Our specialty is beach diving at Hanauma Bay, but we also dive the west, south and the east side of Oahu by boat year round and we dive the north shore beaches in the summer time.
Our four dive boats allow us to keep you diving and never hit the same spot. Experienced divers tour hotel pick up time is 7:00 a.m. and less experienced divers tour hotel pick up time is 8:00 a.m. We dive seven days a week to advanced and easy dive sites and we have a lot of fun. Please join us on one of our tours!
Hawaii Boat Dive Prices: 2 tank boat dive: $101.05 (includes Hawaii State Tax) , 2 tank boat dive with full rental $132.29 (includes Hawaii State Tax).
3 tank boat dive: $149.62 (includes Hawaii State Tax) 3 tank boat dive with full rental $182.81 (includes Hawaii State Tax).
1 refresher beach dive /1 boat dive: $101.05 (includes Hawaii State Tax), 1 refresher/2 boat dives: $149.62 (includes Hawaii State Tax).
Rental Gear
- Full Set: $30.00
- BCD: $8.00
- Regulator: $8.00
- Wetsuit: $6.00
- Fins: $5.00
- Mask $3.00
- Rental gear prices do not include Hawaii State tax of 4.50%.
Discover Scuba dive, age 12 and above, no experience necessary (1 beach dive/1 boat dive) $145.84 includes Hawaii state tax. All equipment included.
CANCELLATION POLICY: A minimum of 24 hours notice is required to cancel any reservation. A full refund will be paid on any reservation canceled prior to this minimum notice. In the event of dangerous weather or ocean conditions, we may cancel your tour, you may choose to transfer your activity to a later date or receive a full refund.
Franko’s Map of Oahu, The Gathering Place
Franko’s Map of Oahu, The Gathering Place
Side 1 shows Franko’s Map of Oahu, with a view of the whole island, it’s mountain ranges shown in beautiful green shaded relief, as well as it’s freeways and major roads, plus creeks, trails and things to see or places to go. Beyond the island, the ocean waters are shown in beautiful shades of tropical ocean blue, indicating ocean depth contours. All about the island there are descriptions of it’s fabulous scuba and snorkeling spots, famous surfing spots, and great places to visit. Favorite dive spots include Hanauma Bay, possibly the most snorkeled spot on earth, and also Magic Island right next to Waikiki, the wreck of the Y0-257, which is visited by the Atlantis tourist submarine right out of Waikiki, the M/V Mahi on Oahu’s west where eagle rays soar by, Turtles, where numerous green sea turtles can been seen on almost any day, U’lua Cave, or Black Rock, where white tip reef sharks guard a big cave, and many more. The North Shore not only features dive spots like Shark’s Cove, Snagles, Turtle Street and Hale’iwa Trench, but also great surfing spots like Sunset Beach, Banzai Pipeline, Waimea Bay, Chun’s Reef, Laniakea, and Hale’iwa. Follow Franko’s map to Laniakea and check out the old, 300-pound green sea turtles grazing on the algae right at the beach, or even resting on the beach there, as they have for thousands of years. The East Shore shows the map owner where to find the Polynesian Cultural Center (the PCC to the locals), the Mormon Hawaii Temple, which is probably the most beautiful edifice in the State of Hawaii, and Sandy Beach, famous for it’s body-whomping heavy shorebreak, which commonly ruins a few unwary tourists’ vacations, as they find out just how powerful the beautiful ocean can be. Around the map there is a collection of artwork of tropical fish, which are named in Hawaiian and English, and depicted in a reef environment with photos by Franko.
Side 2 shows Franko’s Map of Waikiki & Oahu South Shore Details. The entire South Shore from Honolulu to Makapu’u Head, Oahu’s easternmost point, is shown so that the viewer can get a close-up view of the island topography, including Diamond Head Crater. More things to do, places to visit, dive and diving sites are shown. The highlight of this side of the map is the superbly detailed map of Waikiki, which shows where everything is, including most of the hotels, Kapiolani Park, Ala Moana Beach Park, Waikiki Beach, the Ala Moana Shopping Center, the International Market Place, over 200 buildings, the DFS Galleria, the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Ala Wai Harbor, Ala Wai Canal, Ala Wai Golf Course, and much more. Local well known surfing, snorkeling and diving spots are shown with descriptions as well. This map of Waikiki is the very best there is, except for the one that appears on Franko’s Map of Waikiki and Oahu with Things to See and Do. In depth topographical map of Oahu with detailed listing of beaches dive sites and the tropical fish in the area. Printed on waterproof tear-resistant paper. Measures 21 x 14 open 7 x 4.25 folded.
Franko's Hawaiian Sharks & Rays Creatures Guide
Franko's Hawaiian Sharks & Rays Creatures Guide
Franko's fish cards are stiff, laminated plastic, with a hole for a lanyard. Take it snorkeling or scuba diving with you!
Size of Fish Cards: 9" x 6"
FM-SHARK (Laminated $5.00) ISBN 1-59162-029-5
Franko’s Hawaiian Sharks and Rays Guide
The last of this series of Hawaiian fish cards is a departure from the common and friendly reef creatures, and is instead a guide to Hawaii’s sharks and rays. Side 1 side shows the Inshore Species - ones that swim where even you might swim - hanging out in the crystal waters above a colorful Hawaiian reef. These species include Hawaii’s most common shark, the whitetip reef shark which divers see all of the time, the compact-sized blacktip reef shark which is hard to find inHawaii, the blacktip shark, the man-sized gray reef shark, the dangerous and rather large Galapagos shark, the most recognizable shark, the scalloped hammerhead, and the most dangerous shark in Hawaii, the awesome tiger shark. The tiger shark is the most likely to ruin some snorkeler’s or surfers day as it is responsible for a several attacks each year. The odds are something akin to getting struck by lightning, but yes it does happen. Three species of rays gracefully glide above the colorful Hawaiian reef on the sharks and rays card. They are the huge but harmless manta ray (one of Franko’s favorite night dives is the manta ray dive on the Kona Coast), the elegant whitespotted eagle ray, and the bottom-dwelling broad stingray. A flurry of technicolor reef life is depicted on the bottom below the sharks and rays. The flip side of the Hawaiian Sharks & Rays card shows the offshore species. These include the tiniest and the largest sharks. The tiny one is the cookie cutter shark, which has a feeding method that has it chomping non-lethal, but scarring 5-inch round divots right out of the side of pelagic fish, and even dolphins. The largest shark is the whale shark. It is shown to scale next to a woman diver. People occasionally get lucky and have a close encounter with one of these gentle giants on the outside of Molokini Island by Maui or near Lehua Rock at the northern tip of Niihau, 17 miles from Kauai. Since all of the other sharks appear so business like, with their natural menacing look, this whale shark is shown with it’s mouth agape in feeding fashion, which makes it actually have the appearance of smiling. Perhaps it is happy with being the largest thing in the sea other than the great whales. Other species shown on this card include the sleek and fast blue shark, the potentially dangerous oceanic whitetip shark, the world’s fastest shark, the mako, the beautiful thresher shark, the silky shark, and Hawaii’s rare visitor, the great white shark, which luckily prefers cooler waters. However, on Labor Day, 2003, Franko was at Yokahama Bay (aka, Pray for Sex Beach) on Oahu when a great white shark decided to check out the local skin divers, perhaps thanks to the delicious bloody odor of their spear catches. Yes, they got the heck out of the water, although it can be argued that the great white shark was not hunting, otherwise they wouldn’t have even seen him coming! Yikes! I called the Honolulu Ocean Safety people, but guess what...they did not believe my story that a great white shark was there! The local life guard wouldn’t believe it either.
Boat Diving Photo Gallery
Wreck Diving Video 1
Wreck Diving Video 2
PADI Scuba Diving Courses
Below are a few of the many Oahu dive sights we visit.
North shore of Oahu, Hawaii
Dive Site: Sharks Cove, Oahu, Hawaii.(Number 21)
Depth: 15-60 feet
Bottom Time: 35-45 Minutes (subject to planned depth)
Visibility: 50-100 feet with light to seasonable heavy surge
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Sea Life: Shells - Leviathan, Eagle Rays, Parrot Fish, Turtles
Sharks Cove is the second most popular shore dive on Oahu and is located right off the Sunset Beach Fire Station. There are a couple of sources for its name: from the air, the rocks forming the cove look like a shark, or the cove looks like a shark took a bit out of it. Whichever name you choose doesn't really matter since sharks do not frequent this area. The site ranges from 15-60 feet with lots of arches and open-ended lava tubes, allowing much light penetration and easy access. The main caverns are all in 30 feet or less. Large boulders are interspersed with sand and lava formations in the shallows, and large schools of convict tangs and baby mullets. The "Elevator" is a hole 10 feet in diameter, allowing a descent to 20 feet, and then exits through one of three different tubes. One is 40 feet long and four feet in diameter - 90 degrees to the left. The other two are almost interconnected, and exit straight into the sea. The top one is in 10 to 15 feet, and the bottom one is in 20. One tube allows divers to come up into an enclosed dry chamber large enough for three to four people. Caution: This dive is for experienced divers only, and requires a guide to safely lead you through the "Elevator".
Water Temperature: 70/75 F, 21/24 C from November to April 75/80 F, 24/27 C from May to October
Dive Site: Three Tables, Oahu, Hawaii. (Number 23)
Depth: 20-40 feet
Bottom Time: 25-35 minutes
Visibility: 50-100 feet
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Sea Life: Whitetip Reef Sharks, Eagle Rays, Turtles, Octopus, Moray Eels, Parrot Fish
Three Tables is named for a trio of flat rocks running perpendicular to shore, which break the surface, then max out in 40 to 50 feet. Lava tubes are on the right side of the tables and a nice wall to the left, with interesting boulders and some coral. The substrata are mostly devoid of coral, as heavy winter surf has pounded the formations clean and smooth. Occasional sightings of sharks, rays and turtles spice up the dive, but tropicals, octopus, eels and parrotfish are the regular attraction. Adjacent to Three Tables is a site that's okay during the day, but best experienced at night, Snaggles from a small cove in back of the fire department. After a 20-yard snorkel along the wall, drop to 25 feet and follow the wall for about 300 yards. There are several lava tubes and arches, which are good spots for lobster. Four to five foot long morays live here as well as several parrotfish. Showers and rest room facilities are available right at this site.
Water Temperature: 70/75 F, 21/24 C from November to April 75/80 F, 24/27 C from May to October
South shore of Oahu, Hawaii
Dive Site: Y0257 Shipwreck, Oahu, Hawaii. (Number 15)
Depth: 85-100 Feet
Bottom Time: 15-20 Minutes depending on depth
Visibility: 50 - 100 feet
Level: Beginner - Advanced
Sea Life: Shipwreck, eels, turtles and huge schools of reef fish
The YO-257 was a Navy yard oiler built in the 1940's. It was bought by Atlantis Submarines Hawaii and sunk as an artificial reef off Waikiki in 1989. The ship rests upright in 100 feet of water with the main deck about 85 feet. It has been prepared for diving with many large access holes cut through the structure. It is the home of many colorful fish. Moray eels may be found around the wreck. Wave to the Atlantis submarine as it passes by on its tour. Visibility is normally 100+ feet. There is sometimes a strong current at the surface, which eases as you approach the wreck. A decent line is always rigged to mooring buoys on the wreck. The typical dive profile is 90 feet for 20 minutes. The YO-257 is one of our more popular boat dives if you are diving the South Shore. In 1996, a new ship, the San Pedro, was sunk within 50 yards of the YO-257 as an additional dive attraction.
Water Temperature: 70/75 F, 21/24 C from November to April 75/80 F, 24/27 C from May to October
Dive Site: 100ft hole Oahu, Hawaii. (Number 16)
Depth: 70-90 Feet
Bottom Time: 20-30 Minutes
Visibility: 100 feet
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Sea Life: Crabs, Nocturnal Fish, Lobster, Octopus, Moray Eels, Turtles, Manta Rays, White Tip Reef Sharks, Tuna, Amberjacks
Located near Diamond Head, 100 Foot Hole is an ancient Hawaiian Fishing Ground that was accessible only to the Ali'i. Although this hole is only 70-90 feet deep, it got its name from fishermen, who, after being asked how deep it was, answered, "it's about a hundred feet" and the name has stuck. The site is constructed from a cluster of volcanic rocks tumbled together to form ledges, caves and one large open-ended cavern. One formation, encrusted with cauliflower coral, houses the main tunnel. Within that tube there is an obstructing rock that can easily be traversed. Boats tie off to a naturally formed lava anchorage in 75 feet, just south of the focal boat of the dive. Bring a light to view the bountiful marine life inside the cave.
Water Temperature:70/75 F, 21/24 C from November to April 75/80 F, 24/27 C from May to October
East Shore of Oahu, Hawaii
Koko Craters -- These ledges of these volcanic craters are home to several species of tropical fish, eels, and octopus. There is also almost always a photographic opportunity with the endangered Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle . 40 feet.
Anglers' Reef -- Here you will find a long ledge between 2 to 4 feet high. Many fish congregate along the ledge and Spotted Eagle Rays frequent this sight. 45 feet
Sea Cave (Number 19) -- This is a double layer cave. As you approach you see a large cave above the water. 40 feet below lies a connecting cave. Here you can see many different nudibranchs and possibly a resident white-tip reef shark. After exiting the cave you will drift along a beautiful wall. In one direction there are many rare beautiful fish. In the other direction you will see large coral gardens. Weather conditional.
Mini Barge -- This small barge was sunk in the right spot for a dive. Just below the barge is a cave. LARGE Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles can be seen resting at the mouth of the cave. If conditions are right you may get a chance to visit a large undercut where a few white-tip reef sharks are known to sleep . 65-85 feet
Palea Point -- Due to ocean conditions this sight is a rarity (winter season only). When you can dive here you can see schooling surgeonfish, lush coral gardens, and an eyeful of fish. This is considered one of the best dive sites on the island of Oahu. Average 60 feet . (This sight is just outside Hanauma Bay)
The Corsair (Number 18) -- In 1946 this WW2 fighter plane run out fuel on a training mission and was ditched into the ocean. The only regularly visited wreck on Oahu that was not intentionally sunk, this plane sits in 107 feet of water and is home to the majestic Hawaiian Garden Eels.
Spitting Cave -- This drift along a wall is one of our favorites. Here you can see a very large diversity of marine life! From the red cup coral and frogfish, to the turtles, this dive is a winner. Average dive depth 50 feet.
West shore of Oahu, Hawaii
Dive Site: The Mahi, Oahu, Hawaii (Number 10).
Depth: 94 feet (Majority of dive spent 70-85 ft)
Bottom Time: 20 Minutes
Visibility: 50-100 feet with light to heavy surge
Level: IntermediateSealife: Spotted Eagle Rays, White tip Reef Sharks ("George" and "Martha"), Large Yellow Head Moray ("Howser"), Snowflake Coral, Red and Yellow encrusting sponge, Hydroids Spiny Puffer fish, schools of milletseed butterfly fish, Trumpetfish, Humpback and Whale sharks (in season)
The Mahi is Oahu's most popular dive site and originally sunk in 1982 as an artificial reef project, it is located 1/2 mile offshore and a 15-minute boat ride from Waianae Boat Harbor. It is believed that the Mahi was originally built as a minesweeper, but the Navy instead used the 800-ton ship in the Bahamas for laying cable. The Dillingham Corporation purchased the vessel in March 1968, and leased it to the University of Hawaii as a research vessel. Although originally sunk facing shoreward, it now lies upright on a sand bottom, facing seaward. In 1982, Hurricane Iwa repositioned the ship 180 degrees to its present bearing. Conditions vary from 50 to 100 feet of visibility, with light to seasonally heavy surge. There are moorings on the bow, amidships, and stern to protect it from anchor damage. It is immediately apparent how successful it has been in attracting marine life. Schools of 20 spiny puffer fish have been spotted in mid water, facing into the current beside the ship's mast. At 60 feet, the wheelhouse provides a great photographic set-up, with a large porthole ringed with snowflake coral, red and yellow encrusting sponge, and hydroids. On the Main Deck, the most insistent of the resident fish are the large school of milletseed Butterflyfish, and ta'ape waiting for handouts. If you don't feed them, they swarm you until either you relent, or another diver enters the scene. (Photo Tip: To keep them out of the setup, take a small mesh bag with fish food and tie it off on the main deck, then do your shoot somewhere else) A couple of Whitetips, named "George" and "Martha" are sometimes spotted here, as well as up to four eagle rays. Sometimes, if you are lucky, you might encounter a whale shark here. Check out the log to see if one has been spotted recently!Water Temperature: 70/75 F, 21/24 C from November to April 75/80 F, 24/27 C from May to October
Dive Site: Black Rock, Oahu, Hawaii.
Depth: 40-90 feet
Bottom Time: 20 Minutes
Visibility: 40-80 feet
Level: Beginner - AdvanceSea Life: Large resident eels, squirrel fish, snapper, octopus, tubastra (cop) coral
Black Rock is a wall dive 40-90 feet deep with a large cavernous room approximately 100 feet long and 50 feet wide. The mooring buoy at this site takes the diver down to 55ft and the top of the rock extension. One side of the room is completely eroded allowing easy multiple entry and exit points. The free drop over the adjacent wall to 90' takes you to a huge underwater cavern open on three sides. Very often white-tip reef sharks and/or turtles will be resting under this large overhang. Beautiful hard coral polyps live on the ceiling as well as the occasionally spiny lobster or Kona crab. Be careful not to kick up sand in the cave so the visibility stays good. Traveling towards shore from the cave to the dive proceeds along the bottom of the wall until the turnaround air limits are reached, at which point divers return along the other side of the "Black Rock". Water Temperature: 70/75 F, 21/24 C from November to April
Dive Site: Makaha Caverns, Oahu, Hawaii. (Number 3)
Depth: 45 feet (Majority of dive spent 35 ft)
Bottom Time: 45 Minutes
Visibility: 50-100 feet with light to reasonable heavy surge
Level: Beginner - Advanced
Sea Life: Large school of ta'ape cluster near main entrance, octopus, several species of eels, White Tip Reef Sharks, five resident Green Sea Turtles, transiting dolphins, occasional manta rays
This is Oahu's second most popular dive site and is a superb shallow water dive located 100 yards of Kepuhi Point. The V-Shaped verging of two open-ended lava tubes forms Makaha Caverns. The topography is very flat, giving the spacious room a more geometric, man-made look. Outside the cavern, the site spreads over a large area. Working seaward, the coral thins out - but the pockets are home to octopus, and several species of eels.
The site also has five resident turtles and this adds to the already abundant photographic opportunities. These are, in turn, accentuated by transiting dolphins and an occasional manta ray. This dive site is a great spot for a night dive and the look of this site changes dramatically with artificial light.Water Temperature: 70/75 F, 21/24 C from November to April 75/80 F, 24/27 C from May to October
Stars--- At this incredible site you will swim through the remains of a large old lava tube that has taken on the look of lacework as you look up. Absolutely stunning. Depth: 50 feet
Airplane Canyon---Here you will find the remains of an old twin engine airplane in a semi-circular depression. Large numbers of fish can be found here. A white-tip reef shark is also known to spend some time here! Depth: 90 feet
More Hawaii Dive Sites
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