Kauaʻi · United States · Reef · Night
Koloa Landing
Probably Kauai's most popular shore dive, where turtles sleep by day
Koloa Landing in Hanaka'ape Bay is probably the most popular shore dive on Kauai, and a very common site for scuba instruction. The site is protected, with calm water that suits divers new to the sport, and the reef lies at 6-18 m (20-60 ft). Sea turtles sleep here during the day, and it doubles as the area's night dive.
Where it is and how deep
21.8786° N, 159.4686° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
Koloa Landing is a shore dive from Hanaka'ape Bay on Kauai's south side, and probably the most popular shore site on the island. The site is protected and the water calm, which is why so much scuba instruction happens here. The reef lies between 6 m and 18 m (20-60 ft), and navigation is easy: outbound headings point due south.
Sea turtles sleep on the site during the day. Bigger visitors are occasional: monk seals and whales have both been seen here. This was once the main harbour on Kauai, and old anchor chains still lie close to shore. The same calm entry makes Koloa Landing the place where shops run twilight and night dives.
Marine life and season
- Sea turtles
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows Kauaʻi: May to September brings the calmest seas and warmest water, though south-shore visibility tends to run a little better in winter.
Know before you go
- High south surf, anything over about 1.2 m (4 ft), is the one caution here; the site is best on a small swell.
Dive videos
Kauai Shore Dive - Koloa Landing · Kauai Adventure Guide on YouTube
Questions divers ask
Can Koloa Landing be dived at night?+
Yes. The calm, protected entry makes it the south shore's twilight and night dive as well as its main daytime shore dive.
Sources
- Dive Sites - Fathom Five Divers (Kauai) — Fathom Five Divers
- Scubago dive site: Koloa Landing — Scubago
- Kauai Dive Co — Kauai Dive Co
- Dive Kauai Scuba Center — Dive Kauai
- Kauai Scuba Dive Sites — Seasport Divers
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