The Hawaiian Islands, isolated over 2,000 miles from the nearest major land mass, combine some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes to be found anywhere in the world (above and below water!). Hawaii’s marine world is replete with luminous coral reefs as well as numerous endemic species of reef fish and invertebrates. In these pages, we have documented over 70 shore-accessible reef sites; truly premier locations for dive enthusiasts of all levels!

Hawaii

The ‘Gathering Place’ is the most developed and populous island of Hawai’i. Aside from world-renowned landmarks such as Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, and Pearl Harbor, Oahu offers magnificent beaches affording a multitude of snorkeling and diving opportunities.

You can also find <a href="https://loveoahu.org/activities-things-to-do/snorkeling/">a good curated list with beginner-friendly snorkeling spots for Oahu</a> or <a href="https://tridentadventures.com">Scuba diving adventures in Oahu</a>

Oahu

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States

Slowly sloping coral reef to 50 feet of depth, sea turtles and tropical fish.  Moderate shore break.  

Beach entry, park off road off coast route.

Pray for Sex Beach is also known as Yokohama Bay.

Mākaha

Pray for Sex Beach

Makua Beach offers an easy beach access to an interesting shoreline.  There are no facilities at many sites on this stretch, so take plenty of water with you.

At the North end of the Farrington Highway on the West Shore.

Makua Beach

Pukano Point is just south of Yokohama Bay.  There is excellent coast line to explore here for the intermediate diver.

At the Northern most end of the Farrington Highway on the West Shore.

Pukano Point

Kea'au Beach is for advanced divers only because of the difficult entry along the lava ledge.  This dive should only be attempted in the calmest seas.  Consult your local dive shop to get the current conditions.

On the Farrington Highway on the West Shore.

Kea'au Beach

You guys are missing a very good dive site from your repertoire of Oahu sites. May I suggest Kaena Point on the extreme West side of the island? There is a real entry point that is easy and on a calm day can make this site a beginner to intermediate site, but on rough days or days that have a strong current an advanced site. At the end of Farrington Hwy. there is a small cove in the Kaena Point Beach Park that makes an easy entry point. Navigation in the site is super easy since you follow a trough that loops around making it a ledge dive that lasts about 60min at a slow pace and ends where you began with 500psi. and Max. depth will be around 36ft. with average depth being about 20-30ft. I can almost guarantee a white tipped reef shark to be sleeping under one of the ledges at around 34ft every time you dive this site. I took my dive club here last weekend and we had a blast. Make sure to put this one on your sites list.



Kaena Point



Site placement is not accurate. Any local help?

Seaplane Wreck is also known as Airplane Canyons, Airplane Ledge.

Seaplane Wreck

Makaha Beach Park offers shore access to a site regularly visited by dive boats: Makaha Caverns.  Be prepared to kick out about 150 yards, but the sights are worth it!  Facilities are located across the road.

On the Farrington Highway on the West Shore.

Makaha Beach Park (Caverns)

Makaha Caverns are usually accessed by boat, but you can swim by the beach (about 150 yards).

Shore diving is a serious surface swim, if there are surfers present then I would advise against the dive.  Following the reef line from the shore there will be a mooring buoy and just in on the reef from there is a large cleaning station which can hold up to 6 turtles.  The caverns are at the end of the reef as mentioned about 150 yards out. There is also a mooring buoy from there shoot back toward shore and you should run across the caverns.  The caverns are spacious and you can see without a light, though a light is clearly recommended on any dive.  Dive flags are mandatory, people have been fined for not using one and the lifeguards will often stop you before you enter.  Do not leave any valuables in your car, animosity towards military and tourists runs high in the area as does vehicle break ins.    

Makaha Caverns can be accessed by the Farrington Highway on the W Shore. Parking off the main road, close to the lifeguard stand.

Makaha Caverns is also known as Makaha Beach Park.

Makaha Caverns

Located a half-mile off the west end of Kaiaka Bay is a coral reef at depths of 25-30 feet. This site has a variety of overhangs and arches. On top of the shelf there is a large crack that is 60 yards wide by 100 yards long, where a school of 15 to 20 porcupine fish reside. At its center, several formations rise into the arches, tubes and caves. The residents of the formation and the topographical aberration give this site its name, Turtle Street. Six very tame turtles provide an excellent opportunity to photograph these gentle creatures, and the site is nestled with lots of pukas and is good grounds for lobster.

Turtle Street

This site is half the distance from Turtle Street and is inshore. The reef peaks at 10 feet below the surface and, because of seismic activity during its formation, has a valley below it that drops to a depth of 100 feet. The wall is on a vertical drop and it has a partner another 100 yards inshore. The main focus of the site is along a 200 yard section of the seaward side of the wall and its top has a wide variety of fish, corals, overhangs and arches. Small pukas are found through the side of the wall leading to Turtle Street. The characteristic valley is called the Haleiwa Trench. Another attraction is a substantial coral mound, 20 yards off the wall, which seems to be a remnant of the original structure. The pinnacle of this mound is 100 feet wide and stops 35 feet below the surface. About a dozen turtles sit on the mound and are at ease with visiting divers.

Turtle Heaven

Haleiwa Trench has two sections. The first reef goes out from ankle deep to 30' then drops off to about 60'. Heading to the right side of the reef following the wall gets to about 90'.  There is a turtle cleaning station on the top of the reef in 30' of water just past the entry, its a good idea to come back on the top of the reef so you can see it toward the end of your dive.  To the left is shallower heading toward the beach.  This is a wall so there are plenty of nooks to look into.  Turtles also are very abundant.  The second reef which is straight out is pretty much the same just a longer swim but the top is about 30' and a little more interesting.  This is not the place to see anything other than turtles, sea life is sparse but navigation is easy even though the visibility is limited by silting from the nearby river and marina.  Boat traffic does occasionally pass, and small water craft tend to play over the reef.  Bringing a dive flag is mandatory and recommended even though it is rarely enforced.  The site is also a generally ok place to night dive, but the parking lot closes at 10pm.  The neighbouring town of Haleiwa is a great place to go for a deco stop with a variety of restaurants and shops to visit, they close early and are naturally full of tourists. 

Easily accessible from the parking lot next to the restrooms and community centre, past the left side of the building. Enter on the reef until it drops off.

Pray for Sex Beach

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Pray for Sex Beach

Recommended dive shops