Article by , SCUBA diving instructor, Rainbow Scuba Hawaii
Discover the Best Dive Sites in Honolulu
Rainbow Scuba Hawaii offers incredible scuba diving experiences in the vibrant waters of Honolulu, Hawaii. Our dive sites are some of the best on the island. Likewise, our team of experienced scuba instructors will ensure you have an unforgettable scuba adventure. Rainbow Scuba Hawaii has scuba diving sites for everyone, whether you're a seasoned diver or just starting out.
Dive Sites for Certified Divers
These are best deeper dive sites in Honolulu, but require a scuba certification to explore.
Sea Tiger Shipwreck
The Sea Tiger is Honolulu's deepest shipwreck dive. It's ideal for those looking to delve deeper into a wreck. This 189-foot-long shipwreck was sunk as an artificial reef in 1999 and is now teeming with Hawaiian marine life. Above all, divers can expect to see green sea turtles, eagle rays, frogfish, moray eels, and white-tip reef sharks. With a maximum depth of 120 feet, this dive site is ideal for those who are comfortable diving in deeper waters.
YO-257 Shipwreck
Scuba divers must see the YO-257 wreck. This 190-foot-long shipwreck is home to a plethora of Hawaiian marine life. For example, white-tip reef sharks, eagle rays, and schools of tropical fish are common. With a maximum depth of 90 feet, this dive site provides an exciting and challenging experience for more experienced divers.
San Pedro Shipwreck
The San Pedro is an 80-foot-long shipwreck located next to the YO-257. It was built in Japan around 1946 and sunk by the Atlantis Submarine in 1996. Above all, the San Pedro is an excellent choice for divers who want to explore two shipwrecks in a single dive.
The Best Reef Dive Sites
These are the best reef dive sites in Honolulu for first-time divers as well as for certified divers.
Kewalo Pipe Reef
The Kewalo Pipe Reef is an excellent choice for those who want to observe and photograph a variety of marine life. This dive site is easy to navigate up and down to a maximum depth of 60 feet. In addition, it is home to the elusive dragon eel. With a maximum depth of 60 feet, this dive site is suitable for divers of all levels.
Horseshoe Reef
The Horseshoe Reef is a double horseshoe-shaped reef that attracts a variety of sea life. This dive site is ideal for those who want to see Hawaii green sea turtles, triggerfish, and octopus while diving. With a maximum depth of 40 feet, this dive site is suitable for both novice and experienced divers.
Nautilus Reef
The Nautilus Reef is another excellent place to see white-tip reef sharks. This dive site is also home to eels, pufferfish, butterflyfish, and Hawaii green sea turtles. With a maximum depth of 30 feet, this dive site is ideal for those who want to explore the underwater world without diving too deep.
Turtle Canyon Reef
The Turtle Canyon Reef is the best place to see Hawaii green sea turtles, cleaner wrasse, and eels. This dive site is simple to navigate and ideal for photography or simply enjoying the friendly aquatic life in Honolulu. With a maximum depth of 35 feet, this dive site is suitable for both scuba diving and snorkeling tours.
FAQ Scuba diving
Are the dive sites in Honolulu suitable for both experienced and beginner divers?
Yes, the dive sites in Honolulu are suitable for both experienced and beginner divers. With a range of dive sites offering different depths and challenges, there is something for divers of all levels. Some dive sites, such as the Horseshoe Reef, Turtle Canyon Reef, and Nautilus Reef, offer shallow and easy-to-navigate dives, making them suitable for beginner divers. Meanwhile, the Sea Tiger and YO-257 shipwrecks offer deeper dives and more challenging conditions, making them more suitable for experienced divers. With expert guidance and support from Rainbow Scuba Hawaii, both beginner and experienced divers can feel confident and safe while exploring the underwater world in Honolulu.
Related question:
Can first-time divers participate on tours to these dive sites?
yes, first-time divers can participate in the dive site tours offered by Rainbow Scuba Hawaii. Rainbow Scuba Hawaii offers both scuba diving and snorkeling tours, so first-time divers can choose a tour that best suits their level of experience and comfort. If a first-time diver is interested in scuba diving, Rainbow Scuba Hawaii can provide introductory scuba diving that teach the basic skills and knowledge needed to safely participate on a scuba diving tour. These first-time dive tours are taught by experienced and certified dive instructors, who can provide guidance and support to help first-time divers feel confident and comfortable while diving. Whether a first-time diver is interested in scuba diving or snorkeling, Rainbow Scuba Hawaii can help them make the most of their underwater experience in Honolulu.
SCUBA dive video from 02-12-2023
Featured video from our Video Website (opens in a new tab).
Dive Sites in Honolulu 2023
Aloha, and welcome to Rainbow Scuba Hawaii! We're your go-to scuba diving company for exploring the beautiful waters of Honolulu. Whether you're a certified diver or a first-time diver, we've got you covered with the best dive sites in the area. For certified divers, we have three fantastic wreck dives to choose from: the Sea Tiger shipwreck, the YO-257 wreck, and the San Pedro wreck. These dives will take you through the sunken ships and provide a unique opportunity to explore the underwater world of Honolulu. If you're a first-time diver, don't worry! We have several premium dive sites that are perfect for beginners. The Kewalo pipe reef, Horseshoe reef, and Nautilus reef are all excellent options. Our experienced instructors will guide you through your first dive, so you can feel safe and confident as you explore the underwater world. And for those who prefer snorkeling, we have the perfect spot for you: Turtle Canyon reef in Waikiki. Here, you'll have the chance to snorkel with turtles and see a variety of tropical fish and marine life. At Rainbow Scuba Hawaii, we pride ourselves on offering the best scuba diving experiences in Honolulu. Book your adventure with us today and let us show you the beauty of Hawaii's underwater world!
5 best reasons for trying Honolulu's dive sites
Honolulu's 5 best Dive site reasons you should try them.
- Here are the best 5 reasons why you should
- Diverse Marine Life: Honolulu's scuba diving sites are teeming with a diverse range of marine life, including green sea turtles, white-tip reef sharks, eagle rays, frogfish, moray eels, schools of tropical fish, and more.
- Thrilling Shipwrecks: The YO-257 and Sea Tiger shipwrecks are two of the best Hawaii scuba diving sites, providing a thrilling and unique experience for divers.
- Ideal Depths: The dive sites in Honolulu offer a range of depths, from shallow reef dives to deeper shipwreck dives, making them suitable for divers of all levels.
- Snorkeling Opportunities: For those who prefer snorkeling, Turtle Canyon Reef offers the best snorkeling experience in Hawaii.
- Expert Guidance: Rainbow Scuba Hawaii provides expert guidance and support, ensuring a safe and enjoyable diving experience for all.
Honolulu's Dive Sites overall conclusion
Finally, Kewalo Basin boat harbor is only 10 minutes drive from Waikiki hotels. This makes Rainbow Scuba Hawaii dive boat the ideal choice for those looking to experience the best Honolulu's dive sites. Our experienced dive guides will ensure that you have a safe and memorable adventure.
For more information about our dive tours, see Honolulu scuba diving.