Scuba diving in Oahu, HI, allows you to enter a world of fascinating sea creatures and get a glimpse into their lives. Whether you’re a tourist or local diving around Oahu for the first time, here’s some of the marine life you can expect to see.

5 Animals You Might See Scuba Diving Around Oahu

1. Manta Rays

These gentle giants are among the ocean’s largest fish, with some stretching to 20 or more feet wide. They don’t have stingers unlike their stingray and eagle ray cousins, and appear around the Hawaiian Islands year round. Many people snorkel with manta rays in addition to scuba diving with them.

2. Sea Turtles

Like manta rays, green sea turtles are among the Hawaiian Islands’ protected species. These seagrass-munching creatures with paddle fins are frequently found floating by scuba divers and snorkelers in Turtle Bay, Lanikai Beach, and Hanauma Bay. They also appear in lagoons and on some North Shore beaches.

3. Milletseed Butterfly Fish

One of the colorful tropical fish you might spot scuba diving around Oahu is the Milletseed Butterfly Fish. Native to Hawaiian waters, this fish is seen at varying depths and has whitish-to-neon yellow scales with a black vertical stripe running above and below the eye. Laterally compressed and deep bodied, this fish doesn’t reach more than 5 inches in length.

4. Spinner Dolphins

The acrobats of the sea, spinner dolphins are found throughout the island chain, including off of Waianae Coast and Maunalua Bay in Oahu. They spin as they jump out of the water and use bays to rest before retiring offshore for dusk feeding.

5. Bluefin Trevally

Bluefin Trevally fish can be found in places ranging from shallow bays and lagoons to atolls and deep reefs. They can grow up to 4 feet, weigh up to 100 pounds, and feature iridescent blue hues that change color for mating and hunting practices. Their fins are deep blue, hence the name. 

 

Marvel at these creatures and other marine life during your scuba diving adventure with Banzai Divers Hawaii in Honolulu, HI. This dive shop and tour center offers scuba certifications and discounts to locals. Call (808) 462-8290 today to schedule a session or learn about dive certifications online. Visit Facebook for more scuba tips.