Choosing The Best Scuba Diving Equipment For Hawaiian Waters

Hawaii is a gorgeous scuba diving environment with enough variety of elevation to accommodate beginning to advanced divers. Visibility is generally 30-100 feet, and even more in certain conditions, and the warm tropical weather will have you wanting to be out in the water every day.

The warm climate makes scuba diving in Hawaii a very popular activity with visitors and locals alike. So what do you need to get out in the water and under the waves?

Best Scuba Diving Gear For Hawaiian Adventures

Scuba is technically spelled S.C.U.B.A., which stands for “Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.” But we all say scuba for short.

• Mask And Fins. Like snorkeling, you’ll need a mask and fins. A mask to keep the water away from your eyes and fins to help you navigate better underwater. Masks should fit well, not too loose or too tight. Fins come in many shapes and sizes. Choose fins that are snug; you want them to stay on during your dive, but don’t want them to be so tight that your feet are uncomfortable. Hawaii is warm enough that you won’t need fin boots, which are common in colder waters, like California. We do use booties with fins for shore diving to help protect your feet as we walk down the pathways to get into the water. They have adjustable straps. The rubber fins we use for snorkeling.

• Wetsuit. Even though the waters are warm, you still need a wetsuit to scuba dive in Hawaii. However, it doesn’t need to be very thick or insulated. A 3mm thickness is just right for Hawaiian waters. Remember, your wetsuit actually provides more bouncy as it gets thicker, so keep that in mind when putting your weight belt together.

• B.C.D. The B.C.D. or B.C. is a Buoyancy Control Device. It’s basically a vest that holds your scuba air tank and helps set your buoyancy underwater.

• Tanks. You’ll get your air underwater from a 45-pound tank strapped to your back. It sounds heavy but once you’re in the water, you won’t even notice the weight.

• Regulator. The tank is attached to a regulator, which controls the air flowing from the tank into your mouth. The regulator has gauges that tell you the air pressure and the depth of the dive.

• Weight Belt. Weights are used to help compensate for the additional buoyancy of the equipment on your dive. It is typically around 12-16 lbs., but the best scuba diving equipment outfitters will match the amount of weight to the particular person. In general, heavier people require more weight than lighter people. 10% of weight minus two pounds

Whew! That sounds like a lot of gear to keep track of and wear, but once you become familiar with scuba gear, it becomes second nature. And you won’t notice the weight once you are in the water. Even better, all this gear will help keep you safe and allow you to explore the Hawaiian waters more deeply.

Rent Or Buy Scuba Gear From Surf N Sea

There’s no such thing as a bad time of year to scuba dive in Hawaii! Visit Surf N Sea on the north shore of Oahu for the best scuba diving equipment on the islands and see what our underwater world has to offer!

We offer professionally guided tours to the best scuba spots near Oahu, PADI Certification Courses and Introductory Dives for those who want to experience the underwater world without going through a certification class.

Come in to see our scuba equipment in person by visiting us at 62-595 Kam Hwy Haleiwa 96712 or call 1-800-899-SURF (7873) to learn more about our scuba offerings!