Waikiki Dive Center

Magnificent 2 Tank Shipwreck and/or Reef Boat Dive - Certified Only

Dive Certifications

Waikiki Dive Center offers PADI certification training for divers at every level, from complete beginners to those pursuing professional credentials. Classes meet at a Honolulu address in Waikiki and cover a wide range of courses, including introductory dives, open water and advanced open water certifications, rescue diving, divemaster training, instructor development, technical diving, rebreather and sidemount courses, freediving, and CPR and first aid. The center also accepts eligible G.I. Bill benefits for vocational scuba training, making it an option for veterans seeking professional certification. Schedules are flexible and can be tailored to individual goals, and a private option is available. Physical intensity is moderate, and the program is weather dependent. Meals, transport, and gratuity are not included. The meeting point is on Nahua Street in Honolulu, Hawaii. Anyone considering a course should confirm medical requirements in advance, complete any required PADI eLearning before the first class day, and plan to arrive early enough to check in on time.

Extremely Fun, 2 Tank Reef Boat Dives - Certified & Beginners Welcome

This tour with Waikiki Dive Center takes both certified divers and beginners out by boat to explore two natural coral reefs off Oahu. The crew selects from several sites, including Angler Reef, known for its many varieties of octopus as well as spotted eagle rays and frogfish; Nautilus Reef, where octopuses and giant eels are common; and Kewalo Pipe/Horseshoe Reef, home to large schools of barracuda and enormous morays. Sea turtles and Hawaiian fish are also frequently encountered during the dives. All divers meet at the Waikiki Dive Center shop on Nahua Street in Honolulu. All diving gear and equipment are included, though divers may bring their own wetsuit if preferred. Pack a swimsuit, sunscreen, a towel, and a waterproof camera. A GoPro rental and a private photographer option are available at the shop. Beginner divers must complete a PADI medical questionnaire before check-in.

2 Hour Waikiki Sunset Cruise - BYOB

This sunset cruise departs from Kewalo Basin in Honolulu, heading out along the Waikiki Coast aboard the Maka Koa. The trip wraps up as the sun goes down, so the exact check-in time shifts with the season and the operator recommends confirming current times directly with the shop before arrival. Juice, soda, water, and a snack mix are provided. Guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol if they choose, which is where the BYOB name comes from. A few practical details are worth knowing ahead of time. The meeting point is Slip B2 at Kewalo Basin. Cancellations must be handled by phone directly with Waikiki Dive Center, as email cancellations are not accepted. For smaller groups, the deadline to cancel and receive a full refund falls a set number of days before the scheduled trip, while private charters and larger groups follow a different timeline.

Pelagic Bioluminescent Night Dive - Certified Only

Hawaii AIDA Freedive Beginner and Certification

Waikiki Dive Center runs this AIDA freediving course through classroom study, confined-water practice, and open-water sessions in the ocean. Students learn breathing and relaxation techniques, equalization for depth, static and dynamic apnea, body positioning, finning, and buddy safety procedures. No prior freediving experience is required for entry-level certification. The course is offered in English and Mandarin Chinese, making it accessible to a range of participants. It suits snorkelers, spearfishers, underwater photographers, and those who want to build breath-hold skills in a structured setting. Participants must be able to swim a set distance without stopping. Younger participants need a parent or guardian's consent to enroll. Meeting and check-in take place at Waikiki Dive Center on Nahua Street in Honolulu. Boating for the open-water portion, the AIDA certificate application fee, and training fins and a mask are all included. A wetsuit is available upon request. Certification options span introductory through advanced AIDA levels, and each level builds on the previous one. The course is currently held on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Private Charter

This private scuba charter from Waikiki Dive Center lets a group choose its own dive sites around Oahu rather than following a fixed route. Departures are from Kewalo Basin Harbor or Maunalua Bay, and transportation to and from the harbor is included along with all diving gear and equipment. The site list spans a wide range of Oahu waters. Ewa Pinnacles offers an ancient lava formation covered in Hawaiian coral, while the Navy Tug serves as an artificial reef. Nautilus Reef is known for octopuses and eels, Horseshoe Reef draws schools of barracuda and moray eels, Kewalo Pipe runs offshore from Point Panic and is encrusted with coral growth, and Kaohikaipu Rabbit Island features coral terrain, caverns, ledges, and drift diving conditions on different sides. Because the itinerary is built around the group's own preferences, this charter suits divers who want to direct their day on the water rather than follow a preset plan. All diving gear is provided, so participants do not need to bring their own equipment.

Dive Packages

Dive Packages from Waikiki Dive Center is a multi-day scuba diving program for certified divers, meeting in central Waikiki on Nahua Street in Honolulu. A night dive is available as a paid addition to any charter, and a private divemaster can be requested for a more personalized trip. Divers may combine multiple days into a single day of diving if their schedule calls for it. High-end certified diving gear is included with the package. The physical intensity is rated moderate, so a reasonable level of comfort and fitness in the water is helpful before booking. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. No meals or drinks are provided, and transportation to the meeting point is the diver's responsibility. Gratuity is not included. Open Water Certified divers should know that certain shipwreck excursions carry an upgrade fee, while Advanced Open Water Certified divers and above are not subject to that charge.

Conservation Snorkeling Tour with Sea Turtles

This snorkeling experience, run by Waikiki Dive Center, focuses on marine stewardship and citizen science in Hawaii's coastal waters. Participants learn how marine and citizen scientists identify individual Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles by studying their distinctive facial scale patterns, and they may contribute observations to ongoing monitoring efforts that help researchers track turtle populations, movement, and habitat use. The program covers Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle biology and ecology, photo-identification techniques, facial scale pattern recognition, and responsible data collection. The tour meets at Waikiki Dive Center on Nahua Street in Honolulu. There is no hotel pickup, so arranging transportation to the meeting point in advance is helpful. Bring swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, and a camera or smartphone. Gratuity is not included. All observation follows federal and state wildlife protection regulations, and participants must never touch or disturb any marine animal.