Scuba Diving Oahu: 2-Tank Private Charter from Waikiki

Drop below the surface and navigate two separate dive sites on your own terms.

A two-tank scuba dive off Oahu boards a private boat from Waikiki and descends to two separate Pacific locations with PADI-certified instructors. All diving equipment, a professional guide and complimentary roundtrip transportation within Waikiki are included. Certified divers explore reefs and wrecks. First-time divers and snorkelers are welcome, though evidence of certification is required for certified dives and all participants complete a health questionnaire before entering the water.

The experience

You're staying in Waikiki with a free afternoon and no dive certification yet, or you have your card and want to get back in the water without arranging a boat, a guide or the logistics. The dive center picks you up at your hotel, handles the equipment, and takes you out on a private charter to two separate sites where the reef and wreck diving on Oahu actually happens. The boat is U.S. Coast Guard certified and the groups stay small, which is what makes a three-hour dive feel unhurried instead of crowded.

You'll meet eels, spotted eagle rays, octopuses and other Pacific life in their own space. The PADI-certified instructors lead the descent and stay with you underwater. If you're certified, you navigate the dive sites yourself with them nearby. First-time divers get a briefing on the boat and descend with an instructor at your side. Snorkelers can join the charter too, staying on the boat or in the shallows while the divers go deeper. The whole thing runs three hours from pickup to drop-off, which means you're back in Waikiki before dinner.

All the gear comes with you (tanks, weights, wetsuit, mask, fins), so you show up with nothing but your certification card and your shoe size. The center has been running dives off Oahu since 1979 and specializes in both wreck and reef, so the two sites they choose on any given day depend on conditions and what's running that morning. Complimentary roundtrip transportation within Waikiki means no taxi negotiation at the dock.

What’s included

• All scuba tanks and weights.
• mask, fins, regulator and wetsuit.
• professional PADI-certified guide.
• complimentary roundtrip transportation within Waikiki.
• health questionnaire and pre-dive briefing on the boat.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to Saturday5 departure times: the first at 06:45, the last at 17:30

Book up to4h before

GroupUp to 9

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 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by WAIKIKI DIVE CENTER

Is this one for you?The dive runs three hours total, which suits an afternoon with no early start, and the private boat keeps groups small so you're not jostling for space or air time. Book this if you want to descend to two separate sites without renting a boat yourself or coordinating with a larger group.

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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.

What do I need to bring to go scuba diving off Oahu?

Bring your dive certification card, your shoe size (for fins), and your T-shirt size (for a wetsuit if you need one). All tanks, weights, masks, regulators and other equipment are provided. Avoid flying within 18 hours of the dive, and complete a health questionnaire on the boat before entering the water.

Can I snorkel on this dive charter if I'm not certified?

Yes, snorkelers are welcome on the private charter. You stay on the boat or in the shallows while certified divers descend to the reef and wreck sites, and you're included in the same three-hour outing with roundtrip Waikiki pickup.

What kind of marine life will I see diving off Oahu?

Spotted eagle rays, eels, octopuses and other Pacific reef and wreck life inhabit the two dive sites. The specific animals you encounter depend on the locations chosen that day and the season, but the charter specializes in both reef and wreck diving where these species are common.

Is roundtrip transportation from my hotel included in the price?

Complimentary roundtrip transportation is included within Waikiki. The dive center is located in the heart of Waikiki near the International Marketplace and picks you up and drops you off at your hotel in that area.

What if I'm a first-time diver? Can I still go on this charter?

First-time divers are welcome, but you must have a valid PADI certification card to participate in a certified dive. If you're not certified, you can snorkel on the same charter, or contact the dive center about certification courses they offer before your dive date.