First time (non-certified) divers will experience the PADI Discover Scuba Diving program, which covers the fundamental rules and guidelines of safe scuba diving.  This experience can also be applied toward your PADI Open Water Certification.  After a detailed, hands-on orientation, divers will enter shallow water and practice four basic scuba-related skills.  These skills are designed to build confidence and to show you just how easy scuba diving really is.  After satisfactorily completing the skills portion of your lesson, you are qualified to dive to a maximum depth of 40 feet under the direct supervision of our PADI instructors.

The entire process for a 2 tank introductory dive experience from arrival to departure takes approximately 4 ½ hours. Should you choose to only do only a 1 tank dive, the approximate time will be 3 hours from arrival to departure.




Certified divers will enjoy exploring Kauai’s beautiful reef systems.  All necessary scuba equipment is provided, including a full length wetsuit for extra warmth.  Certified divers will enjoy an interesting site and marine biology orientation.  Our detailed site briefings include an explanation of all aspects of the dive such as depth, topography, marine life and safety procedures.  Our marine biology briefings include fish identification along with interesting facts about endemic and rare species that may be encountered at each site.  Each dive is approximately 45 minutes long depending upon air consumption with an average depth of 35-60 feet.  Divers will enjoy a relaxing surface interval which always includes delicious snacks, cold beverages, and a hot water shower, and then it’s back to the water for your second dive.
The average time for a standard 2-tank dive experience is approximately 4 hours from arrival to departure.  Should you choose to only do a 1 tank dive, the approximate time from arrival to departure is approximately 2 hours.



This tour is for certified divers only.  This thrilling experience allows divers to observe Hawaii’s underwater night life at its best.  Divers are likely to encounter octopus, lobsters, eels, sleeping turtles, and a nocturnal phenomenon called bioluminescence.  Each diver is equipped with all necessary scuba equipment, along with a super bright underwater primary light and a backup light.  Each night dive includes a detailed site and marine biology orientation along with specific night diving procedures.  Night dives typically last approximately 45 minutes depending upon air consumption with an average depth of 25-40 feet.  We offer a two tank twilight/night dive for those divers who would like to see the best of both worlds; the reef before and after the sun goes down.


Scooter Dive: (Underwater Propulsion Vehicles)

These state of the art diver propulsion vehicles will pull or push a diver up to 2 ½ miles per hour. Our TUSA SAV-7 “With Saddle” diver propulsion vehicles are shaped like a miniature torpedo and are nearly weightless in the water. The comfortable handles and easy-to-operate trigger make these scooters effortless to operate. The advantages of diving with an underwater scooter are: less energy used, longer bottom times, more distance covered and they’re a ton of fun!  If you’re feeling really adventurous and would like to get your PADI Diver Propulsion Vehicle Specialty Certification, you’ll be able to dive “HANDS FREE”, using the scooter saddle!  This is about as close as a diver can get to swimming like our “Hawaiian Monk Seal”!

If you don't want to spend your entire vacation getting certified, the PADI eLearning program is made for you!  This program allows you to complete the academic portion on your open water certification on-line in the comfort of your home.  You can complete it at your own pace prior to your arrival on Kauai.  It will also save you an entire vacation day or more, because we'll be able to get you certified in just two days instead of the 3-5 days normally required for complete certification!   



The PADI Open Water Certification course is a 3 to 5 day performance-based class consisting of academic theory, confined water training, and four open water dives.  Divers are also required to perform a 200 meter continuous swim and 10 minute float.
PADI is the largest scuba training organization in the world.  This comprehensive, hands-on course ensures that you will become a competent and safe scuba diver.  Upon completion of the course, you receive a PADI certification to dive that is valid for a lifetime.
Each PADI Open Water Certification course includes all necessary scuba equipment, training materials (PADI manual, log book, and recreational dive planner), delicious snacks, cold beverages, and a hot water shower for after your dives.

The PADI Open Water Referral Course is a two day course designed for the diver who has already completed their academic and pool training at home.  This course consists of the four open water dives needed to complete your certification.  Each referral course includes all necessary scuba equipment, delicious snacks, cold beverages, and a hot water shower for after the dives.


The PADI Adventure Diver Course consists of 3 adventure dives. Upon completion of the adventure dives, you are recognized as a PADI Adventure Diver, which makes you a more experienced diver than simply having the PADI Open Water Diver rating. You get to choose the 3 dives that you wish to do from the following: AWARE – Coral Reef Conservation, AWARE Fish Identification, Digital Underwater Photographer, Diver Propulsion Vehicle (Underwater Scooter), Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver, Equipment Specialist, Multilevel Diver, Night Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project AWARE Specialist, Search and Recovery Diver, Underwater Naturalist, or Underwater Navigator.  Deep, Cavern, Ice and Wreck Diver specialties are excluded from the Adventure Diver options.


The PADI Advanced Open Water Course is a 2-day course which contains 5 adventure dives.  Two of the required core dives for this certification are a Navigation Dive and a Deep Dive.  3 elective dives are chosen by you in addition to the 2 core dives. The choices for the elective dives come from the following: AWARE – Coral Reef Conservation, AWARE Fish Identification, Digital Underwater Photographer, Diver Propulsion Vehicle (Underwater Scooter), Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver, Equipment Specialist, Multilevel Diver, Night Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project AWARE Specialist, Search and Recovery Diver, Underwater Naturalist, or Underwater Navigator.


This course includes academic theory relating to diving and pressure-related injuries along with pool and open water training.  The course also includes several hands-on rescue scenarios which train and enable you to competently rescue an injured and/or panicked diver in any given situation.  You must also complete a certified CPR course before the end of this class to qualify for the certification.



Dive Kauai offers a complete list of PADI Specialty Certifications. For more information on any of the following specialty courses, please call us at (808) 742-9534 or toll free at (877) KDU-DIVE.

AWARE – Coral Reef Conservation
AWARE Fish Identification
Boat Diver
Deep Diver
Digital Underwater Photographer
Diver Propulsion Vehicle Diver (Underwater Scooters)
Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver
Equipment Specialist
Multilevel Diver
Night Diver
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Project AWARE Specialist
Search and Recovery Diver
Underwater Naturalist
Underwater Navigator