Matching Your Gear to Hawaii Diving

Diving in Hawaii is an experience not to be missed, with the wrecks and the reefs and the caverns in between. Not to mention the wide array of coral, fish, and other sea creatures that remind you of the very different world underwater.

When planning your gear, you need to pick out what works best for the environment and the climate. Your next consideration is what type of dive it is. Let’s look at your basic gear, then some of the more specialized pieces you will need.

Neoprene full wetsuit

Hawaii is an area warm weather but with cool sea winds and cold seawater. If you plan to pick your dives on the site, one basic neoprene full wetsuit will do. It’s light and buoyant. The full coverage lets you adapt to anything from free diving to wreck diving. 3mm will do because of the warm weather.

On that note, even if you bring fins, you don’t need any fin boots. The weather won’t be cold enough to justify the extra weight.

45-pound tank

Most of the dives around Hawaii are light and beginner-friendly. Even when you are renting gear, expect to be given a 45-pound tank, which holds about 80 cubic inches of air. Should you require two for a sidemount harness, or for longer dives. it might be best to prepare that part of the gear yourself.

Lead weights

Hawaii is just off the Pacific Ocean, with currents to match. To stabilize your position in the water, especially with a buoyant neoprene wetsuit, don’t forget your lead weights. Whether you bring or you measure it out on the spot, remember this formula: the weight is 10 percent of your weight, minus 2 pounds. Learn more about lead weight and how they impact your dive.

Basic moral of the Hawaii diving story: think warm water and light gear. If you need to rent some scuba gear or buy some when you get here, Island Divers has you covered. If you are flying in and want to research travel scuba gear before your trip, we highly recommend that as well.

The Dive Sites

Wreck diving

Oahu has two of the famous wrecks you can dive in: the USS YO-257 and the San Pedro. To minimize risks to yourself, remember the following:

Wear a full wetsuit to protect your skin from cuts and scrapes
Wear gloves to protect your hands from the wreckage
Pick a light harness and fins that are made for control (not speed)

Usually you dive in daylight to be safe. Minimize contact with the wreck, not just to preserve it but to avoid eels that live in the hollows.

Reef diving

Reef diving usually starts with swimming straight down to the reef, hovering for a while, and then swimming back up (decompression stops as needed). This means buoyancy and control is key.

Your full-body neoprene wetsuit has air pockets that will keep you buoyant. The lead weights will help you stabilize for control. Don’t forget the fins, which will also lend you control and propulsion.

Nighttime / darkness diving

Wrecks and reefs are mostly daytime activities. However, some of the best marine diving is conducted in the evening, and one of the more fun man-made areas–a large pipe–is completely dark.

Your full-body wetsuit should keep you warm. Don’t forget at least three lights for safety, but don’t bring anything too bright or strobe-like. That might stress out marine life. For other areas like the pipe, bring a good camera for macrophotography.

Grab your night gear and learn more about our Pelagic Night Dives.