Kahala, Oahu: dive & snorkel conditions and visibility today
Kahala, Saturday, November 7: visibility Fair, 8–15 ft (2.5–4.5 m), and Go by boat (70/100) to dive or snorkel, best 06:00–09:00 HST.
Updated ; the forecast refreshes every 6 hours. Confidence 90%.
Open Kahala in the appNo Hawaii DOH Brown Water Advisory near Kahala today.
Today by how you get in
Shore
– Caution 47
Gusts 30 kt
Best 06:00–18:00 HST
Nearshore reef
Kayak
– Caution 35
Gusts 27 kt
Best 06:00–18:00 HST
Ledge (100 ft) 2.1 km out
Boat
✓ Go 70
Seas ~5 ft · wind 11 kt · current 0.3 kt
Best 06:00–09:00 HST
Blue water (300 ft+) 2.6 km out
Next 7 days at Kahala
| Day | Divability | Visibility | Wind | Swell | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ Go 70 by boat | Fair 8–15 ft | 11 kt NE | 4.6 ft @ 8s | 90% | |
| – Caution 35 from shore | Fair 8–15 ft | 12 kt ENE | 4.9 ft @ 8s | 90% | |
| ✓ Go 71 by boat | Good 15–25 ft | 12 kt ENE | 5.2 ft @ 7s | 86% | |
| ✓ Go 75 by boat | Good 15–25 ft | 10 kt ENE | 4.6 ft @ 7s | 81% | |
| ✓ Go 70 by boat | Good 15–25 ft | 11 kt NE | 4.3 ft @ 7s | 74% | |
| – Caution 41 from shore | Good 15–25 ft | 13 kt ENE | 4.9 ft @ 7s | 68% | |
| ✓ Go 73 by boat | Good 15–25 ft | 12 kt ENE | 4.6 ft @ 7s | 61% |
About Kahala
A long, shallow reef flat along the Kahala shore, sheltered from the trades and mostly calm. Close in it is shallow and sandy; the clearer water and the fish are out at the reef edge, a long swim or a kayak out. Stream runoff clouds it after rain.
- Kahala faces south-southeast (165°): swell from that side arrives head-on.
- Swim or kayak in from shore, or go by boat from Maunalua Bay boat ramp.
- Water 100 ft (30 m) deep starts about 2.1 km out.
- Blue water (300 ft / 100 m and deeper) is about 2.6 km out.
What spoils the visibility here
- South swells, mostly May to September, reach it.
- It is sheltered from the usual trade winds; Kona (southerly) winds and swells are its weak spot.
- Heavy rain sends brown runoff into the water for a few days; Hawaii DOH posts Brown Water Advisories when it does.
Rules and wildlife
- Green sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals are protected: NOAA asks people to stay at least 10 ft (3 m) from turtles and 50 ft (15 m) from monk seals.
- Rules change: check Hawaii DLNR's Division of Aquatic Resources before fishing anywhere.
Questions about Kahala
- Is it good to snorkel or dive at Kahala today?
- On Saturday, November 7 DiveVis rates Kahala Go by boat (70/100). Conditions look good.
- What is the water visibility at Kahala today?
- Fair, 8–15 ft (2.5–4.5 m) expected on Saturday, November 7, with 90% confidence. It is an estimate from wind, swell, rain, runoff and ocean conditions, not a measurement.
- What's the best time to get in the water at Kahala today?
- Between 06:00 and 09:00 HST on Saturday, November 7, by boat.
- How do you get in the water at Kahala?
- Swim or kayak in from shore, or go by boat from Maunalua Bay boat ramp.
Other Oahu spots today, nearest first
- Black Point · Go
- Diamond Head (Cliffs) · Go
- Kaimana Beach (Sans Souci) · Go
- Corsair Plane Wreck · Caution
- YO-257 & San Pedro Wrecks · Go
- Magic Island · Go
- Hanauma Bay · Caution
- Portlock · Caution
- Sea Tiger Wreck · Go
- Point Panic (Kakaako) · Go
- Sandy Beach · Caution
- Waimanalo Beach · Caution
- Makapuu Point · Caution
- Lanikai · Caution
- Kailua Beach · Caution
- Moku Manu Islands · Caution
- Ewa Beach · Go
- Kualoa · Caution
- Electric Beach (Kahe Point) · Go
- Mahi Wreck · Go
- Waimea · No-go
- Kahuku · Caution
- Makaha · Go
- Three Tables · No-go
- Mokuleia · No-go
- Sharks Cove · No-go
- Turtle Bay · Caution
- Yokohama Bay · Go
- Kaena Point · No-go
Calculated from wind, swell, rain, runoff, tides and ocean conditions; check conditions on site before going in. How the forecast works.