Island Divers Hawaii Kai

Snorkel with Turtles

Snorkel with Turtles departs from Hawaii Kai, where guests check in at the shop, sign waivers, and meet their guide before heading to the boat behind the building. The captain gives a safety briefing at the dock, then the boat heads out into Maunalaua Bay. On the way, the guide explains what to expect in the water. The boat ties up to a mooring and guides help everyone enter the water, pointing out where to look for Hawaiian sea turtles and other reef life. Extra flotation is available for weaker swimmers, and guides stay in the water throughout. This tour suits first-timers and anyone with basic swimming ability, since instruction is included along with all snorkeling equipment, flotation devices, a floating pad, light snacks, and water. After time in the water, guests return to the boat and the guide recaps what everyone saw on the way back to the marina. Bring a bathing suit, towel, and sunscreen, as those are not provided. GoPros are available to rent separately. The tour is weather dependent, so conditions can affect departure.

Private Sunset Cruise (up to 30 pax only $699)

Two Tank Wreck and Drift Dive

The first dive goes deep, typically to a wreck, and the second is a shallower reef or drift dive. The operator has several wrecks in the bay, along with sea caves and deep walls that the boat can reach from this location. Full rental gear is included, so divers do not need to bring their own equipment. The crew handles gear setup and switching between dives so divers can focus on the water. During the surface interval between dives, light snacks and water are available on board. After the final dive, hot towels are provided for the ride back to the marina. Participants must hold at least an Open Water certification and be in good health. Sunscreen and a personal towel are worth bringing, as neither is provided. The charter runs rain or shine, though the captain may reschedule or cancel if wind or swell conditions make it unsafe.

Two Tank Shallow Reef Dives

Divers head out to two shallow reef sites, completing the deeper of the two dives first, then resting aboard during a surface interval before the second dive. The trip suits certified divers returning to the water after a break, those completing open water referral dives, and first-timers trying a guided intro dive. Full rental gear is included, and the crew switches equipment between dives. Light snacks and water are provided onboard, and hot towels are handed out after the final dive. A Nitrox upgrade is available for those who want it. Meet the guide at the shop, sign waivers, and try on rental gear before loading onto the boat. Bring sunscreen and a towel, as neither is provided. Signing the waiver before arrival speeds up check-in. A GoPro camera is available to rent separately if capturing the dives is a priority.

3 Tank Dive

The operator has a selection of wrecks to choose from, along with sea caves and deep walls. When weather allows, the boat heads east to sites that are rarely visited. The day starts at the shop on Keahole Street, where divers sign waivers and try on rental gear including wetsuits, fins, and a mask. A captain delivers a safety briefing before departure, and a dive guide leads each dive and provides a site briefing beforehand. Between dives, snacks and water are available on board during the surface interval. After the final dive, hot towels are provided for the ride back to the marina. Full rental gear is included, and a Nitrox upgrade is available. Divers need to be Open Water certified, in good health, and comfortable in the water. The tour runs rain or shine, though the captain may cancel for high winds or heavy swell and will reschedule or refund when that happens.

Night Dive

Island Divers Hawaii Kai runs this night dive out of Hawaii Kai on Oahu. The dive is rated at a moderate difficulty and physical intensity level, so participants should feel at ease in the water before signing up. No food or drinks are provided on the tour, so bringing personal beverages and snacks is a good idea, along with a bathing suit and a towel. Before showing up, everyone needs to review the operator's health and medical waiver. Anyone who answers yes to qualifying health questions and is completing training must arrive with a physician's signed approval. The operator notes that cancellations cannot be made by email, so reaching out through another channel is necessary if plans change. Travel insurance is worth considering for anyone who sees a real chance of scheduling conflicts or health concerns coming up close to the departure date. The cancellation policy does not change for illness, travel plan changes, or inability to complete a dive during the outing itself.

Whale Watching

Island Divers Hawaii Kai runs humpback whale watching boat tours out of Hawaii Kai on Oahu, departing from a meeting point in the Hawaii Kai area of Honolulu. The tours operate on a seasonal schedule, with charters running from around the Christmas holiday period through mid-April, and the peak of whale activity falling in the middle of that window. Photos from the cruise are delivered digitally after the trip. Beyond humpback whales, the operator notes that other sea life such as flying fish, green sea turtles, spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, sea birds, and occasionally a Hawaiian monk seal may appear on the water. Children under a certain weight must bring their own child life jacket, as the operator does not provide them, and infants are not permitted onboard.