If you are visiting Maui, don’t pass up the opportunity to scuba dive.
Scuba diving on Maui is a fantastic experience. There are so many areas on Maui where you can scuba dive, and see breathtaking sites.
In this article, we will be focusing on the best areas in Maui to scuba dive, how much it will cost, and the certifications you need to dive.
Is Maui good for scuba diving?
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Yes, Maui is fantastic for scuba diving.
The water is crystal clear and there’s plenty of sea life to see. And lava tubes offer a unique scuba diving experience.
Given that the water is so clear, Maui is also a great place to practice and learn.
Sea Life
While it will depend on the scuba diving area, and the time of the day, there are many species to see, including dolphins, humpback whales, manta rays, and whale sharks. As the water is crystal clear you will be able to see everything clearly.
Here are some scuba diving spots in Maui we personally love:
Back Wall of Molokai
This is one of the most beautiful scuba diving spots in the world. The water is warm, and there are manta rays, gray shark, shrimp, and octopus to see.
You will need to join a trip to this area, but it is certainly worth it.
At certain times of the year, the sound of the humpback whale echoes off the wall, which is a spectacular sound to behold.
Molokai Hammerhead Dive
Molokai Hammerhead Dive is a particularly popular scuba diving spot.
It is located at Lahaina and you can see the Hammerhead sharks in their natural habitats. The trips run weekly, and it is something that you will want to experience when visiting Maui
Lanai Cathedrals
If you are a more experienced scuba diver, and looking for something a little different, you will want to consider Lanai Cathedrals.
Here you will be able to explore volcanic caves, and caverns, featuring lava tubes, and the black coral within the caves resemble chandeliers.
There are so many many places to scuba dive on Maui, and you will never be short of things to see. Maui is a fantastic island for scuba diving.
Can you scuba dive in Maui without certification?
On Maui certification for scuba diving is not needed. As a result, you are free to participate in organized scuba diving activities.
But, if you’re a beginner, we do recommend seeking out a professional to provide you with some lessons. This is the easiest and safest way to learn.
If you are looking to participate in lessons, you do not need any previous experience, and there are many instructors that are more than happy to show you the ropes. When you get more confident with scuba diving, you can then participate in more dives.
How much does it cost to scuba dive on Maui?
While scuba diving is not the cheapest activity to participate in, you may be surprised to learn that it is not overly expensive. How much the experience costs will ultimately depend on the company you choose, and the dive you want to participate in.
For example, beginner dives are less expensive in comparison to the more difficult options.
On average a scuba diving session will cost around $100 – $160, though this price can vary. When you take into consideration hiring the equipment, paying for the transport, and the cost of the instructor, this is reasonable.
Shark and turtle dives do tend to be more expensive, and tours can be more expensive too. However, given the whole experience, they are certainly worth it. The dive trips will last for a day, and often if you book more than one trip, there are discounted options available too.
We always recommend scuba diving with a professional company as this will ensure you are safe at all times, and they will provide you with all the equipment needed.
If you have your own gear…
However, if you already have the correct certifications, and your own gear, then scuba diving will be less expensive as you will not necessarily have to stick to an organized trip, and you can explore some of the areas yourself.
We recommend checking with the local trip guides to see which option sounds the best for you. From there you will be able to work out how much the trip will cost, based on your interests.
