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Some of the Hawaiian Islands most pristine and dramatic diving available takes place off the Forbidden Island of Ni’ihau.

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Incredible wall dives, soaring lava formations, enormous caves, bountiful marine life and unlimited visibility, will dazzle even the most discriminating diver.

You’re likely to see Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins, large schools of Milletseed and Pyramid butterfly fish, the rare Bandit angelfish, Spotted Eagle Rays, Manta rays, Octopus, Lobster, the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal, Galapagos Sharks, White Tip and Grey Reef sharks all call Ni’ihau home.

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The morning begins at 6:00 am in our Poipu shop on Kauai’s south shore. Ni’ihau and Lehua rock lie 17 miles southwest of Kauai and are accessible by way of the Kaulakahi channel. The crossing takes about 2 ½ hours and while the morning ride over is usually calm and clear, the ride home can be as famous as the diving.

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The morning’s first dive, typically Vertical Awareness or Keyhole, is a deep one. This 280 ft wall and lava shelf’s are home to lobsters, octopus, pillow stars, reef fish and hunting monk seals. At a depth of 100-120 ft with unlimited visibility, the dive is short but spectacular.

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The next dive site (conditions allowing) is Super Highways. Maximum depth for this dive is 60 ft and the prominent feature here is the towering lava formation resembling a highway super structure. With numerous small caves and swim throughs combined with white tip reef sharks, octopus, tiger cowries and enormous yellow margins eels, this dive site is a virtual playground.

While the divers are down on this dive the Captain is busy preparing lunch for the next surface interval. A little sun, a lot of food and a dolphin or two to entertain us and we’re ready to get back into the water.

With sites like Drive through cave or drifting Lehua rock the third dive of the day is never a disappointment. Shallow and relaxed is the theme for this dive.

As we head back toward Kauai it’s time for hot showers, fresh towels and everyone to stretch out and get comfortable for the ride home. The afternoon channel is a bit bumpier then the peaceful lake encountered that morning and this part of the ride can get a little exciting. Once we tuck in beside Kauai it’s back to napping and watching the beautiful scenery as the sun sets into the sea.

Because the passage across Kaulakhi channel from Kauai to Niihau and back can be rough at the best of times, Seasport divers Niihau trips are scheduled Tuesdays and Fridays during the normally calmer time of year, which runs from late spring to early autumn.

We recommend that you book your Niihau trip in advance.