Kona Honu Divers invites you to slip beneath Kona’s crystal waters with Hawaii’s top-rated dive crew. Backed by more than two centuries of combined experience and award-winning safety standards, they keep group sizes small and ser...
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Review summary
With a perfect track record across thousands of reviews, this Kona dive operation stands out for its exceptional crew and unforgettable underwater experiences. Divers consistently praise guides like Jeff, Sarah, Jason, Max, and Holger for their knowledge, professionalism, and ability to make everyone feel safe and comfortable in the water. The manta ray night dives get particular attention as "mind blowing" and "life changing," while their unique blackwater dives deliver encounters with deep sea creatures and occasional oceanic whitetip sharks that reviewers describe as truly special experiences. The seamless operation runs smoothly from start to finish. Certification courses (both Open Water and Advanced) are highly regarded, with instructors making the learning process engaging and thorough. Experienced divers with hundreds of logged dives note the organization and spacious, well-maintained boats. Captain John, Andy, and other crew members handle all the gear and logistics so you can focus on the diving. Multiple reviewers mention feeling genuinely cared for, with staff answering questions patiently and spotting wildlife that might otherwise go unnoticed. The relaxed, unhurried pace on the boat adds to the overall quality of the experience.
What people are saying
I recently completed my Open Water Certification with Kona Honu Divers, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From the very beginning, Sara was fantastic - she answered all my questions with patience and clarity, helped me finalize my booking, and even guided me toward scheduling a “night manta dive” after my certification. Also, her enthusiasm for the ocean, fish, and wildlife is absolutely contagious and really set the tone for the whole experience. My instructor, Holger, was exceptional. He’s one of those rare teachers who combines deep competence and clarity with a relaxed, easy-going style. He explained every detail thoroughly, made safety feel second nature, and kept us laughing along the way. I felt supported and confident in every step thanks to his approach. Seriously, I can’t recommend him enough! On the boat, Captain John kept everything running smoothly. He was professional, attentive, and brought an upbeat attitude that made the day even better. Milo was equally great - he was knowledgeable, approachable, and genuinely invested in making sure everyone had an incredible time both above and below the water. Overall, Kona Honu Divers is the kind of dive shop that really gets it right: professional yet fun, attentive yet relaxed. Whether you’re pursuing certification, looking for a charter, or just trying out a discovery dive, I can’t recommend them all highly enough. Edit: I ended up doing the Night Manta Ray dive with Kona Honu Divers after my review - and if I could give them another star I would. Sydney was my dive buddy for both dives and was excellent! Also, Max gave an awesome debrief ahead of the night manta ray dive and was helpful throughout.
Andrew Hopp
September 30, 2025
I recently completed my Open Water Certification with Kona Honu Divers, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From the very beginning, Sara was fantastic - she answered all my questions with patience and clarity, helped me finalize my booking, and even guided me toward scheduling a “night manta dive” after my certification. Also, her enthusiasm for the ocean, fish, and wildlife is absolutely contagious and really set the tone for the whole experience. My instructor, Holger, was exceptional. He’s one of those rare teachers who combines deep competence and clarity with a relaxed, easy-going style. He explained every detail thoroughly, made safety feel second nature, and kept us laughing along the way. I felt supported and confident in every step thanks to his approach. Seriously, I can’t recommend him enough! On the boat, Captain John kept everything running smoothly. He was professional, attentive, and brought an upbeat attitude that made the day even better. Milo was equally great - he was knowledgeable, approachable, and genuinely invested in making sure everyone had an incredible time both above and below the water. Overall, Kona Honu Divers is the kind of dive shop that really gets it right: professional yet fun, attentive yet relaxed. Whether you’re pursuing certification, looking for a charter, or just trying out a discovery dive, I can’t recommend them all highly enough. Edit: I ended up doing the Night Manta Ray dive with Kona Honu Divers after my review - and if I could give them another star I would. Sydney was my dive buddy for both dives and was excellent! Also, Max gave an awesome debrief ahead of the night manta ray dive and was helpful throughout.
Andrew Hopp
September 30, 2025