Certified Diving off Oahu: 2-Tank Reef Dives with Gear Included

Dive two reefs in one morning and surface between dives to decompress and spot dolphins.

Certified Diving off Oahu is a guided two-tank reef dive on the south shore of Honolulu, led by a PADI professional and including free premier gear rental, snacks and refreshments. You board Dive Oahu's boat, descend to depths between 25 and 50 feet at sites like Kaiser's and Turtle Canyons, and spend roughly three hours in the water across both dives with a surface interval in between. All divers must show proof of PADI certification or equivalent before boarding and arrive 30 minutes early for waivers and equipment fitting.

The experience

If you're a certified diver with a free morning in Honolulu, this is the dive that gets you underwater without renting gear separately or hunting for a boat. You show up at the harbor, the guide handles the briefing, and you're descending to the first reef site within the hour. The boat runs daily charters on the south shore, where the reefs sit at manageable depths and the marine life (sharks, turtles, eels, rays, octopus, endemic fish) is dense enough that you'll see something on both dives.

The two sites rotate depending on conditions, but Kaiser's, Turtle Canyons and Secrets are the regular stops. After the first dive, you surface for a break, eat snacks, and get back in the water for the second tank. The whole outing runs about three hours from boat departure to return, which means you're done by early afternoon and can still move on to something else. The depths range from 25 to 50 feet, so it's not a technical dive. It's a chance to move slowly through the reef and watch the fish and invertebrates that live there.

All gear comes with you: wetsuit, tank, regulator, BCD, fins. You don't rent separately or worry about whether the equipment fits. The crew handles that during the 30-minute pre-dive window. Snacks and water are on board. The only things you bring are proof of your PADI card (or equivalent certification), your weight and date of birth for the dive computer, and the ability to swim and be in reasonable health. Don't fly within 24 hours of diving, and if you want add-ons like a GoPro rental, an underwater scooter, or a private photographer, you can book those at checkout.

What’s included

• Two guided dives at different reef sites on Oahu's south shore.
• free premier gear rental including wetsuit, tank, regulator, BCD and fins.
• PADI-certified guide leading both dives.
• free snacks and refreshments on board.
• surface interval between dives.

Options for this experience

2 options

Snorkel OnlyGuide in English · 07:30 and 10:30Snorkel Only

Two-tank shallow reef dives off Oahu for certified diversGuide in English · 07:30 and 10:30

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 07:30 and 10:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (15 to 90 years) · Child (8 to 14 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 21

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 effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Dive Oahu Inc

Is this one for you?Book this if you're a certified diver with a morning free and no gear of your own. Everything is fitted and ready when you arrive, so you move straight from the harbor to the water without renting separately or assembling equipment yourself. The two-dive format and the 25- to 50-foot depths make it a relaxed reef exploration rather than a technical challenge, so it suits divers who want to move slowly and watch the marine life instead of covering distance.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 14 years). Children under 8 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.

What's the water like at the reef sites off Oahu where we dive?

The reefs sit at depths between 25 and 50 feet on the south shore, where the water is clear enough to see coral formations, endemic Hawaiian fish, and larger animals like sharks, turtles and rays. The sites rotate (Kaiser's, Turtle Canyons and Secrets are the main ones) depending on conditions and where the marine life is active that day.

Do I need to bring my own diving certification, or can I get certified on the boat?

You must show proof of PADI certification or another approved diving course before boarding. This dive is for certified divers only. If you're not certified yet, you would need to book a different option or complete a certification course beforehand.

What animals might I see on these two dives?

The reefs around Honolulu are home to sharks, turtles, eels, rays, octopus, starfish, crabs, Hawaiian endemic fish and dolphins. What you encounter depends on the day and the specific sites, but the marine life is consistent enough that you'll see something on both dives.

Is the gear rental included, or do I need to bring my own equipment?

Premier gear rental is free and included: wetsuit, tank, regulator, BCD and fins all come with the dive. The crew fits everything during the 30-minute pre-dive window before the boat leaves, so you don't need to arrange or bring your own.

How much time is there between the two dives?

After the first dive, you surface and have a relaxing interval on the boat with snacks and refreshments before gearing up again for the second tank. The whole outing runs about three hours from departure to return.

What do I need to do before the boat leaves?

Arrive at the harbor 30 minutes before the scheduled dive time. You'll complete waivers, have your gear fitted, and provide your PADI certification card, weight and date of birth. Don't fly within 24 hours of diving, and make sure you're in good health and able to swim.