Black Sand Beach

When surf conditions are low, the entry is very easy. Watch carefully for this gate.

Disclaimer: I actually did this as a boat dive. I did a 2-tank with Ed Robinson's and this was our second dive after Molokini Wall. They dropped us in about 200 yards off the shore near the south shore, then we swam around the point where they picked us up. This was a decent dive with good life. Ed's recommends this as a boat dive because of potential current that could, 'Sweep you out to Tahiti.' It was nice as a boat dive because we could just keep diving and they picked us up at a different point, preventing the typical out/back format. For content, some great viz, lots of fish, good coral formations, couple eels, and a couple blowfish.

This is a fun site but due to regular currents I would only recommend fairly advance divers dive here. Head to the south side of the beach and continue south over the reef. Most of the better parts of the reef are in only 15 to 30 feet of water. Great site for turtles. As you're doing this dive be very conscious of the current, it usually pulls south. This current can make the swim back to the beach difficult to impossible. Might I suggest starting your dive just a little farther south at Pu'u Olai Beach (Little Beach) instead?

Oct.13,2004 28'/81*F/30-40'vis. Watched 2 divers exit from a very small slot between rocks (across from tree at parking area.) Entry can be tricky and don't suggest it for beginners. We surface swam (over gorgeous coral) left toward point for 1/4 mile where we anchored dive flag in 25' FSW. We followed the coast (into a mild current) around quite a ways where it was mostly rocks, broken lava tubes and not much coral. We saw many whitemouth morays and a zebra moray. We turned around and cruised back with the current. We had enough air to explore the coral back to the beach and it was really fantastic. Near the beach we saw several Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles and another Zebra Moray. We aligned ourselves with the tree (and the car) and found the exit point. BTW, we tried to dive this spot again the next day but the waves were too big. A nice place for snorkelers and divers. Road a little rough but no 4x4 needed. No facilities but there are porta potties at the next beach.

Dove Black Sand beach the other day with visiting family members. If you get here early in the morning, the conditions are usually good. However, once 10am comes, vis will drop and the waves will start picking up. Diving to the right (towards Maluaka) is great with lots of structure and fish. The middle area is somewhat sparse. The area to the left can be snorkeled all the way around to Pu'u Olai, but only if the current is weak. Great fish, turtles, and even Pelagic fish come in on this side. There have been a few Tiger Shark sightings in the area, so use caution and don't dive it on murky days.

Great site. Entered a cavern with at least a 400 lb turtle. Many eels and scorpion fish

This site is often dove from boats, but a few locals dive it from the Black Sand Beach on the north side of Red Hill. One of the strongest currents I've encountered off Maui can often be found here. Best diving is to the south. I swim out on the surface for 300 yards to where the reef drops to 15 feet or so. Manta rays often feed here in the daytime. In the winter time, you're likely to see humpback whales (at least from the shore) and hear them underwater! If you swim far enough south (past the first 4 or 5 ridges, you'll find a shallow cave that is sometimes home to a white tip reef shark, turtles, and squirrelfish. Don't dive here if the waves are more than a couple of feet.