Hawaii is one of the most popular scuba diving destinations in the world. With its warm, crystal-clear waters, exotic marine life and vibrant coral reefs, it’s no wonder why scuba divers flock to the islands each year.
But with so many islands to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which island is best for scuba diving. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the best Hawaiian Islands for scuba diving and why they stand out as top choices.
Oahu: Oahu is the third largest Hawaiian island and home to the state capital, Honolulu. It has some of the best beaches in the world along with numerous dive sites.
Its warm turquoise waters are filled with an array of colorful tropical fish and vibrant coral reefs. The most popular dive sites on Oahu include Shark’s Cove, Hanauma Bay and Electric Beach.
Maui: Maui is known for its stunning beaches and lush greenery. It also has some of Hawaii’s best dive sites including Molokini Crater, La Perouse Bay and Five Caves.
Molokini Crater is particularly popular because of its protected reef system that attracts a wide variety of marine life such as manta rays and sea turtles. La Perouse Bay is also known for its abundant sea life including dolphins, whales and turtles while Five Caves features hidden underwater caverns perfect for exploring.
Kauai: Kauai is a smaller island but it offers plenty of scuba diving opportunities thanks to its pristine waters filled with colorful fish and coral reefs. Popular dive sites include Tunnels Beach, Lehua Rock and Kipu Kai Beach Park. Tunnels Beach offers a breathtaking wall dive with plenty of tropical fish while Lehua Rock features an abundance of sharks and other marine life that can be seen from just below the surface.
Kipu Kai Beach Park boasts some of Kauai’s best visibility which makes it perfect for underwater photography enthusiasts.
The Big Island: The Big Island has something for everyone when it comes to scuba diving including lava tubes, shipwrecks and pristine coral reefs. Popular dive sites include Kealakekua Bay, Puako Bay and South Point Cliffs which offer breathtaking views of lava formations beneath the surface as well as abundant sea life such as eels, crabs and moray eels.
Conclusion: With so many islands to choose from in Hawaii, it can be difficult to decide which one has the best scuba diving spots but each island offers something unique depending on what you’re looking for. For those looking for an abundance of sea life or lava formations beneath the surface then The Big Island might be your best bet whereas Maui offers more protected reef systems ideal for beginner divers or photographers looking to get up close shots with their subjects without disturbing them too much.
Conclusion: When it comes to choosing what’s the best Hawaiian Island for Scuba Diving – it really depends on what you’re looking for – whether it’s an abundance of sea life or lava formations beneath the surface – The Big Island may be your best bet; whereas if you’re looking for a more protected reef system then Maui may be your ideal choice.
