Jack's Diving Locker

Located in the heart of Kailua-Kona, Jack's Diving Locker has been a fixture of the Hawaiian diving community since 1981. This PADI 5 Star IDC centre is deeply integrated into the local marine environment, managing day-use mooring buoy systems and participating in regular ocean clean-ups to protect the Kona coastline.

The centre operates from two distinct locations: the Ali'i Drive shop and the Harbour shop at Kealakehe. Whether you are looking to complete your initial certifications or seeking professional instructor training, the setup is designed to handle everything from shore dives to offshore boat excursions.

As an Instructor Development Centre (IDC), the facility is geared towards high-level training, supporting divers from their first Try Scuba session through to professional Divemaster and Instructor levels. The team maintains a strict ratio of no more than six divers per guide, ensuring close supervision and safety during both reef dives and night excursions.

The centre also caters to younger divers through dedicated children's camps and offers a KAMA'AINA club for local residents. Their commitment to conservation is evident in their educational approach, often incorporating environmental awareness into their training programmes.

The centre offers a complete range of PADI certifications, starting with Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver. For those looking to progress their skills, they provide Rescue Diver, Divemaster, and various specialty courses such as Nitrox, Deep Diver, Night Diver, and Boat Diver.

As an IDC centre, they are fully equipped to train future professionals, offering courses for PADI Assistant Instructor, Instructor, Specialty Instructor, and IDC Staff Instructor. They also host niche specialties including Manta Ray Diver, Pelagic Magic Diver, Buoyancy Diver, Dive Against Debris Diver, Shark Conservation Diver, Underwater Photographer, and Underwater Naturalist.

The fleet consists of five specialised vessels, including the custom-built Kea Nui and Nai'a Nui, and the mid-sized Na Pali Kai and Diver Two. For those seeking a different experience, the Blue Dolphin is a Mako-powered boat equipped with a Chevy 350 engine.

Onboard the boats, you will find essential amenities such as freshwater rinsing stations and snacks. For the Reef Snorkel Trip, a light lunch including sandwiches, fruit, and cookies is provided. The Blue Dolphin is notable for its engine type, though it does not feature marine toilets on board.

The shore-based facilities include two shops, one of which houses a modern equipment service centre. For those needing to rent kit, a full range is available, including masks, snorkels, fins, and wetsuits. They also provide GoPro cameras and Light & Motion Sola video lights for underwater photography.

Training is supported by a 3.6-metre deep solar-heated training pool, which is ideal for buoyancy practice or course skills. After your dives, you can make use of the freshwater hot showers and dedicated kit-rinsing areas to maintain your equipment.

The Kona coast is famous for its pelagic encounters, particularly during the night dives where you can observe manta rays up close. You may also encounter spotted eagle rays, dolphins, and sea turtles throughout the year. Whitetip reef sharks are also a regular presence on the reefs.

Between January and March, Humpback whales can be seen in the area, with occasional sightings extending into December and April. Larger predators like tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks, and whale sharks are also known to visit these waters.

The reef is home to a wide variety of colourful fish that inhabit the volcanic structures. The biodiversity is supported by a healthy ecosystem of corals and various marine organisms that provide cover for the local resident species.

Diving in Kona is characterised by warm waters, with temperatures typically ranging between 24°C and 28°C. The area is well-suited for a variety of dive types, from shallow reef flats to deeper volcanic walls.

While the area is popular for night diving, particularly for manta ray encounters, divers should always be mindful of local conditions and follow the guidance of their dive leader.