With
miles of pristine reefs and an abundance of tropical fish,
it is no wonder that Hawaii Scuba diving is at the top
of the list for travelers visiting the beautiful Hawaiian
Islands. Whether you are an inexperienced novice or a
confident expert, Hawaii has
an opportunity that can provide you with an unforgettable
experience scuba diving in Hawaii.
Training expeditions offered by diving services are required
by new or out of shape divers. These dives take place
in the calmer bays, allowing you to experience the thrills
of diving without the higher levels of risk. These expeditions
are heavily monitored to protect the new divers.
Charter and Diving groups, such as Captain Bruce's, allow
beginner divers to learn the ropes to diving and take
their first dive in the beautiful waters of Mounalua Bay
before journeying on an hour and a half long boat experience.
Captain Bruce's offers refresher courses that allows experienced
divers to get back into the swing of things before going
on one of the intermediate to advanced diving sessions
in Hawaii diving.
Turtle Canyon in Oahu is a well known for providing some
of the most scenic underwater vistas for scuba diving.
Several dives shops have packages to Turtle Canyon and
some of the more popular locations such as The Sea Tiger
wreck, 100ft Hole, Kingman's Reef, YO-257, San Pedro wrecks
and Kewalo Pipe.
Maui diving Molokini Crater pristine waters are home
to about 250 species of fish - some of which are found
nowhere else on earth. Molokini's back wall sharply drops
off to depths of 300 feet. In the center is a lush reef
area with excellent viewing up to 150 feet. Located 2
½ miles off the southern coast of Maui - the island can
only be reached by boat.
There are a few different types of diving, and depending
on where you go, they offer completely distinct underwater
experiences.
Drift diving is a popular style of scuba diving Hawaii
has to offer. By drifting in a current along walls, you
can see a variety of marine life and wrecks while effortlessly
being taken in a established current in the ocean. These
diving expeditions have training sessions in calmer areas
of the ocean so that less experienced divers can be prepared
for drift diving. The boat drifts along with the divers
at the surface.
Wreck diving is an advanced form of Hawaii scuba diving.
These expeditions visit sites such as the Mahi Shipwreck,
which is the most famous wreck in the Hawaiian Islands.
These expeditions are popular, as they allow divers to
see the broadest range of marine life possible.
Seeing the Lava tubes and other unique geographic features
is perhaps the most popular style of scuba diving Hawaii
offers. These features, ranging from shallow depth coral
and lava banks, allow you to see it up close and personal.
The range of Coral in the region is unique to the Hawaiian
Islands. Instead of the standard sponge Coral associated
with older coral reefs, you will get to see a large amount
of Cauliflower coral, which is the predominant coral in
the region. Two uncommon species of coral you may encounter
in the reef bench zones of the Islands include the Leptastrea
and Pavona corals.
Common animals you will see scuba diving in Hawaii include
dolphins, sea turtles, angler fish, moray eels, and Humpback
whales. Boring Urchins and Surgeons are two species of
fish that are also plentiful here. Lobe Coral and Finger
Coral may also be seen in specific regions of the reefs.
Unlike any other experience you will have when you visit
the Hawaiian islands, the diversity of life, and the incredible
scenes that you encounter scuba diving in Hawaii will
leave an indelible impression on you, as you realize that
half of Hawaii's stunning beauty lies just beneath the
calm blue waters.
