Vertical Awareness

Best time to dive

May to September

What you might see

• Eagle rayLikely
• Manta rayLikely
• 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 - Not at the pinnacle itself (deep wall dive); ride-along/snorkeler fares are offered on the same charter, and separate snorkel tours visit the calmer interior of Lehua Crater

Safety notes

Long open-ocean channel crossing with swells/seasickness, remote location far from medical/chamber support, strong current/drift, depth exposure on a wall dropping to 300 ft

Permits & fees

No diver-specific permit or fee; Lehua Rock (the actual dive site) is a state/federal seabird sanctuary managed by Hawaii DLNR and the US Coast Guard, distinct from the privately-owned Niihau island - no Robinson family permission needed for diving the surrounding waters

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Location

Nearest hub: Niihau (via Kauai charter)