Scuba diving the Lanai Cathedrals in Maui, Hawaii (What to expect & BEST dive tips!)

If you’re researching scuba diving the Lanai Cathedrals in Maui, Hawaii and whether it’s worth it, my answer is 100% YES! It’s one of the most unique dive sites in Hawaii with massive lava tube caverns, beams of light pouring through the ceiling (creating the “stained glass” effect inside the cavern!), I even heard humpback whales singing underwater—a once-in-a-life time experience that can happen if you go in the right season! With lovely beginner-to-intermediate conditions the majority of dives between 50–70 feet, I think almost anyone would love this dive.

I dove the Lanai Cathedrals on a solo trip to Maui for my birthday after taking a little break from diving and it was one of the best dives of my life! Between driving the Road to Hana, chasing waterfalls and rainbows, paddleboarding, seeing humpback whales, and eating my body weight in fresh fruit and banana pancakes, this still dive stands out as one of the top 2 things I did in Maui! It’s one of those experiences that makes you remember why you started diving in the first place—and in this guide, I’ll break down exactly what to expect, plus a few tips to make sure you get the most out of it.

This guide is part of my Best Scuba Diving Destinations in the World series, where I break down the world’s top dive destinations—what you’ll see, who they’re best for, and when to go. From seeing charismatic megafauna to adrenaline dives to the best beginner-friendly spots, you’ll want to add these to your dive bucket list!

Scuba diving the Lanai Cathedrals in Maui (Quick overview)

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 blue water. The bright, well-lit chambers are large, ~30 feet tall, and have several entry and exit points. I’m someone who gets a little claustrophobic, but it was totally fine for me and felt nothing like being in a cave!

The highlight of the Lanai Cathedrals was dive for me was in the Second Cathedral, where the cavern’s side chamber has a rare black coral formation that hangs like a chandelier from the ceiling above you. I’ve seriously never seen anything like this in the ocean! And this is also where that stained glass effect was most prounced, with the colorful coral-lined gaps in the cavern’s ceiling creates shining into the chamber. We spent some time in there before exiting through a lava shoot like a shot put, which was a really fun experience as you got pulled out back into the open ocea!

Scuba diving the Lanai Cathedrals in Maui: The dive site

The Lanai Cathedrals is a fantastic open ocean and cavern dive site that I think is great for beginner and advanced divers! Let’s dive in to the specifics:

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 when you’re scuba diving the Lanai Cathedrals in Maui is generally excellent, ranging from 80-100 feet (24 -30 meters) on clear days. Vis can obviously vary depending on weather conditions and depth, 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 invertebrates. 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 some 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.

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• My experience searching for the world’s smallest penguin species, the little blue penguin, in New Zealand!