Looking for an adrenaline rush during your Hawaii vacation? Sure, there are plenty of epic hikes or big-wave surf spots, but have you considered a shark dive? The North Shore has a selection of dive operators that will ensure a memorable and safe experience. Here are some of the best shark dives on Oahu:
Which Shark Experience is Right for You?
Before you pick out a tour company, you'll have to decide which type of dive you'd like -- cage diving or cage-free. Diving with a cage is recommended if you're cautious of the animals or have people in your group that aren't strong swimmers. A cage-free experience means you'll be swimming with these wild wonders in their natural habitat.
1. Island View Hawaii
- Price: $150 per person
- Location: Small Boat Harbor, 66-105, Haleiwa Rd, Haleiwa, HI 96712
- Duration: 2 hours
Island View Hawaii's Pelagic Shark Dive Tour is CAGE-FREE. That's right, Explore the waters and get close to these marvelous and mysterious creatures without anything in between. You'll experience a thrilling deep-sea swimming adventure with Island View Hawaii! Don't worry, safety is their utmost priority. A safety diver will escort you into the water where you'll encounter all kinds of sharks such as Hammerheads, Tiger, White Tip Reef, Sandbar, Galapagos Sharks as well as other sea creatures such as dolphins, turtles, and whales!
2. North Shore Shark Adventures
- Price: Adult (13+) $120 ($96 online), Military/Student/Group/Kama'aina $85, Child (Ages 3-12) $60
- Location: 66-105 Haleiwa Rd, Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor, Haleiwa, HI 96712
- Duration: 2 hours
Here's your chance to get up close and personal with sharks that range from five to fifteen feet in length almost inches away from you! North Shore Shark Adventures' Shark Cage Diving Tour will give you an exhilarating shark dive on Oahu, from the safety of a cage between you and the sharks. The cage holds eight people, perfect for small groups or families!
3. Hawaii Shark Encounters
- Price: Adult $120, Child $90
- Location: 66-105 Haleiwa, HI 96712
- Duration: 2 hours
Hawaii Shark Encounters is a tour company dedicated to shark conservation and changing people's preconceived notions of sharks being aggressive and ravenous. They let you experience the world of sharks just below the surface using a poly-glass window, which maintains a respectful distance between you and the sharks to not interfere with their habitat.
4. Haleiwa Shark Tours
Photo by Haleiwa Shark Tours
- Price: Adult $135, Child $95
- Location: Haleiwa, HI 96712
- Duration: 2 hours
Before foreign contact, Native Hawaiians had a great deal of respect for the manō, or shark. Sharks were regarded as ʻaumakua, or manifestations of guardian spirits. The Native Hawaiian owners of Haleiwa Shark Tours continue on this ancient tradition of respect for sharks, and offer a culturally sensitive alternative to other shark cage tours, and is one of the most interesting shark dives on Oahu.
Other tour companies offering similar experiences to the ones mentioned above include Hawaii Sail (which also offers dinner cruises), One Ocean Diving (another cage-free option), and Hawaii Ocean Adventures (which also specializes in fishing).
Whichever tour you decide to go for, we guarantee you'll have a thrilling and memorable experience to share with family and friends. Even if you decide just to stay on the boat, you'll get to see the action above water as well. These three companies' first priority is safety, so you can rest assured you'll be in good hands! Enjoy!
Shark diving on Oahu is the perfect compliment to a Shaka Guide tour. Take our Grand Circle Island or Legendary North Shore Loop driving tour to the North Shore and stop to swim with some sharks before continuing along the tour route!
Visiting Oahu? Shaka Guide has SIX audio tours on the island! Check them out here.
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