Kahala Barge - Hawaii
The Kahala Barge sits upright in about 28 metres of water, a fairly intact wreck that makes for a great intermediate dive. We love this site for its accessibility and how much life has moved in since it was sunk. Swim through the main cargo holds, which are open and easy to navigate, just keep an eye out for the resident moray eels peeking from every crevice. We often spot eagle rays gliding over the deck, their shadows dancing on the sand below. The wreck itself isn't massive, but the growth on the metalwork – thick sponges and small hard corals – has created a vibrant artificial reef. It’s a good spot if you’re looking to get comfortable with wreck penetration in a safe, controlled environment. Our favourite time to dive it is mid-morning, after the earlier boats have left, when the light really streams into the holds.
- Location
- Hawaii, United States, North America
- Coordinates
- 21.250200, -157.751100
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 28m
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
Marine Protected Area: Hanauma 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
- Airplane Canyon - 27m (cave)
- Airport Beach
- Airport Beach (cave)
- Anahola Beach Park
- Aquarium - Hawaii (wreck)
- Aquarium - Hawaii (reef)
- Black Rock - Hawaii (reef)
- Black Rock - Hawaii (reef)
- Cathedral II (reef)
- Cathedrals (cave)
- Corsair Wreck (wreck)
- Edge of the World
- Enenue
- Ewa Pinnacles Reef - 26m (reef)
- Fantasy Reef (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Kahala Barge
- Aaron's Dive Shop - ["PADI"]
- Affinity Freediving
- Aloha Scuba Diving Company - ["PADI"]
- Aquatic Life Divers - ["PADI"]
- Black Rock Scuba - ["PADI"]
- Blue Wilderness Dive Adventures Corp. - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in Hawaii
Home to 23 recorded species including 17 reef fish, 3 other, 2 sharks & rays, 1 whales & dolphins.
Notable Species
- Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) - Reef Fish
- Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) - Reef Fish
- Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) - Reef Fish
- Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) - Reef Fish
- Escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum) - Reef Fish
- Allison's Tuna (Thunnus albacares) - Reef Fish
- Barracuda (Acanthocybium solandri) - Reef Fish
- Blue Shark (Prionace glauca) - Sharks & Rays
- Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
- Remora (Remora remora) - Reef Fish
- Flyingfish (Hirundichthys speculiger) - Reef Fish
- Albacore (Thunnus atlanticus) - Reef Fish
- Blue Flying Fish (Exocoetus volitans) - Reef Fish
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Stripy (Katsuwonus pelamis) - Reef Fish
- Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
- Fourwing Flyingfish (Hirundichthys affinis) - Reef Fish
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) - Reef Fish
- Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Kahala Barge
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