O’ahu is known for its sun, surf, and stunning beaches, but did you know it’s also one of the few places where you can dive with sharks in their natural habitat?
Hawai’i’s waters are home to over 40 shark species, ranging from the tiny pygmy shark—just eight inches long—to the gentle giant whale shark, which can grow over 50 feet. With O’ahu’s unique shark-diving experiences, you’ll have the chance to encounter some of these incredible creatures up close.
But before you dive in, here’s what you need to know about these fascinating animals and the culture that honors them…
A Different Perspective on Sharks
For many visitors, sharks bring up fears of “man-eating monsters.” But in Hawai’i, sharks are respected and even revered. In Hawaiian culture, these creatures symbolize higher powers and are honored for their protective qualities.
The tiger shark, especially, holds a special status known as ‘aumākua,’ meaning family guardian. Hawaiians believe these sharks carry the spirits of deceased family members, watching over the living and delivering messages from the beyond.
This perspective shifts the way people approach sharks here—they’re not just animals; they’re family.
Inshore and Offshore Sharks: Who’s Who?
Sharks around the Hawaiian islands are generally split into two types: inshore and offshore.
Inshore sharks, like the whitetip reef, scalloped hammerheads, and sandbar sharks, tend to stay within nine miles of the coast, which means they’re the ones divers are most likely to encounter. These are the species that sometimes venture close enough for rare, up-close encounters with humans.
Offshore sharks, on the other hand, live further from land, out in the open ocean, so you’ll only catch a glimpse of them if you venture way offshore.
The Basics
O‘ahu is one of the only places that offers guaranteed shark sightings while on a guided tour, and because of that, this has become a popular tourist attraction. While going shark diving in Hawai’i, you can choose between remaining in a guarded cage or free diving and swimming alongside these distinguished, yet almost objectively terrifying creatures.
Most companies will take you a few miles offshore for a boat ride, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to spot some dolphins, sea turtles, and humpback whales (seasonally from December to March) along the way.
Keep in mind that the north shore of O‘ahu is where shark diving is mainly offered, so if you’re located on another island or another part of O‘ahu that isn’t Waikiki Beach, since many companies provide pick up and drop off from there, you’ll want to find your own transportation.
The Star Sharks of O’ahu:
Galapagos Sharks
The most commonly spotted shark is a smaller, lesser-known species, known as the galapagos shark. These creatures’ length can range from 7.2 feet of a full-grown female to 11 feet; but the maximum length recorded in Hawai’i has only been 9.8 feet. For a shark, this may not sound large, but remember it’s still taller than most humans. Nevertheless, they don’t pose any true threat to humans as their main diet consists of bottom fishes and cephalopods.
Tiger Sharks
One of the more well-known and feared shark species due to their televised encounters with humans is the tiger shark. Easily identifiable by their dark, vertical tiger-like stripes and formidable presence, these sharks can either be a diver’s dream or nightmare. Larger than the galapagos shark, females can reach lengths of up to 16 feet while male tiger sharks are on average 12 feet. However, there have been records of tiger sharks larger than 18 feet long.
Whitetip Reef Sharks
Named after the distinct white tips on their dorsal fins and upper tail lobes, these sharks usually fall within the five to six feet range, making them relatively small compared to other shark species. Since they are nocturnal hunters, you may be less likely to come across one of them on your dive in Hawaii; although it is possible to see them resting on ocean floors during the day.
Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks
Hammerheads are recognizable by their hammer-shaped heads, known as cephalofoil. While they can grow up to 14 feet in length, on average these sharks are roughly only seven feet long. Adult hammerheads live offshore but can come into the shallower waters of Hilo Bay, Kaneohe Bay, and Waimea Bay to mate.
The 411 on shark diving in O’ahu: tour companies, staying safe, cage vs free dive & more!
Safety Precautions and Responsible Shark Tourism:
- Do not feed the sharks. Feeding the sharks can cause them to become dependent on these human interactions as their main source of food and thus deplete the natural ecosystem that is occurring. Shark diving companies want to keep the interaction as natural as possible.
- Choose a reputable company. Below there is a list of several companies that offer shark diving experiences with or without a cage. It’s important to do your research and make sure these professionals have years of experience and a good reputation. After all, if something does go wrong you want them to be able to handle it.
- Respect the wildlife. Probably the most important of them all. As stated, in Hawaiian culture, sharks are seen as spirits of the deceased meant to guide the living. They are meant to be treated with respect. It’s also important not to forget that these are wild animals and while swimming alongside them is definitely a powerful sentiment to shift our man-eating perceptions of them, sharks can still be unpredictable and dangerous. Please do not try to touch or pet the sharks or stick any limbs outside of the cage.
- Use this as an educational opportunity. Ask your guides questions, they will likely be more than happy to answer. Learn about sharks, Hawaiian culture, the ocean, and spread awareness and knowledge to family and friends at home. Fish are friends, not food, like Bruce from Finding Nemo once said.
- Be situationally aware. This is especially true if you decide to freely swim in the open water surrounded by multiple sharks in their environment with just one of you and one instructor. If you have a larger group, it’ll probably be hard for the instructor to constantly watch everyone simultaneously, which is why you need to be aware of your surroundings and if any sharks are exhibiting aggressive behavior such as pectoral depressions. This is when a shark flexes its pectoral fins, also known as the front fins used to help them swim up or down, arches its back, and displays sharp, fast movements, maybe even bumping into you at first.
Best Shark Diving Companies: North Shore, Oahu
Ready to get up close and personal with sharks? Cage diving on O’ahu is an amazing way to see these incredible creatures in their natural habitat—without needing to be a certified diver. One of the top-rated tours for this experience is North Shore Shark Adventur[1] es, with over 1,100 five-star reviews. They even offer a money-back guarantee for shark sightings, so you know you’re in for a truly unforgettable adventure! At just $89 per person, including pickup and drop-off from Waikiki, it’s a fantastic deal for anyone craving a bit of thrill.
The entire experience lasts about two hours, with a solid 30 minutes in the water right alongside the sharks. North Shore Shark Adventures operates out of Hale’iwa Small Boat Harbor on the North Shore, where you’ll check in and head out. Tours are limited to 14 people, so you’ll get a more personal, up-close encounter with these amazing animals (and trust us, the guides are experts at calming those first-dive nerves).
What’s Cage Diving Like?
As you head offshore, keep your eyes peeled! You might spot dolphins, sea turtles, or even whales in the winter months. And sometimes, sharks jump right out of the water in a feeding frenzy—getting your adrenaline pumping before you even get in the cage!
The cage will already be tied to the boat when you arrive at the dive spot, so you’ll have an easy entry into the water. Once you’re in, expect multiple sharks swimming around, making for a surreal and awe-inspiring experience. Want to capture it all on camera? Bringing a GoPro is ideal, but if you don’t have one, North Shore Shark Adventures offers an underwater video service add-on for $75 to make sure you go home with unforgettable footage.
Free Diving with Sharks: Take the Plunge in O’ahu’s Open Waters
If the idea of swimming with sharks in open water sounds thrilling rather than terrifying, then free diving with them is the experience for you! This is a more natural, immersive way to interact with Hawai’i’s sharks, allowing you to encounter them without barriers for a truly unique connection. You’ll likely see Galapagos sharks, and if you’re lucky, a tiger shark might even make an appearance!
Island View Hawaii is a family-owned company offering this experience, with all the safety precautions you’d hope for. A guide stays on the boat while a safety diver joins each group in the water, making sure you feel safe and comfortable. You won’t have to worry about missing a moment with these beautiful creatures either—photos and videos are included. The tour takes you about three miles offshore from Haleiwa on the North Shore, to a spot where the family has dived for generations. At 300 feet deep, this location is perfect for an up-close, respectful experience with Hawai’i’s sharks.
If you’re looking for a more private option, Ocean Addict Shark Excursions LLC keeps group sizes to just six people, allowing for an even more personalized experience. Both tours include snorkeling equipment and last about 30 minutes in the water.
Tips to Maximize Your Dive
Book Early:
Tours can fill up fast, so reserve your spot in advance. There are several great options (see below) to find the perfect fit for your adventure.
Prepare for the Waves:
Since most shark dives take you a few miles offshore, the ride can get choppy. If you’re prone to seasickness, bring Dramamine to make sure you can fully enjoy the experience.
Stay Safe:
If cage diving, remember to keep all hands and feet inside at all times. For free diving, stay close to the group, and avoid touching the sharks to keep interactions safe and respectful. Guides will provide all the snorkel gear you need.
Pack Snacks:
While transportation from Haleiwa Harbor is usually included, meals aren’t—so bring along some snacks to keep your energy up.
After the Plunge
When looking at the mission of these small, family-owned diving companies they all had one commonality: to change how we think about sharks.
There are so many misconceptions surrounding these beautiful, powerful, underwater creatures that only harbor on the negative when in reality your chance of getting attacked by a shark is 1 in 11.5 million in the United States and every year there are only 80 unprovoked attacks.
Meanwhile, humans are killing sharks at an alarming rate- roughly 190 sharks per minute, or an estimated 100 million sharks per year. The numbers aren’t even relatively proportionate.
While it is important to be respectful of these powerful giants, we do not necessarily have to live in fear of them. Swimming with sharks off the coast of O’ahu will teach you just that.
