Discover Scuba Diving & Shore Dive at Koloa Landing

Quick Details

• Duration: 4 hours total

• Capacity: 8 passengers maximum per group

• Instructor Ratios: Groups of 1 to 4 divers have 1 instructor. Groups of 5 to 8 divers have 2 instructors!

• Included: Full rental gear, tanks, weights, snacks, and drinks

Taught by the Owners

You will be instructed directly by the owners, Nick or Jessie! We each have over a decade of professional diving experience, so you are in the most experienced, patient, and knowledgeable hands on the island.

Non-Certified Divers (Discover Scuba Diving)

If you want to try scuba diving without taking a full certification course, Discover Scuba Diving is for you! You will experience the underwater world on a guided shore dive at Koloa Landing with a certified instructor.

• Small Group Ratios: We keep groups small and personal with an 8 person total capacity. Groups of up to 4 people get 1 instructor, and groups of 5 to 8 people get 2 dedicated instructors for extra safety and attention.

• Instruction & Briefing: We start with 30 minutes to an hour on shore to go over basic diving concepts, safety, equipment, and fitting your gear.

• Surface Practice: After gearing up, we walk into calm, shallow water where your instructor practices basic skills with you at the surface until you feel completely comfortable and ready to descend.

• Two Full Dives: Your first dive lasts anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes depending on air consumption. We take a short surface interval for water and snacks, then head back in for a second tank, where most people easily dive 40 to 60 minutes!

• Requirements: Participants must be at least 10 years old, in good physical health, and an adequate swimmer.

Certified Divers

Want to tag along with a non-certified friend or family member? You can sign up to join this exact tour!

• Great for Nervous or Rusty Divers: If you are certified but have not dived in a long time, feel anxious, or want a slow-paced refresher, this shallow shore dive is the absolute best tour to book.

• Note for Certified Divers: Please note that you will be diving alongside non-certified divers at a relaxed, beginner-friendly pace.

Location & Parking Info

• Location: Koloa Landing public access area in Hanakaʻape Bay.

• Parking: Parking is free! Please park at the top of the hill and walk down to meet us.

• How to Find Us: Look for our dive truck or van and instructors near the bottom staging area.

About Koloa Landing Dive Site

Koloa Landing is nutrient rich and home to an incredible concentration of marine life!

• Abundant Sea Turtles: One of the best spots on Kauaʻi to see Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles up close!

• Rare Moray Eels: Famous for its huge variety of moray eels. It is common to spot 5 or 6 different species on a single dive, including rare Snowflake and Dragon Moray Eels!

• Rich Underwater Wildlife: Keep an eye out for octopus, frogfish, blue-spotted cornetfish, orange-mouth lizardfish, and vibrant endemic reef fish found nowhere else on Earth.

• Historic Site: Koloa Landing has a fascinating history as the 3rd largest whaling port in the Hawaiian Islands!

What to Bring & What to Wear

• Swimwear: Wear a swimsuit under your clothes. Sports bras and yoga style shorts are also very comfortable under wetsuits for women.

• Sun & Wind Protection: Hat, sunglasses, and a warm jacket or sweatshirt (you can get chilly after coming out of the ocean).

• Personal Items: Towel and reef-safe sunscreen.

Refreshments Included

• Hydration: Complimentary water and juice available throughout the tour.

• Snacks: Fresh fruit, cheese, dip, tortilla chips, potato chips, and cookies served during our surface break!

Important Medical Requirement

• Medical Form Review: All participants must review and complete a medical questionnaire prior to diving.

• Pre-Existing Conditions: Conditions such as ear infections, cold or congestion, asthma, heart conditions, or sinus issues may require a doctor’s clearance before getting into the water. Please check the medical form before your tour date!

Frequently Asked Questions

• How many people will be in our group? We cap our shore tours at 8 people maximum. Groups of 1 to 4 divers get 1 instructor, while groups of 5 to 8 divers get 2 instructors so everyone receives personal attention.

• Who will our instructor be? You will be guided by Nick or Jessie, the owners! We each have over 10 years of experience teaching and guiding in Hawaiʻi.

• Is there an age limit to dive? Participants must be at least 10 years old for Discover Scuba Diving. There is no maximum age limit as long as you are in good physical health and cleared on the medical questionnaire.

• Is this a boat dive? No, this is a shore dive where we walk in from a gentle, shallow ramp into a calm bay. This is by far the easiest and most comfortable way for first-time divers to try scuba!

• What if I struggle to equalize my ears? Equalizing is something we take very slowly! We teach you proper techniques on shore and practice in shallow water. Because we walk in from shore, we can stop, stay shallow, or ascend a few inches until your ears comfortably adjust.

• What if I realize underwater that scuba diving is not for me? There is zero pressure! Since we start in chest-deep water, your instructor can easily walk or swim you back to shore at any time if you decide you prefer not to dive.

• Can I bring a GoPro or camera? Yes! You are welcome to bring a GoPro or underwater camera on any dive to capture the marine life and sea turtles.

• Can non-diving family members come watch or join? While Koloa Landing consists mostly of rocks and boulders near the entry ramp rather than a beach lounge area, non-diving family members are welcome to come along and snorkel in the bay on their own while you dive!

• Are there sharks at Koloa Landing? While Kauaʻi ocean waters are home to varied marine life, Koloa Landing is primarily known for sea turtles, moray eels, octopus, and tropical fish. Reef sharks are rare at this shore site and generally avoid human interaction.

• How deep do we go? For Discover Scuba, dive depths can go up to 40 feet, which is where most of the turtles, corals, and marine life hang out!

• Where do we park and meet? Parking is completely free at the top of the hill. Park up top and walk down to look for our dive truck or van near the staging area!

• Are there bathrooms on site? Yes, there is a public porta-potty located at the Koloa Landing site.

• What if I need a prescription mask? We do not carry prescription masks, but you can safely wear soft contact lenses under a standard mask! If you do not wear contacts, you can rent a prescription dive mask nearby at Boss Frog’s before your tour.

• Is there a place to leave my personal belongings? Yes, you can leave your dry bags, shoes, car keys, and towels safely in our locked dive vehicle while we are in the water.

• Can I fly on an airplane after this dive? PADI guidelines require a minimum surface interval before flying or traveling up to high elevations (like Kokeʻe State Park or Waimea Canyon). For a two tank shore dive, you must wait at least 18 hours before flying.

• What happens if the weather or ocean conditions are bad? Safety is our top priority. If conditions at Koloa Landing are unsafe or too rough, we will contact you as early as possible to reschedule, move to an alternate shore site, or offer a full refund.