How deep is China Walls / Portlock Wall?

China Walls / Portlock Wall has a depth range of 9–17 metres (30–56 feet). Check the dive site page for current conditions and any depth-specific guidance before planning your dive.

Can beginners dive China Walls / Portlock Wall?

China Walls / Portlock Wall is rated as advanced difficulty, which may not suit new divers. A Advanced shore-diving skill or guided boat-dive experience. Cavern/overhead areas require conservative limits and no penetration beyond training. certification or equivalent is suggested. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

What will I see at China Walls / Portlock Wall?

Divers at China Walls / Portlock Wall in United States commonly report sightings of Hawaiian green sea turtles, frogfish, moray eels, reef fish, and spotted eagle rays. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

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China Walls / Portlock Wall

Q: When is the best time to dive China Walls / Portlock Wall?

The best time to dive China Walls / Portlock Wall is typically Only on flat or near-flat south/east-shore conditions; Oahu Dive Guide recommends less than about 2 ft waves for shore attempts.. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

Hawaii - Oahu, United States

Advanced suggested9–17 m depthBoth entry3mm wetsuit typical

China Walls / Portlock Wall at a glance

China Walls / Portlock Wall is a advanced both dive site in Hawaii - Oahu, United States with depths of 9–17 m (30–56 ft). Typically most favorable Oct · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Hawaiian green sea turtles, frogfish, and moray eels. Recent reports put the water around 27°C (80°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 3h ago

1.8 mwaves — about two meters expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 27°C · seasonal avg 26°C

Site hazards: Cliff entry/exit, surge, strong current, low entry visibility, fishing line/hooks, caves/nooks with no air pockets, overhead temptation, slippery rocks, and documented serious surface-condition risk.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Wed

Sat—

Sun7:00–8:00

Mon7:00–20:00

Tue7:00–15:00

Wed7:00–20:00

Thu7:00–20:00

Fri—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:37 · Sunrise 6:01 · Sunset 19:12

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 3.4 km from site · graded 3h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

What Divers Say

Best time: Only on flat or near-flat south/east-shore conditions; Oahu Dive Guide recommends less than about 2 ft waves for shore attempts.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

Jan5%25°C2.5 m
Feb4%24°C2.8 m
Mar12%24°C2.3 m
Apr7%24°C2.3 m
May5%25°C2.0 m
Jun13%26°C1.9 m
Jul10%26°C1.9 m
Aug14%26°C1.9 m
Sep12%27°C1.8 m
Oct19%27°C1.9 m
Nov3%26°C2.5 m
Dec2%25°C2.6 m

October hastypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life recorded at this site, by month

Recorded observations — evidence of past sightings, not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Hawaiian green sea turtlesOccasionally seen
frogfishRarely seen
moray eelsOccasionally seen
reef fishCommonly seen
spotted eagle raysRarely seen
whitetip reef sharksOccasionally seen

Canthidermis maculata recorded here Jan (1 record)
most recent 2013
Myliobatis aquila recorded here Jan (1 record)
most recent 2013

Counts are occurrence records near this site from public biodiversity datasets (GBIF), grouped by calendar month across all sampled years. Sightings vary — past records are context, not a prediction.

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Trident Adventures16.7 km
+1-808-762-3483 tridentadventures.com
Tu-Sa 09:00-18:00 hours from OpenStreetMap — call ahead
Report a fix
Hawaiian Diving Adventures17.9 km
hawaiiandiving.com
Report a fix

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Site details

Portlock/China Walls is a lava wall and cave/nook dive along Oahu's southeast shore. The underwater route follows the cliff wall past caves, arches, and mini-canyon features where turtles and whitetip reef sharks may rest. It is a rewarding dive only in very calm conditions and is safer by boat for many divers.

boatcaveshorewall

Cliff entry/exit, surge, strong current, low entry visibility, fishing line/hooks, caves/nooks with no air pockets, overhead temptation, slippery rocks, and documented serious surface-condition risk.

Reviews

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