My wife and I just got married and were eagerly awaiting our honeymoon trip to Kauai. At the center of our trip was a dive visit to Niihau, which we booked with Explore Kauai Scuba months in advance. When we booked, we noticed that Explore Kauai Scuba has a policy that their charter for Niihau has a four diver minimum. We were concerned about this but figured given how far we booked in advance we would check in as we got closer in date and make alternate arrangements for diving if the minimum was not hit. As this trip was very important to us, we spoke to Jessie about this, who reassured us that given the timing of our trip it would fill out closer to the day, and indeed it did. Then, right before the trip, several people canceled, bringing the number of divers to below 4 (3). We do not know when this happened, but we were not informed until less than 24 hours before the dive trip (we assume given the 72 hr cancellation policy the dive shop knew for several days before telling us). We were told that the only way for the boat to go out was if we split the cost of the fourth seat with the other passenger (which was $632 with all fees). I asked to do that and was then told that actually the third passenger was a local and didn't want to split the cost. So then I asked given the timing of this if we could receive a discount on the additional seat (I asked for 20% off, nothing crazy) and Nick refused to offer any discount on the trip. He did offer a discount on a different trip on a day we couldn't attend, asking why we couldn't move our schedule around (It would have been easier, Nick, if you had told us we needed to move our schedule around more than 24 hours before the dive trip. We also would have had more flexibility to book with another dive shop, like Fathom Five, had we had more time). All in all Nick was extremely unapologetic, saying things like "This is our policy" (I understand that, but maybe it should be your policy to inform customers in a timely manner when cancellations occur) "we are a small business" (we weren't trying to screw you Nick, we just wanted you to work with us even a little on making this trip happen for us) and, after me asking when the other guests had canceled (and why hadn't we been informed) "I don't know, it doesn't matter". From reading the other reviews it seems like Nick and Jessie are great guides and I am sure if you get a chance to go out with them you'll have a good time, but you may not get that chance. I would suggest you only book with them if you don't care about having your trip canceled last minute. read more

Explore Kauai is hands down the best dive company we have ever gone with. We have dived in Kauai, the Big Island, Cozumel, the Yucatán, and cenotes, and we keep coming back to Explore Kauai for a reason. We just completed our 6th trip with them, and every experience has been unforgettable. Their small-group dives feel personal, safe, relaxed, and unhurried. It feels more like diving with knowledgeable friends than being packed onto a crowded boat. Jessie and Nick are down to earth, professional, kind, and genuinely great people. We have seen turtles, beautiful coral, angelfish, butterflyfish, triggerfish, puffers, porcupinefish, huge moray eels, giant lobsters, reef sharks, manta and eagle rays, and 200-foot walls off Niʻihau. One of our favorite moments was being greeted by a playful Hawaiian monk seal that swam among us and scratched its back on the reef like a cat. They are also excellent with nervous divers. My wife gets anxiety before dives, and Jessie and Nick always help her feel calm, take time with descents and equalizing, and make sure the experience feels safe and enjoyable. On our last trip, she ended up staying down the longest with a 62 min dive! If you want a small-group, professional, relaxed, and truly memorable dive experience on Kauai, book with Explore Kauai. Thanks, Jessie and Nick! We will keep coming back for years. read more

If you're even thinking about doing a charter -- STOP. Book with Explore Kauai Scuba and ask for Nick and Jess immediately. These two didn't just take us out fishing... they delivered a full-on epic ocean adventure that we'll be talking about for the rest of our lives. I'd never been deep sea fishing before, and honestly, I was a little nervous. Within 20 minutes? We were ON THE BITE. Rods bent. Reels screaming. Fish flying. I felt like I was in a National Geographic episode with two hilarious marine biologists guiding me through it. Nick is a straight-up fish whisperer -- I swear he could smell where the tuna were. Jess is part captain, part stand-up comic, and 100% bad***. They made everyone feel safe, confident, and like we were part of the crew. Super knowledgeable, chill but focused, and genuinely passionate about what they do. You can feel it. We didn't just catch fish -- we made memories. We laughed, we learned, and we walked off that boat sun-kissed and stoked. My only regret? Not booking a second trip before we left. Pro tip: Bring your sense of adventure and let these two legends take care of the rest. 10/10. Five stars. Would follow them into the open ocean again tomorrow. Mahalo Nick and Jess -- you're the real deal. read more

Explore Kauai Scuba - Scuba Diving Near Me

I have dived with Nick and Jess 3-4 times. They provide outstanding service, knowledge and warmth. They are really experienced and I highly recommend the Niihau dive. It is usually rough returning home, but well worth the channel crossing! read more

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I recently did the Niihau dive (Vertical Awareness & Lehua Wall) with Explore Kauai Scuba and had an incredible time. Jesse and Nick, co-owners, were outstanding. Jesse led the dives and Nick piloted the boat, and both were incredibly warm and professional. On the way there, we spotted numerous dolphin. We saw many Hawaiian munk seals, fish, eels, etc. with some of the best underwater topography I've ever seen in some of the clearest water I've ever been in. We did two dives of about 80 feet deep and it was incredibly safe and easy. The dives were not as challenging as I had expected based on my interaction with other Kauai dive companies (maybe we just caught a calm day?). The return ride to Kauai is notoriously rough, and the ride back did not disappoint. One strong advantage that Explore Kauai Scuba has over other dive companies is that they are located much closer to Niihau than the other companies I spoke with. This might not sound like a big deal but in rough seas, it is probably saving you another 1-1/2 hours of bouncing around. This means that you do have to drive a few more miles if you're coming from Poipu but I would much rather be in a smooth riding, air conditioned car than be bounced around for longer than I need to. This is a great dive company, which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND, and I will seek them out in the future. read more

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My girls and I had a BLAST on nick and Jessie's boat! Some of us are open water certified and some were diving for their first time. Whichever level you are, nick and Jessie take great care of you. They know all the sick dive spots and teach you a lot about what you see out in the water. I love supporting little ma and pa shops, book your scuba adventure w EXPLORE KAUAI SCUBA!!! read more

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Dove with Nick on Friday. Second time coming to this island, second time diving with this guy. He's the best. Makes sure you're comfortable to go under, no rush no pressure just patient and instructive. Saw some very cool underwater life. Also this was very impressive to me. While we were down there, Nick took a minute to untangle some coral that was tangled up in what looked like fishing line. Big props for that bro. If you're looking for a great instructor who cares about your experience and not just (another dive) go with this company. read more

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Words cannot describe the incredible experience that I had with Jessie and Nick on our scuba trip!! They were both very professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about diving and sea life! Both Jessie and Nick eagerly shared their knowledge of the different sea life with us throughout the trip. They aren't the usual scuba company that takes you out to 2 pre planned dive sites and sticking to a set tightly timed schedule. They asked everyone on our tour if anyone needed to be back by a certain time...luckily we were all pretty flexible. I really appreciated that they took their time to ensure that WE had the BEST experience possible. We stopped at about 4-5 different dive sites where Jessie jumped in to check the visibility. We also had time to stop and watch all the dolphins swim by! We dove at General Store and Radio Tower...both great sites with different experiences. At General Store we saw about a dozen tako (octopus)...Jessie seriously has the "tako eye" and can spot them from far away! Jessie did an amazing job finding different sea life, calling us over, and writing down on her pad what it was and if it was endemic to only Hawaii. I don't think that I would have seen as much as I did if it wasn't for Jessie. Jessie really went above and beyond on our trip. My boyfriend has been scuba diving for years and decided to bring regulators for both of us. He accidentally left the low pressure hoses that connects to the port that inflates and deflates the BCD. While Jessie was sitting down sharing her knowledge and experiences, she noticed those were missing and that said that we would have to blow up our BCDs manually. I can tell you, I just about freaked out since I'm still new at scuba diving...I probably would have stayed on the boat. But thankfully, Jessie was able to get some tools and move things around so that both my boyfriend and I did not have to inflate/deflate our BCD manually. She also noticed after our first dive that my new dive mask still fogged up a bit (even with defogger) and she used a lighter to burn off the original layer/protective coating that comes on masks. It made a huge difference on how clear everything was on my second dive!! Both Jessie and Nick were awesome! I will definitely book with Explore Kauai Scuba again!! Thank you Jessie and Nick!! We had an amazing time!! read more

I had an amazing time diving with Jesse and Nick! It was a great privilege to enjoy a semi-private diving trip on their small boat. Jesse is an awesome divemaster who went above and beyond to make sure we had a great time. I'm absolutely looking forward to diving with them again! read more

Explore Kauai Scuba - Scuba Diving Near Me

Awesome dive experience! Spent all day and it was adventurous. "Vertical Awareness " was a great dive and would highly recommend. Nick and Jesse are great people and will take care of you! read more

Jessie and Nick make sure you have an incredible experience! My friend Carrie and I have been diving with them for 7+ years now. We come to Kauai yearly and always book dives with them. We tell our friends and family about our awesome adventures. And convince them to come along as much as we can. I went through my OW certification with Jessie a few years back. She was attentive and thorough. She made me feel safe and confident with my diving both discovery in the past and now certified dives. Her dives are relaxed, informative and fun! Jessie is using her etch-a-sketch underwater showing us what we see. I am the nerdy one with the fish book between dives mentally recording what I saw. Again nerdy but great! Jessie and Nick both love to talk about the marine life on the boat as part of their tales of the sea. And if you think the adventure is over with diving ... think again! Nick has mostly been Boat Captain on our dives sharing random facts about Kauai (again caters to my nerdy side). He is also constantly on the look out for whales. Our trips always involve some sort of detour looking for whales, dolphins, turtles. He'll follow leads, even ocean kayakers, just in case. One time it turned into an amazing whale sighting right next to the boat! Hawaiian time applies for when you return to the dock. My family and travel group know better now. We just plan to enjoy a full day at sea. Plenty of time to create ocean memories. Thank you Explore Kauai Scuba! read more

We had a fantastic day with Explore Kauai Scuba on a morning dive today. My husband and I dove off the southern coast of Kauai and saw so much animal life - it was incredible. The owners are super friendly and knowledgeable of where to go and what to see. Their boat was comfortable and fast. You won't go wrong by choosing this company for your Kauai dives! read more

My husband, myself, and our friend dove the Mana Crack with EKS in June of 2021. It was our first time diving with them, and if we could give them 10 stars, we would!! I am a dive instructor and dive guide at home in So. California, my husband has a couple thousand dives under his belt, and our friend is also a tech diving instructor with several thousand dives. We have many years of experience with lots of different operations, and you'd be hard pressed to find a better one than EKS. The other couple that was on the boat with us was relatively new to diving. I know from experience that it is hard to please such a wide range of divers with such varying experience levels. Jessie, our guide that day, was the absolute best! She was so enthusiastic, and you could tell she still really loved her job. She took care to watch out for the newer divers, and also trusted our more experienced group to follow along without being overbearing. It felt like we were just diving with friends! We were all so impressed with how knowledgeable she was with the sea life, and the topography of the dive site. She just was an absolute pleasure to dive with. I can't say enough great things about her. Then, topside for our surface interval... it was SOO fun!!! Nick took us on such an epic tour of the Napali Coast. He didn't rush, or cut corners, but just really let us take it all in!! As luck would have it, the marine conditions took a turn for the... let's say, more "sporty" return home. Nick handled it like an absolute pro, and there was never a moment where we had any doubt that they knew what the heck they were doing. Do not hesitate in booking with Nick and Jesse. They were a dream! Can't wait to return to Kauai to dive with them again!! read more

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We had so much fun with Jessie and Nick!!! We saw so many turtles, fish found only in Hawaii, and so much coral! They were super nice and attentive the whole trip! Loved scuba diving with them and would love to do it again! read more

What a great time and set of dives!! Jess and Nick were fantastic. They checked the dive spots and current and selected great sites for that day. We saw lots of great fish, eels, several turtles and coral. I highly recommend that if you dive Kauai, dive with Explore Kauai. Very professional and very nice. I noticed that the rental gear they have was very nice quality and looks like it's included in the price of many of their dives. Great experience and I would love to dive with them again in the future. read more

Just got done with a couple of dives with Jessie and Nick from Explore Kauai and it was the best diving I've ever gotten to do! They run an awesome scuba diving outfit from the small boat harbor in Kikiaola. They keep the group sizes small which allows for a more personable and enjoyable experience. I really appreciated the pre-dive safety and wildlife briefing, and Jessie as our scuba guide was fantastic - very knowledgeable and eager to share her wildlife knowledge with us! We saw lots of beautiful coral, a couple of octopus, a huge eel, 2 critically endangered hawksbill turtles, and a ton of fish, several of which are endemic to Hawai'i. They know all the best diving spots and were very aware of their guests' preferences and timing needs. They were super friendly and my boyfriend and I had a blast, will definitely be back next time I'm on Kauai! read more

This is by far the best company to dive with on Kauai! Nick and Jessie are knowledgeable and make every trip fun and memorable! Even as an experienced diver you are bound to learn more and see new things! Wish I could give even more stars for the hot cocoa they provided for us in between dives! Saw a white tip shark, ono, school of barracuda, turtles, dolphins, sponge crabs, ghost shrimp, lion fish, yellow hairy hermit , lots of eels, and more! Thank you Explore Kauai Scuba! read more

Explore Kauai Scuba - Scuba Diving Near Me

TLDR: Repeating diving yes! Boat and dive equipment in great condition, they take time in choosing a good site to dive. They are safe and mindful of safety. Also give clear instructions n watch n help. The review. Nick was the captain and Jessie was the dive master. My friend had called them and arranged the dive. A key is we went early as we didn't know the location and although google maps is a good app, still better to be safe than sorry. We left on a boat harbor Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor on the south west side. Swell was running around 2-4 ft. Nick timed the exit out of the harbor (yep the waves were swellin'). The boat harbor had lots of parking (Hawaiian parking too) and a single bathroom for the dudes, so the ladies got a kick out of seeing the line on the guy's side. They take cc and they do it after the dive. They also provide all the equipment (but I brought my snorkel / fins), including extras (like dry bags!) . Then began the bouncing the boat ride out. They had a zodiac style boat. We went with 6 people. My roomate and I. There was the two brothers, both cats were in their 20's from da East Coast (United States), I think Jersey, but my accuracy wouldn't hold up in court. They were two Asian guys that were into tough mudder and duathlon-ning There was a lady that looked like Catelyn Stark from Game of Thrones. I wanted to tell my roommate as he's big fan, but decided discretion is a better part of valor (until out of earshot and situation hehe). Then her husband. He did not look like Ned Stark, nor any known character in GOT. maybe an extra but . . . We checked out dive sites but one might be cool. Jess jumped in the water to check it out. On the third one, it was good. It's known as ******* and ********** . Sorry surf spot protection mode is on. It was called General Store and Fish Bowl. We went diving and man, it was a good time. Saw turtles getting cleaned, black trigger fish going aggro taking eggs from a spawn . . . Viz was 30 ish feet. I had fun. I was a newb diver (10 or so dives) but I was getting the handle on this. Jess was great, as she had a writing tablet and was naming things and it was cool. One thing to note was normally I dive with 14 lbs o weight but Jess loaded me with 16 and found it was too much (she said I was dense lol) at the bottom of the line and she unloaded the extra weight so I could work my buoyancy better. My roommate had issues, he had a regulator that semi stuck . . . it was bubbling a tiny bit . . . they offered to swap it out but he said it would take too long. The Jersey boys kept selfie sticking and my roommate said they kept moving around and getting in his way. Catelyn Stark and her non Ned husband held hands the WHOLE DIVE and 2nd dive! My roommate called them Splash couple (that 80's movie google it if you wish). He was complaining that Splash couple kept getting in his way. I didn't have that problem as bad as I was cruising around out of the way . . . I have awesome fins and found that dolphin kicks work even with the tanks on my back. They also broke out legit food. Like fruits, boiled eggs, trail mix, and had water n juice for drinking. I got me own water bottle with 24 oz of hydrating p-p-power. Everyone else did too. The second dive was excellent. Better viz . . . I had trouble descending (never dove with 5 mm suit and the first dive was over weighted) but Jess saved me and showed me that I had to kick the first 15 ft and the neoprene compresses . . .etc . . . so awesome. Viz was even better and we had 4 sea turtles roll up. They were crazy curious I had one swim at me and just under me, so I was like arms spread out and not moving . . . like that Mission Impossible trying not to touch the floor. We saw turtle getting cleaned by the black trigger fish, and saw few black tip reef sharks. We saw moray style eels, my room mate found a small hawksbill hono. There was bit of confusion as Jess went into a cave, and people were like whut? Not surprised whut, but whut like they saw a zombie and its registering is this UFO' real? Catelyn Stark was holding it up, and this was after the ooh and ahh's of the entrance of the cave that had two giant size hono, total Gamera in the city! She seemed lost as her husband had disconnected from her . . . I don't know why hubby bailed but the cave called out excitement and he gone in. I knew what was going on as my room mate and I knew about a bit of cave diving from Sharks Cove in Oahu. Now it isn't hardcore technical diving cave style but like 10-20 feet tunnel. I saw Jess bubbles trailing and realized she'd gone inside. I dove down, around Catelyn and was blessed with underwater goodness that only Hawaii (and few other places in ze world) can provide. It was a cool little cave backlit by the sun coming down from the ocean surface. The rest got the clue and came through. Overall great dive. I'd go with them next time I'm in Kauai, and you should too. read more

Had an awesome dive trip with Nick and Anthony today, small group, expert local knowledge, professional dive master and boat captain! Accurate information on the website. I recommend them for your Kauai dive experience! read more

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I can't say enough great things about Nick & Jessie's operation. If I could give them more stars I would. Our whole family - older teens and adults - agree these were the best days of our holiday. They are very professional and yet so so friendly. It's not a corporate "have-a-tight-schedule" feel. Easy to book and make arrangements. We did the Napali Coast tour and the off shore intro scuba. We were able to see pods of spinner dolphins, cool sea caves, that gorgeous shoreline-that tour's a must do. We'd love to go back and continue scuba diving w/ them. We did have amazing weather conditions, but Nick & Jessie made the days even more enjoyable. They shared their knowledge and love of the ocean with us, and when we go back, we'll book with them. Don't go anywhere else. read more

Jessie and Nick are very experienced dive masters who love what they do and it shows! :D They are as good as it gets for diving on Kaua'i. My favorite thing about diving with Jessie is her knowledge of both introduced and endemic species. She knows all about the critters you come across, knows how to find the ones that are a bit more elusive, and is happy to share her knowledge about them all. I'm always trying to remember all the species we saw and the facts I learned because it's nonstop learning and fun with her! It has been a while since I dove with Nick but my favorite thing about having him as a DM is his mellow and reassuring vibe. He has spent years on the south and west coasts of Kaua'i and worked with many companies before branching out on his own. It's nice to know without a doubt that with Nick and Jessie, you're in good hands! read more

This is a long overdue review. I've been out with these guys several times over the past couple of years. They are organized, professional, knowledgeable, and fun to dive with. Their gear is is notch and and they take great care of you - whether you're doing a night dive out of Koloa Landing or an (epic) all-day trio to Niihau. I alsojust completed my OAW Cert with Jessie - she made it a very fun, and very informative experience. I can't recommend them enough. read more

Explore Kauai Scuba - Jessie and Nick @ Niihau - Scuba Diving Near Me

I highly recommend spending your scuba time with Nick and Jessie. We had a blast, they did t rush anyone or anything and got to see some really cool stuff off the coast of Kauai. If your looking for a good value, relaxed scuba trip while you're on the island this is the team to go with! read more

What an amazing experience! Nick and Jessie were the best! They have a great thing going with this company- I will recommend to anyone who wants to dive on Kauai!! Thanks so much! read more

A few weeks before our Scuba trip, Jesse called us to let us know that the water might be muddy, due to the recent flooding. We decided to keep the booking just in case. She just called again a few days before our trip and confirmed that it will likely be muddy and not a great experience for us, and gave us option to cancel and get a full refund. And also gave us some good alternatives, e.g. NoPali coast boat trip, as well as best places to snorkel. They are trustworthy people. We'll be sure to try them again on our next Kauai trip! read more

Nick and Jessie are the best instructors to dive with!! They are very friendly and professional and their knowledge of the marine life and diving is unmatched. They are both very kind and patient and I felt very safe while diving with them. I don't like things touching my face so having the mask and regulator pressed against it gave me anxiety but Nick helped me stay calm and was very reassuring. He helped me get the hang of diving and in no time I forgot about the anxiety and was enjoying the dive! Nick and Jessie both had incredible knowledge of the ocean creatures and were able to tell me exactly what each fish was that I pointed out. They were able to show us animals that were hidden in the rocks that I would have easily missed had they not pointed them out. This dive with them solidified my plans to get PADI certified when I get back home and gave me a new love of and appreciation for the ocean, diving, and nature. If I end up back in Kauai, I will definitely dive with them again! read more

Absolutely the best charter on the island. Nick and Jessie go out of their way with every aspect of the charter. Both are great people with incredible experience and passion for what they do. Jessie is an EXCELLENT DM. We have been diving with her for years and she certified my husband and I 4 years ago. She is incredibly patient, confident, relaxed and great at spotting everything in the water. We did 6 dives this trip with them including an unexpected trip to Niihau today. Many memories were made on their charters and I am sure many more to come! read more

EKS is an awesome diving company that has numerous sites to choose from! They work with all kinds of divers from the newbie to experienced, have great snacks during rest stops, and an abundance of knowledge about the area! Highly recommend!! read more

Explore Kauai Scuba - Our awesome diving crew! Nick and Jessie! - Scuba Diving Near Me

Whether you're a more experienced diver (like my husband and sons) or a true beginner (like myself), Jessie & Nick are THE instructors you want to dive with in Kauai! They are both super friendly, professional, patient and passionate not only about being diving instructors, but also about the environment and the amazing underwater biodiversity. The instructions were super clear, equipment in perfect shape, snacks yummy; the shore dive adventure was the perfect intro to the rich underwater world and Jessie was the ideal host to introduce us the numerous types of fish, particularly endemic ones, corals, & turtles. We highly recommend Jessie & Nick and we cannot wait to get back to Kauai & dive again with Explore Kauai Scuba! read more

My friend and I just finished up a two tank discover dive in Koloa Landing. Driving up to the parking lot they had all of our gear laid out ready to go. Jessie did a superb job of walking us through the basics of scuba diving, answering all of our questions, and making sure we were comfortable. When we did our first dive Jessie did an amazing job of ferreting out rare and endemic species to the island and pointing them out to us - writing the names on an underwater white-board etch-a-sketch. In between dives they had delicious fresh fruits and nuts to snack on while they preparing the equipment for the next dive. On our second dive we saw sleeping large turtles, octopi, "bait balls" (large schools of fish), and amazingly colorful fish like in Finding Nemo. Apparently there was a shark too, but we just missed seeing it! Overall I'd give Explore Kauai Scuba an A+ read more

Today we dove/dived Mana Crack, not only was the diving epic but the crew, Nick and Jessie, were knowledgeable about the local wildlife history and the geography of Kaua'i. Living here I have the choice of many dive charters and by far Explore Kauai Scuba is my top choice. read more

We squeezed in a morning of diving during a busy Kauai trip with another (not scuba certified) couple. We ended up being the only couple on the boat, we're so grateful they don't cancel trips because we had plans with the other couple the whole rest of the week! Nick was our dive master and he was great. Professional but relaxed and low key. We have less than 20 dives logged, and he was able to match the dives to our skill level. He pointed out interesting creatures throughout the whole dive and genuinely seemed to enjoy his work as much as we enjoyed the dive. If we return to Kauai, we'll dive with Explore Kauai, and specifically with Nick, again! read more

I went out on several guided dives with Explore Kauai Scuba and hands down this is probably the best i've ever done. Our Dive Master, Nick, was fantastic. He took the time to do a nice pre-dive orientation and go over the various fish and wildlife we were gonna see down there and he took the time to share his excitement and passion for diving and the site, as well as all the amazing beasties. In between dives he had bottled water, fresh fruit, and other snacks for us. His care and service went way above and beyond any other dive tour i've taken. I would HIGHLY recommend diving with Nick and the folks at Explore Kauai Scuba! read more

Yes, this is a relatively new business and that almost made me not book dives with them for our trip to Kauai. Am I glad I went ahead and chose Explore Kauai Scuba. There were a few reviews on another travel site, all 5 star, and no reviews on Yelp. After talking to them several times (mostly with Nick their instructor/dive master/partner in the business), I booked four dives with them. Nick really knows the spots around Kauai and showed me and my wife critters that are only found in Hawaii/Kauai. Hawaiian SCUBA is thought to be less spectacular than other spots, such as the Caribbean. While it's true there are no tube sponges or lots of soft corals, the underwater scenery and sea life here is awesome. Nick took us to some sites at least as spectacular as those off Grand Cayman. Their rental gear is new and one, reasonable rental fee includes a dive computer! NITROX is also available. Safety is their foremost concern. Sites are selected based on the experience of the divers, wind, weather, currents and visibility. They do a great job. The boat is a Zodiac-style, but larger with a metal hull, and powered by twin Yamaha 150s. It screams if necessary. Entry is a backward roll (easy to do) and getting back into the boat is easy using a custom built aluminum ladder. This boat can get into sites others cannot. Dive trips take up to six divers so we never felt lost in a crowd. I did find out that dives are not cancelled if the boat isn't full. Waimea is about an hour drive from Kapaa, but don't let that stop you, especially if Niihau is your dive destination. From where they leave, Niihau is a half hour boat ride instead of the two hour one from other, more south and eastern locations. On our dives Nick took us over mountains of hard corals where thousands of fish were grazing and schooling. He took us under an arch where hundreds of fish were hiding out. Nick even coaxed a large white tip reef shark to come out and play. I've been diving more than forty years and these were some of the most interesting of any. Oh, Nick also carries an underwater slate so he can write the names of the things you're seeing. If you're looking to dive, Explore Kauai Scuba is a very solid choice. read more

Went on two boat dives with Nick, Dennis and Ederay. They brought us to some amazing dive sites! One of the more amazing dive sites was Mana Crack. Mana Crack is an incredible ancient barrier reef and has a lot of beautiful and rare fish living on it. Nick knows this reef well and was able to show us some of the amazing marine life there. As they leave out of Kikiaola small boat harbor they are able to get to Na Pali Coast and some of the other dive sites like Mana crack quicker than those that leave out of Port Allen. We also got to see some of the Na Pali coast which is amazing in itself. They also provide a delicous gourmet lunch with fresh fruit and deli sandwiches. If you can afford to pay a little extra upgrade to the full Na Pali adventure tour. It may cost a little more but in addition to have an amazing dive adventure you also get to see the full Na Pali coast and even land at the ancient Hawaiian fishing village!! This is a special tour that you can not get anywhere else and it is worth the extra cost! An experience of a lifetime that you will cherish forever! read more

If you're considering a dive, you definitively want to dive with Nick & Jessie! They're the best! Patients is key when diving with first timers and I'm a first timer. I was scared but Jessie's patients & knowledge of diving put me at ease. I felt very comfortable and safe diving with her. I'm super impressed with her and Nicks knowledge of the ocean life. I will and have already recommended both Nick and Jessie to friends and family. Thank you both, can't wait to do it again! read more

Best dive company in Hawaii! I'd give 6 stars if I could! Nick is an amazing guide, wonderful person. This is the best diving experience I've ever had. Prices are very reasonable as well. Nick knows the names of nearly every critter and he brings a slate so he can id them for you. Try the night dives, so a whole different array of animals. Wonderful experience! read more

wow - what a day! I have been asked to scuba a few times by friends, but something about the professional yet low key approach of Explore Kauai Scuba made me say "yes" this time around! And I am very grateful I did. Nick was extremely attentive from the moment we got started - taking his time explaining the (very simple) rules of the game - to checking in with me frequently while we were under water to make sure I was "a-OK". I felt secure and confident every step of the way. Nick's knowledge of sea life was incredible and took the experience to the next level. He knew the names of every creature, seemed to know where they lived, and brought a waterproof "etch-a-sketch" to write underwater notes to tell us what we were looking at. It really did enrich the whole experience. We saw breathtaking wildlife and learned about what they were/why they were special along the way. I loved how it was clear that Nick didn't just do scuba for a job - he is passionate about the technique, sport, and sea world that we have the privilege to explore! Lastly, Nick did a great job balancing skill level - I was with someone who had been before (it was my first time) and he was able to balance this perfectly. If you're going to go scuba in Kauai - do it with Explore Kauai Scuba! read more

We did the 2 tank shore dive off of Koloa with Nick. He was very patient ant took the time to explain everything really well. He showed us before hand what we would see which really helped during our dive. The dive was amazing. We saw sea turtles, red dragon eals, a frog fish, and lots of fish. read more

Nick took my 13 year old daughter and I out for two shore dives and we could not have had a better time. He was extremely patient, well prepared and knowledgeable. I would recommend Nick to anyone. We needed one more dive to complete our open water certification and he was just great. After, he took care of all of the paper work with PADI and completed our certification. Nick is the best. read more