Founder & certified Hawaii travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
We may earn a commission when you book or buy through links on this page.
77/100
Quality Score
10
Tours Available
Waimea, Big Island
+1 8088827774
Our Review: Kohala Divers
Kohala Divers operates out of Waimea on the Big Island's northern Kohala Coast, and that location is their biggest strategic advantage. While most dive operators crowd the Kailua-Kona harbor, Kohala Divers accesses reef systems along the quieter northern coastline. With 10 tours and an average quality score of 77.0/100, the catalog is compact but hits the right marks for divers and snorkelers staying on the Kohala side.
Their Whale Watch and Sunset Cruise is the surprise leader at 95/100 — one of the highest whale watch scores we've recorded on the Big Island. Combining whale watching with a sunset cruise is smart scheduling, and the Kohala Coast waters tend to be calmer than what you'll find further south. The One-Site Afternoon Dive or Snorkel Trip (85/100) and Two-Site Dive/Snorkel (84/100) are the core dive products, both offering reef access along the northern coast where the coral is healthy and the crowds are thin.
The Private Charter (82/100) and Serenity Sunday 2-Site Dive and Snorkel (78/100) cater to divers who want a more exclusive feel. Kohala Divers keeps group sizes small by default, and the private charter option takes that to its logical extreme.
The lower end of the catalog includes PADI certifications (75/100), a Nitrox course (68/100), and community cleanup events (64/100). The Fii Freediving Course at 64/100 rounds things out for breath-hold enthusiasts, though the freediving program here is less developed than what you'll find at Kona Honu Divers.
Who This Operator Is Best For
Divers and snorkelers staying on the Kohala Coast who don't want to drive down to Kona. If you're based at the Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea, or Waikoloa resorts, Kohala Divers saves you a significant drive and gets you in the water on reefs that see far fewer boats than the Kona sites. Their whale watch cruise is also a sleeper pick during humpback season.
Available Tours & Activities
Sorted by quality score. Book directly through our verified partner links.
Ready to Book with Kohala Divers?
Browse all 10 tours and find the experience that fits your Big Island adventure.
Trades are breezy right now with scattered showers on the windward side and mountains; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Tomorrow stays breezy with the same pattern.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is still uncertain. If it comes closer, expect heavier rain over a longer stretch; if it stays farther out, impacts will be shorter and lighter. Winds will increase late this week, with potential gusts over 70 miles per hour on the highest summits.
Plan your leeward beach time and snorkeling for today through Tuesday. Save summit drives and offshore water sports for after Saturday, and check updates daily as this develops.
0:000:53
Voice
Read the transcript
Trade winds are pushing across Maui right now and staying breezy through tomorrow. Windward slopes and peaks will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. Rough seas mean a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain. Late this week, winds will increase across Maui, with summit gusts potentially exceeding 70 mph on Haleakala. The Big Island—especially Hilo and Puna—faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding if the storm tracks close.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work best today through Tuesday. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:55
Voice
Read the transcript
Trades are kicking today with moderate wind and rough seas. Windward slopes will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain, but the Big Island faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding, especially in the Hilo and Puna areas. Summit winds could exceed 70 mph late in the week. Check forecasts daily as the situation develops.
Leeward snorkeling and beach time work well through Tuesday. Save summit drives and windward hikes for today or tomorrow, and avoid offshore water sports and high elevations Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:58
Voice
Read the transcript
Trades are steady now with scattered showers on the windward side and ridges; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Through Tuesday it stays breezy with rough seas around Maui and the Big Island, where a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is uncertain. Winds will increase across the eastern islands late this week, with potential for summit gusts over 70 mph on Maui and the Big Island if the storm intensifies.
Get your beach and snorkel time in today and tomorrow on the leeward coast. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday as conditions deteriorate. The track could shift significantly—check updates daily.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out