Diving in Hawaii

Best Time to Dive in Hawaii

The warmest water temperatures in Hawaii occur in September, averaging 29.0°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 25.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

• January: 26.2°C
• February: 25.7°C
• March: 25.6°C
• April: 26.0°C
• May: 26.8°C
• June: 27.6°C
• July: 27.9°C
• August: 28.5°C
• September: 29.0°C
• October: 28.6°C
• November: 27.9°C
• December: 27.2°C

Marine Life in Hawaii

Home to 23 recorded species including 17 reef fish, 3 other, 2 sharks & rays, 1 whales & dolphins.

Dive Site Difficulty in Hawaii

Hawaii has 9 beginner, 7 intermediate, 1 expert dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for Hawaii

Based on average water temperature of 27.2°C, currents 9 cm/s.

• Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
• Mask - essential for every dive
• Fins
• BCD - buoyancy compensator
• Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
• Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
• Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
• Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
• Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in Hawaii

• Kealakekua Bay Marine Life Conservation District - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Hanauma Bay Marine Life Conservation District - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
• Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
• Kalaupapa National Historical Park - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
• Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Manahoa Rock, Pauwalu Point - Wildlife Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Pauwalu Point - Wildlife Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Kanaha Rock - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Kaohikaipu Island - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Kekepa Island - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Kihewamoku Island - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Kukuihoolua Island - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Kukuipalaoa - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Manana Island - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Mokohola - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Mokolea Rock - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Moku Manu (north) Island - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Moku Puku - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Mokualai Island - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Mokuauia Island - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Mokuho'oniki - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Mokulua Island - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Mokumanu - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Molokini Seabird Sanctuary, Light - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Nanahoa - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Paoakalani - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Pa'u O Nu'akea - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Popoia Island State - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Pulemoku Rock - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Pu'upehe - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, 'alau - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island; Hulu - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island; Keopuka Rock - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island; Moke'ehina - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island; Papanui O Kane - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Kaena Point - Natural Area Reserve (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Kaemi - State Lands (IUCN Category VI)
• Offshore Island, Mokolea Rock - State Lands (IUCN Category VI)
• Offshore Island, Mokupapapa - State Lands (IUCN Category VI)
• Offshore Islets - State Lands (IUCN Category VI)
• Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Kaho'olawe Island Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Offshore Island - State Lands (IUCN Category VI)
• He'eia National Estuarine Research Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Honolua-Mokuleia Bay Marine Life Conservation District - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
• Lapakahi Marine Life Conservation District - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Manele-Hulopoe Marine Life Conservation District - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Moku-o-loe Island (Coconut Island) Marine Laboratory Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
• Old Kona Airport Marine Life Conservation D Airport - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• 'Ahihi Kina'u - Natural Area Reserve (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Moku Manu (south) Island - Seabird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Offshore Island, Pauwalu Point Wildlife Sanctuary, Moku Mana Seabird San - Wildlife Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
• Hanauma Bay State - Underwater Park (IUCN Category V)
• Waialea Bay Marine Life Conservation District - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)

Getting to Hawaii - Nearest Airports

• Lanai Airport (LNY), Lanai City - 5 km away, approx 21 min travel time
• Kahului International Airport (OGG), Kahului - 60 km away, approx 81 min travel time
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Honolulu, Oahu - 112 km away, approx 138 min travel time