Kauai Scuba Diving: 5 Amazing Dives
Kauai is arguably the most beautiful of the Hawaiian islands with its gorgeous coastlines, lush tropical forests, and stunning waterfalls. We also discovered Kauai is equally beautiful under its waters too while Scuba diving!
Both certified Scuba divers and those with no dive experience can Scuba dive in Kauai with the right Dive Master-led tour, which we cover in this Scuba Diving guide.
Yes! Even non-certified divers who are diving for the first time can experience their first dive under the care of a dive master!
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Below is a list of the more popular beginner-friendly dive sites on the island. All of these will at most require a basic open-water certification. Many of these are even offered as introductory dives for first-time divers. Except for Anahola Beach, all of the dives listed are located on the south shore:
Map provided by SeaSport Divers in Kauai
>>>Also check out Our Top 42 Things to Do in Kauai!
1. Sheraton Caverns
Sheraton Caverns is one of the most popular dives, located off the south coast of Kauai. This unique site is known for its collapsed lava tube formations and abundant marine life and is where Jessica experienced her first introductory scuba dive!
We saw several large schools of tropical fish, an octopus, eels, and a sea turtle! We even heard Humpback Whales talking to each other as Hawaii is one of the places they travel to birth and nurse their young before heading back to Alaska!
Overall, this is a great site for beginner and experienced divers. This was a boat dive, and we felt very comfortable with the dive masters who provided us with gear, instruction, transportation, and lunch. We could not recommend it enough!
>>> Book your Scuba Discovery Dive
2. Koloa Landing
The Koloa Landing dive site is also located off the south shore in Hanaka’ape Bay. It’s near Sheraton Caverns but close to the shore making it an easy shore dive.
Dive tour services on this side of Kauai will provide tours and introductory dives here since it is one of the most accessible dives on the island.
The maximum depth is around 50 feet (15m), so a fairly shallow dive.
Accessing the water is easy thanks to the boat ramp, but the area near the ramp has some murky water with debris. Looking out from the shore there are reefs to the left and right. The further out you venture the more coral you will find. Usually, the right (west) side has greater visibility.
3. Stone House
Another dive site on the south shore that is not far from Hanaka’ape Bay and Koloa Landing. The depth maxes out at 60 feet (18m) with some areas as shallow as 40 feet (12m). This is another beginner-friendly site with lots of sea life and beautiful coral heads.
4. Anahola Beach
Anahola Beach is on the northeast shore of Kauai. This is a great shore dive for beginner divers looking to get their bearings with the option to kick out past the reef.
Anahola Beach is also a great option for snorkeling and the beach tends to be sparsely populated. With its rugged coastline, Kauai doesn’t have as many white sandy beaches as Maui or Oahu, but Anahola Beach is one of the best beaches on the island to visit even if you’re not scuba diving.
5. Nukumoi Point
Another south shore dive is 1best accessed by boat. This can be a great area to find sea turtles, but the reef isn’t as impressive as the nearby Sheraton Caverns. Depths here range between 30 feet (9m) and 60 feet (18m).
For Those With No Experience:
For those with no diving experience coming to Kauai, there are two options for the complete beginner.
Open Water Certification Class
The first is to take an open-water certification course, which would best be completed before arriving in Kauai. The Basic Open Water course will consist of classroom instruction and pool dives before performing a real open-water dive a few times under the care of a Dive Master. Once you complete the course, you will be certified as an open-water diver which will allow you to do most open-water dives in the daytime down to 60 feet.
Scuba Diving Discovery Class
The second option is the introductory dive which certain dive shops offer in Kauai. This is a great option if unsure about committing long-term to diving, and it will keep the cost and time commitment down. This is what Jessica chose to do and it was a great experience!
So how do these introductory dives work? First, the Dive Master will show you the essentials of your gear and their functionality. Then they will take you into very shallow water and have you practice these basics and go over a few fundamentals and hand signals.
Once out on the dive, the maximum depth will be limited to just 30 feet. Your Dive Master will be with you the entire time ensuring your safety. Check out the links below for introductory dives and dives for certified divers:
>>> See all Kauai Scuba Dive Tours
>>> Book your Scuba Discovery Dive
Caution About Flying After a Dive
It is recommended by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) to not fly within 18 hours of a dive or you risk getting decompression sickness (DCS). This could be debilitating and even fatal if severe enough. In a place like Kauai where everyone will eventually fly out (unless you live there of course), not to mention the popularity of helicopter and airplane sight-seeing tours, divers should schedule any airborne activities before scuba diving or at least 18 hours after the last dive ends.
Wrap Up
Overall, Kauai is a great place to scuba dive. With its clear waters and abundance of marine life, it’s a perfect place for both beginner and experienced divers.
Check Out Our Other Hawaii Travel Guides!
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