Hawaii
With an exotic culture, a thriving tourist industry, amazing sccenery and a mid-Pacific location, Hawaii has attracted visitors since ancient times, who arrived on long outrigger canoes. Today, people arrive on wide bodied jets, and with whales, turtles, mantas, and dolphins, it is no surprise that Hawaii is a mecca for divers, attracted by the topside cultural and scenic attractions as well as those below the waves.
Kauai
Coastal reefs fringe Kaui, the oldest Hawaiian island, perfect for snorkelling and more. Reefs are flatter along the south coast, but become walls along the majestic north shore.
Maui & Lanai
Maui has amazing diving to the south, where the Molokini crater is perfect for snokelers and divers eager to explore the underwater slopes of this volcano; migrating whales spend the winters here, and scuba dives can be accompanied by the songs of whales. The nearby island of Lanai is a popular dive site as well, with easy access from Maui.
Oahu
Ewa Beach and Kaneohe Bay are popular dive sites, where hammerhead and tiger sharks breed and congregate to feed at the mouth's of rivers tumbling down from the steep volcanic mountains. Waikiki itself is also a popular dive site, with close proximity to major hotels.
The Big Island
Here, the largest and most volcanically active island is packed with black sand beaches, daily encounters with manta rays, and more. The rugged east coast is a bit too turgid to dive, so most dives are done on the rocky west coast near Kona, where nightly ballets of manta rays feeding in the inky black waters is a highlight of diving in the US' 50th state.
What to expect:
Visiting Hawaii is a dream of millions, and flights and hotels can be expensive. Package deals are best, with flights food, rental cars included in one basic price. Diving packages can also be arranged, contact Zero Bar for information.
Getting there:
Major US airlines provide frequent service from the West Coast, and increasingly from Midwest cities. Scheduled European carriers dont serve Hawaii, but charter flights often do. Australian and Asian carriers serve Hawaii, often as a stopover on long Transpacific flights.