China Wall

Best time to dive

January to December; December to April

What you might see

• Eagle rayPossible
• FrogfishLikely
• Grey reef sharkLikely
• Moray eelLikely
• Sea turtleLikely

Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.

Certification & difficulty

Advanced Open Water - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.

Snorkelling

Not a snorkel site - No - this is a current-exposed boat/drift dive along a deep wall, not a snorkel site (the clifftop Spitting Caves/China Walls area above is a well-known but separate and dangerous cliff-jumping and surf-watching spot, not a snorkel entry)

Safety notes

Strong, occasionally unpredictable currents (the site's defining hazard); potential separation from group while drifting; surface chop/surge near the exposed Portlock coastline; not recommended for divers uncomfortable with drift diving or low-visibility current changes

Permits & fees

No scuba diving permit or fee is required by the State of Hawaii for this site; Maunalua Bay is now covered by DLNR's Maunalua Bay Fisheries Management Area (est. 2025), which restricts night spearfishing and taking of certain shellfish/lobster species - these fishing/harvest rules do not restrict recreational scuba diving or snorkeling

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Location

Nearest hub: Hawaii Kai