About Seasport Divers - Dive Ni'ihau
Reserved for advanced, thrill-seeking divers, this three-tank expedition carries you 37 nautical miles off Kauai to the "Forbidden Island" of Niihau. You'll depart at 6 am and enjoy breakfast while the silhouette of Niihau draws closer. Visibility here regularly exceeds 100 ft, revealing sheer walls, towering lava pillars and marine life untouched by time.
The opening descent is typically Vertical Awareness or Keyhole, a 280-ft wall and shelf alive with reef fish, octopus, lobsters and the occasional monk seal. After a surface interval, the group drops onto Super Highways, where lava arches and swim-throughs teem with white-tip reef sharks, yellow-margin eels and octopus. Lunch is served on board before a final shallow dive—often a drift along Lehua Rock or a cruise through Drive-Through Cave—with currents picking up outside while the calm underwater world remains inviting.
Tour Highlights
- Three-tank adventure near Hawaii's remote "Forbidden Isle," Niihau
- Wall dives, lava pillars, caves and exceptional visibility
- Marine life sightings may include spinner dolphins, monk seals, eagle rays, reef sharks, manta rays and vibrant reef fish
Certification Requirements
- Advanced Open Water certification or 30+ logged dives
- Comfort with deep wall dives and potential currents
Tour Inclusions
- Light breakfast, hearty lunch, snacks, water and juice
- Three air tanks (Nitrox available for additional fee)
- Weights, dive computer, mask, fins and wetsuit
- PADI, SSI or NAUI instructor-guided dives
Required Medical Form: Please download and complete the medical questionnaire and bring it with you on the day of your dive.
Special Instructions
Meeting details, important notes and helpful information for your experience.
Where & When
Check in at 6:00 am at Seasport Divers, 2827 Poipu Road, Koloa, HI 96756 View Map
Tour returns to the Seasport Divers dive shop around 6:00 pm.
Restrictions
You must be certified for this dive (certification card must be presented at check-in).
Due to its remote location and the type of diving conducted, this dive is for experienced divers only with at least 30 logged dives or an Advanced Open Water certification.
Minimum age to scuba dive is 15 years. Minimum age for non-diving observers (ridealongs) is 15 years.
There is a Medical Questionnaire that needs to be filled out and passed to participate in this scuba dive. If participant fails the Medical Questionnaire, a doctor must give a written statement (faxes are OK) that scuba activities are safe and allowed for this participant prior to going scuba diving.
Special Notes
Passage across the Kaulakahi Channel, from Kauai to Ni'ihau and back, can be rough at the best of times. Seasport Divers' Ni'ihau trips are, therefore, only scheduled for the normally calmer period that runs from late spring through early autumn.
Operation Days
Tuesdays and Fridays
Duration
11-12 hours
Capacity
12
Equipment
The Anela Kai is a custom-fitted PRO48 dive boat, U.S. Coast Guard certified for 42 passengers or 30 divers. However, Seasport Divers limits it to only 12 divers for their Niihau scuba diving tour. The vessel is equipped with two hot water showers, a 10-person observation deck, a large covered cabin and two ladders for easy ocean entry and exit.
Vendor
This activity is operated by SeaSport Divers Kauai.
Questions about this activity?
We’re happy to help with your choices, booking details or an existing reservation.
