While there are plenty of gorgeous sights to see on land and from the surface of the blue waters during your Kauai vacation, there are even more wonders that await you in the depths. You can experience the world beneath the waves when you add Kauai scuba diving to your list of things to do on your Hawaiian vacation.
Scuba diving and snorkeling in Kauai are among the can’t-miss activities you will want to plan to take part in during your vacation. Kauai scuba diving is perhaps unlike diving anywhere else in the world. You can view rare species, incomparable reef formations, deep caves, and other underwater sights that are among the most amazing in and outside of the U.S. So, where to try scuba on Kauai? Let’s take a close look at where your Kauai scuba diving adventures can begin.
We’ll cover Kauai dive adventures with rentals for scuba equipment, how you can be a part of the best scuba diving in Kauai, and also the best Kauai vacation rentals to ensure you and your family have the top accommodations on the island.
Dive Kauai
Located in Poipu, HI, Dive Kauai offers certified and non-certified diver tours.
If you’re a beginner diver, you’ll start with the non-certified tour. Here, you will have the opportunity to learn general rules of diving safety, review the equipment, and put your scuba diving skills into practice. If you’re uncomfortable starting the non-certified experience in the ocean, Dive Kauai has a Pool Experience non-certified tour held at an area hotel pool.
There are five different 4-hour certified diving tours offered by Dive Kauai. You can take a refresher dive for those who have not dived in more than one year. Two other certified tours allow you to experience an abundance of coral, marine life, caverns, and reefs.
There is also a twilight and night dive, so you can witness creatures on the prowl that move about during these times, such as eels, octopi, and lobsters. Finally, you can use a scuba scooter on the Scooter Adventure Dive to help propel you through the water.
Dives are between 27-ft. and 50-ft. or 60-ft. and 90-ft., depending on which tour you choose. All tours are for ages 10 and over.
Fathom Five
At Fathom Five in Koloa, HI, you can choose from shore or boat dives. Both are 2-tank dives, with the former being for all skill levels and the latter a half-day excursion. The 2-tank boat dives go to sites up to 15 minutes from shore.
Other dives include a beginner dive at Koala Landing that includes a lesson; a 2-tank twilight boat dive; and an 11-hour, 3-tank dive at the Forbidden Island of Niihau. This dive is considered one of the best areas in Hawaii, where you can see sharks, sting rays, and other large fish.
There are 20 other sites available for a 3-tank boat dive, including The North Shore Tunnels Reef. A night boat dive to Sheraton Caverns takes you up to 65 ft. under the surface.
You can also take scuba lessons with Fathom Five. They offer a combination of PADI e-Learning you can do from anywhere in the world and finish your training at a diving spot in Kauai. This allows you to become an open-water certified scuba diver. Fathom Five has been rated a Top Scuba Dive Shop by the Ultimate Kauai Guide Book, so you can rest assured that you are in good hands!
Seasport Divers
Operating since 1986, Seasport Divers offers various diving experiences where you have the chance to see everything from manatees to humpback whales.
The various tours include morning and afternoon boat dives, with depths explored up to 100 feet. Between October and April, Seasport offers a 3-tank boat dive on Tuesdays and Thursdays to explore sites not generally included in everyday dives, such as Kipu Kai and Amber’s Arches.
A twilight/night 2-tank dive is offered on Wednesdays at Sheraton Caverns. Daily, you can take 1- or 2-tank shore dives at Koala Landing. Seasport allows you to upgrade your tour to a Private Divemaster tour or Enriched Air tour. Scuba diving classes are also held; these can be for beginners up to those seeking to become professional certified divers.
Bubbles Below Kauai
From 2-tank shore and charter dives to diving coastal tours to advanced 3-tank trips, Bubbles Below Kauai has a wide range of experiences for everyone from novices to professionals.
There is the 2-tank, 5-hour local charter up to 45 minutes from shore at one of up to 30 different sites with a naturalist-led eco-tour; a 2-tank twilight/night shore dive for an unforgettable bioluminescence experience; a 2-tank Mana Crack/NaPali coast tour to dive sunken barrier coral reef while seeing and learning about the eroding coastline; and the 3-tank advanced adventure to explore South Shore Kauai sites to marvel at sea caves, lava tubes, arches, and more.
Amazing topography exploration can be had when you choose the Ni’ihau & Lehua Scuba Adventure/Charter, a 12-hour excursion filled with startling colors, huge formations, and endangered marine animals.
Explore Kauai Scuba
Explore Kauai Scuba is known for its small group dives, consisting of 2-tank shore and boat dives and charters.
The 2-tank boat dive travels up to 10 miles offshore, a 5-hour trip great for newly certified or beginner divers; the 2-tank Mana Crack/NaPali Coast tour is a fast-paced dive on a sunken reef; and the 2-tank Ni’ihau dive is where you can get up close with sharks, rays, monk seals, and other predators. The Ni’ihau dive is the most popular dive at Explore Kauai Scuba.
For non-certified divers, or for those who haven’t been scuba diving in some time, there’s a 2-tank shore dive in 10-40 ft. waters where you can meet sea turtles. There is also a private charter diving experience should you wish to have the boat to yourself. All diving trips include free gear rental.
Plan Your Visit
Ready for the scuba diving adventure of a lifetime? Find your perfect Kauai accommodations and get ready to experience Kauai like never before!
Garden Isle Divers
Private and group boat charters and private and small group shore dives are among the experiences you can choose from at Garden Isle Divers.
For beginners or non-certified divers, there’s a 20-50-ft. shore dive at Koala Landing to see some sea turtles, eels, and frogfish. Small groups of up to 6 divers are taken on 2-tank boat tours, all sites within a short distance of Port Allen, where you’ll see lots of rare marine life and wondrous topography.
A private charter is available for two divers for two guided dives. A 2-tank twilight and night dive is also offered. All gear is included in each tour, plus snacks and drinks.
Garden Isle Divers, located in Anahola, also has introductory and scuba certification classes, including Divemaster and Rescue training. Courses include Night Diver, Fish Identification, Digital Underwater Photographer, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and Underwater Naturalist.
Where to Stay
No matter which location you choose for the best scuba diving in Kauai, make sure you stay in comfort and luxury when you book with Kauai Calls. We offer a wide range of beachfront Kauai rentals, garden view suites, and studio condos. These are mainly one- to 3-bedroom accommodations with many featuring gourmet kitchens, king- and queen-sized beds, flat-screen TVs, central A/C, convenient in-unit full washer/dryer, soaking tubs, and more.
Other amenities you could enjoy are BBQ grills, hot tubs, fenced pools, decks/patios, easy access to sightseeing on Kauai’s best eco-tours, outdoor showers, and proximity to golf, fishing, hiking trails, and, of course, scuba diving. Contact our friendly and knowledgeable staff today to find your dream Kauai rental!
