Black Coral Forest
The beauty and wonder of the Big Island’s Black Coral Forest make it one of the best places for scuba diving. Located off the Kona Coast, this unique forest is home to a wide variety of corals rarely seen anywhere else on Earth. From vibrant purple and pink species to glowing golden corral, diving along the inky depths offers a captivating view with each dive. The serene environment, surrounded by walls of coral, attracts thousands of hawkfish who call the area home as well.
With excellent visibility underwater, divers can explore up close these magnificent creatures as they gracefully move out of your way. As an experience that must be seen to be believed, diving at Black Coral Forest offers an unforgettable adventure beneath the big island’s stunning Pacific waters.
Crescent Beach
Crescent Beach on the big island of Hawaii is considered one of the best places for scuba diving because of the abundant sea life, crystal clear waters, and coral reefs. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, there are plenty of sites to explore in this area. Most dives start at about 40-60 ft, with visitors seeing dolphins, turtles, rays, eels, barracuda, and carved sandstone arches. There are also deeper spots for experienced divers to enjoy and longer dive times than other spots around the beach.
The visibility underwater is usually good due to the natural sand filters, which can make exploring much easier. Overall, Crescent Beach provides an enjoyable experience for even novices, so if you ever plan to visit the big island of Hawaii, it is not something that should be missed out on!
Puako
Puako boasts a variety of environments, from shallow coral reefs to deep crevices and lava tubes. Experienced divers can explore a ramble of towering lava formations, home to diverse marine species such as turtles, rays, eel, and tropical fish. The visibility at depths of 50 feet and more is usually very good, allowing for an unforgettable experience immersed in crystal clear waters.
With its diverse marine life, beautiful reef formations, and waves perfect for snorkeling, Puako is an excellent spot for shore and boat dives. Once you’re ready to take a break from the depths, explore Puako’s colorful shallows, which are home to some of Hawaii’s most vibrant coral gardens. Here you’ll find an exceptional variety of hard and soft corals teeming with schools of fish.
Garden Eel Cove
Garden Eel Cove is a dream come true for scuba diving fanatics. Located on the outskirts of Kona, this sensational spot offers an incredible variety of sea creatures and plentiful aquatic greenery. Visitors to Garden Eel Cove can expect to discover unique species in abundance, like numerous types of coral, rarely seen puffer fish, and colorful starfish.
With its incredible scenery and an outstanding array of sea life, Garden Eel Cove is undoubtedly one of the best places to explore! This is also the location of the legendary Manta Ray Night Dive, an experience that is truly one of a kind. Between May and September, majestic Manta Rays flock to Garden Eel Cove for nightly feeding frenzies, offering divers the chance to observe them up close.
Big Island Scuba Diving Is A Can’t-Miss Adventure!
When it comes to big island scuba diving, plenty of places offer an incredible experience. Each location offers unique beauty and wonders beneath the waves, from Black Coral Forest and Crescent Beach to Puako and Garden Eel Cove. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, these locations will provide thrilling opportunities to observe the majestic creatures of the deep and breathtaking reefs and aquatic gardens. If you’re planning a visit to Hawaii, do yourself a favor, and don’t miss out on these amazing scuba diving spots!