Keauhou Bay - Hawaii

Mikadini is one of our favourite drifts on Mafia’s eastern side, a gentle push along a coral slope that bottoms out around 19 metres. What we love here are the colours – it’s not just the corals, but the sheer volume of parrotfish, surgeonfish, and angelfish, all munching away, keeping the reef healthy. You’ll drift past schools of fusiliers so thick they momentarily dim the light, then find yourself eyeball-to-eyeball with a curious leopard hind tucked into a coral head. The current is usually just enough to make you feel like you’re flying, without having to kick much. Keep an eye out into the blue too; we’ve had some cracking encounters with Allison’s tuna shooting past. This site is a great pick for divers who enjoy a relaxed drift and appreciate the constant, busy hum of a healthy reef.

Location
Hawaii, United States, North America
Coordinates
19.561100, -155.964300
Type
drift

Marine Protected Area: Kealakekua 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 Keauhou Bay

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 Keauhou Bay

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical diving depths at Keauhou Bay, and how deep do the manta ray night dives usually go?
Diving at Keauhou Bay is generally not too deep, with a stated maximum depth of 17 meters (approximately 56 feet). The description also mentions a maximum of 30 feet for a nice, clear water dive. While manta rays are a highlight of night dives here, the specific depth for these encounters is not provided, but they would occur within the bay's typical depth range.
What kind of marine life and underwater features, such as coral or lava tubes, can divers expect to see in Keauhou Bay?
Divers at Keauhou Bay can anticipate a rich variety of marine life. At night, expect to see magnificent manta rays. During the day, there's a possibility to encounter octopus, dolphins, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, and various typical reef fish. The provided information does not specify unique underwater features like coral gardens or lava tubes.
Is Keauhou Bay considered a good dive site for beginner scuba divers, or is it more suitable for experienced divers?
Keauhou Bay is officially rated with an intermediate difficulty, suggesting it's more suitable for divers with some experience rather than absolute beginners. While it offers an easy beach entry and is not overly deep, divers should be mindful of boat traffic in the middle of the bay. This combination points to a site that requires a certain level of awareness and skill beyond entry-level.
When is the best time of year and day to scuba dive at Keauhou Bay for optimal conditions and marine life encounters?
The data specifically highlights different marine life encounters based on the time of day at Keauhou Bay. Night dives are renowned for sightings of manta rays, while daytime dives offer the chance to see octopus, dolphins, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, and typical reef fish. Information regarding the best time of year for optimal conditions or specific marine life encounters is not provided.
What scuba diving certifications are required to dive at Keauhou Bay, particularly for the famous manta ray night dive?
The provided data for Keauhou Bay does not specify particular scuba diving certifications required for diving here, nor for the famous manta ray night dive. However, given its intermediate difficulty rating and designation as a drift dive, divers should possess appropriate training and experience for such conditions. It's always recommended to check with local dive operators for specific certification requirements.
What are the typical water conditions, including currents and visibility, like for diving in Keauhou Bay?
Divers at Keauhou Bay can expect generally nice, clear water conditions. The average visibility is quite good at 18 meters (approximately 60 feet). The dive site is characterized as a drift dive, indicating that currents are typically present and should be anticipated by divers. Additionally, caution is advised due to boat traffic in the middle of the bay.