BEST OF · SCUBA DIVING IN OAHU
The North Shore runs shark cages in open ocean and the south side runs turtle reefs and wrecks. The 15 below compare the two, with prices, boat times and which trips take you underwater rather than just below the surface.
From Haleiwa, you’ll ride into open Pacific waters, receive a safety briefing, and enter an underwater cage for close views of wild sharks. The crew, including guides such as Maddie and Emma, also helps boat-based observers enjoy the action. Expect about 90 minutes, with gear included and whale sightings possible in winter.
“What a great experience. A must do when in Oahu. I advise you have them film your experience as it makes it so much easier.”
From Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor, you’ll take a 90-minute boat trip into open water, then spend about 15 to 20 minutes in a secure cage beside Galapagos sharks. Guides handle the safety briefing and equipment, while dolphins, turtles, and seasonal whales may appear along the way.
“Unbelievable!!!! Top of our bucket list and it didn’t disappoint!!! There were at least 6 big sharks with us. What an incredible trip of a lifetime. The guys on the boat were brilliant and really knew their stuff. 🦈🦈🦈”
From Haleʻiwa Boat Harbor, you’ll ride about 15 minutes offshore to a wild shark habitat. Caleb, Dave, Efraim, Jax, and the crew provide gear, safety guidance, and lively facts while you watch Galapagos and Sandbar sharks through a floating cage. No scuba certification is needed.
“Great unique experience. I’m so glad I got to do something like this. Got to spend about 20 minutes underwater looking at the sharks and they get real close.”
Learn basic scuba skills with instructor Kyle in Honolulu’s sheltered Magic Island Lagoon. After a safety briefing and shallow-water practice, you’ll spend 20 to 30 minutes below the surface in a group of no more than four, with underwater video included.
“Kyle was absolutely phenomenal and made my first scuba diving experience a very amazing one! Despite some bad weather happening it was one of the best experiences! Highly recommend!”
From Haleiwa, One Ocean Diving takes you into open water for a guided shark encounter. Learn shark biology, behavior, body language, and Hawaiian cultural meaning before entering the water. Safety divers assist you, equipment is provided, and the experience lasts about two hours.
“Definitely highly recommend. Just make sure you read the instructions for taken Dramamine😆. Epic experience indeed!”
From Haleiwa Harbor, marine scientists take you about 3 miles offshore for a carefully managed shark encounter. You’ll receive a safety briefing, use provided snorkeling gear, and may help collect data. Guides such as Gina, Tyler, Ethan, Drew, and Haley have been praised for calm support and clear instruction.
“We were so scared but it was an amazing experience, we saw different sharks. The people were really professional all the time.”
Join Dive Oahu from Kewalo Basin Harbor for two guided underwater sites, often including the Sea Tiger wreck and a shallow reef. PADI professionals such as Nacho, Matt, Lindsay, and Jordan lead the outing, with gear, tanks, snacks, and drinks included.
“Very nice, professional dive. Beautiful locations, lots of sea life. I was very impressed, and would dive with this charter again”
Spend four hours aboard a large Oahu dive boat with instructors such as Josh, Chad, Olga, or Red. Beginners receive hands-on training before two shallow open-ocean scuba sessions, where you may see turtles, octopus, rays, eels, reef fish, and sometimes sharks.
“Great experience for my 3 older kids. Complete beginners, but felt very safe. All want to become certified now!”
Join a PADI Professional from Dive Oahu for two shallow reef visits near Honolulu, often including Turtle Canyons, with gear, snacks, and refreshments supplied. Expect depths of 25 to 50 feet, large green sea turtles, reef fish, eels, and a boat group of up to 21 people.
“The team at Dive Oahu really takes care of you the whole way! They’re so friendly, endlessly patient, incredibly knowledgeable, and make your comfort and safety they’re top priority. We can’t wait to come back and dive with them again!”
From Haleiwa, you’ll ride three miles offshore to 250-foot waters for a cage-free shark swim with trained guides. Galapagos sharks are common, tiger sharks may appear, and the 12-person limit keeps the outing personal. Snorkel gear is included, but bring water and seasickness medicine.
“DONT BOOK THIS TOUR! You will waste your money! The company changed the time on me three times, I tried to work around the first time change however I got lost on the bus. I then booked a car TWICE to try and make it. The first time I made it but no one was there, I was not sent a reconfirmation so I showed up at the wrong time and the last time I was 15min late due to being stuck in waikiki trying my hardest to get the car because the company had changed times one me again so I tried to make it however they said they…”
Meet Haleiwa Shark Tours in Haleiwa for a fast boat ride to Oahu’s North Shore shark grounds. You’ll snorkel from a secure cage beside Galapagos and other sharks, with crew such as Captain Derrick, Taylor, Forrest, or Tyler helping you feel at ease. Whales, dolphins, and turtles may appear along the way.
“Had a great tour where there were only 6 members on our boat doing the caged dive so we got more time (around 35 mins) in the water seeing majestic sharks fly by. Truly surreal experience. Thanks to Taylor and the crew who didn’t rush things and were very helpful in explaining things.”
Meet Island View Hawaii’s small boat in Haleiwa for a 90-minute to two-hour North Shore shark swim. A local guide, safety diver, snorkel gear, live commentary, and free photos and videos are included. Watch for dolphins and winter humpback whales.
“One of the most exhilarating experiences imaginable. The crew took such great care and at no time was I ever nervous or afraid. Enjoyed it so much we booked the excursion again the following day. Lots of sharks mostly Galapagos sharks. The crew took pics and videos and gave them to everyone at no cost. I would highly recommend this excursion to one and all.”
Join Waikiki Dive Center for a five-hour, two-tank boat trip to an Oahu wreck and a local reef. You need Advanced Open Water certification or similar deep-water experience. Guides such as Ron, April, Dylan, Yoshi, and Alex have led outings with turtles, eels, octopus, reef fish, and occasional sharks.
“I had a great dive with Dylan and Yoshi! Dylan was very knowledgeable and made sure everyone on our dive was prepared and Yoshi kept everyone safe. The shop was really convenient to get to from anywhere in Waikiki, but the reason I chose this center was because it was a 5 minute walk from my hotel and then they took us to the harbor. We saw lots of Honu and tropical fish on our dives, and the entire team was so helpful with our gear.”
Meet Dive Oahu at Kewalo Basin Harbor for a beginner-friendly scuba outing with a PADI Professional. After one-on-one skills practice, explore Hawaiian reefs at about 30 to 40 feet, often seeing turtles, eels, rays, octopus, and tropical fish. Gear, snacks, and refreshments are included.
“Amazing diving experience! Lindsey was our guide and was great at explaining what to expect, reviewing skills, and guiding us around the reefs. Fantastic experience, the entire boat crew was great. Highly recommend!”
From Haleiwa Harbor, you’ll join a crew of up to six for a two-hour shark safari, with about 45 minutes in the water. The crew covers shark behavior and safety before entry, then guides you near Galapagos sharks and other marine life. Underwater photos and videos are available.
“I took an uber ride to the north shore for the 7am because this had been on my bucket list for a while now and we leave the same day… it was incredible. The crew was down to earth, the random group that was with me was awesome. Everyone had a blast. For a 7am crew we were lively. Now for the sharks….we were surrounded by them. They were far below us and the crew was able to get them to come back around and they were everywhere. I was so close to a few and it was ethereal. Best way to put it. It was hands down the best…”
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