Certified Dive at Koloa Landing: Sea Turtles & Shore Dive

Dive into a habitat where sea turtles outnumber divers

A shore dive at Koloa Landing on Kauai for certified divers, led by a professional divemaster with all gear provided. You descend into a reef ecosystem home to over 50 Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, plus nudibranchs, eels, octopus and schooling snapper. The dive lasts around two hours from check-in through the briefing and underwater time.

The experience

What makes Koloa Landing stand out is the sheer density of Green Sea Turtles, the Honu, that live there. Protected since 1979, they've lost their wariness of divers and approach with genuine curiosity. You'll also encounter macro life most divers travel far to find: nudibranchs in wild color patterns, pipefish, cowries, crustaceans, eels, hawk fish and octopus that shift shape as you watch. The site holds over 1,250 endemic species across the Hawaiian Islands, and Koloa Landing concentrates them in one accessible shore entry.

The operation handles the logistics: you show your certification at the shop, and the divemaster loads the gear, briefs you on the site and the procedures, then transports the group to Koloa Landing. A detailed safety briefing happens before you enter the water. The dive itself is led by the professional divemaster, who knows where the turtles congregate and how to move through the reef without disturbing it. Bottled water and snacks are provided, and the whole experience, from check-in to exit, takes around two hours.

One hard rule: you must be a certified diver to book this. The operator also requires that you stay below 1,000 feet in altitude for 18 hours after your last dive, which rules out interisland flights, helicopter tours and trips up to Waimea Canyon on the same day. If you're planning to fly to another island or visit the canyon, schedule the dive for a different day.

What’s included

• Private transportation to Koloa Landing.
• professional divemaster.
• wetsuit, fins, mask and booties.
• bottled water and snacks.
• all fees and taxes. You provide your own regulator and BCD, or rent them separately.

Options for this experience

4 options

Shore dive with one tank using your own gearGuide in English · 08:30 and 13:30Duration: 3 hours. Travelers with a tighter schedule can also choose this experience as a one-tank dive.

Shore dive with two tanks using your own gearGuide in English · 08:30 and 13:30

Shore dive with one tank, gear includedGuide in English · Available from 25 Oct 2027

Shore dive with two tanks, gear includedGuide in English · Available from 25 Oct 2027

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 13:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (10 to 80 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Seasport Divers

Is this one for you?Choose the 1-Tank option if this is your first dive in a while or you want a shorter underwater time. The 2-Tank dive gives you longer to explore the reef and increases your chances of a close encounter with the turtles. Bring your own gear if you own it and want to use familiar equipment, or book the gear-included option if you travel light.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

17 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How many sea turtles will I actually see on the dive?

Koloa Landing is home to over 50 Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, and encounters are extremely rare to miss, though as wild animals, the operator cannot guarantee a sighting on any single dive. The turtles are accustomed to divers and often approach with curiosity.

What other marine life is at Koloa Landing besides the turtles?

The site holds nudibranchs, cowries, pipefish, colorful crustaceans, eels, schooling blue-striped snapper, hawk fish and octopus. Macro photographers find the diversity of small creatures especially rewarding.

Do I need to bring my own scuba gear?

You can choose: the 1-Tank or 2-Tank option with gear included provides wetsuit, fins, mask, booties and all equipment except your regulator and BCD, which you supply or rent separately. The "Own Gear" options let you use your own setup if you prefer.

What happens if I want to fly to another island the same day as the dive?

You must stay below 1,000 feet in altitude for 18 hours after your last dive, so interisland flights, helicopter tours and trips to Waimea Canyon are off-limits on dive day. Plan the dive for a different day if you're island-hopping.

How long does the whole experience take?

From check-in at the shop through the safety briefing and the dive itself, plan for around two hours. Transportation to and from Koloa Landing is included.