About the country

Hawaii, far from its capital Honolulu, is fascinating, caught between its volcanoes and the Pacific Ocean. The Hawaiian archipelago is still not that well known for diving, but the northern island of Kauai and the southern Big Island have some really beautiful dive spots, still with relatively few divers.

In Kona, on Big Island, the Manta Show remains a very touristy and somewhat questionable attraction because of how it works : it lets you meet a group of about ten oceanic manta rays drawn in by the spotlights.

On Kauai, dive clubs run a day trip out to Niihau. The dives there are exceptional.

The Hawaiian islands are reachable by plane, via domestic or international flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Papeete.

Here’s a map of the dive spots around Big Island : .

Here’s a description of the dives around Kauai : .

Our opinion

Difficulty

4/ 10

Visibility

8/ 10

Diversity

7/ 10

Atmosphere

8/ 10

Practical

In May 2016.

A cruise around the Kona coast : Aggressor is the only company that operates one and lets you cover Big Island from north to south. Local clubs don’t go that far, so you’ll be the only divers in the water, aside from at the Kona Show.

That said, at the time of our stay, the staff was still learning the sites and had major staffing issues (tension among crew members).

Seasport Divers on Kauai : a really good club based in Poipu, large staff and a comfortable boat. The main draw is the day trip out to Niihau : 3 unforgettable dives, with snorkeling with dolphins possible, in very small groups so as not to scare them off.

In May 2016.

On Big Island : B&B in northern Big Island, with charming, discreet hosts, a pool and jacuzzi available, and what a view, the volcanoes and the sea, …

On Kauai : Prince Kuhio : apartment rentals in a lovely complex, right at the edge of Poipu, a stone’s throw from the beach. The rooftop apartments are gorgeous !

In May 2016.

Big Island : hiking in Volcanoes National Park and watching the lava at night.

The Petroglyphs archaeological sites, Pu’uhonua o Honaunau, …

Enjoy the good local coffee from central Big Island.

Head all the way up Mauna Kea.

Kauai : Na Pali Coast canyon, breathtaking hikes.

Log Book

 

Good to know

Water temperature

In May : 23 °C.

Best season

From April to October.

Fauna and Flora

Barracudas ; Tuna ; Endemic domino damselfish ; Frogfish ; Leaf frogfish ; Lava tubes ; Red flower-shaped nudibranch eggs ; Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (Picasso triggerfish) ; Whitetip reef sharks ; Gray reef sharks ; Hammerhead sharks ; Manta rays ; Dragon moray eels ; Monk seals ; Leaf fish ; Juvenile masked razorfish ; ...