The Place of Refuge (also known as Two Steps) is a 'must-do' site. The drive to get there is wonderful, the entry is easy, and the diving is great. Turtles abound! The facilities are a little sparse. Take some water and a picnic lunch. There are porta-potties on the site.

Directions: From Kealakekua Bay, you can continue to travel South on Highway 160 for 3.2 miles to find the turn off. If this is your first destination of the day, you can take a faster route: from Kailua, drive south on Highway 11 for about 19 miles, well past Captain Cook. Take a right on Highway 160, Ke Ala o Keawe Road, (about mile mark 104) to Kealakekua Bay, and wind your way about 3.5 miles down to the ocean.

Place of Refuge (Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park)

Very easy shore dive, local PADI instructors take students here for their open water cert dives. Lots of turtles, fishes... also neat swim-throughs in the reef. Nothing too nasty, maybe the occasional reef shark, though I've never seen one here. A great O'ahu dive. But it's crowded on the summer weekends... though Three Tables (another dive site) is right next door, so there's plenty of space in the water, even if parking is bad.

Shark's Cove at Kalalua Point is another must-dive site for Oahu. The entry is easy, and it's just a short kick to get outside the reef.  Kids and snorkelers will find the cove perfect for their activities. Rocky coastal area & tidal pools teeming with small fish for snorkeling, plus showers & restrooms. Off Kamehameha Highway on the North Shore in the Waimea area.

Why is it called Shark's Cove? Because the outline of the reef from above looks like a shark.

Shark's Cove is also known as Pupukea

Shark's Cove

Black Rock was formed from one of the last-gasp lava flows on this side of the island. It is a rocky outcrop at the far North end of Ka’anapali Beach and blocks off access (from the beach) to the lesser-known Ka’anapali Resort beach called Kahekili Beach Park. The Hawai’ian name for Black Rock is Pu’u Keka’a, and ancient Hawaiians believed that this was the place where their spirits went to jump off to join ancestors forever. Unlucky souls who could not be shown the way by their family ‘aumakua (guardian animal spirit), would wander and attach themselves to rocks in the area. This is likely where the “it is bad luck to take a Hawai’ian lava rock” superstition comes from.

This is also a popular spot for cliff jumping. If you are cliff jumping, swim to the far side of the rock and climb up from there. It's much more challenging and dangerous to reach the rock by click up it from shore.

Black Rock

Puako Village End is 3.0 miles from the turn off of Rt. 19. The diving is excellent and entry is easy. This is a favorite site of the Kohala locals.

Directions: The turn off to Puako is on Highway19 about 3.4 miles South of the junction of 270 and 19. Continue down Puako Road for 3.0 miles.

Puako Village End

Koloa Landing at Hanaka'ape Bay is a very popular dive site, especially for scuba instruction.  The entry is easy, and there is plenty to see to the left and right of the landing.

From Lihu'i heading West on Highway 50, turn left on Highway 520 (Maluhia Road) at mile mark 6.8.  After about 3 miles, you'll hit a T in the road at Koloa.  Jog right and then an immediate left onto Po'ipu Road, and head South to Po'ipu.  At about mile 4.8, take the RIGHT fork.  After .2 mile, take the left fork.  You'll see the landing in about a tenth of a mile.

Koloa Landing

Breakwater Cove is another popular dive site.  Parking can be limited, so get there early.  This is a wonderful place to get a glimpse of sea lions, octopus, and other marine creatures.  The best diving is on the outer side of breakwater.  Beware of kelp and boats!

In Monterey, heading West on Del Monte, bear right onto Lighthouse Ave, then bear right onto Foam St.  Make a right onto Cannery Row.

Breakwater Cove

Popular with shore divers. Karpata is located at the end of the one-way section on the coastal road. Known for its good visibility and panorama views, this site is great for wide-angle photographers. Divers can pose by huge ship anchors embedded in the coral, or over branching colonies of elkhorn, which stretch from ten feet up to the surface. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters). Karpata is just to the East of the No Dive Zone, and offers some of the more spectacular diving on the island.On the stretch of road between Columbia and Karpata, 7 km North of Kralendijk.

Karpata

This is a site you can come back to dozens of times and never see it all.  Set up specifically for divers, you'll find wrecks, bottles, and sea life galore--  but don't even think about bringing anything back with you!  Navigation is relatively easy with the well-placed system of buoys and ropes that lead to many of the underwater sights.

Just North of Seattle, take Exit 177 off I-5 and head West toward the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry on 104.  Just before you find yourself at the Ferry, take a left on Main Street, cross the railroad tracks, then turn right into the park.

Edmonds Underwater Park

What is there that hasn't already been said about Hanauma Bay?  Divers' paradise, excellent diving, friendly marine life, etc.  Unfortunately, the
overcrowding of this popular site has caused major environmental impact and has necessitated the implementation of many conservation measures.  As crowded as this place is, it now has only one-third the attendance it used to have before restrictions were passed in 1990.  Parking, and access to the beach is controlled, and volunteer docents try to educate the visitors so additional damage is avoided.  One of our greatest concerns is the trampling of the reef.  Although numerous signs are posted, it still constantly occurs.  Although there's not too much live coral inside of the reef, other living organisms inhabit the zone, and it is basic diver etiquette to avoid touching any reef.

Take Kalanianaole Highway (72) East to Koko Head.  At the top of the hill, turn right into Hanauma Bay.

Hanauma Bay

The very best shore dive place on the East Coast I have ever dove at has been Lauderdale by the Sea. I only made it out to the first reef but it was incredible.  That should be your first stop.



Lauderdale by the Sea

This is an easy-access site toward the Southern end of Carmel River State Beach.  Come here when the main beach, just to the South, is packed.  Because this shoreline is wide open to the Pacific swells, you should consider yourself an advanced diver before negotiating the entry. Head South on Highway 1 out of Carmel.  Just as you start to see the first roadside beach, you're there!

Monastery Beach North

A very popular dive site, The Hilma Hooker, is a must-do dive.   The 70 meter cargo ship was purposely sunk on this location back in 1984.  It's a fascinating dive, if you've never had the opportunity to explore a vessel this size before.  At a depth of 20 to 35 meters, you'll need to watch your air, depth and time carefully.

150 m North of the Trans World Radio entrance (South of the Airport).

Hilma Hooker

Playa Kalki, also known as Alice In Wonderland, is a great afternoon dive destination.  Perfect for sunning and kids, and the diving is spectacular!  You'll find shade trees, a snack bar, and the most -- unique -- restroom you'll ever find.  Bring food and water just in case the snack bar is closed.

In the Northernmost village of Westpunt, turn left at the intersection below to head North along the coastal road.  Playa Kalki is 1.3 km from this intersection.

Playa Kalki (Alice in Wonderland)

Honolua Bay is a Marine Life Conservation District located on the north western end of Maui.  No fishing of any kind is allowed here making for a sealife density and diversity that is second to none on the Valley Isle. Honolua Bay is surrounded by high rocky cliffs on both sides that shelter it from the wind and keep the water calm.  An old cement boat ramp in the center of the beach divides the shoreline in two. As you sit on the beach you will be looking out across the Pailolo Channel at the eastern shores of the Island of Molokai.

Honolua Bay

More rocky coastline and spectacular canyons await you at Shaw's cove.  The diving is a breeze during good sea conditions.

Make a left on Fairview Street about 3/4 mile North of Broadway and Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna.  The entrance is at the intersection with Cliff.

Shaws Cove

An advanced dive that leaves from Maui over to the coast of the neighboring island of Molokai. In the summer, there is a pod of hammerhead sharks that swims in the area. The best time for this dive is in the summer months, around May to September. The crossing is notoriously rough, so be prepared with some anti-nausea pills.

Molokai Hammerhead Dive (Mokuhoʻoniki)

For another remote neighborhood dive, Martin Cove offers plenty to explore.  The beach entry makes this dive suitable for all experience levels

In the Pender Harbor area, 14.8km North of Halfmoon Bay on 101, turn left on Frances Peninsula Road.  Be prepared for a wonderfully winding road!

Martin Cove

Great spot, Very clear water 80'+ visibility. Huge reef that runs the coast line with valleys between like rolling hills. Large barrel coral, Ultraviolet purple sponges, large conch, spotted eels, parrot fish, lots of life and color.

Semiha

It offers very easy entry, parking next to the water. Underwater it offers local salt water fish and occasional tropical species

Point Pleasant

The Manasquan Railroad Bridge

Mala Wharf (sometimes called Mala Pier) was once a fully-functioning pier which served as a shipping facility for the island’s pineapple and agriculture. In 1992, however, 30 ft. surf came marching into Lahaina as a result of Hurricane Iniki, and the end of the dock was completely destroyed. Today, the pilings from the old dock lie scattered along the ocean floor, and what was once a shipping facility above water is now a healthy artificial reef which is home to a vast array of marine life.

The dive at Mala is one of the best shore dives on Maui. The dive much like a wreck or cave dive in that you can dive through and under parts of the pier. Be careful as some of the "coves" are dark and there can be debris from the pier, such as concrete rebar.

The light shining through the pier is magnificent, along with the marine life. Dozens of turtles, rock fish, frog fish, white tip reef sharks, and the occasional ray can all be seen here. I have never been diving here and not seen at least one white tip reef shark.

Take Front Street to Ala Moana Street (just south of Lahaina Cannery Mall). You will see signs for Mala Small Boat Ramp. Turn on this street and stay to the right. Drive as close to the boat ramp as you can and park in one of the stalls. Note that the dive site and entry is to the left of the old collapsed pier. To the right is an active boat launching ramp and harbor.

It is best to dive at high tide, as the entry requires walking about 50 ft on rocks/dead reef. Once you can put on your fins, do so and swim until it drops off to about 10-15 ft. The dive is all along the collapsed pier.

Mala Wharf is also known as Mala Harbor.

Mala Wharf

Lesser known Palauea Beach, or White Rock in the Scuba community, is an excellent dive site. Perfect for beginners and intermediates. Closest facilities are a short drive North to Polo Beach.

At the South End of Highway 31, bear right onto Wailea Iki. Continue to the T, turn left on Wailea Alanui. After 1 mile, turn right onto Kuakahi. Drive down to the T and turn left onto Makena Road. Continue for a little less than half a mile. Park on shore side of the road onto an unpaved small parking area. Basically, this is the South side of Haloa Point.

Palauea Beach (White Rock)

Three Sisters Springs is a complex of three spring areas, with many vents and sand boils that help feed Kings Bay, the headwaters of the Crystal River. These springs also constitute one of the most important natural warm-water refuges for the endangered Florida manatee. The site entrance is blocked from boats.

Fresh Water fish and turtles. Occasional manatees though diving in the area is limited when there are a high number of manatees present.

Three Sisters Spring

Since White Slave is approaching a bend in the coast line, it offers a slightly varied seascape. You have to go over the amazing coralreef system to see turtles, barracudas, large schools of fish. On the way back to where you started, cruise over the sandy part and meet the whirling-the-sand eagle rays. We saw 4 at a single dive.

White slave is a registered divesite and has a yellow stone on the roadside. Just plonge in and be amazed.

The first set of slave huts you see heading South from the Salt Pier (about 2.7 km) will be White Slave.

White Slave

The Invisibles is another spectacular dive site.

650 m South of the Salt Pier.

The Invisibles

Alice In Wonderland is another excellent view of the double reef system, should the other sites have more than a couple of divers!

1.9 km North of the Salt Pier.

Alice In Wonderland

Drift Dive following coastline from NE to SW. Sloped terrain, lots of sea life at deep and shallow levels.  

Yelapa

Level Of Skill: Advanced Divers, No Exceptions


Depth Of Location: 150 feet max, but you only need to dive to 80 to conserve air


Transportation Needed: A car


How To Get There: Drive North on Honoapiilani Hwy. 30. past Lahaina and Kapalua. It is at the 38 mile


marker. Turn left at the Nakalele Point Light Station sign. Park as close to the lighthouse as your car will allow you. Walk your way in.


When To Snorkel Or Dive: Summer and Autumn. To rough in winter. Also, all site are better in the morning before the wind kicks up.


Where To Snorkel Or Dive: Check the map. Go along the wall till your halfway out of air and start back at a different depth for another view.


What You May Find: A extremely large amount of reef fish and a beautiful, colorful reef. One of the best dives on the island. Best wall dive outside Molokini.


Site Hazards: High surf in the winter, tricky entry/exit, tough walk down


Site Facilities: None


Notes Of Interest: Wear a wetsuit for protection from rocks. Only advanced divers.

Nakalele Point

Makua Beach offers an easy beach access to an interesting shoreline.  There are no facilities at many sites on this stretch, so take plenty of water with you.

At the North end of the Farrington Highway on the West Shore.

Makua Beach

Miloli'I Bay is a great dive for a day's outing. Take a couple of tanks, water and a lunch and be prepared to be overwhelmed with relaxation. The small village is fairly isolated and children abound, so be very careful and respectful when driving and parking in this area. Remember that you are guests in their community.

Here, the entry is quite easy: just walk down the shore and ease your way into the water. You'll find the best diving around the point to your right. Be aware of small boat traffic.

Directions: Miloli'I Bay can be found after mile mark 90 on Highway 11, about 30 miles South of Kailua. Now the adventure begins: take a right on the Miloli'I intersection and wind your way several miles of lava fields, through residential area (watch for kids!) to the bay. Drive slowly and carefully, as you will not want to make a mistake on this road.

Miloli'i Bay

Margate Bay is nice, remote diving spot.

1.2 km South of White Slave.

Margate Bay

The Cliff may be found off-shore from The Hamlet resort.

2.5 km North of Kralendijk, just North the intersection of Kaya Gobernador Nicolaas and Kaya Amsterdam.

Cliff

During proper weather conditions, this is a pleasant area to dive and explore.  All the sea life you would expect should be here.  Beginners will enjoy the easy entry and relative shallows, while the advanced divers of your group will desire to explore beyond outer rocks.

From Kennybunk Port, you can take Rt. 9 North for about 9.3 miles.  Turn right onto Bridge Road, and then in another mile, left on Mile Stretch Rd, bear right on Orcutt Blvd, and go to the end.   You can also take Rt. 208 East (Pool Road) out of Biddford for about 5.5 miles, bearing left onto Bridge Road, then left onto Mile Stretch Rd., bear right on Orcutt Blvd, and go to the end.

Biddeford Pool

Crystal River is a fresh water river complex fed by warm freshwater springs. It offers a variety of fish (mullets, catfish, tarpon, etc.) and many Manatees. I found the manatees were friendly and unintimidated by SCUBA.  Sadly, all of the manatees I saw had suffered multiple prop injuries.  If you do boat in manatee territory, please look out for them.  This is an easy site to dive and offers a good environment for beginners.  Maximum depth is around 40 feet. The water is in the mid 70s to low 80s year round and I was comfortable diving in a 3-mil skin.

I know it can be shore-dived, but, I don't know a lot of the details of shore diving this site.  I dove it from a small inflatable.  I know it's in the North Western section of the Florida Peninsula, and, I believe it's a state park.  Sorry I don't have more information.  I only dove there once.

Crystal River

Lake Wazee, Black River Falls is a 5.0-star
                rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Wisconsin, USA Mid which is accessible from
                shore based on 7 ratings.

Lake Wazee, Black River Falls

Newman's Wall, like the Coco View wall, is another scenery smorgasbord of macro life.  From 3 to 30 meters, you can wend your way in and out of the canyon walls, taking in all the views Roatan is famous for.

A few kilometers East of French Harbour, take the road to Fantasy Island Resort.  You can't miss it!

Newman's Wall

Boca Slagbaai is a wonderful beach that, unfortunately, was ravaged by the extremely rare hurricane of 1999.  Many of the facilities and buildings on this beach were damaged.  As repairs are made and concessions begin operations again, we'll put a note in this section.  This is a great beach to spend the day with the kids.

See the Boca Bartol North site for Washington Park entrance directions.

Boca Slagbaai North

There are no facilities here, other than a solar-powered emergency phone and a well-paved road.  However, this is Saipan's BEST dive, and most unique, by far.  Access to the dive site is by going down 100 steps into a natural, well-lit cave.  (I've got your attention already, haven't I !)  From the bottom of the staircase, step over a narrow but fast stream onto a large, teetering rock.  Do a giant stride entry, and you will be in 15' deep water facing a 60' deep cavern with 3 separate, brilliantly lit underwater exits.  SCUBA out, and you'll always see barracuda & a white tip shark, with frequent visits by napoleon wrasses, rays, and a host of other animals.  If you're exceptionally good on air conservation, SCUBA left at 45', and you'll discover "the Bat Cave", a cave entirely underwater & as large as The Grotto.  2 sharks, bubble corals, glowing-eyed cave fishes and pink lace cave corals lie within. Safe for snorkelers within the Grotto, but only a very foolish person would snorkel outside, as re-entry is nearly impossible if you're stuck at the surface.

Extremely good roads and well-marked paths make this Saipan's easiest-to-find shore dive.  Drive North, past the "last command post" and "Banzai Cliff" memorial parks, but not as far as Bird Island lookout.  If you leave paved road, you've gone past Bird Island, turn back.  Watch for a turnoff on this well-paved road, leading LEFT (shoreward), and clearly labeled "The Grotto".  Follow this wide, twisty road to a well-paved parking lot with plenty of divers' vehicles.  There will be a staircase leading downward, and a banner like sign over the staircase telling you you've arrived at the Grotto.

The Grotto, Saipan

A lovely, almost secluded beach area that leads down an old boat ramp to an easy entry into about 20-30 fsw after a short to moderate swim.  Lots of eel grass, flounder, small fish, and other life.  Not an amazing dive but it does the trick.  Frequented by classes on weekends so it may get crowded.  Viz ranges from 3-20 feet, mostly about 8-10 on a calm day.

Route 138 east takes you to the Jamestown bridge.  Continue over the Newport Bridge and exit at Scenic Newport.  R on Farewell, R on America's Cup Ave, R on Bellevue, L on Ocean, to sign on L for King's Beach Fishing Area.  Drive to the parking lot, plenty of room, not crowded, and free.  GPS: N 41 27.234  W 071 20.543(parking lot)

King's Beach Fishing Area

The Canyon is one of the most amazing dive sites from Egypt, it's a crack that has been formed after a earthquake that touched the Gulf of Aqaba. The entrance of the Canyon is at 18 meters and you drop down until 30 meters. It's partially a overhead environment and from there the recreational divers can go through the crack and exit at a depth of 14 meters. Qualified Technical divers have the possibility to make the dive with a technical Instructor down to 52 meters where is another exit.

This dive site is 10 minutes from Dahab in direction Israel and is located in the Gulf of Aqaba. The city Dahab is located 95 km North from Sharm el Sheikh and is accessible by car or bus.

The Canyon, Dahab

The Liberty wreck is Bali’s most famous dive site. Built circa WWI this cargo ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine off Lombok. Despite attempts to tow the ship to north Bali it was taking on too much water and so was semi-beached at Tulamben. Over the years anything reusable was removed. In 1963, with the earth tremors from the last eruption of Mount Agung, the wreck slid further down the slope where it still lies (as close to the beach as it can be and still be underwater!). 
The Liberty lies approximately 30m offshore almost parallel to the beach on the sand slope, and is suitable for all levels of qualification and experience. The wreck lies in depths from 9-30m. The shallowest part of the wreck, where it touches the sand slope, is at 5-10m. Depth along the middle of the wreck averages 16-20m. The lower edge of the wreck is 20-28m (at high tide). The wreck is 120m long, it is quite broken up but you can still see the guns, toilets, boilers, anchor chain, etc. It is a lovely dive site, possibly the world’s easiest wreck dive. You can also snorkel on the wreck - the highest point of the stern is about 4m below the surface. Visibility is usually 18-25m, lower when it has been raining. There is rarely a current present, at most it will be mild. During the 3 days before the full moon, there are usually waves. The air temperature is 25-32 degrees, the water 26-28 degrees. The wreck is very popular with photographers as it is totally encrusted in anemone, gorgonians and corals. The black sand provides an excellent colour contrast for the incredible variety of marine life, which includes a huge school of big-eyed trevally and over 400 other species of fish. You will see just about everything in any Indo-Pacific Reef Guide book if you dive here. The variety is amazing. Night diving on the wreck is fantastic, especially during full moon. You may see Spanish dancers, flashlight fish, and phosphorescence.



USAT Liberty Ship Wreck

This is fine cove for casual diving.  Easy entry and mostly sheltered from the sea.

Coming from Boston, take 1A North.  It will become North Shore Road, and then Lynnway.  Continue to stay on Lynnway, wrapping around the coast, bearing right onto Nahant Road.  From that intersection, the site will be on your left in 3.25 miles.

40 Steps

From the Exmouth Visitor's Center web site (link below) : THE NAVY PIER RE-OPENS FOR DIVING News Date: 1/07/2007 Closed since the 31st July 2006, the Navy Pier will be re opening for diving in July 2007. After a lengthy tender process, the Navy Pier, which is one of Australia's BEST TEN SHORE DIVES, will re open for certified divers. The successful tender was won by Ningaloo Reef Dreaming. To take a dive on this magnificent site please contact the Exmouth Visitor Centre for more information. A dive on the pier, as described by Ningaloo Reef Dreaming: After we pick up all the customers we will drive to our warehouse and meet at the briefing room. Here we will meet and greet and have coffee and tea and cookies! Yes, paperwork needs to be done, and then the Exmouth Navy Pier briefing. Once everyone knows what to do, with who and where and also what not to do and everything is clear, it is time to set up dive gear, including a safety sausage and compass for every diver. Time to drive to the Naval commander office for the key and correct passes, we are nearly there where we want to be, the water! A short site briefing, wetsuits on, kit up, buddy checks done and there we go! Unbelievable! The first thing we see is a large school of Barracuda, to the other side we see Batfish, large Cods and also a large school of Giant Trevally is swimming by. Well that is a start! We keep descending following one of the pylons of the Pier and we are surprised by all the coral we see, just fantastic. Coral trout, Snapper, Cods, Lion fish, you name it, we have seen them all. Then suddenly coming from behind one of the pylons appears a Queensland Groper, bigger than I am! Resting on a piece of the Pier structure is a Wobbegong Shark, just under the main Pier structure. We are heading South and challenge our buoyancy in between the pylons and Pier structure and on our way we welcome more coral with lots of Nudi Branches in all different colours, waving to us, fantastic macro opportunities-- this is a photographer's dream! White tip reef Sharks, Frog fish(es), and the Tawny Nurse Shark! There, an octopus is changing its colour and if we look up, all we can see are schooling fish. Time to go up and whilst we stay on the 5 meter mark we are surrounded by Trevally until we reach the surface. This was just unbelievable, now we know why the Exmouth navy Pier is rated amongst the top 10 shore dive sites in the world!!!! Warm Regards, Jeroen de Vries, Ningaloo Reef Dreaming (see link below)

The NorthWest Cape covers a huge area with the Ningaloo reef stretching 260 km from slightly north of Exmouth to Amherst Point, south of Coral Bay. Exmouth is a small town of approximately 2500 people and is situated 1270 km north of Perth.

Exmouth Navy Pier

Caribe Blu

The double reef system continuation.

1.4 km North of the Salt Pier.

Find your next shore diving adventure

Best Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Sites in the World

Most Popular Snorkel and Scuba Diving Locations in the World

Top Rated Snorkel and Scuba Diving Locations in the World