SCUBA DIVING IN HAWAI‘I

SCUBA DIVING IN HAWAI‘I: EXPLORING HAWAII’S UNDERSEA WORLD

Author: AFH

Scuba diving in Hawaii's choicest locations is an unrivaled experience. Bathed in the tepid crystalline depths of the azure Pacific, tethered by bubbles and brushed by rainbow colored fish, scuba divers enter a fantasy world of brilliance and wonder. Each of Hawai'i's eight main islands have outstanding dive spots with an array of unique marine animals, colorful corals and bizarre lava formations. Most diving occurs on the calmer, leeward coasts of all the islands, where visibility often exceeds 100 feet. Dive shops abound with gear rentals, dive trips, lessons and certification.

Five types of underwater habitats—coral reefs, lava tubes, caves and caverns, sandy bottoms, drop-offs and basalt boulders—create Hawaii's underwater terrain.Boat diving is one of the easiest ways to experience Hawai'i's underwater wilderness. Diving from the shoreline is dictated by ocean conditions, and is not recommended in high surf. Kaua'i and Ni'ihau: Kaua'i boasts 10 prime dive spots located on both the north and south shores of the island. From the Ha'ena area of the north shore, in summer months when the ocean is calm, Ke'e Lagoon, Tunnels Reef and Cannons offer shore diving in depths ranging from 12 to 65 feet.

South shore spots on Kaua'i offer intermediate to advanced boat dives including Sheraton Caverns, Brennecke's Drop-off and Oasis reef. A special attraction for advanced divers is the challenge of diving Ni'ihau, where monk seals, schools of dolphins and clouds of seabirds swarm above and below the crystalline sea. Hawai'i (The Big Island): Dive spots on the Big Island occur only along the leeward, Kona and Kohala coastlines. Cavern Point, Place of Refuge, Kailua Pier, Pine Trees and Red Hill are some of the favorites. Kona and Kohala coast dive spots range from novice to advanced with depth ranges of 10 to 130 feet. Maui, Lana'i, Moloka'i and Molokini Crater:

These islands are teeming with excellent dive sites. From the island of Maui, most dive spots are located on the western shore, and include Honolua Bay, Olowalu and Five Caves. A short boat ride to Molokini Crater, meanwhile, reveals four additional dive sites that occur along the rim of this ancient, sunken volcano. Highlights include black corals and schools of tame fish in depths of 10 to 130 feet. Lana'i has six popular dive sites on its south coast. All Lana'i dives are by boat. Moloka'i dives center around Mokuho'oniki Rock at the east end of the island.

Oahu: Waimea Bay, the Wai'anae coastline and Maunalua Bay offer popular dive attractions on O‘ahu. Hanauma Bay offers one of the island’s most breathtaking panoramas along with advanced, intermediate and novice dive sites accessible from shore.