This is the fourteenth in a series which introduces and describes the various dive services and sites for worldwide liveaboard dive safaris. This one focuses on Hawaii liveaboards.
In addition to this series on liveaboards, the best worldwide dive resort locations and services are reviewed in their own series. To check them out, or others in this series, click on Liveaboards/Resorts on the menu at top and choose a title from the list.
Have you ever been diving in Hawaii before? If so, I’d love to know about your experience. What dive shop or liveaboard did you use? Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.? Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.
Best Scuba Diving Hawaii
Somewhat surprisingly, there is only one major liveaboard company operating in Hawaii, the Aggressor Fleet. Certainly, it is possible to charter other excellent vessels of various sizes and configurations, but that method tends to be very expensive. The very reasonable Aggressor rates are even more favorable when compared to paying for a decent Hawaiian hotel and trying to get in a good 5-6 dives a day, including night dives, on top of accommodation fees. This is one of the best all inclusive scuba vacations on a very comfortable boat that has been in operation in this location since 1989. The food and service are outstanding and for a maximum of 14 divers, it can become a close-knit and personal experience.
Kona Aggressor II ($266/day)
Featuring
- Cruises the west coast of Hawaii island
- Itinerary: Turtle Pinnacle, Shark Fin Rock, Amphitheater, Lion’s Den, 3 Room Cave, Paradise Pinnacle, Au Au Crater, Tubastrea Tunnel, Catacombs, The Maze, Black Coral Forest and Rainbow Reef
- 24 meters long (79 feet)
- Maximum of only 14 guests,
- Single supplement: +65%
- All cabins have en-suite bathrooms
- Complimentary local beer and wine
- Shaded wet bar and grill
- Daily meals prepared by an onboard chef
- Tanks and weights
- Scuba equipment rental ($175 per week)
- Nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers ($100 per person per tour)
- Air-conditioned accommodations
- Comfortable galley accommodations complete with flat screen TV
- Helpful crew and deckhands
- Final evening cocktail
- Wifi
Check it on Dive the World by clicking their banner on the right sidebar or at the bottom and going to Liveaboards / Hawaii
Best Scuba Diving Hawaii Liveaboards – Kona Aggressor II
The “Kona” in Kona Aggressor II represents Kona, on the big island of Hawaii. Kona Aggressor dive safaris focus on the dive sites on the west side of this island. Diving is good all around the Hawaiian Islands, but this area arguably has the best. There are 22 primary dive sites (see map below) and most of the diving is suitable for open water divers.
The Hawaiian Islands result from volcanic activity which has created a fascinating seascape of arches, craters, bommies and lava tubes to explore. About 20% of the fishes are endemic, with many examples in the butterfly fish and angelfish families. Otherwise, there is a great variety of reef life that includes the Hawaiian lionfish, frogfish, eels, Spanish dancers and visitors like large trevallies, dolphins, turtles, oceanic whitetips, hammerheads, and mantas, which are famous here for their appearance during night dives (as evidenced in the video above).
Water temperatures run from 72 to 80°F (22 to 26°C) and there are thermoclines. 3-5mm wetsuits are recommended. Many divers prefer to use a hood, as well.
People have a great time on this Aggressor liveaboard doing up to 5 or 6 dives per day and enjoying the camaraderie, food, and service in between. The Aggressor motto is “Eat. Sleep. Dive.”
There is not a liveaboard going to Oahu, but diving from a resort there is very interesting. For my review, please click here:
Hawaii Photos
With the macro life, beautiful, diverse coral reef and lots of fish, there are many excellent photo opportunities. For information and reviews of diving cameras, click here:
Scuba Diving Trip Insurance
A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation. I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and provide scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service.
Feedback and Comments
I hope you found this post on Hawaii liveaboards interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section. I’d love to know of any experience you have. If there is no comments section directly below, click here: >>comments<<
I didn’t really have Hawaii on my bucket list of places to dive, but my daughter recently told me her husband is probably going to be stationed in Hawaii, and she wants me to come and stay with her there for a while. So now I’m exploring Hawaii and adding it to my list. Wow, the prices are amazing, and they include everything! This sounds like a dream trip, and I’m starting to get super excited. I want her to think I’m going to Hawaii to see her, lol, but this might be part of my decision-making process. Thanks for another great write-up on another great possibility. Awesome!
Hi again, Babsie,
Thanks for your continued support.
How convenient to have your family members in Hawaii to visit in combination with some diving. I wish I were joining you. Please give me a report on how it goes.
Take care and have a good time. If you have questions or concerns, please let me know.
Best regards,
Joe
Dear Joe,
Thanks a lot for the article I enjoyed it and This was very insightful.
I love scuba diving and often read articles related to it and please don’t ask me how many times I did scuba diving not even one time lol. For sure its on my list and while reading your post I felt like I was in Hawaii Scuba Diving – Kona Aggressor II awesome great walk through!
The video you embedded was awesome and I really enjoyed it and felt like I was part of the team. I am going to share your post with my wife and she too loves scuba diving and together we are planning for it and at the moment we talk a lot about it.
Indeed interesting and useful post!
Wishing you great success!
Paul
Hi Paul
Thanks a lot for your enthusiasm and kind comments.
It’s great to hear you are considering cruising on the Kona Aggressor II and getting you diving certification. It would take 3-4 days of the time to get it before joining the rest of the group in their guided dives. Make sure when you are booking that you let them know you want to take the course.
The basic open water diver class usually takes about 4 days and includes some study, 5 shallow water classes to learn the skills and 4 open water dives to practice the skills and have a supervised introduction to the undersea world. You can take a class like this in many places including the resorts and a great many of the liveaboards other than the Kona Aggressor II that I review here on my site. Near where you live there also could well be a suitable place. If you would like some help to find a good spot for you to do it, please let me know.
Be sure to contact me with any questions and I’d love to hear how the diving goes for you when you decide to take the “plunge.”
Best regards,
Joe