TLDR; This place is awesome, has something for everyone, and you really can't go wrong. I'll definitely be back for more. Long version: Prior to diving with Island Divers, I'd never been diving before, so I don't really have a point of reference to compare against, but I've gotta believe this is as good as it gets. I was keen on getting certified in Hawaii with the clear & warm water, so I booked my PADI Open Water course over the phone and promptly received the study material at home well in advance. These folks are super prompt with picking you up from Waikiki (complimentary pickup) at the promised time, and taking you to the shop for your dives. Here on, things just got awesome. I did my 3-day Open Water course - loved it; then got an Enriched Air certification - more awesome; completed my Advanced Open Water; "awesomest". All this over a 6-day period. And on my last day, I did 4 dives. Even though I'd never been diving before, I clearly couldn't get enough of diving, but more importantly the folks here were just great to learn from, and fun/friendly to hang out with - that's what brought me back each day. My dive instructors over the 6 days were Bo, Dave, Brad, Larry and Mary, not to forget the Capt. Joe and the boat crew. Each of them had the perfect combination of being super-professional, while having the fun-loving streak in them. Safety is top-of-mind, whether it's skills training, boat briefings, picking dive sites, or keeping the group together. Especially as a student, the encouragement they provide goes a long way in improving your confidence & calmness as a diver. At the same time, they pay great attention to each student and are extremely patient. They all love diving, and clearly wouldn't have it any other way, irrespective of whether they had customers or not. It's hard to believe that the folks here do this everyday for a living - for every dive, they're as excited as a kid in a candy store (I experienced this first hand, and also heard another experienced diver say the same thing about these folks on the boat). The dive sites were real fun - did a combination of some fun wrecks including Corsair (107ft) and some drift dives including Sea Caves, which was uber-cool. I'll definitely be back here for more, even if it's the same spots. And they have a bunch of sites on their list that I haven't done yet, so that's a bonus. Bottom line, I had one of the best experiences of my life, and I'd recommend them very highly to anyone that's even considering diving. I'll be back for more! read more

Island Divers Hawaii gave me a great time. They have way-great prices and packages and staff that compel you to dive more, compared to anywhere I searched in person (in Hawaii) and online. IDH suffers a few bad reviews, some by tricky people I was diving with on the days they reviewed. Tourist scuba charter is a tough business, dealing with unique touristy clients who don't take enough responsibility for themselves, and extreme weather. Hey! - this is Adventure you do under complete waiver ! IDH does a GREAT JOB providing what can be a perfect trip for the whole family with attentive and very careful DM's or a wild ride so be careful for yourself and what you jump in on - YOU are responsible for every final decision. I dove 7 dives over 3 various days, and experienced solid, fun leadership, and expertise from DM's, Captain John, and shop staff. Captain John was an amazing dude with Artic experience. I added my own self preserving decisions at times. All IDH staff were true adventure characters and had exemplary conduct and skills - a large crew of aspiring young people and seasoned veterans! Good to great beginner- intermediate training but a whirlwind ride to advanced can happen. I'm a fan and stuffed the tip jar but IDH's version is REAL - a lesson in looking out for yourself while others only help you - and this is what Scuba diving must be - it's not Disney Land. Read more ?: When one supposedly intermediate dive turned very challenging cuz of weather / big waves IDH kept on schedule and impressed me with sea skill. One young lady performed stoically, with huge smiles and effort between being sea sick 4 times. A tricky client complained her swim-suit was skimpy. Hey dude - her great bod was in a bikini under a wet suit and that shouldn't be a problem cuz it was running back and forth on a reeling boat serving you smiling professional conduct and labor. If you want the Splash Mountain Log ride go see Disney, its PG rated ! That day I had to float -for -pick up much longer than I had before. I have 22 dives now, and I got worried but I was never in danger or cold. There were divers with 10 dives and one with over 500. IDH delivers the real goods at an honesdt price...sure they pick you up late in the shuttle bus and in the boat , but I'm on vacation! I'll be back....best wishes to IDH. Addison Lanier read more

Island Divers in Honolulu, Hawaii, offers an unparalleled diving experience that truly sets the bar high. From the moment we stepped foot into the facility, we were greeted with warmth and professionalism that immediately put us at ease. Sheila, the owner, exemplifies exceptional customer service, going above and beyond by graciously extending the store's operating hours to accommodate our late arrival. Her dedication to ensuring every customer receives the best service possible is commendable. Sheila's expertise shone through as she guided us through the selection process, carefully curating a set of gear tailored to our individual needs and preferences. Her extensive knowledge of diving equipment, coupled with her genuine passion for the sport, instilled us with confidence in our choices. With her guidance, we felt fully equipped and prepared for our diving adventures ahead. The facility itself is a testament to Island Divers' commitment to excellence. Immaculately clean and well-maintained, it boasts a comprehensive range of diving equipment and accessories, leaving no stone unturned in catering to divers of all levels. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a novice enthusiast, you'll find everything you need for a safe and enjoyable dive. Beyond the exceptional service and top-notch facilities, what truly sets Island Divers apart is the sense of community it fosters. Sheila's genuine passion for diving shines through in every interaction, creating a welcoming atmosphere where fellow divers can connect and share their love for the ocean. It's evident that this isn't just a business for Sheila; it's a labor of love, and her dedication to her craft is truly inspiring. In conclusion, Island Divers is more than just a dive shop--it's a haven for diving enthusiasts, guided by the unwavering dedication and expertise of Sheila and her team. We wholeheartedly recommend Island Divers to anyone seeking an extraordinary diving experience in Honolulu. Thank you, Sheila, for going above and beyond to ensure our experience was nothing short of exceptional. We'll definitely be returning and will be enthusiastically recommending Island Divers to our friends and family. read more

Went diving today with Casey, Nacho, Chris, a guy who wore a Cressi wetsuit, and another guy who had a purple hydroflask bottle that I think said Nantucket on a sticker (he said he's also been working on the boat that's in dry dock and he's from Richmond) (sorry I can't remember everyone's name!) and had an awesome time. My husband who isn't certified utilized the discover scuba option and had a blast. I haven't been diving in several years and did a refresher as well. We started with a brief course in the morning followed by some pool time to work on skills. When we got back to the shop we had time for a relaxing lunch before we dived (the shopping center the shop is in had plenty of food options). We did 2 shallow water dives. First at Koko Crater then at Turtle Canyons and saw beautiful sea life - turtles, eels, etc. Casey led our group (3 of us) and was attentive and always checking on us. He was great at pointing out different sea life. The energy that the crew had was addicting (and the music selection that Chris picked was great as well). Great boat as well (the "Barge") - we had 11 divers and there was still plenty of room to navigate around the ship. Nice platform on one side to make getting out easier and getting in easy (especially if you're not steady on your feet (or clumsy like me)). Great safety briefing about the boat before we headed out, which much appreciated as well as the "roll calls" when we got back on the boat. It was nice too that the dock was right behind the shop - great not having to haul gear everywhere and extremely convenient! If we had more time we definitely would've booked another trip!Thanks for an amazing way to end our vacation!! Also! I realized when we got to the shop I forgot my red filter for my GoPro. I talked to Sarah and initially they didn't have one I could buy (out of stock) or borrow - no big deal I'd just had to do a little extra editing. But when we came back after lunch she had found one that I could borrow!! Customer service at its best!! Can't wait to pull the pictures off the camera! - Alison Barry & Andy Mezewski read more

My experience was perfect, up until the last day. I'll start with the good. I signed up for three days of advanced dives and I was picked up and dropped off at my hotel on time every day. The boat was big, clean, had running water, hot water, snacks, and even a power toilet. I'd say there was room for 20 but there was never more than 10, plenty of room. The rental equipment, regulator, BCD, mask, fins, were all in pretty good shape, even the wetsuits, which is surprising. They must replace them often The dive instructors were very friendly, fun, and knew there jobs well. Larry and Maxine were standouts. One experienced and thorough, the other young and full of energy, a perfect balance that made for a very memorable time. They worked great together and really seemed to enjoy their jobs. Larry took pictures that could be published in a book or dive magazine, and even got a photo CD of my dives for a few extra bucks. I was able to dive wrecks, reef, and even a cave. We tied up for half the dives and the other half were drifts., The visibility was outstanding. The current can get a bit strong, and we had to switch dive sites on the first dive. The captain and crew were very conscious of the conditions and made a good call switching sites. Overall it was a great experience. But on the last day it went downhill fast. On the last day there was a different captain. He played loud heavy metal music with offensive language. It was a while before the instructor made him turn it off. I think it contributed to my getting seasick, that and the fact that he drove the boat full speed to the dive site. I didn't make the second dive, and as I lay there I listened to him brag to his crew how drunk he was the night before and how he hadn't slept. I later learned that he was actually the manager of the dive shop. It's a shame because everyone else was amazing. But if this is the leadership, I don't think I feel safe patronizing them in the future. They get the five stars for the great service, but I wont be back. read more

I have been diving for over 10 years. I have dived many times with Island Divers and have seen the diverse groups that dive with them everyday. There are the training charter boat in the morning, Advanced Dive boat in the morning, and the shallow reef dive boat for certified divers in the afternoon. They offer Refresher courses with Instructors if you are not so sure about your skills even if you are a certified diver, and those dives are still on the beautiful reefs that everyone else dives. I also like that the afternoon shallow reef dives are in a crater or canyon with max depths of 45 feet so its nice to spread out from the group without the chance of leaving the dive site... They make clear that if you are a certified diver that you are responsible for you and your dive buddy following the depth and time described in the briefing. They offer for you to follow them so they can show you things, but what I like is as a long time certified diver, you can dive on your own with your buddy... I luckily had a trustworthy dive buddy, my husband, who we are really apt at keeping an eye on each other and each others air. Over the past year and a half living in Hawaii I have seen the company grow and master the art of organizing divers in the water, on the boat, and instructors being encouraged to continue their education, by becoming higher than just instructors... Looking at their webpage you can see that there are mostly Master Scuba Diver Trainers working for them, and as a long time diver I know the difference between a Divemaster and a Master Scuba Diver Trainer and its a lot! Congrats to the Island Divers Instructors for stepping up their game and evolving into some of the best Instructors on the Island. As you can see by most of your ratings on yelp and trip advisor you are doing a great job. read more

I am from California and went to Oahu to visit my daughter who lives on Oahu. While there I got some time for a dive. I selected Island Divers because they had the trip I wanted (Corsair) and their prices were very fair. When I got there, I realized I had dove with them a couple of years ago (Also had a great time then). The place is well run, well organized, has a knowledgeable team in the store and a great group on the boat. Our DM for "Larry". He was very good. Gave thorough pre-dive briefings, and watched over his flock for safety and to make sure we had a great time and saw all the sights. As a DM myself, I am a good judge of such things. In particular, we had a member of our group who was from China and spoke limited English. Larry was very patient with him and ensured that he also had a great time. At one time A diver was having a difficulty underwater and I witnessed Larry handling the problem professionally and making sure the diver's problem was safely resolved and made sure he was back on the boat smiling after he surfaced. I doubt either knew I saw it and it was handled with little fanfare. I remember thinking that Larry is the kind of DM I want on boats when my family dives without me. Boat and gear was in good repair and proper working order. Boat crew was helpful and competent. Overall this was a great diving experience for me, and the others on the boat. read more

This is my first review, I just cant stay quiet on this one. I just read Patrick's review, and he is way off. I can't stand when people bad mouth great establishments becuase of one issue. Patrick has 4 reviews on yelp, all 1 star. Go figure. I've been out with island divers many times, and have been to more than ten different dive sites with them. The instructors are all PADI professionals not volunteers. Island Divers Hawaii is a great dive shop, great gear, great facility, great people. Five star all the way, right down to the hot minty towels. I've been diving over twenty years, all over the world, and this is one of the best run, safety focused, and fun dive shops around. Lastly, Patrick ended his review by saying dont trust your life with these clowns. His first complaint was that they wouldn't dive the airplane (Corsair) wreck becuase is was too deep for the 14yr old customer. This is a safety issue and the staff was simply following the the PADI standard. Clearly they refused to bends the rules for Patrick and he didn't like it. Island Divers staff did the right thing!!! Focused on safety. Also having been to all the dive sites, the corsair wreck is the only site that is too deep for yonger divers, so they clearly had a bunch of other options! Dive with these guys, you wont be disappointed! read more

Island divers not only showed me the best dive spots on the island, but showed me the true aloha spirit. Coming up from a deep dive in really rough water, my gear got caught up going up the boat ladder. On deck I realized I had lost my camera and lights. I jumped back in the water and did a search with no luck. The boat crew, our divemaster for the dive Jeremy Sanders-Lewis, and divemaster candidate Imran Sourjah said to keep positive thoughts, and that they dive that spot often and someone might find it. Later that night I received a call from Imran saying that dive instructor Ryan Mable found my camera. Its not only that they found it that made that call special, but the story of how they found it. It was obvious that I was crushed losing my gear, so the crew and staff at the Hawaii Kai shop made a special night dive at the site I lost my gear. 13 divers and 3 crew all went out of their way just to help search for my lost camera. When I called Ryan to offer him a reward, he said not to worry about it. " We are divers helping divers ". That phrase in my opinion sums up all of what Island Divers are about. I know this review may sound too good to be true, but its legit. Big Mahalos to the amazing super alpha camera retrieval team! Jamie Clayton read more

The best! I did a total of 11 dives out of the Sea Tiger. Tons of sharks, turtles, eels. Add three octopus as well as several frogfish and you have an idea of the variety of life you will see. I brought my own equipment, but was very pleased with the tank fills and glad to see integrated computers with all the rental gear-which is replaced yearly to keep it in good condition and safe working order. The Sea Fox is an amazing boat for diving, as well as the biggest bruiser on that side of Oahu by measuring in aroud 45-50 feet with a class 8 diesel engine. Captained by several different different people in order to support a long workday and a seven day workweek, my primary Skipper was Mary. Laid back and confident with an easy smile and good sense of humor, she made sure the dives went without a hitch. Add a nice hot towel during the ride back and you will be glad you chose them! I met Evans, Greg, Kasey, and Bill-our dive instructors who coordinated the underwater opera in addition to guiding us to all the great spots underwater. Although they kept the groups small it's still not the easiest job when you have various skill levels and sac/rmv rates. My hat's off to them. Good job guys! Thanks for the great dives and good atmosphere (dive joke) ;) read more