Shark Diving Tours in Hawaii

Departing from Oahu’s popular North Shore, Hawaii shark diving tours are a unique experience only available on the island of Oahu. Located approximately 15 minutes off-shore by boat, there is an area known as the Pelagic Zone, and the smooth flowing ocean current and clear waters have become a haven for a variety of different species of sharks. The expert professionals of the various Haleiwa shark tours, discovered that the sharks will simply relax and swim around boats and swimmers, and now the area has become one of the best places to see sharks in Hawaii in a safe and controlled environment.

• The ocean waves and tradewinds often pick-up later in the day and in the afternoon, so it is recommended that you book your shark diving tour as early in the morning as possible.
• Each boat can only take a small number of people, and since Oahu shark tours are so popular, they often sell out. Be sure to book in advance to make sure you can experience these amazing tours.
• While the North Shore waters are calmer in the summer, and rougher in the winter, the small boat size, coupled with the time spent at anchor, can lead to motion sickness for some participants. Even if you are not normally prone to motion sickness, it is highly recommended that you take a motion sickness preventative one hour prior to departure.
• There are restrooms available at the harbor, and you will need to have your swimsuit on before boarding the boat. Do not forget the sunscreen since the Hawaiian sun can be quite strong throughout the day.
• Since tours can be canceled due to inclement weather for safety reasons, to allow the best opportunity to rebook, reserve your Oahu shark dive and swim tours towards the beginning of your visit to Hawaii.
• Many of the shark dive companies do not offer transportation, and the departure area is approximately an hour away by car from most major hotels and resorts. You will need a rental car, secure a ride share or taxi, or book one of the tours that do offer round-trip transportation from Waikiki.
• Once your tour is completed, take the opportunity to explore the North Shore of Oahu. There are many popular restaurants and stores in Haleiwa Town, scenic beaches, a botanical garden with a waterfall, and more!

All Oahu shark diving tours and shark cage experiences depart from Haleiwa Harbor, located in the heart of Oahu’s North Shore in Haleiwa Town. This area combines the best of city and country life with a laidback island flair. Once your shark tour is completed, don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore this quaint town, and have some delicious local Kona coffee, refreshing acai bowls and shave ice, and hearty shrimp plates and BBQ. There are also many small locally-owned boutiques and stores where you can find items not sold anywhere else in the world.

Outside of Haleiwa, you will find a number of beaches, including the famous Banzai Pipeline, and Laniakea Beach, home to many Hawaiian green sea turtles. For those wanting to experience nature by land, head over to Waimea Valley, a lush botanical garden complete with a 45-foot waterfall that guests are welcome to swim under.

Guests driving from the Waikiki area will need to take H1 to H2 and follow the signs that will lead you to Haleiwa Town. Depending on the traffic, it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half to drive.

Please take into account the distance if you plan to use a rideshare or taxi as prices will start at $60.00 or more.

Public transportation is available from Waikiki and will take approximately two hours.

Q: What is the difference between a shark cage dive and open water shark swim?
A: There are two types of Oahu shark dive tours. Both tours will take you to the dive area by boat, and the differences occur once you arrive. On the Oahu shark cage tour, there is a cage in the water that is attached to the boat. You will enter the cage with other participants, and then the cage will float near the boat for approximately 15 minutes.

For open water shark swimming, you will enter the water with an expert guide, and the sharks will be swimming beneath you. The guide will nudge away any sharks that get too close to the participants in the water.

Q: What kind of sharks will you see on an Oahu shark dive tour?
A: The sharks that are seen on a shark diving tour are usually docile Galapagos and Sandbar sharks. Hammerhead, Tiger, and Oceanic White Tip sharks can also be seen in the area, and are not aggressive.

Q: Do you need a SCUBA diving certification for the Oahu shark dive tour?
A: No, you will not need a SCUBA diving certification since you will not be SCUBA diving on this tour. Guests should be comfortable in open water and know how to swim for the shark swim, but no experience is necessary for the cage tour.

Q: Where can I swim with sharks in Hawaii?
A: All shark diving and swimming tours in Hawaii are located on the island of Oahu and depart from Haleiwa Harbor on the island’s North Shore.

Q: Where is the best place to go on a Hawaii shark dive?
A: Shark cage dives and open water swims are only available on Oahu.

Q: When is the best time to go on an Oahu shark dive tour?
A: It is best to go in the early morning since that is when the ocean and winds are the most calm.

Q: Is it safe to shark dive on Oahu?
A: Yes, both the shark cage dive and open water snorkel swim are safe since you will be with expert professionals who are very familiar with the ocean and the sharks.

Q: Can kids go on an Oahu shark dive tour?
A: Yes! Most shark tours can accommodate children from five years old and above.

Q: How far are Oahu shark dive tours from Waikiki?
A: Haleiwa Harbor is approximately 35 miles away and will take an hour to drive there.

Q: How far are Oahu shark dive tours from Ko Olina?
A: Haleiwa Harbor is approximately 30 miles away and will take 45 minutes to drive there.