Scuba Dive at Ni’ihau (Forbidden island)
Overview
Certified divers only. Ni’ihau is known for being the best scuba diving in the state of Hawai’i! The scuba diving sites have vertical walls with seemingly endless bottoms and crystal clear visibility. Large wildlife sitings are common and include sandbar sharks, Hawaiian monk seals (found no where else on earth), walls of butterfly fishes, and manta rays. We do two dives. Jessie will be your dive guide underwater to keep you safe and point out wildlife! In between dives we serve lunch and do a tour of Lehua Crater pointing out all our favorite seabirds and showing off the beautiful “Keyhole”. We usually look for dolphins and manta rays as we do a mini tour around the Lehua crater. The boat ride to Ni’ihau is around one hour. The ride home is anywhere from one hour to an hour and 45 minutes depending on weather. The commuting time to Ni’ihau and back is almost half the time compared to other shops! Book with us if you want experienced crew, small groups and a shorter, faster boat ride!
What's Included
- Lunch
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Use of SCUBA equipment
- Bathroom
Meeting Location
Kekaha Road
Kekaha, HI 96752, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
For certified scuba divers only. Dive crystal clear desolate waters with stunning topography and large marine life. Big sharks, monk seals, rays, and large predatory fish are common sightings out here! We recommend having 15 or more dives before joining for this one. Why dive Ni’ihau with us? Fastest crossing and closest harbor! With a 1 hour crossing you will literally cut your travel time in half. 6 customers max. Small groups while scuba diving is key to a truly enjoyable dive. Your crew will be Nick and Jessie. We are experienced captains and dive leaders. On this tour we meet at 6:30 am at Kikiaola small boat harbor. At the dock we will try on gear before we leave! The crossing to Ni'ihau generally takes 1 hour. At Ni'ihau we will dive 2 different dive sites based on dive site/ marine life requests and conditions! In between dives we will tour the beautiful Lehua crater while eating lunch. Lehua is an extinct volcano, now seabird sanctuary. The ride home takes anywhere from 60 minutes to 90 minutes depending on conditions. October-April this tour becomes harder to get to due to weather. If we cant make it to Ni'ihau we will dive off Kaua'i. A 45% refund will be applied
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Kindly provide us arrival date/departure date
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- If there is bad weather this tour may get rerouted to south side local diving. Prices will be adjusted
- October-April this tour becomes harder to get to due to weather. If we cant make it to Ni'ihau we will dive off Kaua'i. A 45% refund will be applied
- You must be certified to dive Ni'ihau
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions
(13)Q: Do you take pregnant customers snorkeling?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-467167P1
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.96 out of 5 stars based on 27 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (13)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.
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Yes, we allow pregnant women to go on snorkeling. However, it’s crucial to consult with your healthcare provider before doing so to assess your individual health and pregnancy stage.
Jan 2022Yes, this is possible, as long as you are comfortable going into the water. All City Boat Tours snorkeling tours adhere to strict safety regulations and have been designed to be enjoyed by all.
Your safety is our #1 priority, which is why:
- You will be wearing a flotation device at all times.
- On many tours, there is a stairway from the boat into the water so you won’t have to “jump” in!
- There are trained staff in the water and watching from the boat at all times.
For these reasons, we believe that even non-swimmers can have a wonderful time on our snorkeling trips, however, the final judgment call is yours to make. Please note we do not give refunds if you decide not to snorkel on the trip.
Oct 2021The snorkel gear we use on City Boat Tours tours is high quality and for your protection, the equipment is sanitized after each use. However, if you feel more comfortable using your own snorkeling equipment, feel free to bring it on the tour. Please note, there is no discount for providing your own equipment and we can’t be responsible for any lost or damaged items.
May 2023Participants in the Scuba Dive at Ni’ihau (Forbidden island) cannot fly in an airplane within 24 hours of their dive.
The main concern with scuba diving and flying is decompression sickness (DCS). Your body needs adequate time during an ascent to off-gas excess nitrogen, or you can form bubbles in your bloodstream, possibly leading to DCS.
Jun 2024First-time snorkelers can be assured of one-on-one instruction and assistance. We find introducing folks to our world very rewarding!
Oct 2021There are no legal age limits for snorkeling. We have found that age 5 or 6 is a good age to learn the basics of snorkeling, however, it’s entirely up to individuals to make the best choice for their family.
Sep 2021- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (HST).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Lunch.
- Snacks.
- Bottled water.
- Use of SCUBA equipment.
- Bathroom.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 13..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Scuba Dive at Ni’ihau (Forbidden island) is as follows:
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Kindly provide us arrival date/departure date
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Scuba Dive at Ni’ihau (Forbidden island) will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Lunch
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Use of SCUBA equipment
- Bathroom
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Kindly provide us arrival date/departure date
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- If there is bad weather this tour may get rerouted to south side local diving. Prices will be adjusted
- October-April this tour becomes harder to get to due to weather. If we cant make it to Ni'ihau we will dive off Kaua'i. A 45% refund will be applied
- You must be certified to dive Ni'ihau
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
