Kona Advanced 2-Tank Long Range Dive Charter

Overview

The Kona long range dive charter from Kona Honu Divers is a 7-hour, 2-tank trip on a 6-diver catamaran to South Kona lava tubes or northern arches, with free Nitrox and a boxed lunch from $269. It suits experienced divers with 25+ logged dives; the main drawbacks are the strict entry requirements and a no-refund window of 72 hours.

Highlights

• Two dives at long-range sites such as Chimney, Nudi Cavern and Paradise Pinnacle (south) or LAX, Touch of Grey and a Kaiwi Point drift (north), chosen by conditions on the day
• Maximum 6 divers on the Honu Lele, a 33-foot World Cat power catamaran that the operator says is usually the only boat at these sites
• Nitrox fills, tanks, weights, a guide and a boxed lunch are included in the $269 base price
• Entry bar is high: at least 25 logged dives, a dive within the last 6 months, a dive computer and 60 minutes of air on an 80 cf tank
• The same boat can be paired with the operator's Blackwater Night Dive on the same day, with about 3 hours between trips

What to Expect

1. Check in at the Honu Lele slip at Honokohau Harbor (74-425 Kealakehe Parkway) for an 8:00 am departure; the trip runs until about 3:00 pm.
2. The captain picks north or south based on sea conditions, then runs the coast at speed on the 33-foot catamaran; the operator says dolphins, pilot whales and, in winter, hammerheads are sometimes seen on the way.
3. Dive one is at a long-range site such as a lava tube, cavern or deep pinnacle; divers backroll off the boat and follow the guide in a single group.
4. A boxed lunch is served on board during the surface interval; the operator's own page also calls it a 'full lunch', so expect something between the two.
5. Dive two is at a second site in the same area, for example a drift around Kaiwi Point when conditions allow.
6. The boat returns to Honokohau Harbor by about 3:00 pm; the operator asks you not to fly or drive above 2,000 feet for 18 hours afterwards.

What to Bring

• Physical or electronic certification card
• Your own dive computer (mandatory)
• Mineral-based sunscreen only
• Your own BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask and fins unless renting

Restrictions and Requirements

• At least 25 logged dives and a dive within the last 6 months (pool refreshers do not count)
• Able to stay down 60 minutes on an 80 cf tank; doubles not allowed, 100 cf tanks not available
• Age 18+, or under 18 only with a Junior Rescue Diver certification
• No heart conditions; pregnancy is excluded; must be able to converse in English for briefings
• Comfortable backrolling off the boat and diving in a group without extra attention
• Refresher required after 2 years without diving, PADI ReActivate after 5, full open-water course after 10
• Do not book the manta night dive the same evening; no flying or driving above 2,000 feet for 18 hours after the charter
• Minimum 3 divers for the trip to run, maximum 6

Cancellation Policy

Full payment is taken at booking. Cancel or change at least 72 hours before departure for a 100% refund; inside 72 hours there is no refund unless you bought the 9% trip protection, which cannot be added within that window. Arriving more than 15 minutes late counts as a no-show. If the operator cancels for weather, passenger count or mechanical reasons you get a reschedule or full refund. Checked October 2026 on TripOutside and Greetwell.

Location

Open in Google Maps →

Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii

Meeting Point

Honu Lele, Honokohau Harbor, 74-425 Kealakehe Pkwy, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Check-In

Arrive by the 8:00 am departure time; the exact check-in time is not published

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact