Shark Diving in Maui - Banyan Tree Divers

Scuba Dive with Sharks in Lahaina

All sharks are ancient creatures that have remained relatively unchanged for over 400 million years, often called “living fossils.” If you’re visiting Maui, you can experience the thrill of scuba diving with sharks. Donning a scuba tank immerses yourself in a fascinating underwater world. During your Hawaiian vacation, set aside time for this exciting activity. Choose our Maui dive shop in Lahaina for an unforgettable shore diving experience with White Tip Reef Sharks!

We offer shark encounters at Mala Wharf in Lahaina, which scuba divers consider the best dive site in Maui. Scuba diving here does not require a cage—instead, you can walk into the ocean, descend, and observe sharks up close! At Mala Wharf, you can encounter a family of up to seven White Tip Reef Sharks. You may also spot various ages, including smaller juveniles that are 1 to 2 years old, as well as full-sized adults. Adult White Tip Sharks are approximately the size of a grown human, with females being the largest!

Airport Beach in Kaanapali

Chance to see a shark: 1 percent

Diving in Maui allows you to search for sharks along Lahaina’s coastline. But there are Hawaii beaches where your chances of scuba diving with a shark remain very low, such as a spot like Airport Beach in Kaanapali, Maui. This sprawling coral reef sits on the north side of Black Rock and does not have a resident shark population.

Mala Wharf in Lahaina

Chance to see a shark: 90 – 95 percent

Luckily for scuba divers, Mala Wharf in Lahaina is not a shark-free dive site! The name Mala has become synonymous with cage-free, safe shark encounters. Mala Wharf or Mala Pier remains the total package because visitors here often get to dive close to these apex predators. You should not expect to see a Tiger Shark here, but sometimes you can find a Sandbar Shark!

Sharks reside in this area because the pier structure protects them during their daily naps. The White Tip Reef Sharks usually relax on the bottom under the fallen concrete posts. When one of the sharks does get active, it often swims around-consuming injured or sick fish. Reducing the number of wounded animals helps the coral reef to thrive with new life. Scuba divers and snorkelers can also find two turtle cleaning stations near depths of 15 and 25 feet. Overall, it’s a shallow spot with a maximum depth of 33 feet, affording long bottom times of 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Swim with Sharks in Hawaii

Sharks spotted night diving in Lahaina, Maui.

Your first shark experience should be both fun and memorable. As you get close to these mighty ocean hunters, remember that there are almost 500 known shark species, and none intentionally prey on humans. Our dive shop loves sharks, and we encourage you to love sharks, too! Swimming off the beaches of any Hawaiian Island, including Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, or Big Island, promises a fantastic adventure unlike any other!