A list of the best rated scuba dive sites in Hawaii.

Kona Manta Ray Night Dive

It is all about Manta Rays on the Kona Manta Ray Night dive site. There is plenty of other marine life, but tours and crew will focus on attracting mantas with their flashlights and food supplies. The crew will start the Manta Ray dive, by placing lights on the ocean floor aiming upwards. Plankton is attracted by this light and the plankton will attract the Mantas. As thick clouds of these microscopic animals enjoy the lights, manta rays come to feed. Not only plankton but also thousands of minu...

Vertical Awareness

Vertical awareness, one of Niihau's most famous dive sites, is actually situated near Lehua Island, a small island just offshore its larger parent. This dive site lives up to its name as it is all vertical here. Steep pinnacles rising from unbelievable depths, all set amidst of volcanic rocks and sediments. Larger pelagic fish such as ulua (jacks), opelu (mackeral) and even manta rays are frequent visitors. But the most famous inhabitant is the endemic Hawaiian monk seal. Probably one of the mo...

YO-257

The YO-257 was a 53meter long and 10meter wide Navy yard oiler built in the 1940's. Used for refueling battleships and serviced in the second world war, the Korean war and in the Vietnam war, it finally ended in less dangerous waters around the Micronesia state of Yap. It was bought by Atlantis Submarines Hawaii and sunk as an artificial reef off Waikiki, Oahu in 1989. The ship rests upright in 100 feet of water with the main deck about 85 feet. It has been prepared for diving with many large ac...

Black Rock or Ulua Cave

Black Rock is a wall dive 40-90 feet deep with a large cavernous room named Ulua Cave approximately 100 feet long and 50 feet wide. The mooring buoy at this site takes the diver down to 55ft and the top of the rock extension. One side of the room is completely eroded allowing easy multiple entry and exit points. The free drop over the adjacent wall to 90' takes you to a huge underwater cavern open on three sides. Very often white-tip reef sharks and/or turtles will be resting under this larg...

Airplane Wreck or Canyon

In Poka'i Bay (Waianae), just north of the Mahi, lies a great twin engined airplane wreck also known by the names Airplane Canyon, Seaplane Wreck and Airplane Ledge. The small airplane that this dive site is named for lies in a large V shaped ledge formation in 90ft. The airplane lies inside the V and large schools or blue striped snapper are often seen hanging about. Trumpetfish and eels seem to like the wreck as well along with the ever-present bigeye that live in the dark recesses of the ...

Dragon Reef

This main feature of Dragon Reef is the lava arch that resembles a dragon's back. The sides of the arch are covered with white octo coral that resemble dragon scales and at the end of the arch there is a rock formation that form the shape of a head with the mouth open. This is a great dive site, keep your eyes open for lot's of marine life. Sea Life: Variety of Reef Fish and Lava Formations....

Tunnels Reef or Tunnels Beach

Tunnels Beach is a fantastic snorkeling and diving spot on the North Shore just past Hanalei near the Ha'ena Beach Park. There is an inner and an outer reef, with the inner reef running up to the shore and the outer horseshoe shaped reef about 60 yards offshore. There is an amazing variety of reef fish and normally green sea turtles can found here. The water is calm on the inner right side of the reef making it an excellent spot for new divers and snorkeling. On the left side where the reef ...

Sergeant Major & Minor

Sergeant Major received its name from the schooling sergeant major damselfish that are found here. Located on the southwest of Lanai it is a great dive sight for divers who like to explore through every nook and cranny. This site is has almost every type of marine life imaginable, green sea turtles and lots of interesting lava formations that run seaward. A beautiful archway connects the three formations and occasionally white-tip reef sharks can be seen around the archway and the formations. ...

First Cathedral

First Cathedral is large lava tube that is approximately 100 feet in length and is nearly two stories high, this is an amazing dive site that is a must do while in Hawaii. As you enter the Chamber for the first time make sure you take a moment to really appreciate the full experience of the Cathedral like atmosphere. When the sun's rays enter through holes in the ceiling they illuminate the chamber and create a stained glass window effect. There are several rooms and passageways, make sure y...

Enenue or Rudderfish

This dive site is suitable for beginners in the shallows but becomes a more advanced dive, as it gets deeper. Enenue is the Hawaiian name for the rudderfish of the sea chub family, which this dive is named after. As you reach 50ft you will be at the base of the crater wall as it levels off into a shelf before dropping off into a sand channel reaching depths over 130ft. Divers who stay in the shallows will be greeted by schools of fish that can be hand feed, but for those who venture deeper may s...