Dive Review of
Waikiki Diving in
Hawaii/Oahu

California, Baja, Carribean, Bahamas

Dive Conditions

Generally enforced time limits - i. e., first one out of air means everyone
comes up.  

Although there are some interesting things to photograph, you're on your
own for any support.  No buckets or tables for cameras.  

Overall Rating

Oahu diving is mostly geared to the "intro to scuba" people,
based on my 6 dive trips there.  They are not used to experienced people
with good air consumption, I routinely surfaced with 1500 psi.   There are
3 main areas for diving at Oahu - west side, Waikiki, and Maunalua Bay. 
The west side has only a few good sites and is a long way from Waikiki -
over an hour drive.  If you must go there dive with Ocean Concepts. 
Waikiki has some interesting spots, some prepared wrecks and a few nice
reefs.  Maunalua Bay has the most spots and some are very good.  My
personal favorites are Fantasy Reef, the Corsair, and Sea Cave.  The North
shore is diveable only in summer, and then from the shore.  Most of the
operators don't have their own boats so charter space from a few boat
captains.  This is fine if you like mixed crowds.  The previous dive
company I went with (who is now out of business) used this approach and I
had no problem with it.  Waikiki Diving has their own boat which is 27'
long and can hold a maximum of 10 divers, which they launch from Maunalua
Bay.  If the wind is blowing (which is pretty much a given in Hawaii),
you're in for a wild ride if they go to the outer sites.  They didn't have
a camera bucket except on 1 of the 4 trips I went with them, and they also
didn't provide any water after diving (a real oversight in my opinion). 
They did try to accomodate our preferences for sites, depending on the
wind.  They also will pick you up at your hotel, and then take you to their
shop to fill out paperwork, pick up any gear you might need, and then drive
you to the boat.  If you have your own stuff, this is a real waste of time,
so sleep in and just meet them at the boat.  On two of the trips they used
63 cubic foot tanks on the second dives, which were shallow, in order to
cut bottom time.  This is really tacky in my opinion.  To summarize, if you
are a serious diver, avoid Oahu and go to Maui or Kona.  If you are forced
to dive Oahu, Waikiki Diving is OK, but certainly not great. 

Questions?
Send an email to the author of this report

What others have to say about Undercurrent
And get immediate access to ALL 405 dive reviews of Hawaii
and all other dive destinations immediately!