The 15 Best Scuba Diving in Kauai

1.Kauai’s Ultimate South Shore 2 Tank Dive (Certified Divers Only)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 190 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $210Our pick

Certified divers spend about four hours in protected Hanaka’ape Bay, making two guided shore entries from Koloa Landing. Expect short surface swims, depths near 50 feet, snacks, gear, and guides such as Logan, Josh, Dominic, and Jimmy who point out turtles, eels, octopus, and reef fish.

“Captain Drake and Landon were Awesome! But beware if it is windy/choppy for a future storm. The swells were 15-20ft high and six ours on a zodiac in that type of weather was overwhelming. Breathtaking views and crew is awesome and making it fun and informational just not a smooth ride.”

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2.Kauai’s Ultimate Discover Scuba Dive – OCEAN EXPERIENCE (1 Tank Dive)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 186 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $186

At Koloa Landing in Poipu, you’ll learn basic scuba skills, practice in shallow water, then descend as far as 40 feet with a PADI instructor. Groups are limited to four. Guides such as Ally, Logan, Benji, and Dominic are praised for calm, patient instruction. Expect a 2.5 to 3 hour shore-based session.

“Aj was very knowledgeable and skilled, I had a wonderful experience and I would come do it again!!!!”

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3.Kauai’s Ultimate Dive Boat Adventure (for CERTIFIED Divers Only)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $285

Join Dive Kauai from Poipu aboard the 26-foot Ho'onui for a two-site scuba outing limited to six certified participants. Expect warm water, lava formations, turtles, reef fish, and local insight from crew members including AJ, Captain Nick, Dominic, and Drew.

“Easily travel to locations, but good reefs with plenty of turtles. Easy dives, calm waters. Worth the trip!”

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4.Kauai’s Exclusive Morning Scuba Charter for Experienced Divers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $259

Join Seasport Divers at 7:30 am for a four-and-a-half-hour south shore scuba charter built for experienced participants. Expect flexible site choices, possible lava tubes, turtles, sharks, schooling fish, pelagic life, and seasonal humpback whales, with snacks, drinks, and warm onboard showers.

“Beautiful dive in and out of lava tubes with tons of sea turtles! Staff was professional and helpful! Would recommend!”

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5.Kauai Scuba Diving for Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $202

Start with a safety lesson and pool-like practice before exploring Koloa Landing to 40 feet with an instructor. This four-and-a-half-hour session includes gear, wetsuit, transport, snacks, and bottled water. Guides such as Joe, Carlos, Thomas, and Brie have helped nervous beginners feel at ease.

“This was my best diving experience. My instructor was Joe and he was very patient, knowledgeable and made sure felt taken care of and had the best time. Thank you Joe!!!”

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6.Scuba Dive at Ni’ihau (Forbidden island)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $655

Meet Nick and Jessie at 6:30 a.m. for a fast, small-group scuba trip from Kauaʻi to Niʻihau. With six customers maximum, two underwater sites, gear, lunch, and snacks included, you get a full day among monk seals, sharks, rays, and tropical fish.

“If you want to see the total diversity of underwater wildlife Jessica and Nick are great. We have dived in Kauai 30 times and while the lava tubes and turtles are cool there is sooo much more to see. Yes, you will see plenty of turtles as well. They are passionate, genuine, and we went years before finding them and having all that Hawaiian waters have to offer.”

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7.1 Tank Discover Scuba at Koloa Landing with No Experience needed

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $162

Spend three hours learning basic SCUBA skills, then explore Koloa Landing with an instructor at your side. No certification is required, and groups are limited to four. Guides such as Sivan, Devin, and Savannah are praised for calm coaching, with turtles and endemic fish often part of the underwater visit.

“My boys had the best time. Will was amazing and fun and the only disappointment was it was not longer. He even had snacks and drinks for them when they came back. Next time we are back here we will look for them!”

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8.Kauai’s Ultimate Scooter Adventure 2 Tank Dive (Advance Certified Divers Only)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $310

Meet at Koloa Landing in Poipu for a guided, two-tank DPV scooter scuba outing with Dive Kauai. Advance certification is required. You’ll use TUSA scooters to cover more reef, visit Sheraton Caverns, and explore depths of roughly 20 to 60 feet in a group capped at four.

“Awesome experience, two tank shore dive using “scooters” will make you never want to dive without one. depths from 20-60 feet, sea turtles, octopus, every other reef fish, water temp in the 80’s no need for a wet suit but available for the skinnier crowd. Loved my guides and had a great trip thank you both for a wonderful experience.”

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9.Try Scuba Diving in Kauai From a Boat: No Experience Necessary

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $316

Start at Seasport Divers in Poipu, learn scuba basics, practice in the ocean, then take two 30 to 45 minute boat sessions to Kauai’s South Shore sites. Instructors such as Shawn, Justine, Thomas, and Debbie help first-timers manage gear, breathing, and equalizing down to 40 feet.

“Thomas and the entire staff was really helpful. It encouraged me to pursue becoming a certified diver. This is the first tour I’ve seen where they take you to two dives which is great value for the price.”

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10.Premium Afternoon Scuba Charter for All Certified Diver Levels

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $259

Join Seasport Divers for a four-hour afternoon scuba charter from Kukuiula Boat Harbor. With more than 25 possible reef sites, including Sheraton Caverns, you’ll explore Kauai’s underwater life aboard a Coast Guard-certified boat. The trip suits certified scuba participants at all levels and includes water, snacks, warm showers, and an underwater camera station.

“This is a fantastic dive! We were shown a TON of different marine life! Diving form the boat was easy and the staff was able to make the dive easy.”

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11.2 Tanks Scuba Dive Kaua’i from a Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $370

Join Explore Kauai Scuba for a five-hour, two-tank boat trip from Kikiaola Harbor. Certified scuba guests visit two southwest Kauai sites, with gear, snacks, drinks, and restroom access included. Nick and Jesse may tailor the route to wildlife or underwater terrain you want to see.

“Nick and Jesse were so professional and made this a really fun couple of dives! They had all the gear prepped to go and safety was a priority. They knew the best dive locations and made sure we saw as much as possible. SO many sea turtles!!!! Really had a blast with them!”

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12.One Tank Scuba Diving in Kauai South Shore Certified Diver Only

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $137Best value

Meet Fathom Five Divers at Koloa Landing for a guide-led, one-tank shore session reserved for certified divers. After a marine-life and safety briefing, you’ll explore 15 to 45 feet of water in a group of four or fewer, with tanks, weights, snacks, and drinks included.

“Had a great reef dive with Cat, who was very knowledgeable, friendly and helped point out rare and indigenous fish and other marine life. The check in was quick and the gear was good quality. We saw lots of turtles, eels, a lion fish and an octopus. We went early and were under for an hour. Great dive”

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13.Shore Dive with Sea Turtles @ Koloa Landing for Certified Divers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $153

Meet Seasport Divers in Koloa, show your scuba certification, and ride to Koloa Landing with a professional guide such as Carlos or Cody. Expect a site briefing, shore entry, and two underwater sessions among Hawaiian green sea turtles. Bring your own regulator and BCD, which are not included.

“Natalie and I were on Kauai with the Pride of America and I booked this dive for one of our days in port. I have a few dozen dives logged, but this was her first after certification and first in actual open water. Carlos was a great guide; got us geared up, dive/safety brief, and kept us on track for two amazing dives. We didn’t see an octopus, not for lack of his trying, but we did see dive with more sea turtles than I could keep count of…highly recommend!”

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14.Kauai: Shore Diving at Koloa Landing, Poipu

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $153

Join Seasport Divers for one or two guided scuba sessions at Koloa Landing, also called Whalers Cove. Expect 30 to 40-foot depths, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, moray eels, and small groups of up to seven. Certified and first-time participants can take part, subject to medical clearance.

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15.Try Scuba Diving on Kaua’i with Sea Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $665

Meet Jessie and Nick at Koloa Landing for a four-hour PADI Discover Scuba experience. You’ll learn the basics at an unhurried pace, then explore Kauai’s underwater world with possible sightings of green turtles, octopus, nudibranchs, reef fish, and moray eels.

“Great day diving with Jesse and Nick! Very nice, informative team and cool little boat loaded with delicious snacks for surface interval. Saw octo, turtles, nudi, etc. overall a very good day of diving! Highly recommend!”

Dates and spaces →The full review