Black Rock - Hawaii - Hawaii

Black Rock, right in front of the Sheraton on Ka'anapali Beach, is our go-to spot when we just want to float with some turtles. Don't expect dramatic drop-offs; the maximum depth is a gentle 11 meters, making it incredibly relaxed. It's essentially a lava rock formation poking out from the sand, and the corals here, like the Starry petaloid, add some nice texture to the submerged rocks. What makes Black Rock a standout is the sheer number of green sea turtles. We consistently see five to ten resident turtles gliding around, munching on algae. They're pretty used to divers, so you can often get a close, respectful look as they cruise past. We’ve also spotted Four-lined wrasse zipping through the coral and the occasional Giant moray peeking out from a crevice. Visibility averages a comfortable 19 meters, making it easy to spot everything. It’s a perfect, easy afternoon dive, especially good for newer divers or when you just want a guaranteed turtle fix without a boat trip. We love doing it as a late afternoon shore dive, watching the sun dip as we dry off.

Location
Hawaii, United States, North America
Coordinates
20.926700, -156.696200
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Honolua-Mokuleia Bay Marine Life Conservation District

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

Nearby Dive Sites in Hawaii

Nearest Dive Centres to Black Rock - Hawaii

Marine Life in Hawaii

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

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Black Rock - 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