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Complete your Open Water certification over two mornings aboard a custom dive vessel in Kona’s pristine waters with Kona Honu Divers. Guided by Master Scuba Diving Instructors, this course offers hands-on underwater training in an unforgettable Hawaiian setting.
Complete your Open Water certification over two mornings aboard a custom dive vessel in Kona’s pristine waters with Kona Honu Divers. Guided by Master Scuba Diving Instructors, this course offers hands-on underwater training in an unforgettable Hawaiian setting.
Book with Kona Honu Divers
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Operated by Kona Honu Divers · Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Set against the sun-dappled Pacific waters off Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i, Kona Honu Divers offers a specialized Open Water Referral Dives course tailored for aspiring scuba divers who have completed their knowledge and pool training elsewhere. This two-day adventure unfolds aboard a custom 46-foot Newton Dive vessel that slices through the calm Kona coast, granting access to some of the clearest and most vibrant underwater landscapes in the Hawaiian Islands.
Kona's marine environment is defined by its striking lava rock formations, lava tubes, and coral reefs teeming with colorful reef fish, sea turtles (honu), and the occasional graceful manta ray. These conditions create an ideal learning ground for novices completing their certification dives. Over two mornings, the course couples professional instruction by Master Scuba Diving Instructors with the thrill of navigating underwater volcanic terrain, delivering hands-on experience while prioritizing safety and personalized attention.
What sets Kona Honu Divers apart is not only their expert staff but also the intimate, small-group format aboard a vessel designed specifically for dive training comfort and stability. Family members are encouraged to join on board, fostering a communal vibe that amplifies the excitement of certification day.
Located at 352-429 Kealakehe Pkwy in Kailua-Kona, this dive operation taps into a region known for year-round diving opportunities. The area's warm waters, excellent visibility, and low currents make it a globally recognized destination for both beginners and seasoned divers. Kona Honu Divers complements the outdoor recreation scene here by providing a thorough, accessible path to underwater exploration, blending the richness of Hawai'i’s ocean ecosystem with high-level dive education.
Whether seeking to finish certification or advance skills in a setting renowned for its underwater clarity and marine biodiversity, Kona Honu Divers stands out as a top choice for authentic, expert-led scuba instruction in Hawai'i's Big Island adventure landscape.
moderate.
2 mornings (approx. 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM each day).
Participants should be in good health with reasonable swimming ability and comfortable in water.
Yes, this referral dive course requires that you have finished the knowledge and pool portions prior to starting open water dives.
No, participants must arrange their own transport to the dive departure point at 352-429 Kealakehe Pkwy.
Yes, Kona Honu Divers welcomes family members to join aboard during the certification dives for support or recreational diving.
Trips may be canceled or rescheduled due to safety concerns like rough seas or poor visibility; refunds or alternative dates will be offered.
Participants must be at least 18 years old to enroll in the Open Water Referral Dives.
Divers should be in good health with no heart conditions and must complete a medical questionnaire before diving.
Kailua-Kona was historically a hub for Hawaiian kings and early traders, lending cultural depth to the region alongside its natural wonders.
Kona Honu Divers adheres to strict reef-safe practices and promotes marine conservation to protect Hawai'i’s delicate underwater ecosystems.
Kona Honu Divers is a scuba diving operator based in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi. The company offers a range of guided charters, PADI certification courses, specialty classes, and private charters tailored to recreational and advanced divers. Trips include the Honu One Private Charter, Discover Scuba Diving Experience led by a Master Scuba Diving Trainer, Private Charter Black Water night dives suspended 60 feet above 4000 feet of ocean, spearfishing instruction via the FII Spearfishing Course, and multiple PADI specialties such as Rescue Diver, Fish ID, Dive Against Debris, and Peak Performance Buoyancy. Kona Honu Divers runs premium advanced two-tank long range charters on a 33' World Cat and private Honu Lele charters aboard a fast 33ft vessel configured for up to six passengers. Activities combine boat-based two-tank dives, shore diving for rescue training, and customizable private trips that include boxed lunches and beverages on selected charters. The operation emphasizes safety, personalized attention — for example a 2:1 student-to-instructor ratio on the Discover Scuba program — and education through certified PADI and specialty courses. Kona Honu Divers provides hands-on, locally focused experiences in South Kona waters, lava tube and reef environments, and pelagic night diving ecosystems. The FII Spearfishing Course is crafted by Cameron Kirkconnell, John Dornellas, and Martin Stepanek and focuses on safety and sustainability, while private Honu Lele charters are customizable with snorkeling or scuba, boxed lunches, and drinks.
Book with Kona Honu Divers