Molokai Dive Sites

 Diving at its best

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Molokai Dive Sites Include:

Fish Bowl, East Coast: Intermediate to Advanced divers site from a boat. Marine life includes Octopus, Eagle Rays, Reef Sharks and Colourful Reef Fish, with depths from 40’ to 60’.

Fish Rain, East Coast: Advanced drift dive site, Marine life includes Rare Pelagic, Whale Sharks, Monk Seals and Mahi-Mahi, with depths from 80’ to 100’.

The Cove, East Coast: Advanced dive site, Marine life includes Sharks, Butterfly Fish, Coral Trees, Long nose Hawk fish and other rare species, with depths from 20’ to 100’.

Hole in the Wall, East Coast: Advanced dive site, Marine life includes Pelagics, Antler Coral, Slipper Lobsters, Octopus and other molluscs, with depths from 20’ to 120’.

The Molokai Fine Arts Gallery is located in Kamoi Street (above the American Savings Bank), Kaunakakai in Central Molokai. The gallery showcases art and crafts exhibits- the works of over a hundred Molokai Artists.

Halawa Beach Park is located off Highway 450, at Halawa and comprises of two beaches, Kamaalaea Beach and Kawilli Beach. Together both beaches form a curved bay, Kamaalaea Beach is the curved beach on the left side and Kamaalaea Beach on the right is a rocky exposed beach.

During the summer months both beaches are calm, but during the winter months, large waves occur, ideal for surfers.The Halawa Stream flows into the Kawilli Beach., it is often full and wide owing to the heavy rains in the mountains above. There are picnic facilities and restrooms but no lifeguards.

Murphy's Beach is located off Highway 450 in East Molokai (There is a sign on the side of the road calling this Mile Marker 20 Beach). The water is shallow and sheltered surrounded by the reef. It is a great area for swimming, or snorkelling, if there is no surf. The beach is surrounded by coconut palms giving it an elegant ambience. There is a picnic area, but no facilities or lifeguards.

Papohaku Beach (Three Mile Beach) is located at Kaluakoi Road; West Molokai, it is around two miles past the Kaluakoi Resort (Highway 460). This beautiful beach stretches over three miles of coastline and is over 300 yards wide.

When strong trade winds arrive from the west, the sand gets whipped up during windy weather and can make it very uncomfortable. The area is goodfor snorkeling and diving but exercise extreme caution before entering the water here because of the seasonal high surf, especially during the winter months. There is a picnic area and facilities, but no lifeguards.

Secluded Sandy Cove is located left of Hale o Lono Harbor in west Molokai. It is a sandy/rocky beach area and is pretty much protected. Swimming, snorkelling, diving and fishing can be done here, but exercise extreme caution before entering the water here because of the seasonal high surf, especially during the winter months. It is good for whale watching during December through to May. There are no facilities or lifeguards on this beach.

Honouli Malo'o Bay is located between Murphy's Beach and Sandy Beach along the East Coast of Molokai; it is another excellent surfing area. This more sheltered bay also has a sandy beach that is good for swimming, snorkeling and diving. There are no facilities or lifeguards on this beach. Exercise extreme caution before entering the water here because of the seasonal high surf, especially during the winter months.

Kalaupapa National Historic Park is located on the Kalaupapa Peninsula at the bottom of the 1,600ft high sea cliffs. This site was used as an isolation settlement for Hansen’s disease (leprosy) victims, starting in the 1860’s until 1969). The park was established in 1980; and is dedicated to the education of present and future generations with regard to a disease that has been masked in fear and unawareness for centuries. Inside its boundaries are the historic Hansen's disease settlements of Kalaupapa and Kalawao.

The compassion of Father Damien (Joseph De Veuster) who was a Roman Catholic missionary was evident when he moved to the isolation settlement to take care of the sick people, until he too died from the disease aged 49 years. Father Damien's first course of action was to construct a church and found the Parish of Saint Philomena.

Many of the resident patients still live at the settlement, and the State has decreed that they can remain there for the rest of their lives. Visitors are only permitted as part of official authorized tours, such as the Molokai Mule Ride. State law prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from visiting. There is a museum and a gift shop in the settlement.

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