Makena Coast Dive Charters - Maui Scuba Diving, Molokini Dive Trips, Makena Scuba Diving Locations

Dive Site Descriptions

Dive Sites:
Molokini Crater:
Reef's End
Back Wall
Mid-Reef—Hard coral gardens
Enenue

The Makena Coast of Maui, Hawaii:
The Caverns and Turtles of Pu'u o'lai
Nahuna Point aka Turtle Town/Five Caves
Saint Anthony Wreck
World War II Tank and Landing Craft

Lana'i Cathedrals

All dive sites are weather depending. We personalize the dive charter each day based on skill level, weather conditions, personal preferences and sea life activity.

Molokini
: An aquarium in the Sea! Molokini is a crater three miles off the coast of Makena, Maui. What is visible from above water is a half-circle crater which is a sanctuary to Hawaii's sea bird population. This unique site is a Marine Sanctuary which offers a special set of dive conditions and a wide variety sea life. The water visibility is generally 100-200 feet and water temps of 72-85 degrees!

There are several dive sites at Molokini Crater; our favorites are:

Reef's End: An underwater finger of reef extends the half-circle you see above water by another quarter of the circular crater. At the end of that submerged reef is an area aptly named: Reef's End. The reef ends in a series of stair steps that extend from 10 feet below the surface to approx. 350 feet.

Here we often see baby White Tip Reef sharks (and thier mothers...), occasional Grey Sharks, lobsters, a variety of eels, antler coral and what we have dubbed, "The Galaxy of Fish"—From Raccoon Butterflies to Damsel fish, schools of Pennent Fish, Moorish Idols and Blue-stripped Snappers... Majestic Manta Rays often come to Molokini to feed, and dolphins, both Spinner and Bottlenose are often spotted here.

This dive is reserved for our certified divers with a dive profile of approx. 85 feet for 30 minutes.

During whale season (Late Dec. through April) you are almost guaranteed to see the awe-inspiring Humpback Whales as they enjoy their winter vacation in Maui's warm waters.

Call Toll-Free 800-833-6483
for information and reservations!

Back Wall: The back wall of Molokini is a spectacular dive, as the sheer wall of the crater drops from 200 feet above the surface to 400 feet below! This dive is reserved for advanced, experienced divers as expert bouyancy control is a must! Because the dive is bordered by open ocean, we never know what might swim by: dolphins, mantas, whales, and sharks have all made an appearance there! The typical sea life on the back wall is not as prevalent as it is at Reef's End or Mid-Reef, but the sheer wall, deep water and sun rays all interact to make a beautiful sight.
Back Wall dives (as all dive sites) are weather and skill level dependent. This dive profile is generally run to 85 feet for 30 minutes.

Mid-Reef: Molokini's Mid-Reef is in the center of the crater. The depths range from 30-80 feet over a beautiful carpet of coral. Multitudes of fish and eels dart in and out of the crevices and holes treating divers to a rainbow of colors. A lone, rare and endangered Hawksbill Turtle occasionally takes up residency here, as does an endnagered monk seal from time to time, neither is at all shy about saying hello to divers. The abundance of sea life at the edge of mid-reef is offset by the brilliant turquoise back drop of open ocean beyond.

This dive may be the finishing touch of the Reef's End dive after passing the Garden Eels that dwell in the sand channel between the two sites, or it is dived as a second dive to a maximum of 60 feet for 30 minutes.

Enenue: The eastern point of the crater closest to the island of Maui offers another excellent dive site. The steep slope of reef and its currents display beautiful corals, and often bring in grey sharks, Mantas and more....

The Makena Coast of Maui:

Pu'uola'i: Otherwise known as "Red Hill" (a small crater that towers over the shoreline of Makena) is a site that we dive as a drift dive, moving from the bay just off the Maui Prince Resort toward "Big Beach" and "Little Beach" of the Makena Coast. Moving with the current, if there is one, divers are treated to lava rock formations, caverns, corals and the wonderful—Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle. Once at the edge of extinction, the Green Sea Turtle has made a remarkable comeback and is a real treat to dive with.

Pu'u ola'i is a second dive with a profile of 45 feet max. for the duration of the tank (generally 45 minutes to an hour).

Nahuna Point A.K.A. Five Caves/ Turtle Town: This site should be called "Five Names" as it has been known as Five Caves, Five Graves, Turtle Town, Makena Landing and Nahuna Point. No matter what name you call it, the dive site is a great shallow dive that offers an abundance of Green Sea Turtles, multi-colored fish, eels, archways you can swim through, coral, cleaner shrimp, and so much more. Eagle Rays have also made Turtle Town a frequent destination.

Our introductory dives are often held here, as new divers emerge ecstatic about the abundance of sea life and the ease of the dive. The profile is 45 feet for the duration of the tank.

Tank and Landing Craft: Remnants of World War II, these two wrecks are in 60 feet of crystal clear water off the coast of the Maui Prince Resort. Still recognizable after 50 years underwater, eels have taken up residency in the pipes and barrels. A strange mix of weaponry and old amunition are interspersed with a plethora of sea life. Schools of Weke or goat fish swim around the wreck in synchronistic harmony. Octopus are regularly found here. The short swim from one wreck to the other over a sandy bottom, offers an opportunity to find shells. Fragile, but beautiful, Sea Biscuit's litter the sandy bottom and challenge divers to pick them up without breaking them.

The Tank and Landing Craft are offered as a second dive with a profile of 60 feet for 30 minutes.

St. Anthony Wreck: Just off shore from the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort, this fishing troller was sunk in 60 feet of water, amidst an artificial reef. An abundance of sea life has taken up residency on and around the boat. Two frog fish took up residency on deck, nicknamed "The Captain" and "Little Buddy".

Turtles leisurely swim to the surface for air and then settle back down on the deck of the St. Anthony while schools of Weke, goat fish, circle and dart synchronistically around the divers.

This dive profile is 60 foot for 30 minutes.

Call Toll-Free 800-833-6483 for information and reservations!

Lana'i Cathedrals: Offered as a private charter, Lana'i is an hour and a half boat ride leaving from Kihei Boat Ramp at the foot of Haleakala (10,000 foot dormant volcano), passing between West Maui's beautiful mountains and the island of Kahoolawe to the shores of Lana'i. The dive sites, the Cathedrals, were aptly named as one gets the sense that they are swimming into an ancient place of worship. Divers enter the caverns in the rock pinnacles at First Cathedral through an opening at 55 feet. The cavern opens into a breathtaking scene complete with "stained glass windows." Holes in the rock walls are back lit through turquoise blue water that leaves the effect of clear blue glass. Second Cathedrals is another favorite at Lana'i. Again, entering the pinnacle at 50 feet, divers can swim, in through and around the caverns that have cathedral ceilings that extend almost all the way to the surface. Large pods of dolphins frequent the waters off of Lana'i and are often sighted on the trip to and from.

Both of the Cathedrals dive sites are about 60 feet in depth.
We only offer Lanai dives on a private charter basis.

All dive sites are weather dependant and the Captain's call. We personalize the dive site choice each day based on preferences of the passengers, skill levels, weather conditions and sea life activity.

Photos used with permission by Benja Iglesis. www.BenjaIglesis.com