Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Impressions
Thousands have daily lined the wharves to wit-
ness the carpenter, Mr. Dibble, in his novel suit of
India-rubber with a glass helmet, disappear be-
neath the surface of the water. . . .
—1840 Honolulu newspaper article
Scuba Diving
Oahu is a wonderful place to scuba dive, especially for those interested in wreck diving. One
of the more famous wrecks in Hawaii is the
Mahi,
a 185-foot former minesweeper easily ac-
cessible just south of Waianae. Abundant marine life makes this a great place to shoot pho-
tos—schools of lemon butterflyfish and taape are so comfortable with divers and photograph-
ers that they practically pose. Eagle rays, green sea turtles, manta rays, and white-tipped
sharks occasionally cruise by as well, and eels peer out from the wreck.
For nonwreck diving, one of the best spots in summer is
Kahuna Canyon.
In Hawaiian,
kahuna means priest, wise man, or sorcerer; this massive amphitheater, near Mokuleia, is a
perfect example of something a sorcerer might conjure up. Walls rising from the ocean floor
create the illusion of an underwater Grand Canyon. Inside the amphitheater, crabs, octopuses,
slippers, and spiny lobsters abound (be aware that taking them in summer is illegal), and gi-
ant trevally, parrotfish, and unicorn fish gather as well. Outside the amphitheater, you might
just see an occasional shark in the distance.
Because Oahu's most rewarding dives are offshore, your best bet is to book a two-tank
dive from a dive boat. Hawaii's oldest and largest outfitter is
Aaron'sDiveShop,
307 Hahani
sions off the coast. Boat dives cost from $125 per person, including two tanks and transport-
ation from the Kailua shop. The beach dive off the North Shore in summer or the Waianae
Coast in winter is the same price as a boat dive, including all gear and transportation. Price
includes pick up in Honolulu.
everything from shipwreck dives in Waikiki to World War II Corsair plane dives in Hawaii
Kai, for just $129 for a two-tank boat dive (friends or family members can tag along for just
$35 each to snorkel). Captain Brian, who has a couple of decades under his dive belt, loves
to help beginners feel comfortable scuba diving, as well as show experienced scuba divers
what the Waikiki coast has to offer. On the North Shore,
Surf-N-Sea,
62-595 Kamehameha
the shore (starting at $75 for one tank), from a boat ($140 for two tanks), and at night ($100 for
one tank, summer only). Surf-N-Sea also rents equipment and can point you to the best dive
sites in the area.
