The Kohala Divers two-site Kohala Coast dive charter is a 6-hour morning boat trip from Kawaihae that takes certified divers and guided snorkelers to two reef sites between Puako and Kohala. It suits mixed groups staying at the Kohala resorts; the drawback is the $229-plus price and a strict 48-hour cancellation window.
Highlights
Departs Kawaihae Harbor at 7:30 am and visits two reef sites chosen by the captain on the day
Divers and snorkelers share the same boat; snorkelers get their own guide and pay $189 before tax
46-foot boat Namaka with shade, two heated freshwater showers, a marine toilet and a camera rinse tank
Dive groups are capped at 6 per instructor; the boat carries up to 18 divers
Complimentary shuttle from several Kohala Coast resorts according to the Love Big Island listing
What to Expect
You check in at the Kohala Divers shop in the Kawaihae Shopping Center, 61-3665 Akoni Pule Hwy, and show your certification card.
The boat leaves Kawaihae Harbor around 7:30 am and heads south toward the Puako and Kohala reefs.
The captain picks the two sites after departure based on sea conditions; both 2022 and 2024 Undercurrent reports describe bottom times of about an hour.
Divers descend in groups of up to 6 with a guide; snorkelers stay above the same reef with their own guide.
Between dives the crew serves snacks and drinks, and there is a surface interval on board.
The second site often includes arches and swim-throughs; the 2024 Undercurrent reviewer saw turtles and an octopus but no sharks or mantas.
The boat returns to Kawaihae by early afternoon, about 6 hours after departure.
What's Included
Two guided boat dives or two guided snorkel sessions
Air tanks and weights for divers
Mask, snorkel and fins
Snacks and beverages on board
Heated showers, camera rinse bins and a marine-life reference library on the boat
What's Not Included
Taxes and fees
Wetsuit, BCD and regulator rental (not listed as included on either reseller page)
Gratuity
What to Bring
Certification card or proof of certification (divers)
Reef-safe lotion sunscreen; spray sunscreen is not allowed on the boat
Towel, swimsuit, change of clothes and motion-sickness remedy
Your own mask if you have one; the operator's Hawaii Activities listing says rentals are not recommended
Restrictions and Requirements
Minimum age 8 for snorkelers; snorkelers under 15 need an adult in the water or a private guide
Divers must hold Open Water or higher and have dived within the past 5 years or complete a refresher
Junior divers aged 10–11 are limited to 40 feet and need a private guide
Must be able to swim against mild to moderate current and hold buoyancy for a 3-minute safety stop
Minors under 18 need a parent or guardian to sign releases
No travel above 2,000 feet by road or air for at least 18 hours after diving; no alcohol within 8 hours before diving
Safety briefings are in English, so participants must understand English
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at least 48 hours before the charter; cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are charged in full for any reason. Checked October 2026 on Greetwell and Love Big Island.
Kohala Divers shop, Kawaihae Shopping Center, 61-3665 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kawaihae, HI 96743; the boat boards across the road at Kawaihae Harbor.
Parking and Getting There
The 2024 Undercurrent reviewer reports plenty of parking at the harbor.
Ratings from every source we could find
TripAdvisor
4.9
1,118 reviews
Other
4.9
1,200 reviews
Google Maps — Summarized by Our Team
Kohala Coast dive/snorkel combo charters are a smaller, more localized category valued specifically by travelers staying north of central Kona.
Last checked 2026-09-15
Ratings and review counts are checked periodically and may not reflect same-day changes on each platform.
What the Reviews Say
We read 3 individual reviews for this charter in October 2026: 1 on Greetwell (July 2026, 5 stars) and 2 detailed diver reports on Undercurrent (June 2022 and September 2024, both rating the dive operation 5 of 5). No 1–2 star reviews were found, so the complaints below come from critical remarks inside positive reports.
What Reviewers Praise
Crew is organized and hands-on with gear and boarding(3 of 3 reviews we read)
All three reviewers praise the crew for helping with tanks, in-water assistance and getting back aboard, and one describes the operation as well organized over five separate trips.
— Undercurrent, dive operation 5/5, September 2024: the crew helped with tanks and re-boarding, and guides knew each site and pointed out unusual species.
Good handling of cameras and a relaxed pace for photographers(2 of 3 reviews we read)
Both Undercurrent reports rate photography conditions 4 of 5 and say guides let divers linger to shoot, with the crew careful when passing cameras.
— Undercurrent, 5/5 service, June 2022: "The crew does an excellent job of handling and care of cameras."
What Reviewers Complain About
Few large animals; reef life is mostly turtles and small fish(2 of 3 reviews we read · outside operator's control · most recent: September 2024)
Both Undercurrent reviewers rated large fish and pelagics 1 of 5 and corals 3 of 5; sightings were turtles, an octopus and at most one or two sharks or dolphins across multiple dives.
— Undercurrent, September 2024: frequent turtles, but no sharks, mantas, dolphins or whales recorded across the trip.
About the Operator in General
The 2024 Undercurrent reviewer also took a PADI Advanced Open Water course with Kohala Divers and was satisfied with the instructor; the 2022 reviewer noted private guides had become expensive.
Our Verdict
Tripreviewall's Take
At $229 per diver before tax, this charter is worth it for certified divers staying between Waikoloa and Kawaihae who want a short drive and a mixed-ability boat; the Kona dive shops are 45 minutes further south. Expect healthy coral, arches and turtles rather than mantas or sharks, which the two Undercurrent reports confirm are rare here. Book elsewhere if you want a specific site, because the captain chooses both on the day.
Book This Tour If…
You are a certified diver with a dive in the last 5 years and your partner only snorkels
You are staying at a Kohala Coast resort and want a 7:30 am departure without driving to Kona
You shoot a compact or mirrorless camera and want guides who give time at each site
You are comfortable in groups of up to 6 following a guide's profile
Skip This Tour If…
Your main goal is mantas, sharks or dolphins; both reports we read saw few or none
You have not dived in 5 years and do not want to pay for a refresher or private guide
You need flexible cancellation; anything inside 24 hours is charged in full
You are flying or driving to Mauna Kea or Volcano within 18 hours of the trip
Tips From Reviewers and Operator Notes
Bring a certification card; without one you must book a Discover Scuba course or snorkel instead
Use lotion sunscreen, since spray sunscreen is banned on the boat
Bring your own mask if you can; the operator's Hawaii Activities listing advises against relying on rentals
Full-size DSLR housings are hard to rinse on board, according to 1 of 3 reviews we read; a small mirrorless rig is easier
Ask about the resort shuttle when booking; Love Big Island lists it as complimentary from several Kohala Coast hotels
Assessed by the Tripreviewall editorial team, last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Kohala Divers two-site charter cost?
The Kohala Divers two-site charter is listed at $229 per certified diver, $189 per guided snorkeler and $110 for a ride-along on Love Big Island as of October 2026, before taxes and fees. Greetwell shows $261.40 for divers and $215.92 for snorkelers, which appear to include fees.
Can non-divers join the Kohala Divers two-site charter?
Non-divers can join the two-site charter as guided snorkelers or as ride-alongs who stay on the boat. Snorkelers must be at least 8 years old, and those under 15 need an adult in the water or a private guide. Snorkelers and divers visit the same two reef sites.
Where does the Kohala Divers charter depart from?
The charter departs from Kawaihae Harbor on the northern Kohala Coast, about 30 miles north of Kailua-Kona. Check-in is at the Kohala Divers shop in the Kawaihae Shopping Center at 61-3665 Akoni Pule Hwy, and the boat boards across the road. Departure is listed at 7:30 am.
Which dive sites does the two-site charter visit?
The two-site charter does not fix its sites in advance; the captain picks two reefs along the Puako and Kohala coastline after departure based on conditions. Undercurrent reviewers describe lobe and finger coral, arches and swim-throughs, bottom times of about an hour, and depths of 70 feet or less.
Do I need recent dive experience for the Kohala Divers charter?
Divers on the Kohala Divers charter must hold at least an Open Water certification and have dived within the past 5 years. Those who have not must complete a refresher or hire a private guide, and everyone must be able to swim against moderate current and hold a 3-minute safety stop unaided.
What is the cancellation policy for the Kohala Divers charter?
Kohala Divers requires 48 hours' notice to cancel a single booking. Any cancellation made less than 24 hours before the charter is charged in full regardless of the reason, according to the Greetwell and Love Big Island listings checked in October 2026. The operator refunds trips it cancels for weather.
Contact
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