Jul

8

There was a time when you probably thought scuba diving was exclusively, truth is nothing else gets you as close to marine life and the aquatic underworld as scuba diving.

Across the globe, there are several notable locations for scuba diving, one of which is Kauai- the oldest and one of the most fascinating Islands in Hawaii. In fact, there are only a few places on earth that can match the majestic beauty and splendour that Kauai is known for. No wonder it is called the Garden Isle. The good thing is, this beauty is evident on land, atop the magnificent hills, at the beach and deep within the oceans and lakes. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, here are the basics.

 

Many have had the opportunity to snorkel, but they find they long to stay and spend more time in the environment with the local wildlife. If you intend to go out on the ocean and take a dive in, Kauai presents a beautiful option as one of the most rugged scuba diving destinations in Hawaii and even beyond for both novice and experienced divers.

Why Kauai?

Kauai, with its neighbour Niihau, are a great scuba diving spot for many reasons. We can talk about their extraordinary underwater topography, crystal-clear visibility and amazing aquatic species that you’re likely to spot. If you do gain access to the privately owned ‘Forbidden Island’ Niihau, just 17 miles (27 km) from the coast of Kauai, you’re sure to find endangered species like the Hawaiian monk seal frolicking playfully in their protected habitat.

Monk seal and diver

Advanced divers can enjoy the more adventurous day trips between May and September each year. But if it’s your first time or you’re still learning the ropes, Kauai’s southern shores offer a great opportunity to explore the deep. The underwater terrain in Kauai is unique, with breathtaking sights like caverns and incredible lava tube formations, volcanic ridges, and other mind blowing terrains where you’ll typically find white-tip sharks, rainbow tropical fish and sea turtles. The longnose hawkfish and Hawaiian Turkeyfish are some of the micro critters that abound here too.

Author: Nick Azedeh explore kauai scuba

Favourite spots for amazing scuba diving

  • Sheraton Caverns: This takes top spot for me for the simple fact that it is the most requested dive site in Kauai. With depths reaching 60 feet at some spots and little current, if any, this is a dive spot for divers of all experience levels. The site is off Poipu beach and diving from a boat is the most likely option for you. You’re sure to spot a sight of green sea turtles and blue-stripe snappers as you swim through the exotic, sunlit caverns.

 

  • Vertical Awareness: If you’ve never spotted a Hawaiian monk seal, taking a dive at the Vertical Awareness may just be your best chance. There are just over 1,000 of these rare mammals left on earth and many them are found here. The impressive clarity and jaw-dropping underwater landscape, coupled with sheer drop-offs are some of the highlights of this adventure. Giant trevally, Sandbar sharks and rock-boring urchins are other sights you won’t miss.

 

  • Turtle Bluffs-Fish Bowl-General Store: There is an order to this last spot on our list and it is due to prevailing currents. Sometimes, the reverse is the case. These three are done as a drift dive and you’re sure to be rewarded with sights of caves and overhangs, as well as lots of fish, with some sharks, turtles and black coral trees in your way or gliding through.

 

Some Scuba Diving Services in Kauai

Seasport Divers offers great trips to beautiful locations in Kauai, including the forbidden Island of Niihau.

 

Kauai Down Under Scuba is popular among expert divers and first time adventurers as well.

 

Bubbles Below Scuba Charters offers amazing scuba diving services across the three major areas of Kauai, Niihau, and Na Pali.

 

Garden Isle Divers are big on paying detailed attention to each driver and like to travel with small teams of divers. They are also crazy about fun and adventure.

 

Explore Kauai Scuba, LLC is another which promises the time of a lifetime, 6 divers (or less) at a time.

Aug

9

Great Barrier Reef. If you want somewhere without tourists, then you have to dig deep in your pockets…. Australia’s Gold Coast is huge and you will definitely find somewhere along there.

But the real gems in Australia diving are not the best known ones.

I really enjoy diving in Port Phillip Bay in Victoria, there is an abundance and variety of dive sites from beginner to jaded professional. Just out of the heads in Bass Strait are some of the best dives in the the world, the charter market and rentals are competitive and safe.

Aug

2

I hear you can charter a boat in SF for around 2K and they will take you out by Angel Island where the Great Whites are and let you go down in a cage and photograph them and take pictures.
Have you done this? whats it like?

Jun

16

Shark Dive Osprey Reef Australia. Diving off the Taka Dive Boat.

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Jun

16

http://www.scubadivergirls.com/ Scuba Diver Girls welcome a new member, Neta! The girls dive on June 12th 2009 and have a great time! It was a little murky going down, but once down…we saw incredible marine life! But the best thing? We got up close and personal with an 8ft shark! Continued…

Jun

9

Wildside Encounters host Luke Tipple leads an expedition to Isla Guadalupe onboard the Nautilus explorer for Sharkdiver.com. Some great shark footage as well as tricky conditions on the island.

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Jun

9

female scuba diver scuba diving with sharks in the caribbean

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Jun

9

Isla Guadalupe is rapidly becoming the World’s Best Destination to dive with Great White Sharks. It hosts one of the most prolific populations of White Sharks on the planet. What makes Isla Guadalupe the greatest White Shark diving destination is not only the abundance of White Sharks, but the water you will find them in! The temperature averages 65 to 70 degrees F. It is simply Shark Diver Heaven!
On these spectacular five day expeditions, you will find yourself on board the 95′ Searcher, one of San Diego’s finest long range sportfishing/diving vessels. The Searcher boasts gourmet dining and excellent live-aboard accommodations! (ALL PRIVATE CABINS) Not only will you experience the best shark diving on the planet, Continued…

Jun

9

Scuba Diving in Bora Bora. Steve is working the camera, and Andrea has the pink fins and the blue swim cap. The big fish that swims around with us is a Napoleon Wrasse. Also, there are lots of sharks around us!

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Jun

9

SHARK DIVING em Roatan.
WAIHUKA DIVING

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Jun

9

Scuba diving in Similan Islands, thailand, mike ball liveaboard coral sea, cairns, shark dive, fiji shark dive and farne islands, uk, friendly seals, bull sharks, grey reef sharks, white tip reef, groupers, mantas, moray eels, whale sharks

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Jun

9

U/W Video

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Jun

9

Scuba dive in the world’s largest aquarium with four whale sharks, a hammer head, sawfish, zebra sharks, leopard whip rays, giant grouper and thousands of other amazing fish!

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Jun

9

Swimming with Whale Sharks in Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia
whale shark diving

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Jun

9

Scene from thunderball showing sean connery (007) scuba diving near shark infested waters

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Jun

9


I don't think you need a cage do you on the south coast. I think down near near Portsmouth and also Dorset there are Basking sharks but they pose no threat to humans, you could cage dive in South Africa with great white sharks though.

Jun

9

This clip is the actual shark dive itself, with 5 tiger sharks and around 40 blacktip sharks.

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Jun

9

Watch a 15 foot tiger shark caught on 3 cameras in June 2007. Beqa Fiji with Aqua-Trek

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Jun

3

Whale Shark Dive near Tori Station Okinawa. 6 April 07
TeamMares & Mike Reilly

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Jun

3

Bahamas scuba diving trip with lots of sharks!

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May

26

I believe this is done near California. Can anyone tell me if the have done it and what it was like and the costs etc. I'm planning to come to America within the next 6 months. Additionally you can travel to South Australia and go cage diving with great whites with the team from Calypso Star at Port Lincln

Thanks

I have been out with the great whites and it is a lifetime memory.

May

26

Diving off the coast of the north shore of Oahu.

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May

26

Filmed in Jardines de La Reina, south of Cuba in January 2007.

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May

24

I'm diving at Fish Rock Cave, Australia shortly and there are schools of very large grey nurse sharks that live there. Are these sharks dangerous to swim with? Should I be worried? Continued…

May

24

paolo alfredo extreme shark dive australia squalo nurse

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