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Map of Makaha Caverns
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IntermediateBoat entry

Makaha Caverns

Hawaii - Oahu, United States
Open Water suggested8–14 m (26–46 ft) depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Makaha Caverns at a glance

Makaha Caverns is an intermediate boat dive site in Hawaii - Oahu, United States with depths of 8–14 m (26–46 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Moray eel, Pufferfish, and Whitetip reef shark. Recent reports put the water around 27°C (81°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 7:00–18:00 · favorable & moderate

Forecast for this hour · 23:00 · run 4 h ago
1.4 m (4.6 ft)waves — about a meter and a half expected (waves — about five feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 27°C · seasonal avg 27°C ( · Forecast 81°F · seasonal avg 81°F)

Site hazards: Surge inside swim-throughs, overhead/cavern temptation, boat traffic, current, shallow surge near Kepuhi Point, visibility loss after swell, and coral damage risk from anchoring.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

SunNo window

1.5 m waves · 9 kn wind (5.0 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Mon7:00–13:00 favorable, 13:00–14:00 moderate, 14:00–18:00 favorable

1.5 m waves · 6 kn wind (4.9 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Tue7:00–18:00 favorable

1.6 m waves · 3 kn wind (5.3 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

Wed7:00–18:00 favorable

1.7 m waves · 8 kn wind (5.6 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Thu7:00–18:00 moderate

1.4 m waves · 10 kn wind (4.6 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Fri7:00–18:00 moderate

1.3 m waves · 10 kn wind (4.4 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Sat7:00–18:00 favorable

1.2 m waves · 2 kn wind (3.9 ft waves · 2 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:10 · Sunrise 6:32 · Sunset 18:00 · all windows sit within daylight

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 7.2 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 19:26 GMT-10

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Makaha Caverns

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

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.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Pufferfish, Hawaiian green sea turtle, Reef fish
Best time: Flat or small long-period swell on the west shore; avoid days when surfers are using the area or surge is visible.

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.

  1. January, 16% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (78°F), waves have typically been 2.2 m (7.3 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  2. February, 40% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (76°F), waves have typically been 1.8 m (5.9 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  3. March, 66% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (77°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.2 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  4. April, 77% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (77°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.8 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  5. May, 89% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.2 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  6. June, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.7 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  7. July, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 92% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.8 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  9. September, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  10. October, 78% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.7 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  11. November, 57% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.7 m (5.4 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  12. December, 30% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 2.0 m (6.5 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots

July has typically 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

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

  • Green Turtle recorded here Sep–Nov (3 records)

    Chelonia mydasmost recent 2013

  • Whitetip Reef Shark recorded here Aug–Sep (3 records)

    Triaenodon obesusmost recent 2014

  • Canthigaster jactator recorded here Sep–Oct (2 records)

    most recent 2013

  • Moorish Idol recorded here Sep–Oct (2 records)

    Zanclus cornutusmost recent 2013

  • Thalassoma duperrey recorded here Sep–Oct (2 records)

    most recent 2013

  • Wedgetail Triggerfish recorded here Sep–Oct (2 records)

    Rhinecanthus rectangulusmost recent 2013

  • Abudefduf abdominalis recorded here Oct (1 record)

    most recent 2013

  • Black Triggerfish recorded here Oct (1 record)

    Melichthys nigermost recent 2013

Newest record here: 2014. 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

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated July 2026

Site details

West Oahu lava-tube/cavern and reef system near Makaha/Kepuhi Point. The site has open-ended swim-throughs, skylights, collapsed tube sections, and frequent turtles, puffers, lobsters, and whitetip reef sharks. Boat access is preferred for scuba; confident snorkelers/freedivers may use calm windows but should avoid overhead areas beyond training.

boatcavereef

Surge inside swim-throughs, overhead/cavern temptation, boat traffic, current, shallow surge near Kepuhi Point, visibility loss after swell, and coral damage risk from anchoring.

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