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Maui Scuba Diving



Conditions on Maui
For Beginners
Maui Dive Sites
Where to Rent Equipment
Maui Dive Shops and Tours

Maui Scuba Diving; Information; Everything Beginners and First Time Maui Divers Need

Conditions for Scuba Diving on Maui

Maui's waters are warm, normally in the mid 70's in 'winter' and low 80's in summer. Visibility can be very good, reaching 150 feet or more in places. The ocean around Maui is full of dolphins, fish, and whales. Several of the fish in Hawaii's waters are found no where else but here.

For Beginners

People who have never scuba dived before can learn and even become certified very easily in Hawaii on their vacation. They just need to be willing to spend the money and some time.

Although scuba diving is not for everyone, it can be an amazing experience for a lot of people, and most can do it without trouble, especially if it is a leisurely dive with a qualified instructor at a fantastic fish spot. If you do plan on learning to dive on your Maui vacation, you may want to brush up on some basic dive information before you go. I recommend ....

  • padi.com - these are the classes you will take You'll also want to checkout a scubaboard forum with it's 'new to scuba' and 'travel' discussions.

    An alternative to Scuba: Snuba!

    Snuba is a cross between scuba diving and snorkeling that allows you to go down about 20 feet for around an hour with very little training and no certification needed. You get your air through a tube attached to a tank that floats around behind you on the surface.

    I've never done it but have seen people enjoy it on the Fair Winds boat tour to Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island. It is perfect for people who don't have the time or desire to get scuba certified but still want to surpass the snorkeling experience. Most snuba companies will let 8 year olds snuba while scuba divers normally have to wait till at least 10 years of age.

    Maui Snuba opportunities


    Dive Sites
    There are several dive sites around the island, and the nearby islands of Molokini and Lanai. For you beginners, you will probably be at the mercy of the weather and your instructor, but will probably end up around Molokini. Just go early if you are going to Molokini, because that is where everyone goes.



    Where to Rent Dive Equipment (for certified divers)


    Some Dive Shops and Maui Dive Tours
    • Maui Scuba Diving
      Excellent site with tons of information for all experience levels. Offers a Maui scuba diving newsletter, scuba instruction, fantastic underwater photos and advice on underwater photography, a dive map, and dive logs.

    • Trilogy Scuba
      Small groups of 6 or less divers to Molokini, and a second spot for Introductory divers.

    • Scuba Gods
      Site focuses on need for safety and quality in beginner instruction, also provides specialty scuba dives and instruction.

    • Maui Dive Shop
      Order a free Maui dive guide via the website, several dive courses, dive jeeps rental, and videos. Seven stores on Maui!

    • Lahaina Divers
      Beginning scuba diver trips, disabled-friendly, specialty dives, and dive videos.

    • Maui Sun Divers
      Specializes in beginners.



    Happy diving! -- Lisa



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