Quick Details
Certified Diver
Priced per person
$ 189
Snorkeler Ride Along
Only bookable with a paid diver in the same party
$ 139
Dive Rating
Moderate
to
Advanced
to
Advanced
We rate every dive by the day, not just the site. On a calm morning this dive is moderate. When the swell is up it is advanced. Our captain and divemaster read conditions every morning, pick the site, and make the call before we leave the harbor.
Book at your level. Check the rating and the local weather before you book. Be honest about your experience.
Our Dive Spots
The captain and divemaster choose the site each morning. These are the reefs we run to from Hilo.
About the Dive
One tank from Mālama i ke Kai, Hilo’s only commercial dive boat. We run out past the breakwall to a reef site along the east side coast. There is no set site. The captain and divemaster pick it the morning of, based on swell and wind. The map above shows where we go.
You gear up on deck, get a site briefing, and back roll in. You climb out by ladder. No lava rock entry, no carrying gear over a shoreline. Expect coral ridges and volcanic terrain from 40 to 70 feet. Conditions out here move, so you need to be comfortable in open water.
It is a short trip. You are back at the harbor in about 2.5 hours, with snacks and drinks on the ride home.
Price & What’s Included
Certified Diver
$189
Included
- Captain, crew, and boat
- Divemaster guide, small group
- 1 tank of air
- Weights
- Site briefing
- Snacks and drinks on board
Snorkeler Ride Along
$139
For the Non-Diver
- Same boat, same site, from the surface
- Mask, snorkel, fins, and flotation
- Snacks and drinks on board
- Only bookable with a paid diver in the same party
Dive Gear Rental (Per Day)
Rent only what you need. Full set is $69.
- $18: BCD
- $28: Regulator and computer
- $13: Wetsuit
- $5: Mask and snorkel
- $5: Fins and booties
Need prescription lenses?
Prescription masks are available at no extra charge. Note it when you book.
Bringing your own gear? Make sure it has been serviced in the last year. Our service department can help.
Bring a buddy who doesn’t dive. Add snorkelers and the gear you need when you book.
Requirements & What to Bring
Requirements
- Divers: Open Water certified, or equivalent from another agency.
- Ages 10 and up. Minors dive with a parent or guardian. Junior divers dive to their certified depth limit.
- Last dive within 2 years. If not, book a Refresher first.
- Comfortable with a back roll entry and a ladder exit.
What to Bring
- Your certification card (physical or digital)
- Swimsuit and towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Seasickness medication if you need it, taken before the trip
- A light jacket for the ride back
Dive Details
- Boat: Mālama i ke Kai, departing Wailoa Harbor.
- Check-in: At our shop, 1717 Kamehameha Ave, 45 minutes before departure for gear fitting.
- Duration: About 2.5 hours.
- Site: Chosen the morning of by the captain and divemaster, based on conditions.
- Depth: 40 to 70 ft, set by the site and your certification.
- Group size: Up to 6 guests total, divers and snorkelers combined.
- Water: 75 to 80 °F (24 to 27 °C). A 3 mm wetsuit year-round.
- Cruise guests: Back to Ship Guarantee.
What You’ll See
Here is what divers commonly see on these reefs.
- Coral ridges and volcanic structure shaped by old lava flows.
- Yellow tangs, Moorish idols, and butterflyfish.
- Green sea turtles (honu) on the reef.
- Octopus and eels tucked into the rock.
Topside: the Hilo coastline and, on a clear day, Mauna Kea behind the town.
Guided by Local Divemasters
You get a site briefing on deck before you gear up. Your divemaster leads the dive, sets the pace for the group and the conditions, and points out what you would swim right past. The captain stays with the boat and picks you up when you surface.
We dive with fin awareness and reef-safe sunscreen, and we expect the same from you. Read about our conservation work and help us mālama i ke kai, care for the ocean.
Flying & Elevation
Wait at least 12 hours after a single dive before flying or going to elevation, and 18 hours if you dive more than once that day or on multiple days. That includes driving Saddle Road to Kona, Mauna Kea, and Volcano. Plan your dive day around it.
Want More Bottom Time?
The 2 tank boat dive gets you two sites in one morning. Advanced Open Water gets you deeper and ready for more days out here.