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

shore diving .com has a great description:
http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/Hawaii/Oahu/Sharks_Cove/#site

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 is located at Kalalua Point,  Off Kamehameha Highway on the North Shore (Waimea area).

Two entry points from the shore.  1) straight down the little path to the beach from the parking lot.  shore entry, swim out a little ways into the cove... watch out for turtles! 2) "the elevator": facing the ocean, there is a rock jetty jutting out on the right side of the cove.  In the jetty is a large (approximately 10-12ft in diameter) hole which drops to about 20ft or so.  At the bottom of the hole is a short (6ft or so lateral direction) swim-through which will put you out into the cove.  DO NOT ATTEMPT the entry point unless wave conditions are FLAT.  Seriously, my group lost a bit of equipment and almost a diver because of small wave conditions.

NOT A WINTER DIVE (waves will be too large)