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Last year was my first trip to Kauai, and I’ll share what I learned. I’ve read many recommendations to only attempt Sheraton Caverns from a boat, and after diving there I can see why. It’s quite a ways off shore and the water was rough the day we went. A current can ruin your vacation. I dove that day with Seasport Divers and dove Turtle Bluff’s too. Both cool sites. TB was great for white tip reef sharks and turtles the size of Volkswagon Bugs. Sheraton was cool for the caverns and coral garden on top. There are a bunch of dive shops in the Poipu area where all the boats go out of (South shore), and I’m sure they are very comparable. I picked Seasport for two reasons, easy to find with a yellow submarine in front, and they are best known for their Niihau trips. Sounds like it’s not an option for you in Nov. Too Bad. I would still ask just in case the weather was good. And if you go, use a sea sick patch for sure. Best dives to be had from Kauai hands down.
As for shore dives, I’m sure there are more than these, but the two best known are Tunnels on the North end of the island and Koloa Landing near Poipu on the South coast. For a Northern dive at Tunnels, Seasport divers has a convenient shop in Kapaa, half way there for renting tanks. So if you are staying in the North this would be your dive shop of choice. Tunnels was cool. Parking is best during the week and fills up early, generally by 10am. From the lot it is a 60 yard hike across grass, and then 100 yards across soft beach sand. When it’s hot out and carrying gear it can be grueling to cross that sand. I went straight out from the nearest beach entry and surface swam to the right to where the reef is. Can’t miss it. There will be tons of snorkelers over the shallow reef. Only you get to go deeper :-) I haven’t dove Koloa Landing yet, but heard you can park right next to the entry spot. I plan to dive there in April for my next visit. Have fun! And don’t miss breakfast at the Kuntry Kitchen in Kapaa. The chocolate chip pancakes and coconut syrup is to die for....
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Thanks for the feedback. I have checked out the link mentioned prior to posting on here, I’ll probably check out a few of the mentioned shore dives on there, I was more looking for individuals/locals who have dove there and recently. I will be sure to post my experiences upon my return for sure.
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sk290 - 8/24/2011 2:37 PM 
Hey Michael,
What are your plans for Kona? I’ll be there in a month and a half and would love to see what you’ve got lined up. Last year we did a shore dive from MM4 (mile marker) off Ali’i Drive which was quite nice. There are some lava tubes near by and lots of fish but entry was a bit rough. The lava stuff on the bottom is quite sharp and the sea urchins were big!
Sandra
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Sandra,
While in Kona I am planning on doing 7 boat dives with Kona Diving Company. On November 9th I’m planning a two tank morning dive and then I’m doing a two tank Manta night dive (one is a twilight reef dive and then one is when it gets dark we watch the mantas feed). Then on the 10th I’m planning on doing a 3 tank long range trip. My wife is going to do her advanced open water certification while there, so I figured that would be a nice way to accomplish the 5 dives she needs to get that certification (plus we’ll get to do a few dives together. I did see there was good shore diving in Kona...thing is I am only going to be there for three full days (fly in Tuesday the 8th and leave Saturday the 12th; figure I could use one day to do something other than dive while staying there. Pretty much I’m trying to do a Hawaii trip as inexpensively as possible, I got our plane tickets cashing in my air miles (paid only $20 for taxes) and I’ve got round trip airfare from Newark, NJ to Kona, then Kona to Kauai, then Kauai back to Newark. And on Kauai my wife’s cousin (her husband will be the third diver) has a timeshare there...so we’ve got a free week of accommodation there. We’re very excited to be going and I’ll definitely post information/pictures upon my return.
Mike
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sk290 - 8/25/2011 3:35 PM
An almost free vacation is even better. Nice! Make sure you go to the farmer’s market down Ali’i Drive. There’s also a great Thai restaurant across the street. Looking forward to your trip report.
Sandra
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Will do...thanks for the advice...I’ll also be sure to check out Kountry Kitchen for breakfast was well. Thanks again to all who have contributed.
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