Scuba Diving in Big Island

Scuba Diving

The Big Island's underwater world is the setting for a dramatic diving experience. With generally calm waters, vibrant coral reefs and rock formations, and plunging underwater dropoffs, the Kona and Kohala coasts provide some great scuba diving. There are also some good dive locations in east Hawaii, not far from the Hilo area. Divers will find much to occupy their time, including marine reserves teeming with unique Hawaiian reef fish, Hawaiian green sea turtles, an occasional and rare Hawaiian monk seal, and even some feisty Hawaiian spinner dolphins. On special night dives to see manta ray, divers descend with bright underwater lights that attract plankton, which in turn attracts these otherworldly creatures. The best spots to dive are listed in order from north to south; all are on the west coast.

Best Spots

Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area (Hwy. 19, near mile marker 69) in Kohala can be a good shore dive. Just south of the state park is Puako (Puako Rd., off Hwy. 19). Public access to the beach from Puako Road provides easy entry to some fine reef diving. Deep chasms, sea caves, rock arches, and more abound with varied marinelife.

The water is usually very clear at Pawai Bay Marine Reserve (Just north of Old Kona Airport Beach Park, at the beginning of Kuakini Hwy.). This bay near Kailua-Kona has numerous underwater sea caves, arches, and rock formations, plus lots of marinelife. It can be busy with snorkel boats but is an easy dive spot. Plane Wreck Point, off Keahole Point, is for expert divers only. Damselfish, fantail, and filefish hover around in the shadows.

One of Kona's best night dive spots is Manta Village (off the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort at Keauhou). A booking with a scuba/snorkel night dive operator is required for the short boat ride to the area. If you're a diving or snorkeling fanatic, it's well worth it for the experience of seeing the manta rays.

Dive boats come to Puuhonua O Honaunau (Place of Refuge, Rte. 160, about 20 mi south of Kailua-Kona. www.nps.gov/puho) for the steep drop-offs and dramatic views. You can also get in the water from the shore on the north end.

Equipment Rentals & Dive Tours

There are quite a few good dive shops on the Kona Coast. Most are happy to take on all customers, but a few focus on specific types of trips. Trip prices vary, depending on whether you're already certified and whether you're diving from a boat or from shore. Instruction with PADI, SDI, or TDI certification in three to five days costs $400-$650. Most instructors rent out dive equipment and snorkel gear, and many rent underwater cameras. A few organize otherworldly manta-ray dives at night or whale-watching cruises in season.

Aloha Dive Company. Native-born Hawaiian and PADI master dive instructor Mike Nakachi, together with wife Buffy (a registered nurse and PADI dive instructor), and Earl Kam (a videographer and PADI dive master) have been instructing since 1990. Although they'll take anybody, they're biased in favor of experienced divers who want unique locations and know how to take care of themselves in deep water. Their boat is fast enough to take you places other companies can't reach. They're fun people with great attitudes and operate the only true kamaaina (Hawaii born-and-raised) outfitter around. Rates begin at $75 for a manta ray night dive and go up to $200 for a three-tank remote dive.[. 808/325-5560 or 800/708-5662. www.alohadive.com

Body Glove Cruises. This company offers primarily snorkel cruises but can also accommodate several divers. It's a good choice for families where at least one member is a certified diver and the rest want to snorkel. The 51-foot catamaran sets off from the Kailua Pier daily for a 4 1/2-hour dive and snorkel cruise, which includes breakfast and a buffet lunch; the three-hour afternoon cruise includes snacks and drinks. Snorkelers pay $66-$105 per adult and $44-$65 per child. Scuba divers pay the snorkel rate plus $57-$67 per person with or without gear.[. Kailua Pier, Kailua-Kona. 808/329-4807 or 800/551-8911. www.bodyglovehawaii.com

Jack's Diving Locker. The best place for novice and intermediate divers (certified to 60 feet), Jack's Diving Locker has trained and certified tens of thousands of divers since opening in 1981. The company has two boats that can each take 12 divers. It does a good job looking out for customers and protecting the coral reef. Before each charter the dive master briefs divers on various options and then everyone votes on where to go. Jack's also runs the biggest dive shop on the island and has classrooms and a dive pool for beginning instruction. Kona's best dive bargain for newbies is the introductory shore dive from Kailua Pier for $55. [. 75-5813 Alii Dr., Kailua-Kona. 800/345-4807 or 808/329-7585. www.jacksdivinglocker.com

Ocean Eco Tours. Ecofriendly and full-service, this outfit is eager to share a wealth of knowledge. It's close to a number of good reefs and other prime locations. They offer various dives from an intro dive ($125) to shore dives ($85) and multi-day boat dive packages (three two-tank dives for $255). The PADI open-water certification classes can be completed in three to four days.[. Honokohau Harbor, 74-425 Kealakehe Pkwy., Kailua-Kona. 808/324-7873. www.oceanecotours.com