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IntermediateBoat entry

Middle Reef

Hawaii, United States
Open Water suggested5–30 m (16–98 ft) depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Middle Reef at a glance

Middle Reef is an intermediate boat dive site in Hawaii, United States with depths of 5–30 m (16–98 ft). Typically most favorable Oct · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Moorish idol, Parrotfish, and Fire goby. 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

Forecast for this hour · 18:00 · run 11 h ago
0.9 m (2.9 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 81°F)

Site hazards: Boat traffic, coral contact, current/wind increase later in the day, depth changes across the crater bowl, and MLCD no-take/no-feeding restrictions.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

SunNo window

0.9 m waves · 6 kn wind (2.9 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Mon7:00–18:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 6 kn wind (2.9 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Tue7:00–18:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 4 kn wind (3.0 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Wed7:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 8 kn wind (3.3 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Thu7:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 7 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Fri7:00–18:00 favorable

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

Sat7:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 8 kn wind (3.3 ft waves · 8 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 6:02 · Sunrise 6:25 · Sunset 17:54 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 4.8 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 07:21 GMT-10

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Middle Reef

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: Moorish idol, Parrotfish, Trumpetfish
Best time: Best on calm morning charters before afternoon trade winds/current build; Molokini conditions can change quickly and operators may reroute.

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, 53% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.3 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  2. February, 26% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (77°F), waves have typically been 2.0 m (6.5 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  3. March, 43% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (76°F), waves have typically been 1.7 m (5.7 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  4. April, 37% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (77°F), waves have typically been 1.8 m (5.9 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  5. May, 29% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.8 m (5.9 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  6. June, 27% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 1.8 m (5.7 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  7. July, 35% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.3 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  8. August, 35% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.7 m (5.6 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  9. September, 49% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (5.0 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  10. October, 70% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.6 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots, historically most favorable
  11. November, 48% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.7 m (5.5 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  12. December, 61% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.1 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots

October 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.

  • Oceanic Whitetip Shark recorded here Jan–Mar, May, Nov (7 records)

    Carcharhinus longimanusmost recent 2016

  • Almaco Jack recorded here Feb (2 records)

    Seriola rivolianamost recent 2016

  • Black Triggerfish recorded here Feb (2 records)

    Melichthys nigermost recent 2016

  • Forcipiger longirostris recorded here Jan, May (2 records)

    most recent 2018

  • Stellate Puffer recorded here Jan (2 records)

    Arothron stellatusmost recent 2014

  • Thalassoma duperrey recorded here Feb (2 records)

    most recent 2016

  • Arothron meleagris recorded here Feb (1 record)

    most recent 2016

  • Atlantic Nurse Shark recorded here May (1 record)

    Ginglymostoma cirratummost recent 2013

Newest record here: 2018. 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.

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

Middle Reef is a central inner-crater Molokini reef with hard coral and abundant tropical fish. It is one of the more broadly useful Molokini subsites for snorkelers, freedivers, SNUBA guests, and scuba divers. Divers should still treat it as boat-only protected-area diving with coral-contact discipline.

boatreef

Boat traffic, coral contact, current/wind increase later in the day, depth changes across the crater bowl, and MLCD no-take/no-feeding restrictions.

Reviews

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