Hilo Ocean Adventures, LLC

Located on the northeast coast of the Big Island in Hilo, Hilo Ocean Adventures serves the waters stretching from the Hamakua coast to Puna and Pahoa. This area offers a diverse range of environments, from black sand beaches perfect for snorkeling with sea turtles to deeper offshore sites accessible by boat.

As a family-run operation, the centre provides a variety of ocean-based activities that go beyond standard scuba diving. You can engage with the local marine environment through guided excursions, whether you are looking for a relaxed day of snorkeling or more technical diving opportunities.

The centre operates as a PADI 5 Star dive centre, ensuring a high standard of training and safety across all its programmes. Their team of certified instructors is dedicated to guiding divers through every stage of their journey, from initial discovery dives to advanced specialties.

Environmental stewardship is central to their operations. As a certified Green Fins operator, the team adheres to strict ethical guidelines to protect the local marine ecosystems and respect the indigenous communities and culture of Hawaii.

The training programme covers the full spectrum of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with Try Scuba or Discover Scuba Diving, progressing through the Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver courses.

For more experienced divers, the centre offers various specialty courses, including the PADI Deep Diver Specialty, Night Diver Specialty, and Dive Against Debris Specialty. They also provide the PADI Rescue Diver course and the PADI ReActivate course for those needing to refresh their skills. Uniquely, they offer the Recreational Avelo Diver (RAD) certification through their exclusive Avelo diving system.

The centre utilises a 35-ft Wellcraft for its boat-based excursions. This vessel allows you to access the deeper waters off the Hilo coast for guided dives and night dives.

The shop is fully equipped for both divers and snorkelers, offering a wide range of rental kit. You can hire complete sets, including regulators, BCDs, and fins, or individual items such as masks and snorkels. For those looking to purchase, they stock reputable brands including Scubapro, Aqua Lung, Oceanic, and SeaSports.

On-site services include professional equipment maintenance. The team handles regulator servicing, BCD repairs, and annual inspections. They also provide cylinder visual inspections and air refills, with the ability to coordinate hydrostatic testing through their partner in Kona.

The waters around Hilo are home to a variety of large marine life. You will regularly encounter sea turtles and various species of colourful fish while exploring the reefs. During the season from December to April, humpback whales can also be observed in the area.

You may also encounter dolphins during your excursions. These pelagics add a dynamic element to the local marine environment, especially during boat trips along the coast.

The local reef ecosystems support a diverse range of life, providing a rich backdrop for both your dives and snorkeling sessions on the black sand beaches.