The Hawaiian islands are magnificent – both above and below the water. With reefs and bommies, pinnacles and lava tubes, arches, and caves that were formed from hot, molten magma, the Big Island is home to more than 50 species of coral, plus an incredibly diverse population of marine life. While great cave dives can be hard to find in some other places, there are countless underwater caves to explore here, in the reefs around the big island! Let’s take a look at just a few of the best.
Ulua Caverns - Hawaii Dive Sites
A fantastic place to dive, day or night, Ulua Caverns features rocky ledges and a massive swim-through cave, plus a deep drop off to 100 feet for those divers wishing to see a little further out into the blue! The average depth here, though, is about 15 feet, and combined with visibility that routinely exceeds 100 feet, this is a fantastic place for underwater photography!
You’ll find lots of butterfly fish, angelfish, squirrel fish, goatfish, and others swarming around the ledges and cave entrance, and inside, puffer fish and porcupine fish hide in the shadows. Look for sponge crabs, Spanish dancers, and frogfish, as well. Once you’ve finished exploring the caves, look for rays and dolphins, and even monk seals. Between December and April, divers often hear the songs of humpback whales echoing through the caverns as they explore. This is an amazing dive, perfect for all levels!
Pentagon - Hawaii Dive Sites
Pentagon features amazing lava tubes and arches, plus a unique formation that is much like a massive room. The dive site got its name due to the five entrances and exits, which include two massive skylights that create the perfect backdrop for photos from beneath. By following a 40 foot tube to the outer edges of the cave, which are known as “outside pentagon”, you can see a series of looping arches and swim-throughs covered in coral and sponge growth. Look for spotted and green moray eels, Moorish idols and puffer fish, triggerfish and angelfish, cowries, and green sea turtles as you explore this incredible network of caves. Depths are shallow – between 10 and 35 feet – making this site popular with snorkelers and divers of every level. Best of all, it is accessible from the beach, or you can take a charter.
Black Point Caves - Hawaii Dive Sites
The beautiful Black Point Caves are subject to intense currents, and though average depth is only 30 feet and maximum depth is at 70 feet, the site is restricted to expert divers most of the time. A fantastic ledge covered in healthy coral growth points the way toward a maze of lava tubes and even more ledges, where white tip reef sharks hide, and where octopus enjoy squeezing themselves between the rocks and into the cracks. Look for turtles, too, and enjoy all the fish life, especially the schooling pyramid butterfly fish that are everywhere.
If you have never dived in an overhead environment before, Hawaii’s wonderful cave dives, especially in some of these large, wide open spaces, are the perfect place to go. Local dive schools are more than happy to help you to increase your diving knowledge, and before you know it, you’ll be qualified! More experienced divers will truly enjoy this underwater fantasyland, and underwater photographers will think they’ve died and gone to heaven. Enjoy your diving holiday in Hawaii – just remember to schedule your dives in advance!