Hawaii Scuba Diving Site Locations: Honolulu, Oahu

Article by Ken Goetz, SCUBA diving instructor, Rainbow Scuba Hawaii

Page At‑a‑Glance
  • Comprehensive guide to South Shore Oahu dive sites, including the Sea Tiger and YO-257 shipwrecks, and vibrant reefs.

Oahu, Hawaii—the "Gathering Place"—is home to world-class scuba diving featuring diverse marine life. From a diver's perspective, Oahu is divided into four distinct regions, each offering unique advantages. We are pleased to provide the best diving experiences in Hawaii, led by our professional guides at Rainbow Scuba Hawaii.

Map of Scuba Diving Sites in Oahu, Hawaii
Map showing the diverse diving regions across Oahu.

Legendary Shipwrecks of the South Shore

The Sea Tiger Shipwreck

The Sea Tiger is the deepest recreational shipwreck dive site on the island. Sunk as an artificial reef in 1999, this 189-foot vessel rests in 120 feet of water. The deck sits at approximately 100 feet, making it a thriving habitat for green sea turtles, eagle rays, frogfish, moray eels, and white-tip reef sharks. It is also an exceptional location for night diving.

Sea Tiger shipwreck dive site Honolulu
The Sea Tiger resting on the seafloor at 120 feet.

YO-257 & San Pedro Shipwrecks

The YO-257 is arguably Oahu's most exciting shipwreck site. This "two-for-one" dive features the YO-257 (190 feet long) and the San Pedro (80 feet long), which rests only 30 meters away. Divers can expect an abundance of marine life, including white-tip reef sharks and schools of tropical fish. The maximum depth is 100 feet.

Vibrant Reefs and Marine Sanctuary

Kewalo Pipe Reef

This site offers easy navigation following a pipe down to a depth of 60 feet. It is a fantastic spot for underwater photography and provides a rare opportunity to see the elusive dragon eel among a high concentration of aquatic life.

Horseshoe Reef

This unique double-horseshoe-shaped reef attracts a wide variety of sea life. It is a shallow dive with a maximum depth of 40 feet, where Hawaii green sea turtles, triggerfish, and octopuses are commonly spotted.

Turtle Canyon reef dive site Waikiki
Green sea turtles frequenting the cleaning stations at Turtle Canyon.

Turtle Canyon Reef

Located off the coast of Waikiki, Turtle Canyon is teeming with green sea turtles and cleaner wrasse. The lava fingers extending from the shore make navigation simple. With a maximum depth of 35 feet, it is the premier site for both beginner scuba diving and snorkeling tours.

Nautilus Reef

Nautilus Reef is a resident home to several white-tip reef sharks. Divers can explore the reef at a maximum depth of 30 feet to find octopuses, eels, pufferfish, and butterflyfish.

Conclusion

Whether you are seeking the thrill of a deep shipwreck or the serene beauty of a turtle-filled reef, Honolulu's South Shore offers world-class diving just 10 minutes from Waikiki. Join Rainbow Scuba Hawaii for an informed, professional, and unforgettable underwater adventure.