Fish Rain
Best time to dive
January to December; May to October; November to April
What you might see
- DolphinLikely
- Eagle rayLikely
- Grey reef sharkPossible
- Hammerhead sharkLikely
- Manta rayLikely
- Moray eelLikely
- Tiger sharkPossible
- Whale sharkPossible
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 - open-channel drift/boat dive with strong current and deep-water boat pickups; not offered as a snorkel site
Safety notes
Pailolo Channel is one of the roughest/windiest channels in Hawaii (frequent 6-10ft seas); no fixed moorings so boats maneuver continuously during entry/exit; strong/unpredictable current; remoteness means longer emergency response times; Hawaiian monk seals are a federally and state protected endangered species - divers must not approach, chase, or touch them
Permits & fees
No specific dive permit; standard Hawaii DAR/DLNR marine life protections apply (no touching/harassing monk seals or sharks); no landing issues since this is open-water/boat diving
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Kaunakakai
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.

