Shark's Cove
Oahu · United States
Shark's Cove on Oahu's North Shore is the island's premier lava tube and cavern diving destination, a network of volcanic passages, arches, and swim-throughs that glow with filtered light and teem with Hawaiian endemic reef species. Despite its dramatic name, the cove is famous not for sharks but for the extraordinary density of Hawaiian cleaner wrasse, ornate butterflyfish, and juvenile eels that inhabit every crack and shelf of its basalt formations. Summer conditions transform it into a glass-calm, crystal-clear natural aquarium accessible to snorkellers and new divers while still offering enough depth and structure to challenge seasoned cave divers.
Conditions
Depth
1 to 15 m
Good for beginners
Current
Usually still
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
20 to 30 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
23 to 29°C
shorty
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 |
| Vis (m) | 5 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 8 | 5 |
| Current | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Gentle | Moderate | Strong |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Green Sea Turtle
Last confirmed Jul 8, 2026 · 250 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Brown Anole
Last confirmed Jun 29, 2026 · 301 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Red-Crested Cardinal
Last confirmed Jun 30, 2026 · 257 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Red Junglefowl
Last confirmed Jul 2, 2026 · 184 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
African Giant Snail
Last confirmed Jul 1, 2026 · 194 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse
Last confirmed Jun 19, 2026 · 14 records
Very likely
Most dives
Ornate Butterflyfish
Last confirmed Jan 2, 2026 · 11 records
Very likely
Most dives
Yellowmargin Moray
Last confirmed Jul 19, 2025 · 5 records
Very likely
Most dives
Gear