At first glance, Hawaii is not exactly a budget diving destination. Diving in Molokini, a half-submerged volcano crater in Maui or night diving with manta rays in Kona will cost you around USD $200. These are incredible experiences and are well worth the money. However, once you have splurged on any dives you want to tick off your bucket list, you might still want to do more diving while doing your best to stretch your budget.
The answer is to try some wallet-friendly shore diving!
Shore Diving in Hawaii
I talked with local divers and with the staff at dive centers in Maui and on the Big Island. They provided all the information I needed to go shore diving around the Hawaiian archipelago.
I had no idea before going to Hawaii that there would be so many fantastic shore dive sites I could easily access. If you’re diving on a budget in Hawaii, you’ll love these incredible sites you can explore by renting a tank for just USD $5 to USD $10.
Here is a list of some of the best shore diving sites in Maui and Big Island:
- Ulua Beach, Wailea, Maui
- Makena Landing, Wailea, Maui
- Two Steps, Honaunau, Big Island
- Old Airport, Kona, Big Island
Stay Safe When Shore Diving
One last piece of advice – be sure you’re well prepared to go shore diving, especially if you’re new to the area. Consider taking a Discover Local Diving program at a local dive center. At the very least, here’s a list of must-have equipment to go shore diving safely in Hawaii.
- Don’t forget to bring an SMB (Surface Marker Buoy) or a scuba diving flag. You want to make sure you’re visible at all times from the surface.
- Rock booties are essential to access some of the more tricky dive sites comfortably.
- Make sure you don’t get lost by using the dive site maps provided by local dive centers. Pair them with your best orientation skills!
- As on all dives, make sure you bring your dive computer and your favorite dive buddy.
Find out more about diving in Hawaii and plan your trip with PADI Travel.
Live Unfiltered
Not certified yet? Give yourself the gift of diving! Discover new adventures underwater, experience incredible encounters with marine mammals and other sea creatures, and explore everything lying beyond the shore.
Plus, scuba diving has benefits that stay with you long after you surface. Being under or even just around water has profound psychological and health benefits. And when you start diving, you join a worldwide community of like-minded ocean lovers who share a common passion.
So don’t wait any longer. Take the plunge, learn to scuba dive, and #LiveUnfiltered!
Author Bio
Florine is a PADI Divemaster and a dive travel blogger at World Adventure Divers. She dives in anything from tropical to extreme cold waters and selects her destinations so that both adventure diving and cultural discoveries are part of the journey. Plus, she loves to show you how to do it without breaking the bank.
