Makaha Caverns

Boat diving offers straightforward entry and exit procedures. For shore diving, entry and exit are from Makaha Beach, which can have challenging surf conditions, particularly during winter months. The long surface swim to reach the caverns makes boat diving the preferred option for most.

Typically accessed by boat, with dive operators departing from various harbors on Oahu's western side. The boat ride is usually 20-30 minutes. Shore diving is possible but recommended only for very experienced divers due to the long surface swim (350+ yards) and variable conditions.

The caverns host diverse marine life including green sea turtles, white-tip reef sharks, moray eels, octopuses, and various reef fish. Schooling pyramid butterflyfish are often seen in the caverns, and frogfish and leaf scorpionfish may be spotted by keen observers. During winter months, humpback whales can sometimes be heard underwater.

The site consists of a series of connected lava tube caverns and swimthroughs. Natural light penetrates through multiple openings in the ceiling, creating dramatic light beams underwater. The caverns range in depth from 35-70 feet, with the most impressive formations between 40-50 feet. The surrounding area features finger reefs, coral gardens, and sandy channels. Most caverns and swim-throughs are spacious enough to accommodate divers comfortably, though some narrower passages require careful maneuvering.

As primarily a boat dive, parking depends on your charter's departure point. Some experienced divers do shore dive this site from Makaha Beach Park, which has a free parking lot that can fill up on weekends.

For boat dives, facilities are limited to what's provided on the dive boat. For shore diving from Makaha Beach Park, basic facilities include restrooms and outdoor showers.

Moderate. The site sees regular traffic from dive operators, but its relatively remote location on the western shore means it's less crowded than Waikiki-area sites. Multiple caverns and swim-throughs provide space for divers to spread out, preventing congestion at any single feature. Weekdays offer the least crowded experience.

Maintain good buoyancy control in the caverns to avoid stirring up silt or damaging fragile formations. While the caverns have multiple entrances/exits and are navigable by recreational divers, proper cavern diving etiquette should be followed. Surface conditions on the western shore can change rapidly - check forecasts and be prepared for potential swells, particularly during winter months. Currents around the outer edges of the reef can be strong; stay aware of your position and air supply. Respect all marine life, particularly sleeping sharks and resting turtles that may be found in the caverns.