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Map of Old Kona Airport (Pawai Bay side)
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IntermediateShore entry

Old Kona Airport (Pawai Bay side)

Hawaii, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested9–21 m (30–70 ft) depthShore entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Old Kona Airport (Pawai Bay side) at a glance

Old Kona Airport (Pawai Bay side) is an intermediate shore dive site in Hawaii, United States with depths of 9.1–21.3 m (30–70 ft). Typically most favorable Jun–Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Spinner dolphin, Yellowmargin moray eel, and Slate pencil urchin. Recent reports put the water around 28°C (82°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 7:00–18:00 · moderate · sunset 17:53

Forecast for this hour · 6:00 · run 10 h ago
1.1 m (3.7 ft)waves — about a meter expected (waves — about four feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 28°C · seasonal avg 27°C ( · Forecast 82°F · seasonal avg 81°F)

Site hazards: Slippery lava rock entry, surge with any south or west swell (skip the dive if swell is running), urchins.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Smallest waves: Sat
Mon7:00–18:00 moderate

1.2 m waves · 4 kn wind (3.8 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Tue7:00–13:00 moderate, 14:00–16:00 moderate

1.3 m waves · 4 kn wind (4.1 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

WedNo window

1.3 m waves · 4 kn wind (4.3 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Thu7:00–8:00 moderate

1.3 m waves · 2 kn wind (4.1 ft waves · 2 kn wind)

Fri8:00–18:00 moderate

1.2 m waves · 4 kn wind (4.0 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Sat7:00–18:00 moderate

1.1 m waves · 2 kn wind (3.5 ft waves · 2 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 6:00 · Sunrise 6:22 · Sunset 17:53 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 4.2 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 19:26 GMT-10

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Old Kona Airport (Pawai Bay side)

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: Yellowmargin moray eel, Slate pencil urchin, Peacock grouper
Best time: Flat calm mornings; avoid any S/W swell.

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, 65% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.2 ft), wind has typically been 6 knots
  2. February, 91% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots
  3. March, 95% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots
  4. April, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.4 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots
  5. May, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.4 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots
  6. June, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots, historically most favorable
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 96% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots
  9. September, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots, historically most favorable
  10. October, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots
  11. November, 94% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.7 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots
  12. December, 84% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots

June, July, and September have 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 seen at this site

Species noted at this site — 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.

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 June 2026

Site details

A convenient shore dive at the old runway beach park just north of downtown Kailua-Kona. A short swim over a lava ridge at ~30 ft leads to coral structure, arches and small caverns sloping to sand around 70-100 ft. A favorite local site for quick tank dives and night dives when seas are flat.

cavereefshore

Slippery lava rock entry, surge with any south or west swell (skip the dive if swell is running), urchins.

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