Diving on the Big Island is a great way to get away from the crowds and to explore the underwater landscapes on your own. The abundance of sea life in each color of the rainbow is amazing and you can spend your whole vacation exploring the many sea caves, submerged lava tubes, and coral belts that surround the island.
Which Hawaiian island is best for scuba diving?
Some of the best scuba diving in Hawaii can be found on Big Island along the southwest coast of Kona, and also at sites close to Honolulu on Oahu. These sites are accessible and close to plenty of accommodation and transport links, making them the most popular in Hawaii.
Is scuba diving better in Maui or Big Island?
Thanks to world-class dive sites such as Molokini Crater, Maui is undoubtedly the best island to go scuba diving in Hawaii. Scuba divers visiting the Valley Isle can frequently see large marine animals underwater, such as hammerhead sharks or humpback whales.
Is scuba diving good in Kona?
Kona’s daytime diving is not to be missed! Compared to other great places in the world Kona has lots of octopus and eels to spot on almost every dive. While the corals are not the highlight of scuba diving in Kona, the topography and variety of fish and the occasional large animal will be sure to grab your attention.
Is scuba diving good on Big Island? – Related Questions
Are there tiger sharks on the Big Island?
Tiger sharks have been found to navigate between the main Hawaiian islands, and thus appear to occupy home ranges much larger than had been previously suspected. Tiger sharks are often attracted to stream mouths after heavy rains, when upland fishes and other animals are swept out to sea.
Is there shark cage diving in Kona Hawaii?
You can expect to see a large variety of shark species here at Kona Shark Diving, like Galapagos, Blacktip, Mako, Great White, Sandbar, Hammerhead, Tiger, Reef sharks, and many more. Diving certificates or diving experience is not necessary to enjoy diving with the sharks here at Kona Shark Diving.
How is diving in Kona?
Kona scuba diving is the best in Hawaii because our island has the best visibility, most pristine reefs, and great ocean surface conditions. This is because our island is Hawaii’s newest and so it has all of the great underwater lava features brought about by the volcano and less of the sand that clouds up visibility.
Do you need a wetsuit to dive in Kona?
Wetsuit. Even though the waters are warm, you still need a wetsuit to scuba dive in Hawaii. However, it doesn’t need to be very thick or insulated. A 3mm thickness is just right for Hawaiian waters.
Is scuba diving in Hawaii good?
The marine life is well protected here, so you can always expect it in abundance. Tiger sharks, white tip reef sharks and manta rays are among the most impressive sights you can expect in the waters when diving in Hawaii.
How deep is the manta ray dive in Kona?
Manta rays night dive’s depth varies from place to place, but on average, manta rays can be found while diving at a depth of almost 35 feet if the water temperatures are between 75 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why are divers not allowed to touch a manta ray?
Fish feel slimy because of a mucus coating which makes it hard to hold and easily slip through the fingers. Manta rays are fish, and as such, they have this same slime coating on their bodies. The coating protects them from bacteria and if it gets removed, it can expose the manta to infections.
Can you see sea turtles in Kona?
If you’re looking for a great turtle Beach to visit Kona has many. Another great beach to see sea turtles on is Kahalu’u. It’s located just south of downtown Kona near the heart of Kona town. It’s great for snorkeling as well as seeing lots of turtles and reef fish.
Is it better to snorkel or dive with manta rays?
Q&A for Planning to Dive or Snorkel with the Kona Manta Rays
Should you snorkel or dive?: If you are scuba certified and want a more adventurous experience, do the dive. But, if you want a more relaxing experience that takes little effort, the snorkeling is probably for you.
Can a stingray sting through a wetsuit?
The Shuffle
It alarms stingrays and gives them time to swim away, preventing you from getting stung. Be sure to shuffle even if you’re wearing a wetsuit or boots since a stingray’s barb is strong enough to pierce through either.
What to do if a manta ray approaches you?
Keep distance. Try to stay at least 3 meters away from a Manta Ray. If a manta comes close to you simply remain calm and still, leaving the manta in control of the interaction.
Do sharks avoid manta rays?
Threats and Solutions. The natural predators of manta rays are a few types of sharks, killer whales and false killer whales.
Can a manta ray hurt you?
They peacefully glide through the water. The manta rays are one of the largest creatures in the ocean, so if you plan to swim with them, be prepared for their sheer size which can be intimidating at first. In this blog, you’ll see that manta rays are completely harmless to humans.