The Best Of Oahu’s Scuba Dive Sites

The State of Hawaii is the only US state located in the tropics. Warm weather year-round attracts millions of tourists each year. The state of Hawaii comprises most of the Hawaiian Archipelago, with 137 volcanic islands stretching over 1,500 miles (ca 2,400 km). The islands are home to over 7,000 species of marine life, of which 1,250 are only found here. Most of these islands are uninhabited, with just eight main islands. Oahu is the third largest of the islands, however, it contains about 70% of the state population. It is also the state’s capital and the most popular tourist destination.

If you are looking for a tropical diving vacation without the hassles of international travel and different cultures, along with a variety of different activities, then Oahu should be at the top of your list of scuba diving vacations.

Oahu Scuba Diving Creative Commons by Ian Kennedy

Why Should I Dive Oahu?

Trying to decide where in the world you should take your next scuba diving vacation can be a daunting task. Oahu’s scuba dive sites deserve an in-depth look in your consideration. Oahu offers the scuba diver a full package for a diving vacation. First, the diving is great, second the diving has some unique features and third unlike many locations with great diving, Oahu offers a wide range of non-diving options and accommodations. Transportation to Oahu is straightforward and while it may be a bit expensive at times it is reliable. Did I mention the great diving?

Oahu has over 40 named dive sites, with most of the diving done from the south shore near Honolulu. The north shore does have some outstanding dive sites; however, the conditions are too dangerous in the winter for scuba diving, surfers, however, love the north shore in the winter. In fact, it is considered some of the best surfing in the world. Many of the Oahu’s scuba dive sites are wreck sites. These range in depth from being shallow to the limits of recreational scuba diving. Many are also accessible to snorkelers. All the islands have abundant and healthy coral reefs, and there are many reef dive sites available as well.

Many divers find the highlight of their diving vacation to Oahu to be night diving. It is often a task to convince a diver to do their first night dive, not so for a follow-up dive. Diving at night is a whole different experience, requires little extra skill preparation and just a couple of flashlights and a marker for added equipment. Most night dives are done on a dive site that you have dived during the day. There are about a dozen dive sites that are favored for night diving with pelagic and bioluminescent opportunities. In my view, A bioluminescent dive is truly amazing, everything glows around you, even you. Another type of night dive found in the waters off Oahu is the Black Water dive. These dives are miles offshore away from any lights and in very deep waters. Generally, you will be diving in waters thousands of feet deep and watching both large and small pelagic species drift by as they come to shallower waters to eat. Many of these species will glow in the dark. You will have a small dive light which can be used to “lure” small fish to you, which draws some of the larger fish. Most of the black water dives are done on a tether so that your depth is controlled, and you do not drift away from the boat. A few black water sites are selected for their encounters with manta rays.

Remember that the Hawaiian Islands are volcanic in nature. So, it should be no surprise that there are some of Oahu’s scuba dive sites include lave tubes.

5 Not To Miss Oahu’s Scuba Dive Sites

Like with any list trying to pick the best is subjective. I am sure that each of Oahu’s 40 scuba dive sites has someone claiming it is the best site. Here are five Oahu’s Scuba Dive Sites that are overall favorites:

• YO-257: The YO-257 is a WWII self-propelled fuel barge that saw service in WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The keel was laid down on December 15, 1943, and launched on 23 February 1944, at the Puget Sound Navy Yard as YOG-72, a self-propelled Gasoline Barge. She supported operations in the Pacific theater in WWII, including carrying aviation fuel in support of Iwo Jima. She stayed in the Western Pacific after the war. In 1962, the ship was redesignated as a Fuel Barge, YO-257. The ship was decommissioned on 15 August 1980 and sold for scrapping in 1982. Atlantis Submarine purchased the ship and sunk it in 1989 as an artificial reef and an added attraction to their tours. YO-257 is 174 feet long with a beam of 33 feet (ca 10 meters) and currently sits in about 100 feet (ca 30 meters) of water. The ship was prepared for diving before being sunk with internal obstacles removed and large openings made in the hull providing numerous swim-throughs.

The main deck sits at 75 feet (ca 23 meters) deep, and the stern is a frequent hangout for turtles. Cleaning fish can be frequently seen removing parasites from the turtle’s shells. A current is often present, and it is a common sight to see large rays drifting past the wreck. Due to the depth, this is an Advanced Open Water Dive.

Atlantis Submarine also purchased and sunk another ship at this location. The San Pedro is about 150 feet (ca 42 meters) from the YO-257 and both can be done on a single dive. Many dive operations will allow divers to select which site they wish to dive from a common mooring point. The San Pedro is in shallower waters sitting in about 80 feet (ca24 meters) of water with its main deck at 60 feet (ca 18 meters). This site can have strong currents. The first time I saw these wrecks, I was a passenger on an Atlantis Submarine, the second time I was waving at the passengers as they passed by.

• Shark’s Cove: If you are diving in the summer and love to shore dive then Shark’s Cove should be at the top of your list of dive sites. Pupukea Marine Sanctuary is a Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD) located offshore of two beach parks on the north shore of Oahu. The MLCD extends 100 yards (ca 91 meters) from shore. Shark’s Cove is at the northern end of the MLCD and is one of two dive sites located within the marine sanctuary. The other is Three Tables located towards the southern edge. Both sites are also popular with snorkelers. Visibility within the cove is often limited and the water is only about 20 feet (ca 6 meters) deep. However, once a diver leaves the cove section, visibility improves greatly and the depth slopes down to about 45 feet (ca 14 meters). Also, divers will find several caves and swim throughs in the deeper waters, as well as amazing marine life.

• Turtle Canyon: Diving with turtles is awesome. This dive site just a short boat ride from Honolulu is true to its name, you will see turtles. Cleaner fish are a necessary element in the harsh ocean life. Parasites attach themselves to larger fish and marine mammals, as well as turtles. To rid themselves of these parasites as well as dead skin, the larger marine life will seek these cleaner fish. The cleaners will often group together and stay in one location, which we refer to as cleaning stations. One of these fish is the Hawaii Cleaner Wrasse or Golden Cleaner Wrasse, found only in Hawaii. Turtles have found these stations and are frequently found here. Of course, it is not an exclusive club and other clients such as reef sharks will stop by. The site itself has much to offer in addition to the turtles and sharks. The water is calm and shallow, with depths between 15 feet (ca 5 meters) and 50 feet (ca 15 meters). Conditions are generally perfect for photographers, with both macro and wide-angle shots available. While perfect for novice divers, it has enough to interest experienced divers as well.

• Makaha Cavern: Hawaii being Hawaii and divers being divers, no scuba diving trip to Hawaii would be complete without diving a lava tube. This set of collapsed lava tubes and caverns is perfect for divers of all skill levels, with a depth outside the caverns at about 45 feet (ca 13 meters) and slightly shallower inside at 30 feet (ca 9 meters). Marine life includes octopuses, sea turtles, eels, and reef sharks as well as hundreds of reef fish.

• Navy Tug: The former USS Nashua sits just outside of Hickman Harbor in 65 feet (ca 19 meters) of water. This navy tug was used in training exercises after its tug duties ended and ended up being used as a target. The tug is 109 feet (ca 33 meters) long and sits on cement blocks. Having been down for over 10 years, the former hard worker is now home to coral, eels, octopuses, and reef fish. Sandbar sharks are often seen nearby.

Oahu’s Scuba Dive Sites Are Just A Part Of That Dream Vacation

Honolulu is the center of tourism in Hawaii. While each of the main islands has its own tourism industry and diving industry, most visitors will spend time here either for a portion of their vacation or the entire time. As most people are not aware of the wonders of scuba diving, there is a multitude of activities top side for both divers and the unaware. Balance your diving days with some outstanding land activities.