Aloha from beautiful Oahu!

GABE

My name is Gabe and I’m the founder of Kaimana Divers. While working here on Oahu as a divemaster and instructor I always had a dream of someday owning my own company, doing what I love. That dream came to reality in the summer of 2006 when Kaimana Divers was born.

The name was taken to honor the ocean, which has been a source of fascination and awe since I was a boy growing up in California and Oregon. Mana is a Hawaiian word which conveys respect, power responsibility and balance while Kai refers to the ocean.

I’m a PADI Open Water Instructor and I teach top-notch programs in small group settings or private lessons. I offer a variety of services, from dive charters and courses to intro dives and refreshers, but I pride myself on safe, fun and entertaining courses that will help you get the most out of your time underwater.

I am excited that a day at the office means taking folks out to explore the power and beauty of the Pacific Ocean. Taking certified divers out is almost as rewarding as taking intro divers out. I can never forget my first experience underwater and think that yours should be equally as rewarding and otherworldly!

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. If you are planning a vacation to paradise, let me know and I may be able to help with some insider info. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your dive gear, because no matter when you visit, we have world class diving year round!

Aloha and Mahalo

DENISE

Aloha! I’m Denise and am a true local girl – born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. Growing up so close to the beach meant I spent a lot of time in the ocean, but I always stayed on the surface. The amazing world beneath the water was a mystery to me until I first discovered scuba diving.

My first diving experience was in February 2012, and happened on a whim. That first Discover Scuba Diving experience was incredible! My entire perspective changed that day – I had found my true passion. Being able to swim alongside the endemic species of Hawaii, like monk seals, green sea turtles and Hawaiian reef fish found nowhere else in the world gives an incomparable feeling of awe.

As you can imagine, I am a shameless diving-addict. From my first diving experience to becoming an instructor, I have wholly embraced the joys of diving and teaching. As an instructor, it is an extraordinary experience to share the thrill that diving brings. Every day, the ocean brings new surprises and the potential for adventure and exploration is endless.

I hope that you will join me!

MATT

Aloha, I’m Matt! I moved out to Oahu in 2017 after I finished my undergrad in plant ecology at the University of North Carolina Asheville. Part of my time is spent working with the Waianai Mountain Watershed Partnership to conserve endangered plant habitat on Oahu’s leeward side, while the remainder is spent in the ocean working as a dive master. I completed my dive master course with Kaimana Divers in the summer of 2017, and remained on the K-team leading dives around Oahu ever since. If I’m not in the mountains or under the water, you can probably find me surfing; so let me know if you would like any suggestions for beaches or hikes!

As a kid growing up in Key Largo, Florida, I was completely obsessed with the ocean. I could not wait to be old enough to become a certified diver, and in 2001 I became open water certified at the age of 14. Most of my dives have been logged in the Keys, although I have also been lucky enough to dive in Costa Rica, the Bahamas, and Hawaii to name a few. After 18 years of diving, I’m more obsessed with the ocean than ever, and love helping people experience Hawaii’s unique ocean life in the best way possible.

Lets go diving!

NICK

Aloha! My name is Nick!! Ive been on island now for almost 3 years and I moved here to be closer to family. If you had asked me when I completed my open water certification back in 2012, I would never have thought that Diving would become my passion and I’d get to live my dream of being an Instructor in paradise. After blowing those first few bubbles back in the lake in my hometown of Burlington, Vermont, I knew underwater was where I wanted to be!

My background is in finance, where in VT I worked in a bank for four years. I’m also currently pursuing my CFA designation. During my time in VT I also worked my way up to a NAUI Divemaster. Diving cold water on historic shipwrecks was fascinating to me! I was eager to learn how to overcome challenging situations in new environments, and get back safely! Most of my diving has been colder North East and Canadian dry-suit diving before moving to Hawai’i; places like Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence river, coast of Maine and the Gloucester, MA area.

I love sharing my passion of diving with everyone! That’s why I earned my Master Scuba Diver Trainer certification here in Hawaii immediately upon arriving, so I can be in the water every day. Diving has opened up a whole new world to explore, and I feel it really leaves you with a more connected feeling. The ocean is a new found love of mine, and I’m so grateful to call this playground my office!

Come check us out!

TRACY

Aloha my name is Tracy! I grew up on the west coast, but moved to Hawai’i in 2007. I have been crazy about animals since I can remember, and have always loved the ocean growing up so close it to. Those two things brought me here to get my degree in Animal Science at UH with a specialty in apex predators.
I’ve been studying sharks since 2014 and have a slight love affair with them. If I’m not out free diving with sharks, you’ll find me leading dives as a Dive Master with the Kaimana crew, who has become ohana.
When I’m not underwater I’ll be somewhere on a beach with my husband and pup. I’m always near the beach or in the water, as the ocean connects us all and I feel a calling to show people its beauty so they want to help protect and care for it.

My name is JD and I absolutely love all things water. I grew up spending every summer on the lake. Swimming, water skiing, tubing, wakeboarding an any other object you could think to pull behind a boat. So in 2003 when my family was in Jamaica I had the chance to try diving. I was hooked!! I continued diving around the world every chance I got while in the Marines.

After the leaving the military in 2014 I had to come up with a way to live near the water. Scuba instructor sounded perfect!! This allowed me to combind several passions; the water, diving, teaching and travel. In 2016 I took my instructor exam in Dominican republic where I cancelled my return flight and stayed to work for a few months My next stop was off to Australia. Here all also had the opportunity to lead a dive group to Palau. After my Visa expired in Australia I went back to Dominican to become an IDC staff instructor before moving to Bonaire to work. In the beginning of 2019 I moved to Hawaii to continue the adventure!!

Anthony Dooley

22:06 17 Feb 23

These guys are awesome. From the get go. I called Gabe up months before my visit to the island to get things squared away. I did 8 dives total with them including 2 deep dive ship wrecks. My wife and daughter also did their certification dives. Avalon was super cool and patient with them. She has fantastic people skills and was a great dive instructor. I did 4 of my 8 with her. Greg was good as well. I will dive with them again next time I'm on the island.

mpboks1

05:02 19 Oct 22

Gabe and his team of divers was a pleasure to work with. Our dive guide, Alex, took some extra time to teach my son some things about open water diving in the ocean. This was our first time diving in the ocean, as we have only done dives in the Great Lakes region. I would highly recommend them to anyone.

Zanderw

21:10 22 Sep 22

Possibly my favorite dive shop, and I have dove all around the world. Super professional and safe staff, amazing diving. Owner is great and accommodating. Great wreck diving, turtles galore. Can't speak higher of these people and the experience I had!

nathan betters

04:25 01 Sep 22

Absolutely fantastic, while I am certified I am still relatively novice. The small group was great because I felt there was always a dive master within reaching distance in case of emergency, or if I felt uncomfortable. They did a great job from start to finish and very affordable for such private service. I WILL DEFINITELY dice with them again! Bravo my friends!

gopesh sharma

23:51 22 Aug 22

Great dive team! Although the conditions weren’t perfect due to recent swells, the dive master (Victoria) was patient and accommodating for the dive. Owner was super communicative when I was booking as well. Definitely recommend!

D C

19:46 14 Jul 22

Been diving for 40 years and all over the world. I’ve tried many of the dive shops in Oahu and consider this by-far the best. I just did another dive with them yesterday and had another great experience. The guides are personable, detailed and professional. There’s no frustrated attitudes, and the equipment was ready and in good condition. They tailor the experience to the individual comfort and ability. All dive shops in Oahu use the same sites and even the same boats, so the difference is in the shop owner, guides and equipment. None of the other Oahu shops even come close.

Nick Barton

23:13 09 Jul 22

By far the best diving experience! The reservation process was easy, they communicated very well and dive guides were great and new everything about the area. I would definitely book this over any of the other dive companies. Thanks again Gabe!!!

Leif Dreizler

21:48 09 Jul 22

I first dove with Gabe a few years ago on a previous trip to Honolulu and he was the only shop I emailed on my most recent trip. Kaimana divers is a great shop for experienced divers that don't take themselves too seriously.Gabe is super easy to work with, our trip was scheduled with 2 emails and a couple of texts. Gabe will make sure you see the best of the island, and is happy to share his wealth of knowledge from his 15,000+ dives!We also had a great time diving with Alex on our most recent trip and he was nice enough to take some photos of us :)

Lance Edwards

20:32 27 Jun 22

My son and I had a great experience with Kaimana Divers. Gabe was organized and passionate about diving. We had a great time diving with two friendly and skilled divemasters; Avalon and Kristen. We saw ells, turtles, many species of fish, and variety of amazing coral on the reef. Both Avalon and Kristen were helpful, safe, and knowledgeable. Always fun to dive with two young women.

Corinne Durk

03:52 26 Jun 22

Kaimana Divers is perfect for first time divers and experienced divers alike!The owner of the shop, Gabe, is very responsive with inquiries and immediately makes you feel comfortable with his professionalism and chill vibe.My husband and I are non-certified divers and the structure of our dive was perfectly suited to our experience level. As non-certified divers we went through about a 45-minute PADI safety training on land, as well as skills training in the water before diving. During this time, our instructor Greg was very patient, kind, and informative with our questions. His teaching style was suited to put nervous divers at ease. I've personally gone through 6 intro dive classes, and this was the most thorough!!!Highlight of this company is they keep tours SMALL (Only 6 divers per boat). This means more one-on-one time with your instructor, and if you're lucky like us - our group was made of 4 certified divers and 2 non-certified divers. This means my husband and I actually were able to dive privately with Greg, while the certified divers were with Gabe (the owner).As for the dive spots, we were able to see the following: eel, turtles, small whitetip shark (don't be scared!), puffer fish, lots and lots of other fish species!!I would give Gabe and Greg more than 5 stars if I could - they were great to dive with and would 100% return.

Joshua Burns

20:04 24 Jun 22

I spent three days with Kaimana Divers this past week, and it was without a doubt the highlight of my trip. They worked really hard to help me finish up my Open Water certification, and were very flexible when it came to helping accommodate my schedule. The folks at Kaimana Divers are passionate about SCUBA, and are super understanding of all skill levels, which made it easy for me to fall in love with SCUBA as well. I look forward to diving with them again next time!🤙🏽

Jay Dodson

01:50 23 Jun 22

The best Scuba Company by far on Oahu!Anywhere for that matter. Owner Gabe is great about getting back to you with questions and answers his phone 24/7If your thinking about trying scuba diving please call Kaimana Divers! They do a intro to scuba so you don't have to even be certified.Kaimana take safety seriously and rental gear is impeccably clean and in great shape! Mellow and laid back vibes and the best customer service you will find anywhere!!!What are you waiting for? Call and book your dives 🤩

Joel Scagnelli

22:32 16 Jun 22

Everyone at Kaimana Divers was wonderful! Gabe was friendly and helpful and volunteered to give us a much needed refresher after several years since our last dive. The provided equipment and gear fit perfectly, was weighted perfectly, and was in great condition. We will absolutely be diving with Kaimana again when we return to Oahu.

Libby Pettit

18:42 10 Jun 22

As a woman diving solo (who's newer to scuba diving), I was initially a bit nervous as this was my first diving experience outside of an organized trip. But I ended up having an incredible experience with Kaimana Divers and couldn't recommend them more! I dove for three days to get my Advanced Open Water certification, and Greg's excellent instruction helped me complete the required dives while also seeing TONS of turtles, eels, reef sharks, harlequin shrimp, and fish. We even saw a monk seal and a pod of dolphins from the boat while heading out to dive sites!While the marine life was obviously incredible, I was able to relax and enjoy the experience due to Gabe and his team's professionalism. From Gabe's responsiveness to scheduling the dives to Greg's patient instruction, I felt comfortable and excited, even when it was my first time deep diving. I also really appreciated the smaller group size, especially as the other divers were very experienced. I can't wait to dive in Oahu again with them! And from one Oregon alum to another (Gabe), go Ducks!

Megan Mets

00:03 09 May 22

Wow, what an absolutely incredible experience. We did 2 dives that went to ~62 ft in depth and got to see octopus, squid, turtles (HUGE ones), white tip reef shark, eels, spotted manta rays, and so much more. Our guide was awesome and really helped us to see so much wildlife. If you're looking for an amazing adventure, I highly recommend going through Kaimana Divers. The guide took some amazing photos and even shared them with us at the end!

lucas waters

07:36 03 May 22

Loved my experience with the Kaimana divers crew today, first time diving off a boat with their intro dive, and will definitely be back to complete my Padi open water next time I visit Hawaii. Very patient and friendly crew and the sights were amazing.

Alysha C

07:36 23 Mar 22

Amazing dive shop! We had a very attentive instructor, Alex, he was very patient with us, and had a great attitude. Had one new diver and one certified diver in our group, and he managed to keep both parties satisfied. It was also great the the dive shop was able to accomodate both a new and certified diver on the boat. Thank you for a great experience!!

David Arguedas

23:46 21 Mar 22

The best diving on the island is with Gabe and crew. I have been on a few dive boats and this one far and away beats them all. Great service great dives and just a perfect day out on the water.

Kristen S

23:59 22 Feb 22

Out of hundreds of dive shops, why would you go anywhere else? Gabe is passionate about what he does and it shows. Knowledgeable and patient he’ll always make sure you’re comfortable and prepared for your dive. His crew is excellent too, which is a testament to his ability to provide only the best for his company.I’ve been diving with him and his team for years. This year, our first dives were with Roberto. He was very intelligent and patient, especially with equalizing my sensitive ears as I descended. My second trip was with Gabe, the consummate professional but always fun, you’ll be sure to have a good time.You won’t find this kind of customer service elsewhere on the island, and maybe anywhere else in the States. Do yourself a favor and book with Kaimana Divers, they’re the best of the best!

Corey Smith

22:32 24 Jan 22

A great time learning from Gabe and the rest of their team. COVID made things a bit more chaotic than we intended but Kaimana Divers was super responsive and flexible. Happy to say I was able to get my PADI certification AND my significant other was able to join on a dive my last day (she already has her certification).I'd highly recommend and will go back for any future dives on Oahu.

Chris Wannamaker

05:59 22 Jan 22

We did two dives. Very professional and friendly. Seen A LOT of sea life. Roberto was our guide and was fantastic. I highly recommend.

Siddharth Ramesh

21:36 23 Dec 21

Absolutely amazing diving! Gabe and his team (Alex, Victoria, Jason were our instructors) were so helpful and organised everything for our 5 days of diving. The reefs and wrecks were beautiful, and was hands-down best diving we’ve ever done. My sister and I were a little rusty, but the team was super accommodating and made us feel very comfortable in the water until we got our sea legs back. Wholeheartedly recommend Kaimana Divers!

Lindsay K

01:20 09 Dec 21

I'll preface with this: I've been on over 200 dives in my 14 years of diving, and dived with tons of different shops, so I've seen what great operations look like, and what no-so-great operations look like.I had an AWESOME experience with Kaimana Divers during my recent trip to Oahu. In his first email, Gabe impressed me with his kindness, professional manner, and advice. (And he's wonderful in person too) I booked 2 days of diving with them and both were great.On my first day, Alex was my dive master and really made sure I had an awesome experience. He pointed out tons of wildlife and was very attentive. During our surface interval, the Boat Captain found spinner dolphins and we got to ride alongside them. One of the coolest experiences ever!! On our second day of diving, I brought my friend who has never dived before. Greg was awesome getting her informed and comfortable before the dive, then led us on another awesome 2-tank day.If you're thinking about diving in Oahu, book with Kaimana Divers!

Sara Ganter

00:14 22 Nov 21

I visited a friend who recently moved to Honolulu and scheduled a 2 tank boat dive with Gabe and his team for the two of us. They met us at the pier with all of the gear and had everything set up. The provided us with wet suits and quality gear. The two dives were absolutely amazing and were lead by a wonderful dive guide. At our surface interval, there was snacks and drinks. I would definitely recommend Kaimana Divers to anyone and everyone! They are extremely friendly and professional.

Nenad Bjelos

21:39 21 Oct 21

The way it should be.Dived in a small group of experienced divers, didn’t get rushed, but rather enjoyed and used our air. Constantly got helped with the gear on boat and they provided snacks and drinks. Nice people to be around, and all that for a very fair price.Specially appreciate we were not pushed into posting reviews or leaving tips. And that’s why they got the both. Deserved by doing the business right.

Killian FitzPatrick

17:59 02 Oct 21

Stoked to get my padi cert with kaimana. Jason was super laid back and did a good job making sure we were prepared for our dives. Couldn’t ask for a better teacher. Saw turtles, octopus, eels, harlequin shrimp, frog fish. Gabe was also very helpful leading up to my trip. Plus they are both Oregon boys / go ducks!

eXsaNiTy

20:08 21 Sep 21

I met Gabe when I signed up for an adventure dive. Gabe made my first diving experience amazing and worry-free. I decided to sign up for my open water diving certification. Ryan ended up being my instructor for the entirety of the course. Ryan made sure that all of the course skill requirements were clear and understandable. I highly recommend Gabe's crew for any underwater adventures you might be planning.

katherine givan

20:42 07 Sep 21

Great service and even better views. The owner was very communicative about time, details, and scuba safety. Would highly recommend!

Kathleen

17:50 27 Aug 21

I had two of my favorite dives with them! The Sea Tiger wreck, then reef dives were AWESOME with Gabe as our guide. He pointed out amazing features underwater, especially all the camouflaged marine life I wouldn't have picked up on. A big plus was we were able to soak up all the sites underwater with his relaxed pace, I could really look around and not feel I was rushing by the subtle underwater features.

Nathen Kuhlmann

20:51 10 Aug 21

These guys were great! My son and I did an intro dive and it was the highlight of the trip. I highly recommend!!!

Kimberly Muska

15:18 04 Aug 21

A M A Z I N G !!! Gabe and his team were so great to work with for getting scuba certified. Communication before getting to the island was great via email, and text, and the shop was walking distance from the hotel. Pool dive and boat dives were convenient. Definitely a great experience for our kids. We had a friend help narrow down places to get certified, and so glad we ended up with Kaimana Divers, and Gabe!!

Jessica Bashaw

20:28 08 Jul 21

THE BEST. Gabe and his crew were amazing every step of the way. From helping us with buying items for the dive, the great communication and ease of booking, to the amazing dive sites and dive guide.Gabe and his crew go above and beyond what a normal dive shop does.I cannot recommend them enough!!

dahee park

22:18 27 Jun 21

These gentlemen are top notch! First off, if it wasn’t for Gabe getting myself and my husband in super last minute… I mean, I messaged him 3 days prior to our departure back to Cali & he definitely maintained our commitment with clear, professional, and easy going communication via text. He was able to get us in on a morning dive & honestly…. I am SO glad we chose their company over the hundreds of others. I’m an experienced diver & it’s been about 8 yrs since I’ve dove since joining the Corps. But I especially wanted this to be memorable for my husband since it was his first time. My husband loved it!! And he mentions that he wouldn’t mind getting certified through this company. Mind you, my husband is afraid of a lot of things.. but Kaimana divers, thank you so much! You gentlemen did such an amazing job. Intro dive was fun! Especially the turtles and the baby shark. Aloha from John and Dahee 🌺

Tag Spilman

03:50 24 Jun 21

I found Kaimana Divers through recommendations on Reddit. Gabe was able to get me booked a couple days out which I am incredibly grateful for. The red beards Captain Riley and our dive instructor Ryan were amazing. They helped us with all the gear, were very knowledgeable, and made for an amazing experience. Due to covid there are only 4 of us on the boat. Having a small party is definitely the way to go. We hit up the Sea Tiger first. This was my first ocean dive I can't recommend it enough.

Aaron C

19:36 08 Jun 21

If you're looking for a new certification, or just a great group of people to dive with - look no further. My experience with Kaimana divers has been nothing short of spectacular. Best dive shop in town, highly recommend!!

Caroline Hudson-Hale

00:58 25 May 21

Amazing diving and value. We did four dives, two with our scuba certified family and two as part of a discover scuba with the rest of our family who had never dived before. Greg was so patient teaching our family and Ryan found so many great fish! Highly recommend!

Dallas Holt

12:39 11 May 21

Thank you so much to Gabe and Jason! Gabe was so helpful in setting up my Open water course and mailing out the book even with kind of short notice. It was nice being able to work it in around my schedule so I was able to get the most out of my trip. Jason was a wonderful instructor! He was incredibly patient and in general just a fun instructor to have. I really loved hearing all of his funny stories about when he started diving and his journeys to where he is now. As for diving itself, it was incredible! I got to see a bunch of sea turtles and so many beautiful fish. Will definitely be using Kaimana divers again next time I come to Oahu. Thank you sooooo much for opening up a new world for me. Mahalo! 🐢

Boyd N

22:12 04 May 21

Gabe and his team are the all-stars of diving in Oahu. Responsive via text. Accommodating to those who need some extra attention (scuba-intro experiences). He helped my wife get over her fears and she was diving 10 times more relaxed than I did on my first dive. Can't thank him enough but thanks a billion Gabe. We'll see you soon.

Austin Shelton

19:19 01 May 21

I had an outstanding experience with Gabe of Kaimana divers. He was extremely quick to communicate with and got me scheduled to dive the evening before via text message. I rode one of the go-x scooters from Waikiki thinking I’d be able to leave it at the marina while we dove, but came to figure out I would be charged a large fee if I didn’t return it to a designated area. He very kindly helped me load the scooter into his car and drove me to return it at the closest drop off. On the diving side he was just as courteous and professional. He set up all gear, gave a thorough dive briefing, and was excellent at finding the hidden gems on the dive. To top off the excellent diving he even gave me a ride back to my hotel in Waikiki. Hands down, Gabe runs the best dive gig in Oahu. I wish there was an option for 6 stars, because Kaimana Divers delivers!

Andrew Middlebrooks

04:45 15 Apr 21

Gabe and his team are excellent, kind, and professional. I dove with them on a handful of occasions and don’t have a single negative thing to say! I’ll definitely be diving with them the next time I’m out here.

Barry Weinzirl

02:25 11 Feb 21

I did there discover scuba program. Really nice people quality instruction and a fun couple of dives. Highly recommend!

14:43 09 Feb 21

I met Gabe when I signed up for a for an adventure dive. Gabe made my first diving experience amazing and worry-free. I decided to sign up for my open water diving certification. Ryan ended up being my instructor for the entirety of the course. Ryan made sure that all of the course skill requirements were clear and understandable. I highly recommend Gabe's crew for any underwater adventures you might be planning.

Natalia Makhorkina

21:00 04 Feb 21

I highly recommend Kaimana Divers to the first time divers! They are an amazing group of people that care about the ocean, you and your experience!I did Discover Scuba Diving with Kaimana Divers couple of days ago and it was fantastic! Ryan and Alex were the instructors that took us to the turtle canyon and horseshoe reef. Ryan was responsible for non-certified divers. He was fun and personable. And of course he was extremely knowledgeable and patient. He explained every detail about our dive, equipment, so we were mentally ready and knew what to expect! He demonstrated and practiced with us all the skills before we went into the water. While underwater, Ryan was focused on us to ensure that we are safe and everything is alright. We saw beautiful coral, tons of fish, numerous turtles, and a reef shark. It was simply amazing! I can’t wait to do it again! Thank you, Kaimana Divers!

Just Vicky Thingz

05:15 29 Dec 20

Had a great time diving the Yo-257 shipwreck with Kaimana Divers. Our instructor, Alex, was very professional and patient. He was one of the nicest instructors I’ve had & comes highly recommended!

bacon tomato

05:20 20 Nov 20

Such a great staff! Gabe was so patient and kind about my newbie behavior. Lol! I joined the club and am looking forward to more dives!!!

Dylan Sayre

23:42 14 Nov 20

Had two dives with Gabe and Ryan. Saw some sea turtles, sting rays, white tipped reef sharks and octopi! Totally awesome experience, can’t wait to go again!!!

Chris Gd

23:38 23 Mar 20

Such an amazing experience with Gabe and his skipper. Gabe truly loves what he does, and you can tell he is very comfortable in the water. He was very sociable, friendly, and helpful to everyone on my crew. His recommendations for dive locations were SPOT ON, and made this the best dive I've ever had. I highly recommend using this company for your diving experience, as they'll give you the best dive available in all of Honolulu.

About Kaimana Divers

Aloha from beautiful Oahu!