Diving the Lanai Cathedrals in Maui, Hawaii (How to pick a dive shop, dive currents, depths, and marine life!)
Scuba diving the Lanai Cathedrals in Maui is a bucket list activity! The Cathedrals site is situated between the islands of Maui and Lanai, and has a dive depth of 35-75 feet. It’s an ethereal dive experience with striking lava rock formations, really fun swim-throughs, and vibrant, healthy marine life. Humpback whales singing? Check. Hawaiian spinner dolphins? Check. Sharks and rays? Check!
In this guide to scuba diving the Lanai Cathedrals, we’ll explore the physical specs of scuba diving at the Cathedrals, including depth, currents, and visibility. We’ll also talk about the diverse, mesmerizing marine life at the Cathedrals, from colorful tropical fish to glowing, alien invertebrates to megafauna like whales and dolphins!
Diving the Lanai Cathedrals in Maui, Hawaii
What are the Lanai Cathedrals and why are they special?
Lanai’s Cathedrals formed thousands of years ago when lava flowed into the ocean, forming expansive caverns on the ocean floor.
Over time, bits of lava rock have fallen from the top and sides of the Cathedrals allowing the bright Hawaiian sun to shine through, illuminating the caverns and highlighting rainbow colors in the turquoise water. The bright, well-lit chambers are large, ~30 feet tall, and have several entry and exit points.
One of the highlights of the Lanai Cathedrals was in the Second Cathedral.
The cavern’s side chamber has a rare black coral formation that hangs like a chandelier from the ceiling above you. The colorful coral lined gaps in the cavern’s ceiling creates a stained glass effect inside the chamber, which you can revel in until you exit through a lava shoot (probably accompanied by bandit angelfish!).
Diving the Lanai Cathedrals in Maui: The dive site
The Lanai Cathedrals is a fantastic open ocean and cavern dive site great for beginner and advanced divers.
Lanai Cathedrals dive depth
The Cathedrals dive site, located off the western coast of Maui, is best suited for intermediate to advanced divers due to its depth and occasional strong currents. The depth of the site ranges from 30 to 75 feet.
Lanai Cathedrals visibility
Visibility at the Cathedrals is generally excellent, ranging from 80 to 100 feet (24 to 30 meters) on clear days, allowing divers to fully appreciate the marine life and the impressive rock formations that make it so unique. Vis can vary depending on weather conditions, so be sure to check with local dive operators for up-to-date information. When I was there, the vis was easily 100 feet!
Lanai Cathedrals currents
Currents at the Cathedrals can be moderate to strong, particularly during tidal changes. Your dive shop should plan dives accordingly and consider the strength and direction of the current. It’s a good idea for divers to be comfortable with drift diving techniques to maintain control while underwater.
Marine life that you can see at the Cathedrals (some of the best in the world!)
The Cathedrals are teeming with diverse marine life. You’ll see a kaleidoscope of tropical fish like yellow tangs, Moorish idols, and parrotfish darting in and out of the coral formations, but for me, one of the highlights of diving at the Cathedrals is seeing tons of green sea turtles!
Green sea turtles are common in Maui, and the Cathedrals are an ideal habitat for them. I even saw a hawksbill sea turtle during my ascent (though the more common place to catch sight of them is gliding resting on coral ledges). This was a special moment for me because when I worked in marine conservation, a hawksbill sea turtle was the first animal I ever got to see rescued, rehabilitated and released!
The Cathedrals are also home to tons of fascinating invertebrate. Keep an eye out for octopuses as they camouflage themselves among the rocks and crevices!
As you explore the nooks and crannies of the Cathedrals’ underwater caves, you’ll see delicate sea fans and corals adorning the walls, along with SO many cool nudibranchs!
The Cathedrals are also home to larger marine species, like eagle rays and reef sharks. You may be lucky enough to see a pod of Hawaiian spinner dolphins, usually made of hundreds or thousands of individuals, swimming overhead like I did (yes, I cried into my mask!). During the winter months, from December to April, the Cathedrals become even more enchanting as humpback whales migrate to the warm Hawaiian waters. Hearing humpback whale song under water was one of the best parts of my dive!
What’s the best dive shop in Maui, Hawaii?
While I was in Maui, I did several days of diving with Dive Maui, and I couldn’t have been happier with this entire experience! I did a couple of shore dives at Mala Wharf (the MOST sea turtles I’ve ever seen, swooping in and out of a cleaning station) and all my dives at the Cathedrals with them.
I can’t recommend Dive Maui enough! The trip was super organized, the team was excited and welcoming, the dive briefing was thorough, they followed dive safety rules to the letter, the equipment to rent was in tip top shape, and all of the dive masters were really knowledgable and fun! Check out their IG here.
Looking for other nature and scuba diving content!? I’ve got you! Be sure to check out:
- My guide to diving with thresher sharks in Malapascua
- My know-before-you-go travel guide to seeing orangutans on a jungle river cruise in Borneo!
- My experience searching for the world’s smallest penguin species, the little blue penguin, in New Zealand!
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