Dive guide · OAHU SCUBA DIVING
Shark cages on the North Shore, lava tubes and wrecks off the south. These 15 are priced and timed, and clear about which ones need a certificate and which take absolute beginners.
From Haleiwa, you’ll ride into open Pacific waters, hear a safety briefing, and enter a secure cage for close views of Galapagos and sandbar sharks. The crew, including guides such as Maddie and Emma, also helps boat-only observers follow the action. Allow about 90 minutes, plus travel time from Waikiki.
“What a great experience. A must do when in Oahu. I advise you have them film your experience as it makes it so much easier.”
Meet North Shore Shark Adventures at Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor for a 90-minute boat trip to open water. Your English-speaking crew gives a safety briefing, supplies gear, and places you in a secure cage for up to 20 minutes near Galapagos sharks. You may also spot dolphins, humpback whales, turtles, tuna, or barracuda.
“This was one of the highlights of our trip to Oahu. Highly recommend.”
From Haleʻiwa Boat Harbor, you’ll take a short boat ride offshore with Hawaii Shark Encounters, then enter a floating cage to watch Galapagos and Sandbar sharks through snorkel masks and polyglass windows. Guides such as Caleb, Dave, Efraim, and Jax explain shark behavior, while an observer ticket lets non-swimmers stay aboard.
“Awesome experience! Would highly recommend. Great crew, easy going and informative. Waves were a bit rough but managed to now get sea sick.”
Learn basic scuba skills with instructor Kyle at Magic Island Lagoon, a protected site near Waikiki. After a safety briefing and shallow-water practice, you spend 20 to 30 minutes underwater with a group of no more than four. Equipment and an underwater video package are included.
“Kyle, our instructor, was GREAT. Very informative. Kyle makes sure you are comfortable with everything before the dive. Would highly recommend. An awesome experience for the first time diver.”
Meet at Haleiwa Commercial Loading Dock for a roughly two-hour shark encounter led by One Ocean Diving’s marine biologists and safety divers. Learn shark biology, body language, species identification, and Hawaiian cultural meaning before entering the water with snorkeling gear. Sharks are guaranteed, while whales, turtles, and other wildlife are possible bonuses.
“I was scared to death to do this, but this crew helped me feel so much better about getting in the water. Never once did I feel like I was in danger. It wasn’t like the movies portray, it was peaceful and beautiful. We plan on doing this again. I want to do better next time and I definitely won’t be so scared. Great education on the sharks too. We all need to do better to make sure sharks stay in our oceans.”
Meet at Haleiwa Harbor for a two-hour shark swim about 3 miles offshore. Marine scientist guides explain shark behavior, safety, and conservation before you enter the water with snorkel gear. You may see several shark species, dolphins, turtles, or whales, and possibly help collect research data. Guides including Gina, Tyler, Ethan, Drew, and Haley have received high praise for their calm support.
“I booked the 9 am charter and we saw 24 sharks! It was so cool. The crew was incredibly kind and helpful. We booked the photography package as well, which I recommend!”
Join a scuba-certified group from Kewalo Basin Harbor for two guided underwater sites off Honolulu. You may visit the Sea Tiger wreck at about 105 feet, then a shallower reef near 50 feet, with gear, tanks, snacks, and drinks included. Guides such as Nacho, Matt, Heather, and Jordan help with equipment and route-finding.
“The dives were great. The boat was clean and well kept. The crew and dive masters where professional while still being relaxed enough to have fun. They rotate dive sites throughout the week so be sure to check the full schedule if you are interested in a particular site or multiple sites.”
Spend about four hours learning scuba skills, then head by boat for two shallow open-ocean sessions off Waikiki. PADI-certified instructors such as Josh, Chad, Olga, and Red have guided beginners through turtle sightings, reef fish, eels, octopus, rays, and occasional sharks. Gear, water, snacks, and small groups are included.
“It is what it is . You get to dive along side of large turtles. Other than that the reefs were small and not much to see , other than a large pipe with a little coral and some small life around it.. I went during rainy season “not recommended “ and visibility was around 10 to 15 feet at best. I was given the opportunity to reschedule, but due to my time left on the island I could not .”
Join Dive Oahu at Kewalo Basin Harbor for two guided shallow-water scuba sessions near Honolulu. PADI professionals such as Nacho, Heather, Jordan, and Lindsey lead small groups to sites including Turtle Canyons and Kaiser's, with free gear, snacks, and refreshments. Expect depths of 25 to 50 feet and frequent turtle sightings.
“It’s truly a pleasure to review my experience with Dive Oahu on 6/27/24. Nothing stands out as “ the best” because everything was 5 star super fine. The dive masters were all very professional and easy to be with including Ami, Coulter(Coulton) and Heather. Nacho was our boat captain and kept all the great gear in clean orderly shipshape condition. The pace of my two 40 feet depth dives was perfect and allowed ample time to ogle sea turtles, eels, strange fish and coral. Booking my dives was easy and everything advertised went according to plan and even better than I had anticipated. The value also exceeded my expectation. I…”
From Haleiwa Boat Harbor, you’ll ride three miles offshore to 250-foot water for a cage-free shark swim with a professional crew. Ocean Outfitters Hawaii provides masks and snorkels, keeps groups to 12, and may encounter Galapagos sharks, tiger sharks, dolphins, whales, barracuda, and reef fish.
“It was so epic. All of the workers on the boat were so nice and fun. They were also very knowledgable. I'm sure they get a little tired of having to deal with all sorts of people all day but they did a great job at making sure our experience was great. The boat ride was fun, the sharks were super cool, I would do this again several times.”
Board a fast, stable catamaran in Haleiwa and ride to offshore shark grounds, where you can enter a protected snorkeling cage or watch from the boat. Haleiwa Shark Tours is Native Hawaiian owned, with crews including Captain Derrick and Kooma. Expect about two hours, marine life sightings, and changing sea conditions.
“Excellent! We had a perfect clear day on the water. The ride there was smooth and the water felt great. Saw 3 sharks!”
Meet Islandview Hawaii at Haleiwa Harbor for a small-boat shark snorkel off Oahu’s North Shore. A captain, local guide, and safety diver prepare you for open-water swimming with gray reef, Galápagos, scalloped hammerhead, or tiger sharks. Photos and videos are included, and winter trips may also spot whales and dolphins.
“It was an amazing experience!! The crew was great!! I would definitely recommend and would love to go again!!”
You’ll start with a wreck such as the Sea Tiger, YO-257, or San Pedro, then visit a Waikiki reef for your second tank. Guides including Ron, April, Dylan, Yoshi, Alex, and Marcia have led these trips. Bring proof of certification, comfort with deep water, and the ability to carry a 30-pound tank.
“We had a great time diving. Marcia was awesome and very patient. Sea Tiger Wreck was pretty amazing to see. The rest of the crew was very helpful and the gear was great.”
Meet Dive Oahu at Kewalo Basin Harbor for a three-hour beginner scuba experience. A PADI Professional teaches you basic skills one on one before guided reef exploration, often near Turtle Canyon and a second site. Expect provided gear, snacks, refreshments, and close support from guides such as Jeff, Jared, Justin, Ami, and Nacho.
“Hands down the best experience. Captain Adam was awesome, friendly and knowledgeable. Our dive guide Aunie (sorry if that’s wrong) was fantastic. She took her time and allowed us to work at our own pace to be comfortable. The dive was amazing, seeing the turtles, fish and everything on the reef from below, I couldn’t have asked for anything better other than more time. Definitely worth every penny spent and would love to come back.”
From Haleiwa Harbor, Hawaii Adventure Diving takes you into open water for about 45 minutes near sharks and other marine life. The two-hour trip includes a safety briefing, snorkel gear, a safety diver, and underwater photos and video. Crew members such as Ronnie, Stacey, Terry, and Meagan have helped make the outing calm, informative, and well organized.
“The crew were super knowledgeable and friendly. I felt safe at all times. I would do this again! Make sure you are a good swimmer with snorkel experience.”
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