Cage-Free Shark Snorkeling in Hawaii

For a cage-free snorkel, check the operator’s swimming, height and supervision requirements before deciding whether to enter open water without a cage. Remaining ashore is an option.

Molokai

Molokai is Hawaii's fifth-largest island, and it is home to one of the best places to swim or dive with dozens of Hammerhead sharks.

Hammerhead Shark Dive

The Hammerhead Shark Dive originates in Maui County, but you take a charter to the open ocean near Molokai and dive 40 to 100 feet underwater. Below are a few more reasons that Hammerhead Shark Dive is unique, other than the fact that you're diving with Hammerheads:

• During your dive with Hammerhead Shark Dive, you can expect to see lots of Scalloped Hammerhead sharks.
• Do not approach a shark on the assumption that its species is harmless. DLNR advises against provoking or harassing sharks.
• The team at Hammerhead Shark Dive takes pride in protecting the ocean, and they will educate you on how to respect and love the ocean as much as they do.
• The cost of shark diving with this company is about $225 per person.
• Ask the operator about certification requirements, the current dive itinerary and dive limits before booking.

Maui

Maui is the second-largest Hawaiian island, and it is here that you can experience free-diving or swimming with many species of sharks in a huge tank.

Maui Undersea Adventures

This company allows you to free dive in an exceptionally large tank with six different species of shark for about 45 minutes, and one person is allowed to watch you swim with the sharks free of charge. These are some more reasons that make Maui Undersea Adventures such a fantastic diving experience:

• During a dive at Maui Undersea Adventures, you can expect to see six different types of shark species which are Sandbar, Whitetip Reef, Gray Reef, Tiger, Blacktip, and Hammerhead.
• Kids ages 12 and up can enjoy the experience of diving with sharks here at Maui Undersea Adventures.
• The team at Maui Undersea Adventures will teach you the true behaviors and cultural significance of sharks.
• It costs roughly $200 to go diving in this company's huge shark tank.
• After your time in the water with the sharks, you will receive a T-shirt and a certificate indicating a successful dive.

Hawaii Island

Otherwise known as the Big Island, Hawaii Island is the largest Hawaiian island, and it is where you can find a fantastic place to swim or dive with a wide variety of sharks.

Kona Shark Diving

This company brings you three miles out to sea and into the shark-filled waters near Kona, Hawaii. Here's what you can expect from Kona Shark Diving:

• You can expect to see a large variety of shark species here at Kona Shark Diving, like Galapagos, Blacktip, Mako, Great White, Sandbar, Hammerhead, Tiger, Reef sharks, and many more.
• Diving certificates or diving experience is not necessary to enjoy diving with the sharks here at Kona Shark Diving.
• All the team members at Kona Shark Diving are experienced shark divers, and they are committed to bringing compassion and awareness to all species of sharks.
• This company promises you will see sharks, but if for some reason you do not, they will give you a full refund.
• It costs about $250 per person to experience swimming with sharks with this company.

Oahu

The following Oʻahu listing describes a cage-free snorkel. Check its participation rules separately from the cage-tour listings later on this page.

One Ocean Diving

One Ocean Diving lists cage-free shark snorkeling from Haleʻiwa. Its current participation FAQ distinguishes riding aboard from entering the water:

• Water participants must be at least 4 feet tall, physically capable of swimming, and comfortable following instructions in the water.
• Guests under 80 pounds must bring a properly fitted life vest.
• The FAQ states no minimum age for a boat ride, but says infants and very small children should remain ashore with a caregiver. The crew cannot care for them while other guests enter the water.
• Do not use age three as a swimming-eligibility rule. Confirm your child’s height, swimming ability and supervision arrangements directly with the operator before booking.
• Check the current price and terms for the exact tour. The operator’s FAQ acknowledges that complete safety cannot be guaranteed in the open ocean.

Shark Cage Tours in Hawaii

A cage changes how you enter the water; it does not establish that a trip is safe for you. Ask the operator about boarding, swimming ability, supervision and the conditions that would cancel the trip.

Oahu

There are two fantastic companies in Oahu that offer cage diving with sharks, and they seem to be the only cage diving companies available in all of Hawaii.

North Shore Shark Adventures

This company boasts one hundred percent guaranteed shark sightings, and the cage diving site is three miles out to sea on Oahu's North Shore. Beyond the guaranteed shark sighting, there are a few other things that make North Shore the perfect adventure companions:

• North Shore Shark Adventures seems to be the most used cage diving company of the two available in Oahu.
• If you want to bring children with you on this shark diving tour, they must be three years old or older to ride on the boat or participate in cage diving.
• You get to cage dive for about one and a half hours with this company.
• This company charges around $100 to $120 per adult diver and around $60 per child diver.

Hawaii Shark Encounters

This company is also located off the North Shore of Oahu, and it only takes approximately 20 minutes to arrive at the dive site. Here are some things to know before booking with Hawaii Shark Encounters:

• You will get to see three main species of shark when touring with this company, and they include Tiger, Sandbar, and Galapagos. You may also see Silkies, Blue Sharks, and Hammerheads.
• The team at Hawaii Shark Encounters focuses on educating people about the importance of sharks in our ecosystem.
• Ask Hawaii Shark Encounters about its current crew, safety briefing and participation requirements. Do not treat a guided tour as a guarantee that you are out of harm’s way.
• It costs about $116 for adults and about $83 for children 12 and under, and you get to spend roughly 30 minutes in the cage.