The Hawaiian Islands, isolated over 2,000 miles from the nearest major land mass, combine some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes to be found anywhere in the world (above and below water!). Hawaii’s marine world is replete with luminous coral reefs as well as numerous endemic species of reef fish and invertebrates. In these pages, we have documented over 70 shore-accessible reef sites; truly premier locations for dive enthusiasts of all levels!

Hawaii

The ‘Gathering Place’ is the most developed and populous island of Hawai’i. Aside from world-renowned landmarks such as Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, and Pearl Harbor, Oahu offers magnificent beaches affording a multitude of snorkeling and diving opportunities.

You can also find <a href="https://loveoahu.org/activities-things-to-do/snorkeling/">a good curated list with beginner-friendly snorkeling spots for Oahu</a> or <a href="https://tridentadventures.com">Scuba diving adventures in Oahu</a>

Oahu

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States

This is a shore dive from Haleiwa Beach Park and is best accessed by swimming out from Jameson's Restaurant to the green (#3) buoy on the starboard side of the channel. There is a surface layer of poor visibility (2-3 feet) that clears to about 60 feet deeper down. The site is a labyrinth of channels, with walls that run from 25 feet, to within 3 feet of the surface. They are 12 to 15 feet across, and separated by a silt bottom, with the offshore end tapering to a width of one diver. This site is best dived when working in towards the shore. The matrix of pukas is filled with tiny lobster and a number of tiger cowries. Though inaccessible during the day, everything comes out at night for good photography, making this an excellent night dive site. As such, this is an advanced dive site that should be led by a guide.

Haleiwa

Mole Heaven

Fifteen minutes from Haleiwa Harbor at the east end of Dillingham Airfield is a finger of the Wailalua Wall which stretches seaward. On that plateau, about half a mile offshore, rests a large wash rock. The position for diving in varied topography is marked by Devil's Rock which rises four to five feet above the surface. The inshore rock drops suddenly to a sandy bottom and a depth of 70 feet. There are frequent turtle sightings at this spot. One can find shells (such as tiger cowries) in the few 5 to 10 vertical cracks, although these hide the resident lobsters. The washrock provides an excellent snorkeling spot and is also coated in healthy corals. On the seaward side the drop falls to 90 feet and is a good spot for dolphins in the summer and whales in the spring.

Devil's Rock

Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach Park is just to the West of the harbor.  It is an alternate entry site for Hale'iwa shore dive. Enter at the right of the trench (looking makai) and swim to trench and descend to avoid stepping on the coral. Off Kamehameha Highway on the North Shore in the Hale'iwa area.

Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach

Haleiwa Trench has two sections. The first reef goes out from ankle deep to 30' then drops off to about 60'. Heading to the right side of the reef following the wall gets to about 90'.  There is a turtle cleaning station on the top of the reef in 30' of water just past the entry, its a good idea to come back on the top of the reef so you can see it toward the end of your dive.  To the left is shallower heading toward the beach.  This is a wall so there are plenty of nooks to look into.  Turtles also are very abundant.  The second reef which is straight out is pretty much the same just a longer swim but the top is about 30' and a little more interesting.  This is not the place to see anything other than turtles, sea life is sparse but navigation is easy even though the visibility is limited by silting from the nearby river and marina.  Boat traffic does occasionally pass, and small water craft tend to play over the reef.  Bringing a dive flag is mandatory and recommended even though it is rarely enforced.  The site is also a generally ok place to night dive, but the parking lot closes at 10pm.  The neighbouring town of Haleiwa is a great place to go for a deco stop with a variety of restaurants and shops to visit, they close early and are naturally full of tourists. 

Easily accessible from the parking lot next to the restrooms and community centre, past the left side of the building. Enter on the reef until it drops off.

Haleiwa Trench

Police Beach is a remote beach on Oahu's North Shore, even though it lies between other popular surfing beaches. It is not remote in terms of distance, but rather in terms of accessibility. The beach encompasses a large stretch of shoreline, all the way from Papa'iloa Beach to Pua'ena Point. To get to Police Beach, one either has to walk along the shoreline from Papa'iloa Beach or Pua'ena Point Beach Park because the backshore of Police Beach is private property. Episodes of the popular TV series LOST were filmed on Police Beach.  The beach is sandy, but many areas on the water's edge are covered by a lava rock shelf. The ocean bottom offshore is rocky too, so swimming isn't possible here (also because of strong rip currents, especially when the surf is up). Several surf spots are located offshore. Also, local fishermen come here for shoreline fishing.

Police Beach

Located a half-mile off the west end of Kaiaka Bay is a coral reef at depths of 25-30 feet. This site has a variety of overhangs and arches. On top of the shelf there is a large crack that is 60 yards wide by 100 yards long, where a school of 15 to 20 porcupine fish reside. At its center, several formations rise into the arches, tubes and caves. The residents of the formation and the topographical aberration give this site its name, Turtle Street. Six very tame turtles provide an excellent opportunity to photograph these gentle creatures, and the site is nestled with lots of pukas and is good grounds for lobster.

Turtle Street

This site is half the distance from Turtle Street and is inshore. The reef peaks at 10 feet below the surface and, because of seismic activity during its formation, has a valley below it that drops to a depth of 100 feet. The wall is on a vertical drop and it has a partner another 100 yards inshore. The main focus of the site is along a 200 yard section of the seaward side of the wall and its top has a wide variety of fish, corals, overhangs and arches. Small pukas are found through the side of the wall leading to Turtle Street. The characteristic valley is called the Haleiwa Trench. Another attraction is a substantial coral mound, 20 yards off the wall, which seems to be a remnant of the original structure. The pinnacle of this mound is 100 feet wide and stops 35 feet below the surface. About a dozen turtles sit on the mound and are at ease with visiting divers.

Turtle Heaven

This site locally called Three Tables, because of the three flat rock formations just offshore are lava fingers which protrude into the ocean. The left side provides a great view of white tip reef sharks, but is a surface swim to reach the cave where they stay. On the right is a popular site with a huge cave/swim through locally known as Cathedrals. A seasonal long shore current may be present during the high winter surf period (Oct-May) and diving is not recommended with occasional exceptions on calm days. Entry and exits are easy to make, occasionally some dive shops will conduct OW classes at this site.  The best diving is when the swells are 0-3 foot.  This is an excellent site or interesting topography with several caves and swim throughs making for a fun dive for all levels of certification.  The area is also a marine preserve so there is no fishing or hunting on the reef.  Turtles can also be seen throughout the area, occasionally rays, and various inshore fish species. Dive flags are required, but not well enforced.  Some dive/fishing boats also share the water.  

Waimea bay. Shore diving the entire reef is possible if you don't mind a surface swim of about 50-100m (300ft).  Parking is free but limited so an early arrival is recommended.

Three Tables is also known as Kalahopele Gulch.

Three Tables

Three Tables is great as long as you use some caution. It is a small but beautiful sandy beach with access to the best coral on the north shore. Like every spot on the north shore, this is best snorkeled in the summertime when the water is calm. Three Tables beach offers good scenery for the diver: outcropping of lava, a wall, and lava tubes.Off Kamehameha Highway on the North Shore in the Waimea area, just South of Shark's Cove.

Three Tables Beach

Very easy shore dive, local PADI instructors take students here for their open water cert dives. Lots of turtles, fishes... also neat swim-throughs in the reef. Nothing too nasty, maybe the occasional reef shark, though I've never seen one here. A great O'ahu dive. But it's crowded on the summer weekends... though Three Tables (another dive site) is right next door, so there's plenty of space in the water, even if parking is bad.

Shark's Cove at Kalalua Point is another must-dive site for Oahu. The entry is easy, and it's just a short kick to get outside the reef.  Kids and snorkelers will find the cove perfect for their activities. Rocky coastal area & tidal pools teeming with small fish for snorkeling, plus showers & restrooms. Off Kamehameha Highway on the North Shore in the Waimea area.

Why is it called Shark's Cove? Because the outline of the reef from above looks like a shark.

Shark's Cove is also known as Pupukea

Shark's Cove

See my review below. -- Stephen Porter

From h-1 west travel to H-2 north, On H-2 north to Mililani/Wahiawa take exit 8 (right) to Wahiawa/Kamehameha highway (approx 12 miles to Pupukea Beach park/Fire House) Comments for Pictures below: pic#1 At this light turn left pic#2 Across the street from food land pic#3 Pupukea park (before the fire house (station) pic#4 Park here, Try to arrive early. On the far end of the parking lot there are bathrooms, but no shower. There is a spigot to rinse gear. The closest showers are at Shark's Cove.

Mole Heaven

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Mole Heaven

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