Thanks to the lava that has poured into the ocean for centuries, Hawaii's underwater landscape is a fascinating place to explore. With the advantage of warm water and high visibility, divers will discover a world of lava tubes, arches, caves and caverns, canyons, crevices and pinnacles. Add the occasional sunken vessel, an abundance of reef fish and scores of curious sea creatures to the mix, and expect nothing short of an awesome dive.
If you're a certified diver, there are several options available on Oahu. Rent equipment from a dive shop and venture out on your own, or book a ride on a dive boat and head for a good offshore spot.
If you aren't certified and want to learn to dive, take an introductory dive or "resort course." This dive is offered by most dive shops and takes about half a day. It can range from a simple shallow water beach or pool dive, to a deeper boat dive. The course begins with some serious instruction, learning the rules of the deep and getting comfortable with the seemingly ungainly equipment. It is usually a two-tank dive, no deeper than 30 feet with no more than four divers per instructor. Some companies offer free scuba clinics for people 10 and older.
Intriguing dive spots on Oahu include Kahuna Canyon, near Mokule'ia on the North Shore, where the walls of the canyon rise steeply from the ocean floor to create the illusion of a subterranean Grand Canyon. Off Ma'ili Point, just south of Wai'anae on the West Shore, lies the wreck of the Mahi, a sunken 185-foot mine sweeper.
Just outside Waikiki, off Ala Moana Park, is a dive spot known as Rainbow Reef. The reef is accessible from the shore or boat and the fish are friendly. Hanauma Bay, though crowded, offers good diving conditions most of the time and is accessible from the shore as well as by boat. Oahu's south shore features a cluster of great dive sites, all accessible by boat only. Check out sites like Fantasy Reef, Big Eel Reef, Turtle Canyon, Kahala Barge and Hundred Foot Hole.
