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Shore entry

Mala Wharf

Hawaii, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested3–11 m (10–35 ft) depthShore entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Mala Wharf at a glance

Mala Wharf is a shore dive site in Hawaii, United States with depths of 3–10.7 m (10–35 ft). Typically most favorable Sep · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Whitetip reef shark, Nudibranchs (various), and Commerson's frogfish. Recent reports put the water around 27°C (81°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 7:00–18:00 · favorable · sunset 17:54

Forecast for this hour · 1:00 · run 6 h ago
0.9 m (3.0 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about three feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 27°C · seasonal avg 27°C ( · Forecast 81°F · seasonal avg 80°F)

Site hazards: Slippery rocks/dead reef on the wade in (easier at high tide), boat-ramp traffic, occasional brisk current along the pilings, unstable wreckage - no penetration under slabs.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Mon7:00–18:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 5 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Tue7:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 3 kn wind (3.3 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

Wed7:00–10:00 favorable, 10:00–12:00 moderate, 15:00–18:00 moderate

1.1 m waves · 9 kn wind (3.6 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Thu7:00–18:00 favorable

1.1 m waves · 3 kn wind (3.7 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

Fri7:00–9:00 favorable, 9:00–18:00 moderate

1.1 m waves · 10 kn wind (3.6 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Sat7:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 4 kn wind (3.2 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

SunNot in the forecast yet

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 6:04 · Sunrise 6:26 · Sunset 17:54 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.7 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 19:22 GMT-10

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Mala Wharf

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: Whitetip reef shark, Nudibranchs (various), Bluestripe snapper
Best time: High tide, calm mornings; also a renowned night dive.

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, 57% 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 10 knots
  2. February, 35% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (76°F), waves have typically been 1.8 m (6.0 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  3. March, 46% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (76°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.1 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  4. April, 53% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (77°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (5.0 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  5. May, 52% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.6 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  6. June, 48% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.6 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  7. July, 40% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.6 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  8. August, 63% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.4 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  9. September, 70% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.2 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots, historically most favorable
  10. October, 70% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.4 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  11. November, 31% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 1.7 m (5.6 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  12. December, 42% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.8 m (5.7 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots

September 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 Jan (2 records)

    Chelonia mydasmost recent 2013

  • Oceanic Whitetip Shark recorded here Jan, Jun (2 records)

    Carcharhinus longimanusmost recent 2014

  • Antennatus coccineus recorded here Jan (1 record)

    most recent 2013

  • Salt and Pepper Moray recorded here Jan (1 record)

    Gymnothorax eurostusmost 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.

The underwater calendar

When these animals are most recorded around Hawaiʻi — from open sighting data, not a promise.

Watch the whole year animate on the Migrations map

Fills & rentals nearby

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

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

Data updated July 2026

Site details

The collapsed remains of Lahaina's Mala pier - knocked down by Hurricane Iniki in 1992 - now form one of Hawaii's best artificial reefs in only 10-35 ft of water. The fallen concrete slabs and pilings shelter resting whitetip reef sharks, abundant green turtles, frogfish and dense fish schools. The area was affected by the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire, but the boat ramp and dive site have reopened and diving has resumed.

muckreefshorewreck

Slippery rocks/dead reef on the wade in (easier at high tide), boat-ramp traffic, occasional brisk current along the pilings, unstable wreckage - no penetration under slabs.

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