a great trip thank you both for a wonderful experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Try Scuba Diving in Kauai From a Boat: No Experience Necessary

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $316

Learn basic scuba skills with Seasport Divers, then make two guided ocean descents from Kauai’s South Shore. Instructors such as Shawn, Justine, Thomas, Debbie, and others help first-timers get comfortable. The five-and-a-half-hour trip includes equipment, wetsuit, snacks, drinks, transport, and boat safety instruction, with a 40-foot maximum depth.

“I have to start out by saying this is probably the only activity that I’ve done that was actually worth the money. The crew and guides were awesome! I could wholeheartedly say this beats all the other “Snorkeling” trips you see. We had a Green turtle swim out, right below us and not to mention all the other amazing marine life we saw. This is definitely worth your time, especially if you’re inexperienced/non-certified. Awesome discovery dive service!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Premium Afternoon Scuba Charter for All Certified Diver Levels

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $259

Meet Seasport Divers in Poipu at 12:30 pm for a four-hour boat-based scuba trip around Kauai’s south coast. You’ll pass Spouting Horn, choose from more than 25 possible sites, and look for honu, monk seals, rays, dolphins, and other Hawaiian marine life. The group is capped at 11 certified divers.

“This is a fantastic dive! We were shown a TON of different marine life! Diving form the boat was easy and the staff was able to make the dive easy.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.2 Tanks Scuba Dive Kaua’i from a Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $370

Join Explore Kauai Scuba at 7:00 a.m. for two boat-based scuba sessions off Kauai’s southwest coast. Certified scuba guests receive tanks, equipment, snacks, drinks, and restroom access, with sites chosen around preferred wildlife or underwater terrain. Nick and Jesse may guide the trip, which returns to Kikiaola Harbor around noon.

“Nick and Jesse were so professional and made this a really fun couple of dives! They had all the gear prepped to go and safety was a priority. They knew the best dive locations and made sure we saw as much as possible. SO many sea turtles!!!! Really had a blast with them!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.One Tank Scuba Diving in Kauai South Shore Certified Diver Only

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $137Best value

Meet Fathom Five Divers at Koloa Landing for a guided one-tank scuba outing reserved for certified divers. After a marine-life and safety briefing, you’ll explore 15 to 45 feet of water with a small group of four or fewer, looking for turtles, eels, octopus, lionfish, and Kauai’s native reef fish.

“Had a great reef dive with Cat, who was very knowledgeable, friendly and helped point out rare and indigenous fish and other marine life. The check in was quick and the gear was good quality. We saw lots of turtles, eels, a lion fish and an octopus. We went early and were under for an hour. Great dive”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Shore Dive with Sea Turtles @ Koloa Landing for Certified Divers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $153

Meet Seasport Divers in Koloa, show your scuba certification, and ride with a professional guide to Koloa Landing. You’ll receive a site briefing, wetsuit, mask, fins, booties, water, snacks, and transport before exploring a turtle-rich underwater area. Guides such as Carlos and Cody lead small groups of up to seven certified divers.

“Did not offer transport from our port - probably wouldn’t do it again because transport was hard. The company was amazing. Taylor went above and beyond to make sure we got back without missing our ship. The other guy from San Fran was incredible. The dive master Cody said it was discover when that is not what we booked. It’s a shore dive. Heavy current. But the turtles were worth it. Made us do exercises. Not necessary as I’m a dive master. Not sure where the wires got crossed.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Shore Diving at Koloa Landing, Poipu

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $153

Join Seasport Divers for a three to four hour shore scuba outing at Koloa Landing in Poipu. Expert guides lead small groups of up to seven people through 30 to 40 foot reefs, where you might see Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, moray eels, octopus, scorpionfish, and tropical fish. Certified and first-time participants can take part.

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Try Scuba Diving on Kaua’i with Sea Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $665

Meet Jessie and the Explore Kauai Scuba team at Koloa Landing for a four-hour PADI Discover Scuba Diving session. You’ll learn the basics, practice at an unhurried pace, and explore Kaua’i’s underwater world with a small group of no more than eight people. Green sea turtles, octopus, reef fish, and moray eels may all appear.

“We just had two fantastic days of diving with Explore Kauai scuba . Both Jessie and Nick are extremely knowledeable and personal. This was a NO STRESS experience. They looked around and found the best sights. Great visibility and lots of critters. Jessie was a fount of information about the sea life. Nick gave us a short course about tides, currents and wind. The most enjoyable diving experience I have had so far. I will definitely come back to Kauai just so I can dive with these two!”

Check availability →Read our full review