West Shore Dive Sites

The Mahi

Dive the west side from Waianae Boat Harbor and you can explore wreck of The Mahi. Originally built by the Navy as a minesweeper, this 165ft vessel worked as a cable-layer and divers can see the bowsprit and large cable reel on descent.

The Mahi was Oahu's first intentionally sunk wreck for artificial reef purposes. The Mahi was sunk in 1982 just before Hurricane Iwa. The storm then turned the boat 180 degrees from her original position. This site is great for eagle rays, so be sure and watch the blue water in the distance. Porcepine and spiny pufferfish are abundant just above the wreck. The orange cup coral growing in the holds makes for beautiful pictures if you light it with a flash.

 

Makaha Caverns

This is a great second dive off the Waianae coast and is a mainstay for the leeward side boat charters. The lava tubes, archways, and caverns are in 30 to 50 feet of water and are a beautiful haven for turtles, huge schools of goat fish, taape, and an occasional white tip shark resting under one of the many overhangs. Because of the relatively shallow depths and the availability of natural light, this site is a photographer’s dream. Navigation can be a little tricky, so follow a guide or be aware of your compass if you cover a considerable distance.

 

Electric Beach

This beach dive is best attempted when there is not much of a swell on the west side, as entry is through a narrow beach area leading out to the dive site. A surface swim about 50 yards will lead you out and ready to descend on the various reef and walls that populate this area. There is also a large pipe that provides an artifical reef and has large variety of inhabitants. You will often find families of porcupine puffer fish in this area. As you navigate from reef to reef you will see many coral outcroppings and keep a look out for spotted eagle rays and octopi often spotted in this area. This area is also often frequented by a pod of Spinner Dolphins that live in the waters around Oahu. Keep your eyes and ears (as you can hear their calls) for them as you dive here.

 

Black Rock/Ulua Cave

Black rock dive site is a multi-level dive ranging from 55-90 feet. At this dive site you will see a combination of lava rock formations, caves, coral, reef life, rays, turtles and reef sharks. Often a white tip reef shark can be spotted sleeping within the cave, so bring a light along to check things out. After exploring the cave, navigate along the top of the rock/reef to see the fish species inhabitating the area

 

Airplane

This dive site contains a small airplane lying at a depth of 90 feet. It appears within a ledgy reef formation home to many of Oahu's sea creatures. Eels, blue striped snapper, spiny lobsters and crab are often spotted here. Additionally, white tip reef sharks are also commonly spotted sleeping below the ledges. This dive is a nice combination of wreck and reef for the diver's viewing pleasure.