Oahu Dive Sites The Leeward Side |
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Electric Beach
Entry is by a path down to the beach. The bottom at the entry is covered in rocks and footing can be tricky. Waves often break into the entry area and can make it difficult when the surf is high on the Waianae Coast. Current may run along shore past the wall. Examine the power plant outflow to get an idea of speed and direction.
The site is used for beginning diver training, but is enjoyable by all. It is a good night dive. The key feature is the power plant outflow which discharges in about 30 feet of water. The rocks around the twin pipes form an artificial reef.
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The Mahi
The Mahi was built as a Navy minesweeper then converted to cable laying ship. The cable reel at the bow is home to a large morey eel with a broken lower jaw.
The Mahi was sunk in 1982 as an artificial reef and rests on a sand bottom at 90 feet. The aft deck is about 80 feet with structure reaching up to about 60 feet. Access openings have been cut in the structure. There is abundant marine life around the Mahi. A group of four eagle rays are sometimes spotted swimming around the wreck. Visibility of 50 to 100+ feet is normal.
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Airplane
Artificial Reef
Airplane is a Beech twin engine plane that was sunk in the center of a horseshoe reef in 1986. It was washed out to sea during hurricane Iniki then located and repositioned in 1994. It is now heavily damaged and resting upside down.
It is located about one mile from Waianae Boat Harbor and is visited weekly on our boat dive charters.Airplane sits on a sand bottom at about 95 feet. The surrounding reef rises to 65 feet and can be used as a multi-level dive after visiting the plane. Reef fish swarm around the plane. Eels are plentiful in the reef. Visibility ranges from 60 to 100 feet.
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Ulua Cave
Off Lahilahi Point is a ledge at about 50 feet. At its base is an 80 foot wide cavern that cuts into the ledge about 40 feet. The ceiling of the cave is covered in coral and holes hide nudibranchs and crustaceans.
After exploring the cave, work up the ledge. Morey eels may be found hiding in cracks, some good sized.
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Makaha Caverns
Meet "Tripod", the three finned green sea turtle, who checks out visitors to his home at Makaha Caverns. The name Makaha Caverns, comes from several swim through caves that may be enjoyed by all divers. Reef fish are plentiful, with eels, octopus and even a whitetip reef shark.
Depth ranges to 50 feet, but 20 to 40 feet is typical. This is a popular second dive for boats visiting the Mahi or other Leeward deep dive sites. Dive Schedule Visibility is normally excellent, with little current. There may be surge if surf conditions are high.
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Kealoa Stars
is a rugged system of reefs with tubes, arches and caves. Depths run from 20 feet near shore to 70 feet seaward. The formations are the main draw. Reef fish and lobster may be found but Makaha Caverns just South which is visited on our daily boat dives, has more and varied marine life.
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Kaena Point
is the western most projection of Oahu. Divers rarely visit the point because of rough sea conditions and it is a good hour from the nearest boat harbor.
Currents can also be strong here.
Ledges of lava rock and boulders at 20 and 45 feet form the site with a dropoff to beyond 100 feet at the point itself. The ledges are cut with holes, some very large. There are lots of fish and sometimes big ones visit from the depths.
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More Oahu Sites
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