
If Hawaii is on your bucket list and you’re a scuba diver, then liveaboard diving in Hawaii is a must.
Liveaboard diving in Hawaii offers dives on sunken volcanos, dives with giant manta rays and whale sharks, listening to the singing of humpback whales, to seeing tiger sharks in the summer. A Hawaii liveaboard dive trip is the best way to experience Big Islands’ exceptional dive sites.
The best way to do more diving in Hawaii is to book yourself on a scuba diving liveaboard. You can check the latest and best deals on Hawaii liveaboards using the following window:
Best time to dive in Hawaii
The best time to dive Hawaii depends on what you prefer. This is why I felt it was better to present this in a table, so you can choose the best time to dive Hawaii for you.
Best time to dive in Hawaii table
What | When | Comments |
---|---|---|
Spotting tiger sharks | Summer months, which is May to October. | More chance to see tiger sharks as they are common residents in the summer months. If you like to see tiger sharks, your best bet is in the summer months. |
Hearing and seeing humpback whales | January through to May | Even if you don't see a humpback, you may hear one underwater...how exciting. But as the Hawaiian Islands attract large populations of humpback whales every year you are likely to see one if you visit at this time. |
Warmest water temperature | September 28°C (82°F) | If you like it warm, this is a better time to go. |
Coldest water temperature | March 22°C (72°F) | A 3 or 5 mm wetsuit is recommended at this time of year and you may also want to bring a dive hood to keep your head warm. |
Hottest air temperature | August 31°C (88°F) - summer | If you like it hot, then this is one of the best times to visit, but it will be a busier time as it's holiday season. |
Coldest air temperature | February 19°C (66°F) - winter | If you are okay diving in colder weather, this is a good time to go to avoid the crowds. |
Storms | Winter months, which is November to April. | Due to storms in the winter some of the dive sites will be closed to diving. At these times the dive boats will not visit these sites for safety reasons. |
Water visibility | Year round 30+ metre (100ft+) | There are very few river outlets in Hawaii, plus there's almost no coastal sand to spoil water clarity. |
Rainy season | December to May | December is usually the wettest month. Although most of the rain falls in the mountains and valleys on the northeast side of the islands. |
When can you dive | All year | Hawaii’s tropical climate makes it a great place to dive any time of year. |
For a first sample of what it’s like to do liveaboard diving in Hawaii, please watch this next video:
The dive sites from on liveaboard Diving in Hawaii – Kona Aggressor II itinerary
Here’s a few of the dive sites you’ll visit when you’re on a diving liveaboard in Hawaii, which is included in the Kona Aggressor II (Now retired) itinerary. The only Hawaii liveaboard is the Safari Explorer Cruise Ship, Hawaii.
Hawaii Turtle Pinnacle dive site
Hawaii Keahole Point dive site
Hawaii Manta Theatre dive site
Hawaii Old Airport dive site
Hawaii Shark Fin Rock dive site
Hawaii Meadows dive site
The Kona Aggressor II is now retired, so the only Hawaii liveaboard is the Safari Explorer Cruise Ship, Hawaii.
Hawaii 3 Room Cave and Paradise Pinnacle dive sites
Hawaii Au Au Crater dive site
The Kona Aggressor II is now retired, so the only Hawaii liveaboard is the Safari Explorer Cruise Ship, Hawaii.
Hawaii Manuka Bay dive site
After watching the videos of scuba diving Hawaii off the west coast of Big Island, you may want to find out more about the Hawaii liveaboard to dive these sites.

The M/V Kona Aggressor II Hawaii liveaboard
The M/V Kona Aggressor II has the following features:
- 24 metre world-class diving boat.
- Year round diving cruises on the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.
- Operates out of downtown Kailua-Kona on Big Island.
- Trips are 8 days 7 nights and offers up to 27 dives in total.
- Dives include night dives.
- Open Water Diver certification or higher is required.
- No minimum dives.
For more details about the MV Kona Aggressor II liveaboard, please read this review of the Kona Aggressor II Liveaboard here.
Sadly the Kona Aggressor II has been retired, which means the only only Hawaii liveaboard is the Safari Explorer Cruise Ship, Hawaii.

I hope you enjoyed this article about liveaboard Diving in Hawaii
I’d love to hear from you. Tell us about your adventures of diving and snorkeling, in the comments below. But in particular if you’ve been on the Master liveaboard. Please also share your photos. Either from your underwater cameras or videos from your waterproof go-pro’s!
If this article hasn’t answered all of your questions. If you have more questions either about snorkeling or scuba diving (or specifically on liveaboard Diving in Hawaii), please comment below with your questions.
There will also be many more articles about scuba and scuba diving safety tips (and on snorkeling too) for you to read and learn about this fabulous sport.
Have fun and be safe!