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Kaka’ako Waterfront Park
 Honolulu, HI 96813
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Max Depth: 31-35ft/9-11m
Average Viz: 51-60ft/16-18m
Entry Type: Shore
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
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Rating: 3.25 by 8 divers
Spring: 76-80°F/24-27°C
Summer: 76-80°F/24-27°C
Fall: 76-80°F/24-27°C
Winter: 71-75°F/22-24°C
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Kaka’ako Waterfront Park is a shore accessible salt water dive site, located in Honolulu, HI 96813. This dive site has an average rating of 3.25 out of 5 from 8 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 31-35ft/9-11m. The average visibility is 51-60ft/16-18m.
This is a nice modified shore dive (you take stairs down to the water). It is an easy entry. Any wave action is usually running parallel (into the boat channel) which causes a swell of water pushing sideways onto the stairs. It is a nice rise in the water level without severe wave action. Don’t place anything on the lower stairs you don’t want in the water. Be careful on the stairs, but once at the bottom wait for an up swell and let yourself float away. I prefer a modified backwards roll into the water when the water is above my knees.
Right off the stairs the water is only a few feet deep and you can wait for your buddy / buddies there. Just off the stairs you can descend directly to 20 feet and swim parallel to the boat channel going away from the coral / rock wall (about a 200 degree azimuth) to some nice reefs or surface swim past the wall and descent to the reefs from there. If you are really motivated you can swim to the Kewalo pipe (take a right going South-West’ish after the wall). If you do a night dive here don’t be surprised if you see White Tip Reef Sharks feeding.
A variety of fish and eels can be found throughout the reef. Be aware the majority of the diving close to the stairs is in a boat channel with depths ranging from 20-33 feet (depending on how far you swim). Use your dive flag and ascend under it to reduce your risk of finding a boat the hard way. The exit is just as easy with a small swell of water lifting you to a step. Be careful of urchins in the rocks near the stairs. You can even find the occasional turtle hiding in the rocks near the stairs. I’ve also heard Dolphins and Humpback Whale Songs while diving here.
There is ample parking and a typical beach shower head. If you are taking Ala Moana (Nimitz) East bound turn right on Ahui St. If you miss it take a Right (South) on Ward before the Kewalo Basin boat harbor. Ahui Street (South bound) parallels the boat channel and ends at the public parking lot.
This location is also called "Point Panic." Don’t be confused by the valet parking lot on your left, drive past it a few feet and you will enter the public parking area. Near the Kewalo Marine Laboratory.
Threre is additional parking and stairs (closer to the Kewalo Pipe) off of Ohe street. The walk from this parking area is a little farther to the stairs nearest them (South side into the water). The wave action is usually hitting these stairs. I recommend the East stairs mentioned previously but wanted to ensure everyone knows about both entry options.
HAZARDS: Slick Stairs (use handrails), Boat Channel (use Dive Flag), Fishing lines and hooks (sometimes fishermen are on the other end...don’t touch), urchins (don’t touch or step on), and on a rare occasion surf / surge can push you into the rocks (be careful and staff away from the wall).
You are also near several dive shops for quick air fills.