Lanai Cathedrals Dive
A short boat ride from our shop Maui’s neighboring island, Lanai, has unique underwater scenery molded by Hawaii’s volcanic history.
Swim through lava shoots, arches, small caves – and of course Lanai’s crown jewel, the Cathedrals!
Why choose Dive Maui for your Lanai Cathedrals Dive
Small Group
Our dive groups are a maximum of 7 people. But safety stops are completed
individually, not as an entire group to maximize your dive time!
80 Cubic Tanks
We provide all our divers with 80 cubic feet tanks. We don’t want your tank size to limit your bottom time! (Smaller tanks available upon request).
Up to an hour
Your training dives last up to an hour (if your air consumption allows). We don’t cut your dives short so we can get home early!
No rush
We don’t schedule afternoon charters — we provide a relaxed environment, no rush to get back to shore!
Food & Snacks
Food, snacks and complimentary reusable water bottles are available on the boat.
iPad briefings
We use iPads for our briefings to more easily identify what you are likely to see on your dive sites.
Best Lanai Cathedrals Dive on Maui
Certified Diver start at $269
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday
6:45am
Approx. 6 hours
1223 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761
Included
Complimentary water bottles
Hot tea between dives
Light snacks
Passionate and caring guide
Addons
Lunch,
Chicken wrap or GF Falafel wrap
Rental equipment
Gopro
Dive at Lanai Cathedrals
A short boat ride from our shop Maui’s neighboring island, Lanai, has unique underwater scenery molded by Hawaii’s volcanic history. Swim through lava shoots, arches, small caves — and of course Lanai’s crown jewel, the Cathedrals!
The two dive sites we call Cathedrals are vast caverns where rocks have fallen from the ceiling allowing sun rays to shine through the crystal clear water creating a church-like experience.
It’s guaranteed. With us, you’ll have the best Lanai Cathedral dive on Maui.
A “bucket list” trip for any scuba diver
Our 2 Tank Lanai Cathedrals Dive is a “bucket list” trip for any scuba diver.
We love the underwater topography of caverns, lava shoots, swim throughs, and arches, and you will too! We’ll select the day’s sites based on conditions, but you can expect to dive a Cathedral and one of Lanai’s other stunning reefs.
The wildlife encounters don’t stop underwater, dolphins and whales are frequent visitors, and we always stop the boat to say aloha!
The best maui dive company for Lanai Cathedrals
We’ve been diving Lanai’s Cathedrals for nearly 30 years.
Our experienced team are experts at spotting the best wildlife and showing you all the hidden gems hidden underwater and topside.
Our group sizes are small. You’ll receive personalized attention from your instructor who will guide you on two exceptional dives and answer your questions about marine life.
Plus, the Dive Maui team knows divers like to dive; we are the only company that allows you to stay underwater for a full hour on both dives so you can optimize your bottom time.
Location: Lanai, Maui County — a 45 minute boat ride from Mala Ramp
Depth: 50 – 70 feet on average
Visibility: 100 feet +
Who it’s for: Certified divers aged 14 and up, minimum Open Water Diver certification with a dive in the last 18 months enjoy Lanai’s diving
What makes it special: Underwater topography of lava formations, untouched reefs, healthy fish population
Our guests love our Lanai Cathedrals Dive
Over the years, we’ve shared the passion for the ocean with countless adventurers and wildlife enthusiasts like you. And, thanks to all the feedback and reviews, the good and the bad, we can keep on the right track and provide you with the best Lanai Cathedrals Dive in Lahaina.
One of the best experiences of my life! We had gone to the Cathedrals and saw two manta rays! Captain Steven, Scott and Chantal were super friendly, knowledgeable, supportive, and caring. Highly recommend supporting this wonderful dive shop.
Best dive ever. Nine divers, 4 staff, two in the water, means better service than a 5 star restuarant. Courteous, competent, friendly. They know their stuff, love to pass on their knowledge, and just care while still having fun. Oh, and a hundred dolphins frolicked through our dive group at Cathedral!
Great operation for divers.
No cattle boat feel, wonderfully personal and no setting of 40 minute bottom times. If you love to boat dive, this is your place while diving the west side of Maui, Lanai and Molokai.
Chantal was great on my Lanai Cathedral Dive today. She was extremely enthusiastic, helpful and knowledgeable which made it an unforgettable experience. It was a great morning out and only made better when humpback whales came to say hello to the boat on the ride back!
Awesome experience with dive Maui on my cathedral dive trip. Our guide was Scott, he is super nice. They take care of gear / change bottle between dives / look for marine lives under water for you. I also love that on our ride to the dive site they show you pics of what’s likely to be seen at the site.
More than 900 reviews on Google
What is included in the tour
Two exceptional dives on Lanai.
Lunch during the surface interval is available for an additional charge (choice of meat or vegetarian).
Stops for marine life such as dolphins and whales!
Souvenir Dive Maui water bottled made from recycled plastic to keep you hydrated on the boat.
Professional photos for purchase.
Rain ponchos for inclement weather.
What makes this tour special
Experienced instructors and captains who love what they do and love sharing it with you.
Small group sizes and individualized attention so you have fun and feel safe.
Maximized bottom time, your air and your deco rule your dives. If you have enough air you can have 2 hour long dives.
Current rental equipment. Our BCD’s have integrated weights and regulators have dive computers so you are comfortable in the water.
Conservation oriented. Our crew cares about the health of the ocean ecosystem and does our best to have eco friendly practices.
What are Lanai Cathedrals?
Lanai’s Cathedrals formed thousands of years ago when lava flowed into the ocean creating expansive cavern systems.
Over the years, segments of lava rock have fallen from the top and sides of the Cathedrals allowing the bright Hawaiian sun to pierce through, illuminating the caverns and highlighting the turquoise water. The well-lit chambers of the Cathedrals are large, 20-30 feet tall, and have multiple entry and exit points, making them accessible to certified divers of all levels.
We invite you to enter the Cathedrals slowly so you can absorb this truly special gift of natural beauty.
Lanai’s First Cathedral
You back roll off the boat, descend through sparkling blue water, and approach the entrance of First Cathedral of Lanai.
As you swim through the dark hole an expansive cavern illuminated by skylights opens up with fish silhouetted in the turquoise beams.
You head to the vividly lit central altar, a lava rock that has fallen from the ceiling of the cavern, and spend a moment in stillness taking in the scene.
As you explore deeper into the Cathedral, you look into the “confessionals” — small side chambers — that are often home to resting sharks, puffer fish, crabs, eels, and nudibranchs.
After a few minutes you exit out the “shotgun” — a lava shoot at the back of the cave — and continue your dive through the coral garden and other lava formations spotting frogfish, reef fish, and eels along the way.
Lanai’s Second Cathedral
Second Cathedral is so named, not because it is second in beauty, but because it is the second cavern you reach when traveling by boat from Maui.
You descend and land atop a spectacular pinnacle surrounded by clear water. Following your guide, you pass frolicking fish, large moray eels, and healthy coral as you make your way to the entrance of Second Cathedral.
As your eyes adjust an elaborate cavern system appears before your eyes brightened by slits in the side of the main chamber where the tropical sun and clear water shine together.
You mindfully navigate towards the central hall, as your instructor uses their torch to highlight the walls revealing colorful sponges, psychedelic nudibranchs, and other small critters.
Moving deeper into the cavern’s side chamber, a rare black coral formation hangs like a chandelier from the ceiling above you. Penetrating further still, you exit through a lava shoot accompanied by bandit angelfish, loop around the outside of the cave and enter again through a shallower opening in the ceiling.
This second entryway and visit to the cavern gives you a whole new perspective on the glory of Second Cathedral.
With us, you’ll learn to love and respect the Ocean even more
Conscious of human impact on wildlife, we’ve sworn to do everything we can to protect what we call our second home – the ocean – by implementing the best possible practices in all of our Lanai Cathedral diving trips.
That’s why you won’t find any single-use plastic bottles on our boat. Instead, we’ll provide you with a reusable bottle made of recycled plastic, for you to use during our trip and keep as a souvenir once the excursion is over.
It’s guaranteed. With us, you’ll have the best Lanai Cathedral dive on Maui while causing minimum disturbance to the beautiful nature of Hawaii.
Frequently Asked Questions on our 2 Tank Lanai Cathedrals Dive
What to expect at Lanai Cathedrals
We believe diving the Cathedrals is a religious experience. The Cathedrals are unique dive sites with stunning vistas of light playing with lava and turquoise water, tropical reef fish swarming around colorful coral heads, and the opportunity for a visit from sharks, dolphins, and rays!
How important is it to book in advance?
Booking in advance is the best way to avoid frustration for not finding any places left. Especially if you are traveling during the high season, make sure you book well in advance! The sooner, the better.
How experienced a diver do you need to be to dive at Lanai Cathedrals?
Certified divers Open Water or higher can dive Lanai’s Cathedrals. Even though we enter caverns, you do not need a special certification because the caverns are rather large and there are skylights and exits on all sides.
What is the best time of day to dive at Lanai Cathedrals?
Mornings are the best time to dive Lanai. The soft morning light is spectacular as it enters the cracks in the Cathedrals creating the church-like scene. Water conditions are also calmer in the morning, making the boat ride across the Au’au channel more pleasant.
When is the best time of year to dive at Lanai Cathedrals?
The Cathedrals are a year round diving destination. The water temperature is always warm on Maui and the visibility is usually crystal clear.
Where is Lanai Cathedrals dive site?
Both sites we call Cathedrals are on the South side of Lanai, a short boat ride across the Au’au Channel. First Cathedrals is so named because it is the first one you reach from Maui. Second Cathedrals is just a little further along Lanai’s coast.
How deep are the Lanai Cathedrals?
Both First and Second Cathedrals lay at approximately 55 feet making them accessible for certified divers of all levels.
How long does it take to get to Lanai?
Our fast raft makes the journey across the channel and to our first dive site in approximately 45 minutes.
What kind of boat will be used?
We dive off our 37 foot raft Hoku which is fast, comfortable, and provides ample shade from the tropical sun.
Are there any restriction(s) on this trip?
Snorkelers are welcome on our Lanai boat charter, but only certified divers may enter the overhead environment of the Cathedrals.
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Contact
Dive Maui / Whale Watching Maui
1223 Front Street
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761
Tel: (808) 661-7333
dive@goscubadivemaui.com