Midway Dive Sites

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Description of recreational diving closed after 2002

Midway’s normal diving season extends from May through September, although shore dives may be done under the piers throughout the year. The best diving conditions occur during August and September. Sites are 5 to 30 minutes away from the harbor. Typical reefs are expanses of rugged limestone with numerous ledges, tunnels, and canyons. Most sites had mooring buoys and dives are generally conducted while at-anchor. Drift dives were discouraged since Midway lacks well-defined walls or drop-offs. Night diving was limited to the Tugboat Pier or Cargo Pier on a case-by-case basis.

Midway was one of the best places in the world to see & photograph Hawaiian fishes; big, rare, and endemic species in abundance, fearless with divers. Since Midway is the only Northwestern Hawaiian Island approved for recreational diving, new species records or range extensions were made by our dive guides. Daily sites were selected according to water conditions, experience level, and specific interests. Many popular sites are located along the southwest rim of the barrier reef. Currents at most areas are mild except during the full or new moon. Periods of calm give way to strong tradewinds or swells throughout the year. Alternate sites were chosen when such conditions exist, often at unexplored regions.

UPDATE, 11/2010: Scuba diving is not currently available at Midway. A new visitor program started in 2007 but water activities are limited to boat and snorkel tours in the lagoon. Scuba diving may be reinstated but remains closed at this time.