Private Sightseeing Tours
5 hours
Free cancellation
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from
$2,000
per group
Explore Kauai Scuba
Explore Kauai Scuba
5
Scuba & SnorkellingBoat ToursWater SportsEco ToursDolphin & Whale Watching
Full view
About
Come dive Kaua’i or Ni’ihau with us. We take 6 divers max (small groups), are owner operated (experienced crew), and have the fastest crossing to Ni’ihau (cut your time in half). Our roomy 28 foot Parker has an enclosed cab and twin 300s. Fast and handles well in big seas!
Kekaha, Hawaii
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Improve this listingTours and Tickets by Explore Kauai Scuba
On the Water
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travelers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$655
per adult
On the Water
4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$360
per adult
On the Water
6 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$1,500
per group
Private Sightseeing Tours
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$2,400
per group
Travelers talk about
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
457 reviews
Excellent
455
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Steve
Bend, OR5 contributions
Jan 2025 • Family
We rank Jessie and Nike (owner/operator) as our best dive experience providers - period, on or off Kauai. Not only do they provide a 1st class, professional boat dive service, but they are wonderful people. Their local knowledge is impressive. Jessie is a skilled dive master, very patient with beginning younger divers. She has impressive knowledge of endemic species in Hawaii, and knows the reefs like the back of her hand, pointing out eels, octopuses, turtles, etc. Nick is a true waterman and boat captain - kept us safe and entertained throughout. He also makes sure everyone is comfortable, even when a little motion sickness sets in.
We have done over 20 boat trips over the years, and I wholeheartedly recommend Nick and Jessie for the personalized experience they provide. Even if you could save a little bit by going with larger operators, or doing a shore dive in Kauai - don’t! Their boat is awesome, gear 1st class, and company unbeatable.
Thanks Jessie and Nick for another great dive trip! We’ll be back (again)!
-Steve, Keegan, and Cullen.
We have done over 20 boat trips over the years, and I wholeheartedly recommend Nick and Jessie for the personalized experience they provide. Even if you could save a little bit by going with larger operators, or doing a shore dive in Kauai - don’t! Their boat is awesome, gear 1st class, and company unbeatable.
Thanks Jessie and Nick for another great dive trip! We’ll be back (again)!
-Steve, Keegan, and Cullen.
Written January 4, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan P
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
If you are going to Kauai and want to dive, reach out to Nick & Jessie at Explore Kauai Scuba. I dove with them in 2019 and again this past week. God willing, if I return again, I'll take a third dive trip with them. There are some dive companies that pack as many as possible on their boat and are more concerned with $ than the diving experience. That is NOT Nick & Jessie's business model. They take out smaller groups which makes the experience much more relaxed and personal. During the dive, Jessie carries an etch-a-sketch tablet that she uses to identify the various sea life as you encounter them during the dive. Rather than having someone point at fish, you learn what you are looking at. I appreciate that. While I dove, other members of my family snorkeled under Nick's supervision and had a great time. Both Nick and Jessie are very down to earth and easy to communicate with. There is no question that their goal is to give you the best dive (or snorkel) experience possible. There was nothing wrong with the boat they had back in 2019, but their newer boat is really nice and accommodating - it even has a bathroom. I also like the fact that they operate out of the easy to access Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor. Again, a great dive company. Nick & Jessie are awesome!
Written August 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cole G
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Couples
A great experience in and out of the water. My wife and I scheduled three dives with Jesse and Nick at Explore Kauai Scuba over the last week of August. Booking and scheduling was very easy and all of the applicable forms were able to be signed electronically. We were able to drive straight to the boat harbor on the morning of our dives and Jesse had all of our equipment there for us to try on before departure. It was much easier then having to go to a dive shop off location, then to the harbor.
Due to a tropical storm (Thanks Hone) we had to modify a few of our plans. Jesse made sure that we knew 24 hours ahead of time if the plans were going to change, so we could make other plans on the island.
The thing that I respected the most about Nick and Jesse was there willingness and ability to treat each diver with the attention they needed. My wife is recently certified and Nick and Jesse gave her a little extra attention in and out of the water. They took the time to go over the SCUBA basics and helped to refresh us and set our minds at ease before ever getting in the water. With that being said, there was a family diving with us that had lots of diving experience and they were able to dive and not be hindered by a new diver. It worked out great.
Our experience was amazing. I would highly recommend Explore Kauai Scuba to anyone of any experience level looking to dive in Kauai.
Mahalo
The Gilbert's from Indiana
Due to a tropical storm (Thanks Hone) we had to modify a few of our plans. Jesse made sure that we knew 24 hours ahead of time if the plans were going to change, so we could make other plans on the island.
The thing that I respected the most about Nick and Jesse was there willingness and ability to treat each diver with the attention they needed. My wife is recently certified and Nick and Jesse gave her a little extra attention in and out of the water. They took the time to go over the SCUBA basics and helped to refresh us and set our minds at ease before ever getting in the water. With that being said, there was a family diving with us that had lots of diving experience and they were able to dive and not be hindered by a new diver. It worked out great.
Our experience was amazing. I would highly recommend Explore Kauai Scuba to anyone of any experience level looking to dive in Kauai.
Mahalo
The Gilbert's from Indiana
Written September 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M. Moore
5 contributions
Sep 2024 • Solo
September 17th Scuba diving trip with Nick and Jessie exceeded my expectations. I reserved the dive trip 2 months in advance and the entire experience was excellent across all aspects. Nick and Jessie are passionate in what they do and sharing their knowledge with others. The boat trip, equipment, exploration along the Na Pali coast and the actual 2 dive sites was excellent. The starting point for the trip, near Waimea, is great especially if you are staying on the south side of Kauai.
Written September 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shelley Z
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Family
Outstanding dive! We saw sharks, whales, dolphins and a Hawaiian monk seal! The dive master, Jessie, was so knowledgeable, calm and attentive to the group. Nick, the captain, expertly drove the boat and handled the equipment. We will dive with this company again if we get the opportunity!
Written March 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David G
2 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
It was just me and my wife on the 2 tank local boat dive the day we went and Jessie and Nick were great. It had been 9 years since our last dive so we had a nice refresher on the boat and we were able to do everything at a very relaxed pace. Jesse is clearly into marine life and showed us what we'd see in books before pointing out the animals on our dives. Great dive tour!
Written December 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug S
Santa Monica, CA27 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
I had the privilege to make my 4th dive trip with owners Nick and Jessie. Because of rough weather, we kept the diving to close local sites. What an awesome day. Jessie served as Dive Master and has excellent eyes for spotting endemic species. We saw pelagics and small critters. The viz was superb and Nick was an outstanding captain.
Written March 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tammy B
Littleton, CO14 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Our Scuba trip was amazing!!!! Captain Nick and Jesse are an incredible team and they made our experience exceptional. We saw sharks and turtles and lobsters and too many species of fish to list. Their attention to detail and communication was amazing and we can't recommend them enough!!! Can't wait to come back and dive with them again.
Written March 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aloha Tammy, Kyle, and Devin!
Thank you so much for your business, the great day together, and the review! Look forward to meeting more of your family on Monday!
Mahalo
Jessie
Written March 23, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Blake W
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • Friends
We had such a good time on the
2 Tank Local Boat Dive. All gear was great and included. The crew is knowledgeable and made sure we saw lots of amazing fish and turtles. I highly recommend.
2 Tank Local Boat Dive. All gear was great and included. The crew is knowledgeable and made sure we saw lots of amazing fish and turtles. I highly recommend.
Written June 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike S
1 contribution
Mar 2023
My daughters and I had an amazing time with Jesse and Nick sightseeing, whale watching, and diving. I booked the trip hoping to get a little extra attention from a dive master because I hadn't dove in over a decade, and it would be the first ever ocean dive for my kids (21 and 12) who had recently certified. The dives were amazing, and Jesse did a great job prepping us for what to expect, but equally amazing to the dives was the boat trip up the Na Pali coast that went with it. We saw about a dozen whales, including a mom training her baby to breach and a couple of male humpbacks "courting" a female. In the water we saw sharks, rays, a viper moray, some rays gliding in the current, in addition to an abundance of tropical fish. It was a really memorable day and the highlight of an already amazing vacation on Kauai.
Written March 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aloha Mike! Wow what an amazing review you left Nick and I. Thank you very much. That really was a great day out on the water! You and your daughters did great! After a decade I was impressed how you got right back in to diving! The sharks and rays were so beautiful; the viper moray was terrifying 😂! Thank you again for your business and the great review!
Mahalo
Jessie
Written March 26, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
In order to dive Ni’ihau, do we need to have a certain number of dives logged beforehand? Also, do you use air or nitrox?
Written January 16, 2020
Nothing required. It’s a free dive so you just have to be capable and comfortable with that. No nitric. Air was sufficient for 2x dives.
Written January 18, 2020
Hi there, Is your tour for beginners?
Thank you,
Karen
Written December 8, 2017
If you are looking to try diving and eventually become certified, Nick and company are very good with beginners.
Written December 11, 2017
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