Kona Aggressor II
Live Dive Pacific, 96740 Kailua-Kona, HI - United States
© Mares
Explore Kona
Kona, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, offers a truly unique diving experience, attracting divers with its rich marine biodiversity and captivating underwater landscapes. Among the standout attractions is the famous Manta Ray Night Dive at Manta Ray Village, where divers are treated to a mesmerizing spectacle of graceful manta rays gliding overhead, drawn by the beams of bright spotlights. This unforgettable encounter is complemented by an array of other dive opportunities, including exploring underwater lava tubes and fascinating geological formations that showcase the island's volcanic heritage.
For those seeking more adventure, Kona offers exciting pelagic black water night dives, where divers can witness the mysterious creatures that inhabit the open ocean at night. The region's clear waters and abundant marine life, from vibrant coral reefs to diverse fish species, create an underwater paradise for both novice and experienced divers. Whether embarking on a shore, boat, or liveaboard dive, visitors will find Kona to be a remarkable dive destination, rich with natural beauty and unique experiences that make it a must-visit location for diving enthusiasts worldwide.
Dive Activity
Diving in Kona
Kona, located on Hawaii's Big Island, offers a diverse array of diving experiences that attract enthusiasts from around the globe. Among the top dive sites, the "Manta Ray Night Dive" is a must-see, offering the magical experience of observing graceful manta rays feeding under the glow of dive lights. Another highlight is the "Garden Eel Cove," where divers can witness garden eels swaying in unison among the sandy patches.
For those interested in wrecks, the "Mahi Shipwreck" provides an intriguing exploration opportunity, teeming with marine life. Kona's shore dives, such as "Place of Refuge," offer easy access and rich underwater landscapes, ideal for both novice and seasoned divers. The region balances shore diving convenience with liveaboard options, allowing divers to explore remote sites and enjoy diverse marine ecosystems in a single trip.
Dive Centers
Dive Sites
The best Months to dive in Kona
Kona offers excellent diving conditions year-round, making it a popular destination for divers. The water temperature typically ranges from 24°C–27°C/75°F–81°F throughout the year, providing comfortable diving conditions. Visibility is often exceptional, averaging 18–30 meters/60–100 feet, allowing divers to fully appreciate the vibrant marine life and underwater landscapes.
Weather in Kona is generally favorable for diving, with limited seasonal variations. However, tradewinds can occasionally affect surface conditions, particularly during winter months. Despite this, diving is possible all year, although the most favorable conditions are often experienced from May to September when the seas are calmer. It's advisable to check local forecasts for any unexpected weather shifts when planning a trip.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Kona
Kona, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, boasts a vibrant marine ecosystem, renowned among divers for its rich biodiversity. Common reef fish such as yellow tangs, butterflyfish, and triggerfish are abundant year-round, offering a colorful spectacle. For those exploring the coral gardens, the sight of these species is almost guaranteed. Seasonal highlights include encounters with larger marine life. In the winter months, manta rays gather near the Kona coast, providing thrilling night dive experiences. Green sea turtles are frequently seen throughout the year, particularly in shallow waters. Depending on the season, divers might also spot different shark species, including the elusive hammerhead, mostly in deeper offshore sites. These encounters, while less predictable, add an element of excitement to diving in Kona.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
iStock-crisod
Reef Manta Ray
2.3k Sightings
J
131
F
115
M
236
A
216
M
234
J
220
J
199
A
176
S
241
O
194
N
151
D
155
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
1.2k Sightings
J
79
F
67
M
133
A
117
M
128
J
101
J
123
A
97
S
79
O
68
N
77
D
100
iStock/Divepic
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
648 Sightings
J
33
F
23
M
53
A
63
M
75
J
63
J
60
A
64
S
51
O
66
N
50
D
47
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
213 Sightings
J
14
F
19
M
28
A
21
M
28
J
10
J
35
A
13
S
3
O
16
N
7
D
19
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
211 Sightings
J
17
F
5
M
25
A
16
M
22
J
25
J
18
A
21
S
9
O
12
N
18
D
23
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
100 Sightings
J
1
F
9
M
29
A
14
M
12
J
14
J
4
A
1
S
6
O
2
N
1
D
7
iStock-stephnea
Spinner Dolphin
74 Sightings
J
6
F
8
M
12
A
14
M
10
J
9
J
2
A
1
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
11
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray
73 Sightings
J
0
F
7
M
5
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
12
A
16
S
9
O
13
N
8
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
554 Sightings
J
37
F
39
M
58
A
55
M
65
J
41
J
72
A
39
S
40
O
41
N
26
D
41
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
413 Sightings
J
36
F
34
M
51
A
32
M
45
J
34
J
39
A
32
S
31
O
26
N
24
D
29
