Green Sea Turtles Up Close: Honolulu Scuba Diving Vlog
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
First-Time SCUBA at Horseshoe Reef, Honolulu
First-time SCUBA visitors to Honolulu and Waikiki will love how smooth this Rainbow Scuba Hawaii tour feels from the start. After a friendly welcome and concise safety briefing at Kewalo Basin, we cruise out past the skyline and make a quick hop to Horseshoe Reef. A giant-stride splash and a gentle 40-foot descent put us over healthy coral where the Honolulu marine life turns the dial to “wow”: a Hawaiian green sea turtle glides by, another curious turtle checks out the group, and an octopus ripples across the reef before flashing a camouflage color shift. Surrounded by schools of reef fish, the team practices easy skills, breathes slow, and soaks up an Oahu underwater adventure they’ll be talking about long after we head back toward the harbor.
Watch the Dive Adventure
Sea Turtle Moments & Octopus Camouflage
What You’ll See on a Typical Dive
We time the entry for calm surface sets and follow a mooring line for a relaxed, ears-friendly equalization on the way down. Visibility at Horseshoe Reef typically runs 60–100 ft with light surge; depth stays in the 35–45 ft range, perfect for try-SCUBA and beginner divers. Guides keep the pace easy, trimming buoyancy and streamlining gear so you can hover over lobe and cauliflower coral without finning up sand.
The turtle moments steal the show. One green sea turtle cruises past the formation, giving everyone a respectful look from several fin kicks away. Another circles back, curious but unbothered by bubbles—remember to maintain at least 10 feet of space and let wildlife choose the interaction. On the lava ledges, a day-active octopus pulses along the bottom, then instantly changes color and texture to blend with the rock. Add in clouds of yellow tang, surgeonfish, and Moorish idol around the bommies and you’ve got classic Honolulu scuba diving in living color.
Pro tip: use a slow frog kick, keep your hands still, watch your SPG every few minutes, and breathe deep and steady. Good trim equals better air time and longer turtle encounters on this Oahu dive tour.
From Splash to Surface: How the Tour Flows
Logistics & Helpful Tips
From splash to surface, the Rainbow Scuba Hawaii flow is built for comfort and safety. After the welcome and briefing, the boat departs Kewalo Basin Harbor and the crew helps with masks, weight checks, and cameras. You’ll practice basic skills at the surface, then take a guided step off the swim platform and regroup on the line for an unhurried descent. Bottom time averages 25–35 minutes depending on air consumption; we tour the reef, pause for turtles, and keep a tidy formation so everyone gets the same view. Expect a three-minute safety stop around 15 ft, a smooth ladder climb, and a quick debrief as we rinse gear and motor back toward Waikiki.
Planning tips for Oahu visitors: bring reef-safe sunscreen and a light layer for the ride home, take motion-comfort tablets 30–60 minutes before boarding if you’re new to boats, and secure action cameras with a lanyard. Parking and rideshare are convenient near Ala Moana; morning conditions are often calmer.
Plan Your Oahu Dive Day
Mahalo for watching our Hawaii dive vlog! If the sea turtles, octopus camouflage, and reef fish made you smile, tap Like, drop your favorite moment in the comments, and subscribe for more underwater adventures around Honolulu. Ready to try SCUBA on Oahu? Book a Rainbow Scuba Hawaii tour and see Horseshoe Reef for yourself—friendly guides, small groups, and memorable marine life await.