The 15 Best Scuba Diving Trips in Hawaii

1.First-Time Scuba Diving in Honolulu + Free Videos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,123 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89Our pick

Meet instructors such as Alex, Nick, Danny, or Rida at Magic Island Lagoon for a beginner-friendly scuba lesson in waist-deep water. You’ll learn basic safety, get fitted with all gear, then explore to about 15 feet with a guide nearby. Fish, sea stars, and octopuses may appear, and an underwater video is included.

“Absolutely incredible. Nick made us feel so comfortable and safe the whole time. He was constantly checking on us to make sure we were doing okay”

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2.Oahu Shark Dive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,903 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

From Haleiwa, you’ll cruise into the open Pacific, hear a safety briefing, and enter a sturdy cage with room for up to eight people. Expect Galapagos and sandbar sharks, with possible turtles, dolphins, and winter humpback whales. Crew members Maddie and Emma have helped nervous first-timers feel at ease, while non-swimmers can watch from the boat.

“Awesome experience, great people who love their jobs, very easy to navigate where to meet and would recommend this to everyone who want to experience a safe and exciting adventure”

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3.Shark Cage Dive on the North Shore

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,485 reviews · 1h 30m · from $99

From Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor, you’ll take a 90-minute boat trip into open water with an English-speaking crew, then spend about 15 to 20 minutes beside Galapagos sharks in a secure cage. Guides such as Titus, Fisher, Cruz, Jules, Tim, and Sean have helped make the trip calm, clear, and well organized.

“Due to hazardous seek conditions everything was canceled for the next four days. I’m sure I would’ve enjoyed it. It was the top of my bucket list while I was here in Honolulu, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen because of high winds and very rough seas”

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4.Shark Cage Diving on Oahu’s North Shore

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,391 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $100

From Haleʻiwa Boat Harbor, you’ll take a short boat ride offshore, then enter a floating cage to watch Galapagos and Sandbar sharks through mask-and-snorkel windows. The crew, including guides such as Caleb, David, Efraim, and Jax, explains shark behavior. No scuba certification is needed, and observer tickets are available.

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely Incredible Experience! Shark cage diving was 100% worth it — truly one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done! The water was a stunning shade of blue, surprisingly warm, and we saw so many sharks up close. I was a little nervous at first, but the guides were incredibly kind, professional, and made us feel completely safe the entire time. The whole experience felt very well organized and secure, and once I was in the water, the excitement totally took over. It’s something everyone should do at least once — an absolute must-do adventure! 📝 Tip: If you get motion sick, take Dramamine the night before. One…”

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5.Beginner Scuba Diving Experience with Video Package in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 877 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $77Best value

Learn basic scuba skills in Magic Island Lagoon near Waikiki with instructor Kyle. You’ll practice in shallow water, then spend 20 to 30 minutes underwater with a group of no more than four. Equipment, instruction, and an underwater video package are included.

“I had such a great time—an excellent experience that I’d absolutely recommend! Kyle was the best and made everything feel so easy and enjoyable.”

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6.Safe and Educational Shark Dive from Haleiwa: Sharks Guaranteed

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 553 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $165

Meet One Ocean Diving at Haleiwa Harbor for a two-hour open-water shark swim led by marine biologists and safety divers. Learn to read shark body language, identify species, and understand Hawaiian shark culture before entering the water. Snorkeling gear is provided, and guides such as Gina may assist you during free swims and photo sessions.

“My daughter and I loved this experience so much, we went back for a second dive! I had a huge fear of sharks before going, but Faith, Mariah and Kevin made it educational and calming! I highly recommend doing this on your trip to Oahu! Swimming with the sharks has become my all time favorite thing! Don’t miss out!”

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7.2 Tank Lanai Cathedral Scuba Dive Via Boat for Certified Divers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 548 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $306

Meet at 6:30 AM in Lahaina for a six-hour boat trip to Lanai with two guided scuba outings. Certified divers can expect caverns, arches, lava openings, and swim-throughs at 50 to 75 feet. The crew, including guides such as Abbi, Jess, Brian, and Scott, chooses sites based on conditions. Whales and dolphins are often spotted en route.

“Being from the Midwest, I’ve done a lot of dives in Lake Michigan. By comparison, this was a great experience. Our dive masters were thoroughly professional but pleasant and cheerful. The shop is small, but don’t let that throw. They went way above expectations. If I come back, they will be my choice.”

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8.Dive with Sharks in Hawaii: Shark Tour from Haleiwa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 468 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $153

Meet at Haleiwa Harbor for a two-hour boat trip about 3 miles offshore. Marine science guides explain shark behavior, safety, and conservation before you enter the water with trained safety divers. Snorkeling gear is included, and you may see tiger sharks, dolphins, turtles, or whales.

“Guides are very knowledgeable and experienced. Felt very safe in the waters with the sharks. Highly recommend!”

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9.Certified Diver: 2-Tank Deep Wreck and Shallow Reef Dive Off Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 331 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $248

Board Dive Oahu at Kewalo Basin for two guided scuba sites off Honolulu. You may visit the Sea Tiger wreck at about 105 feet, followed by a shallow reef near 50 feet, with guides such as Nacho, Matt, Heather, or Jordan leading the way. Gear, tanks, snacks, and drinks are included.

“Luckily, I was able to visit both the Sea Tiger and the Shallow Pipe in great weather. I want to thank Nacho, Matt, and Ella for doing their best to make our dives safe and comfortable. If I come back to Hawaii again, I’d love to dive together once more!”

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10.Incredibly Fun Coral Reef Giant Sea Turtles 4hour Boat Scuba Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 300 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $299

Meet at Waikiki Dive Center for a four-hour, two-tank boat scuba experience in Oahu’s warm ocean waters. Beginners receive one-on-one instruction, while certified guests can explore with a guide. Instructors such as Josh, Chad, Olga, and Red are assigned according to the day’s groups. Equipment, water, and snacks are included.

“My tour started with a call stating that I was about to get left as the tour started at 0945 but my booking stated 1015. I kept insisting that my booking said 1015 and they looked it up and saw that I was correct and the tone changed to, “oh, we will be waiting.” It took a long time to leave even after I arrived, although I was told that I was about to be left. During the dive, Mike and Josh were great. This was my second time trying scuba but I struggled badly this time. Mike was super patient and tried to help me as much as possible.…”

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11.Certified Diver: 2-Tank Shallow Reef Dives off Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 278 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $141

Join Dive Oahu at Kewalo Basin Harbor for two shallow reef tank sessions at sites such as Turtle Canyons, Kaiser’s, or Secrets. A PADI professional leads the outing, with gear, snacks, and refreshments included. Expect depths of 25 to 50 feet, green sea turtles, eels, rays, colorful fish, and a boat group of up to 21 people.

“Dive ohau was great. They changed our plans back after viator app changed them. We have had our booked excursions changes twice by booking through viator. Never had this experience before and thought the first time was a fluke. I will not book with viator in Hawaii again.”

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12.Intro/Refresher Dive Swim Ability Required

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 248 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $239

Meet at 65 Kai Ala Drive in Lahaina for a two-hour beginner scuba lesson with a certified instructor. You will learn basic skills, use supplied equipment, and explore Maui’s underwater world in a group of no more than four. Strong swimming ability and good health are required, and turtles may appear.

“Learning how to scuba....seeing all the turtles and fish...instructor (Mike), was awesome! We loved it all, thanks Mike!”

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13.Shark-Dive Tour on Oahu’s North Shore

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 240 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $135

Leave Haleiwa Harbor with a small group and ride three miles offshore to 250-foot waters where Galapagos and tiger sharks gather. Ocean Outfitters Hawaii provides snorkeling gear and professional supervision for a cage-free swim lasting about two hours. Captain Lily and captain Tyler are among the crew members named by past participants.

“This was so much fun! We are a beginner and intermediate snorkel experienced couple. Captain Lily was fantastic and her crew as well. They were very professional and we felt safe the whole time. Once in a lifetime (until you book again ;) ) experience. Definitely worth it!”

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14.Shark Cage Diving On “The World Famous North Shore of Oahu”, Hawaii

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 222 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $100

Haleiwa Shark Tours takes you by stable double-hull catamaran to a shark cage off Oahu’s North Shore. You’ll get a safety briefing, snorkeling gear, bottled water, and time in the water with Galapagos sharks. Captain Derek, Kama, Taylor, Forrest, Tyler, Nellie, and Trevor are among the crew members associated with the operation.

“Not scary, the sharks are really chill but super cool to see. Very friendly crew. They even cut my price down because I broke my ankle before the trip and had to just be a bystander.”

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15.Beginner Scuba Dive in Lahaina: Swimming Required

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $229

Learn basic scuba skills in shallow water at Kahekili Beach Park, then explore Maui’s reef with an instructor such as Simon, Shane, or Kevin. You may see green turtles, eels, rays, tropical fish, and coral. The two-hour session costs $229 and requires confident ocean swimming.

“A perfect afternoon dive, Shane is a master guide! Saw turtles, beautiful fish, and the reef is spectacular. Mahalo!”

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