How deep is Makaha Caverns?

Makaha Caverns has a depth range of 8–14 metres (26–46 feet). Check the dive site page for current conditions and any depth-specific guidance before planning your dive.

Can beginners dive Makaha Caverns?

Makaha Caverns is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. A Open Water/intermediate buoyancy for exterior routes; cavern/swim-through use requires training, lights, and conservative overhead limits. certification or equivalent is suggested. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

What will I see at Makaha Caverns?

Divers at Makaha Caverns in United States commonly report sightings of Hawaiian green sea turtles, moray eels, octopus, pufferfish, and reef fish. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

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IntermediateBoat entry

Makaha Caverns

Q: When is the best time to dive Makaha Caverns?

The best time to dive Makaha Caverns is typically Flat or small long-period swell on the west shore; avoid days when surfers are using the area or surge is visible.. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

Hawaii - Oahu, United States

Open Water suggested8–14 m depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Makaha Caverns at a glance

Makaha Caverns is a 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 Hawaiian green sea turtles, moray eels, and octopus. Recent reports put the water around 27°C (81°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 3h ago

1.4 mwaves — about a meter and a half expected

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

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

Best: Thu

Sat—

Sun7:00–20:00

Mon7:00–20:00

Tue7:00–20:00

Wed7:00–20:00

Thu7:00–20:00

Fri7:00–20:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:39 · Sunrise 6:03 · Sunset 19:15

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 7.2 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

Known for: Hawaiian green sea turtles, pufferfish, 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.

Jan16%25°C2.2 m
Feb40%25°C1.8 m
Mar66%25°C1.6 m
Apr77%25°C1.5 m
May89%26°C1.3 m
Jun99%26°C1.1 m
Jul99%27°C1.1 m
Aug92%27°C1.2 m
Sep99%27°C1.2 m
Oct78%27°C1.4 m
Nov57%27°C1.6 m
Dec30%26°C2.0 m

July 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 turtlesCommonly seen
moray eelsOccasionally seen
octopusOccasionally seen
pufferfishCommonly seen
reef fishCommonly seen
spiny lobstersOccasionally seen
whitetip reef sharksOccasionally seen

Chelonia mydas recorded here Sep–Nov (3 records)
most recent 2013
Triaenodon obesus recorded here Aug–Sep (3 records)
most recent 2014
Canthigaster jactator recorded here Sep–Oct (2 records)
most recent 2013
Rhinecanthus rectangulus recorded here Sep–Oct (2 records)
most recent 2013
Thalassoma duperrey recorded here Sep–Oct (2 records)
most recent 2013
Zanclus cornutus recorded here Sep–Oct (2 records)
most recent 2013
Abudefduf abdominalis recorded here Oct (1 record)
most recent 2013
Gymnothorax eurostus recorded here Sep (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

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

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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