Scuba Diving in Maui: Beginners Welcome, No Experience Needed

Sixty minutes underwater on a West Maui reef, turtles and moray eels, your air and your guide

Scuba diving in Maui's West waters with PADI-certified instructors who teach beginners from zero experience. You enter from shore, carry your own gear, and spend up to 60 minutes underwater exploring coral reef and spotting green turtles, eagle rays, octopus and reef fish. The full experience, including briefing and gearing up, runs 2.5 hours. A portion of proceeds supports local reef restoration.

The experience

The dive starts on shore in West Maui, where you meet your PADI instructor and go through a briefing on the equipment and basic underwater skills. You'll gear up (the operator provides all scuba equipment), and walk into the ocean together. The in-water portion lasts up to 60 minutes depending on how much air you use and the pace that keeps everyone safe. Beginners learn to breathe underwater and move through the reef with the instructor watching the whole time.

The reef here holds green sea turtles, moray eels, eagle rays, octopus, nudibranchs and schools of colorful fish. You navigate an extensive coral system, moving through hidden corners with your guide. The operator is PADI certified and committed to ocean safety. They're also part of a team that donates proceeds to reef restoration and ocean cleanup in the community. This is a shore dive, so there's no boat. You walk in and out of the water from the beach.

You'll need to be comfortable in the ocean and able to carry at least 40 pounds of gear. The operator requires swimmers only. If you're uncomfortable in the water or can't complete the basic skills, you won't be able to finish the dive and no refund is issued. After you surface, you must stay below 1,000 feet elevation for 18 hours: no flights, no Mt. Haleakala, no upcountry towns that day. Complete the medical waiver online before you arrive, and if you have any health concerns, get a letter from your doctor clearing you for diving.

What’s included

• All SCUBA equipment.
• instruction from a PADI-certified professional.
• up to 60 minutes underwater on the reef.
• a portion of your fee supports local reef restoration and ocean cleanup efforts.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 10:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (17 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 95 years) · Youth (10 to 16 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 4

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

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Aloha Maui Diving

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English only, so you need to be fluent to follow the instruction and safety briefing comfortably. Children are welcome from age 10 if they meet the swimming and physical fitness requirements. This is a shore dive with no boat, so entry and exit depend on your ability to walk in and out of the ocean carrying gear. If you can't manage that, this dive won't work for you.

Traveler reviews

4.89★★★★★★★★★★

74 verified traveler reviews

5 ★72

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 16 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

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.

Can I go scuba diving in Maui if I've never dived before?

Yes. Scuba diving in Maui with Dive Aloha is designed for beginners with no experience. The PADI instructor teaches you the basics during the briefing, then guides you through your first underwater breaths and the reef exploration. You must be comfortable in the ocean and able to swim.

What marine life will I see on the dive?

The West Maui reef is home to green sea turtles, moray eels, eagle rays, octopus, nudibranchs and abundant colorful reef fish. What you encounter depends on the day and where the reef takes you, but the operator regularly spots these species in the area.

How long am I actually underwater?

The in-water portion of scuba diving in Maui lasts up to 60 minutes, depending on how much air you consume and the safety pace your group maintains. The entire experience, including the briefing, gearing up, and walking to and from the ocean, takes 2.5 hours.

Do I need to bring my own scuba gear?

No. Scuba diving in Maui with this operator includes all SCUBA equipment: tanks, regulators, weights, wetsuit and other gear. You just need to bring yourself and be ready to carry the gear into the water.

What happens after I dive? Are there any restrictions?

Yes. After scuba diving in Maui, you must stay below 1,000 feet elevation for 18 hours. That means no flights, no Mt. Haleakala hikes, no visits to upcountry towns, paragliding or ziplining that day. Plan your itinerary around this requirement.

Is this dive suitable for someone with health concerns?

Scuba diving in Maui requires good physical health and the ability to carry at least 40 pounds. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. You must complete a medical waiver online before arrival, and if you have any health concerns, obtain a letter from your physician clearing you for diving.