Scuba Diving
The majority of scuba diving on Kauai occurs on the South Shore. Boat and shore dives are available, although boat sites surpass the shore sites for a couple of reasons. First, they're deeper and exhibit the complete symbiotic relationship of a reef system, and second, the visibility is better a little farther offshore.
The dive operators on Kauai offer a full range of services, including certification dives, referral dives, boat dives, shore dives, night dives, and drift dives. As for certification, we recommend completing your confined-water training and classroom testing before arriving on the island. That way, you'll spend less time training and more time diving.
Equipment, Lessons, and Tours
Bubbles Below. Marine ecology is the emphasis here aboard the 36-foot, eight-passenger Kai Manu. This longtime Kauai company discovered some pristine dive sites on the West Side of the island where white-tip reef sharks are common—and other divers are not. Thanks to the addition of a 32-foot powered catamaran—the six-passenger Dive Rocket—the group also runs Niihau, Napali, and North Shore dives year-round (depending on ocean conditions, of course). They're still known for their South Side trips and lead dives at the East Side walls as well, so they truly do circumnavigate the island. A bonus on these tours is the wide variety of food served between dives. Open-water certification dives, check-out dives, and intro shore dives are available upon request. Port Allen Small Boat Harbor, 4353 Waialo Rd., Eleele, Hawaii, 96705. 808/332–7333; www.bubblesbelowkauai.com. $140 for 2-tank boat dive; $90 for rider/snorkeler; Niihau charter $350.
Kauai Down Under Dive Team. This company offers boat dives, but specializes in shore diving, typically at Koloa Landing (year-round) and Tunnels (summers). They're not only geared toward beginning divers—for whom they provide a thorough and gentle certification program as well as the Discover Scuba program—but also offer night dives and scooter (think James Bond) dives. Their main emphasis is a detailed review of marine biology, such as pointing out rare dragon eel and harlequin shrimp tucked away in pockets of coral. Hands down, we recommend Kauai Down Under for beginners, certification (all levels), and refresher dives. One reason is that their instructor-to-student ratio never exceeds 1:4—that's true of all their dive groups. All dive gear included. Sheraton Kauai Resort, 2440 Hoonani Rd., Koloa, Hawaii, 96756. 877/538–3483; 808/742–9534; www.kauaidownunderscuba.com. From $149 for a 2-tank certified dive; $550 for certification.
Ocean Quest Watersports/Fathom Five. This operator offers it all: boat dives, shore dives, night dives, certification dives. They pretty much do what everyone else does with a few twists. First, they offer a three-tank premium charter for those really serious about diving. Second, they operate a Nitrox continuous-flow mixing system, so you can decide the mix rate. Third, they add on a twilight dive to the standard, one-tank night dive, making the outing worth the effort. Fourth, their shore diving isn't an afterthought. Finally, we think their dive masters are pretty darn good, too. They even dive Niihau in the summer aboard their 35-foot Force. In summer, book well in advance. 3450 Poipu Rd., Koloa, Hawaii, 96756. 808/742–6991; 800/972–3078; www.fathomfive.com. From $155 for boat dives; from $100 for shore dives; $45 for gear rental, if needed.
Seasport Divers. Rated highly by readers of Scuba Diving magazine, Seasport Divers' 48-foot Anela Kai tops the chart for dive-boat luxury. But owner Marvin Otsuji didn't stop with that. A second boat—a 32-foot catamaran—is outfitted for diving, but we like it as an all-around charter. The company does brisk business, which means it won't cancel at the last minute because of a lack of reservations, like some other companies, although they may book up to 18 people per boat. There are slightly more challenging trips in the morning; mellower dive sites are in the afternoon. The company runs a good-size dive shop for purchases and rentals, as well as a classroom for certification. Night dives are offered, and Niihau trips are available in summer. There's also an outlet in Kapaa. 2827 Poipu Rd., look for yellow submarine in parking lot, Poipu, Hawaii, 96756. 808/742–9303; 808/742--9303; www.seasportdivers.com. From $140, includes gear; $100 1-tank shore dive.
