How deep is The Back Side?

The Back Side has a depth range of 15–30 metres (49–98 feet). Check the dive site page for current conditions and any depth-specific guidance before planning your dive.

Can beginners dive The Back Side?

The Back Side is rated as advanced difficulty, which may not suit new divers. A Advanced Open Water or equivalent wall/drift/deep boat experience required. certification or equivalent is suggested. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

What will I see at The Back Side?

Divers at The Back Side in United States commonly report sightings of Whitetip reef shark, Gray reef shark, Manta ray, Spinner dolphin, and Humpback whale. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

Add the first photo

AdvancedBoat entry

The Back Side

Q: When is the best time to dive The Back Side?

The best time to dive The Back Side is typically Best on calm early morning back-wall conditions with a boat crew experienced in Molokini current and wind patterns; operators should cancel or reroute when exposed conditions are unsafe.. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

Hawaii, United States

AOW suggested15–30 m depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

The Back Side at a glance

The Back Side is a advanced boat dive site in Hawaii, United States with depths of 15–30 m (49–98 ft). Typically most favorable Oct · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Whitetip reef shark, Gray reef shark, and Manta ray. Recent reports put the water around 27°C (81°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 4h 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 26°C

Site hazards: Exposed back-wall seas, current/drift, vertical depth drop, depth creep, boat separation, surge, and rapidly changing wind/afternoon conditions.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Mon

Sat—

Sun6:00–20:00

Mon6:00–20:00

Tue6:00–19:00

Wed7:00–20:00

Thu7:00–20:00

Fri7:00–15:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:34 · Sunrise 5:58 · Sunset 19:06

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 4.8 km from site · graded 4h 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: Whitetip reef shark, Pyramid butterflyfish, Black coral

Best time: Best on calm early morning back-wall conditions with a boat crew experienced in Molokini current and wind patterns; operators should cancel or reroute when exposed conditions are unsafe.

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.

Jan53%25°C1.6 m
Feb26%25°C2.0 m
Mar43%25°C1.7 m
Apr37%25°C1.8 m
May29%26°C1.8 m
Jun27%26°C1.8 m
Jul35%26°C1.6 m
Aug35%27°C1.7 m
Sep49%27°C1.5 m
Oct70%27°C1.4 m
Nov48%27°C1.7 m
Dec61%26°C1.6 m

October 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

Whitetip reef sharkCommonly seen
Gray reef sharkOccasionally seen
Manta rayOccasionally seen
Spinner dolphinOccasionally seen
Humpback whaleSeasonal
Whale sharkRarely seen
Pyramid butterflyfishCommonly seen
Longnose hawkfishOccasionally seen
Black coralCommonly seen
Spotted eagle rayOccasionally seen
Jacks (trevally)Commonly seen
Moray eelCommonly seen
FrogfishRarely seen
NudibranchsOccasionally seen
Slipper lobsterOccasionally seen
Eagle rayOccasionally seen
Grey reef sharkOccasionally seen
Moray eelsOccasionally seen

Aulostomidae recorded here Feb (1 record)
most recent 2009
Bothidae recorded here Feb (1 record)
most recent 2009
Diproctacanthus xanthurus recorded here Feb (1 record)
most recent 2009
Histrio histrio recorded here Feb (1 record)
most recent 2009
Pomacentridae recorded here Feb (1 record)
most recent 2009
Scyllarus americanus recorded here May (1 record)
most recent 2012
Triaenodon obesus recorded here May (1 record)
most recent 2012

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.

Boss Frog's12.5 km
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Snorkel Bob's14.0 km
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Boss Frog's14.1 km
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Boss Frog's18.0 km
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Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Site details

The Back Side is Molokini's exposed outside wall, a classic advanced wall/drift zone with vertical relief, clear water, and larger pelagic encounters when conditions cooperate. It is not a beginner or snorkel-focused site. Buoyancy and depth control are central because the wall drops far below normal recreational depths.

boatdriftreefwall

Exposed back-wall seas, current/drift, vertical depth drop, depth creep, boat separation, surge, and rapidly changing wind/afternoon conditions.

Reviews

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