BEST OF · SCUBA DIVING IN THE USA

The 15 Best Scuba Dives in the USA

64 dives  ·  from $65 a head

Hawaii carries most of it: lava arches off Lanai, turtle cleaning stations off Maui, and shark cages on the Oahu North Shore. The 15 below add the Florida Keys wrecks, priced and clear on which ones want a certification card.

First-Time Scuba Diving in Honolulu + Free Videos - Meeting at Magic Island Lagoon
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First-Time Scuba Diving in Honolulu + Free Videos

1.First-Time Scuba Diving in Honolulu + Free Videos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,123 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89Our pick

Meet your instructor at Magic Island Lagoon for a safety lesson, gear fitting, and a calm underwater session to about 15 feet. No certification or swimming experience is required, but you must feel comfortable in the water. Guides such as Alex, Nick, Danny, and Rida provide close support and free videos.

“Everyone here was so helpful and very calming since this was my first time and I was very anxious. We got as much of this experience needed and I’m grateful. Thank you for the great service and working with me patiently. Love our experience 💜”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Oahu Shark Dive - A Clear Briefing Before You Enter the Cage
Scuba Diving Around the World, Scuba Diving in Oahu, Scuba Diving in the USA, Shark Diving, Tour Reviews

Oahu Shark Dive

2.Oahu Shark Dive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,903 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

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.”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Oahu: Shark Cage Dive on the North Shore - Leaving Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor
Scuba Diving Around the World, Scuba Diving in Oahu, Scuba Diving in the USA, Shark Diving, Tour Reviews

Oahu: Shark Cage Dive on the North Shore

3.Oahu: Shark Cage Dive on the North Shore

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,485 reviews · 1h 30m · from $99

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. 🦈🦈🦈”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Shark Cage Diving on Oahu’s North Shore - The 15-Minute Ride to the Shark Site
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Shark Cage Diving on Oahu’s North Shore

4.Shark Cage Diving on Oahu’s North Shore

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,391 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $100

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.”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Beginner Scuba Diving Experience with Video Package in Honolulu - Shallow-water practice before going below the surface
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Beginner Scuba Diving Experience with Video Package in Honolulu

5.Beginner Scuba Diving Experience with Video Package in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 877 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $77

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!”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Safe and Educational Shark Dive from Haleiwa: Sharks Guaranteed - Meeting at Haleiwa Commercial Loading Dock
Scuba Diving Around the World, Scuba Diving in Oahu, Scuba Diving in the USA, Shark Diving, Tour Reviews

Safe and Educational Shark Dive from Haleiwa: Sharks Guaranteed

6.Safe and Educational Shark Dive from Haleiwa: Sharks Guaranteed

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 553 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $165

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!”

Dates and spaces →The full review

2 Tank Lanai Cathedral Scuba Dive Via Boat for Certified Divers - The crossing from Maui to Lanai
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2 Tank Lanai Cathedral Scuba Dive Via Boat for Certified Divers

7.2 Tank Lanai Cathedral Scuba Dive Via Boat for Certified Divers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 548 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $306

Meet Dive Maui at 6:30 AM for a boat ride from Lahaina to Lanai, where certified scuba guests make two descents of up to 60 minutes. Expect caverns, arches, lava formations, swim-throughs, possible whales and dolphins, and guides such as Abbi, Jess, Brian, or Scott.

“Abby & Jess are the two best dive masters! Very impressive knowledge of all the marine life. Good quality rental gear. Beautiful scenery! Highly recommend.”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Wreck and Bridge Span Dive for Certified Divers - What the four-hour schedule feels like
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Wreck and Bridge Span Dive for Certified Divers

8.Wreck and Bridge Span Dive for Certified Divers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 521 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $115

Join Panama City Diving for two underwater sites in the 50 to 75 foot range. Certified divers explore a shipwreck and bridge span with guide Ben, modest current, and snacks, fruit, water, and Gatorade aboard. Rental scuba gear costs extra.

“Safety is the key word for this dive shop. Set my mind at ease being by myself for the dive to say the least. The DM (Ben) could not have been more accommodating to the less experienced onboard. He (and the boat captain) made sure everyone knew how to use not only the rental gear, but also customers own gear that they weren’t sure how to setup. Visibility was decent given the recent storms (15-25’). All in all, definitely recommend for the novice as well as beginners in the diving world.”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Dive with Sharks in Hawaii: Shark Tour from Haleiwa - Safety divers help you find your nerve
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Dive with Sharks in Hawaii: Shark Tour from Haleiwa

9.Dive with Sharks in Hawaii: Shark Tour from Haleiwa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 468 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $153

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.”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Certified Diver: 2-Tank Deep Wreck and Shallow Reef Dive Off Oahu - The Sea Tiger wreck at about 105 feet
Dives for Certified Divers, Reef Diving, Scuba Diving Around the World, Scuba Diving in Oahu, Scuba Diving in the USA, Tour Reviews, Two-Tank Dives, Wreck Diving

Certified Diver: 2-Tank Deep Wreck and Shallow Reef Dive Off Oahu

10.Certified Diver: 2-Tank Deep Wreck and Shallow Reef Dive Off Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 331 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $248

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”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Incredibly Fun Coral Reef Giant Sea Turtles 4hour Boat Scuba Tour - The boat ride and group setup
Cruises & Boat Tours, Diving with Turtles, Reef Diving, Scuba Diving Around the World, Scuba Diving in Oahu, Scuba Diving in the USA, Tour Reviews, Tours

Incredibly Fun Coral Reef Giant Sea Turtles 4hour Boat Scuba Tour

11.Incredibly Fun Coral Reef Giant Sea Turtles 4hour Boat Scuba Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 300 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $299

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!”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Certified Diver: 2-Tank Shallow Reef Dives off Oahu - Kaiser’s, Turtle Canyons, and Secrets
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Certified Diver: 2-Tank Shallow Reef Dives off Oahu

12.Certified Diver: 2-Tank Shallow Reef Dives off Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 278 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $141

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!”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Manatee Snorkel Tour from American Pro Diving Center - The boat ride across Crystal River
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Manatee Snorkel Tour from American Pro Diving Center

13.Manatee Snorkel Tour from American Pro Diving Center

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 265 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $65Best value

Set out from American Pro Diving Center in Crystal River for a three-and-a-half-hour manatee tour. You’ll receive a wetsuit, mask, fins, and snorkel, then follow an in-water guide to Three Sisters Springs and other King’s Bay spots. Manatees are wild, so sightings and visibility vary.

“Great tour company, everyone was helpful. We learned a lot about manatees and all facts about the area. Melissa was awesome! We saw the most manatee that day.”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Intro/Refresher Dive Swim Ability Required - Learning the basics before entering the water
Scuba Diving Around the World, Scuba Diving in Maui, Scuba Diving in the USA, Tour Reviews

Intro/Refresher Dive Swim Ability Required

14.Intro/Refresher Dive Swim Ability Required

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 248 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $239

Meet at 65 Kai Ala Drive in Lahaina for a two-hour beginner scuba session with a certified instructor. You will learn basic skills, use provided equipment, and explore Maui’s underwater life in a group of no more than four. Strong swimming ability and good health are required.

“Awesome experience! Saw a lot fishes and turtle! I would defiantly recommend this experience. The instructors were very helpful.”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Shark-Dive Tour on Oahu's North Shore - How the two-hour schedule feels
Scuba Diving Around the World, Scuba Diving in Oahu, Scuba Diving in the USA, Shark Diving, Tour Reviews, Tours

Shark-Dive Tour on Oahu’s North Shore

15.Shark-Dive Tour on Oahu’s North Shore

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 240 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $135

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…”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Just written up in Scuba Diving in the USA

★ 4.6Panama City Beach: Beginners Scuba Diving TourFrom $9923
★ 4.8Oahu: Wreck & Reef Scuba Dive for Certified DiversFrom $24817
★ 5.0Oahu: Shallow Reef Scuba Dive for Certified DiversFrom $24811
★ 4.6Oahu: Shark Cage Diving ExperienceFrom $9746
★ 3.6Oahu Night Dive: Adventure for Certified DiversFrom $2486
★ 4.9Oahu: Cageless Shark Dive AdventureFrom $12160
★ 4.8Oahu: Beginner SCUBA Dive at Electric BeachFrom $17510
★ 5.0Kauai: Morning 2 Tank Boat Dive for Experienced DiversFrom $2595
★ 4.8Miami Beach: Guided 2-Tank Reef and Wreck Dive TripFrom $10713
★ 5.0Maui: Small Group Shark & Turtle Scuba Dive from ShoreFrom $12815
★ 5.0Maui: Eco-Friendly Conservation Scuba Dive Certified DiversFrom $1992
★ 5.0Maui: Intro to Scuba Diving from Shore – LahainaFrom $1606
★ 4.7Maui: Beginner Discovery Scuba Dive Excursion from LahainaFrom $23846
★ 5.0Key Largo: Molasses Reef Novice to Intermediate DiveFrom $1342
★ 4.4Kauai: Shore Diving at Koloa Landing, PoipuFrom $1533

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