Article by , SCUBA diving instructor, Rainbow Scuba Hawaii on
Ken is a contributing author, master scuba instructor, and licensed boat captain with over 20 years of experience safely navigating Hawaiian waters.
Expertise:
- Scuba Certification & Advanced Diving Instruction
- Underwater Asset Inspection, Retrieval, and Marine Salvage
Honolulu SCUBA From Kewalo Harbor
Visiting Waikiki or elsewhere on Oahu and keen to dive? This Honolulu scuba diving vlog follows a real Rainbow Scuba Hawaii tour—from the safety briefing at Kewalo Harbor to the smiles back at the dock. After gearing up with mask, fins, and a 3 mm shorty (optional), we review hand signals, buddy checks, and equalization. Conditions today: light trade-wind chop, 80–100 ft visibility, and a gentle westward drift for an easy descent. Expect a comfortable max depth around 40–60 ft with bottom temps in the mid-70s °F. Our captain drops us up-current of the Kewalo Pipe Reef, so the dive flows past lava fingers, cauliflower coral, and sandy pockets—great for first-time Honolulu divers and underwater photographers.
Watch the Dive Adventure
Dive Highlights at Kewalo Pipe Reef
Marine Life You’re Likely to See
At the Kewalo Pipe Reef we stay just off the coral to protect the habitat and our trim. Schools of raccoon butterflyfish and surgeonfish swirl by while Moorish idols trace the edges. A reef shark cruises past—calm and curious—so we kneel low, breathe slowly, and give it space. Our guide spots a rare frogfish perched like a sponge bud; look for the tiny flicking lure and oversized grin. Green sea turtles (honu) visit cleaning stations, and crevices hide octopus and whitemouth morays. The mild current lets us angle slightly into it and watch the reef slide by.
Camera and Buoyancy Tips
For accurate color, set custom white balance or add a red filter below 25–30 ft. Use ~1/125–1/160 shutter to freeze fish. Keep fins high, clip gauges, and move slowly—fish accept you faster when your profile is small. If current builds, streamline, stay close to the guide, and follow the surface marker buoy for a safe drift.
How Rainbow Scuba Hawaii Runs the Dive
Comfort, Safety, and Smooth Logistics
Before splash you’ll hear a clear plan: expected depth and time, turn-pressure, and navigation along the pipe and reef finger. Tanks and weights are provided; bring reef-safe sunscreen, a snug mask, and a GoPro mount. Entry is a giant stride, we gather on the downline, equalize early, and drift parallel to the structure. The pace suits newer divers and photographers yet keeps experienced buddies engaged. We hold a 3-minute safety stop at 15 ft, ascend at ~30 ft per minute, and surface together by the float. Emergency oxygen and a first-aid kit ride on board, and the crew checks everyone back in before the short run toward Waikiki.
Who This Tour Fits
If you’re brand-new certified, returning after a break, or traveling with snorkelers, Rainbow Scuba Hawaii keeps groups small and attention high. Expect patient coaching, well-maintained rental gear, and a relaxed Honolulu dive tour rather than a rushed swim. Pro tip: confirm shoe size for open-heel fins, arrive hydrated, and check morning conditions so you pack the right exposure layer.
Plan Your Oahu Dive with Rainbow Scuba Hawaii
Ready to dive Honolulu? Book your Rainbow Scuba Hawaii tour to explore Kewalo Pipe Reef and beyond—close to Waikiki, guided by local pros, and tailored to your comfort. Go for a morning charter for calmer seas, bring a light jacket for the breeze, and hydrate between dives. Whether it’s your first SCUBA on Oahu or your fiftieth, you’ll leave with reef-shark memories, frogfish bragging rights, and confidence to explore more Honolulu marine life. Bring cash for parking at Kewalo Basin Harbor and tipping your crew.
Tour At‑a‑Glance
Location: Honolulu, Oahu • Sites: Sea Tiger Wreck + Horseshoe Reef • Type: First Time SCUBA • Operator: Rainbow Scuba Hawaii • Videographer: Ken Goetz