For a lot of people, Maui is their dream holiday destination. This island in the Central Pacific is well-known for its incredible views, golden sand, and crystal clear waters, there is lots to love about this magnificent island.
But, for the thrill seekers among us, Maui boasts the opportunity to do something completely different. That is to dive with sharks.
Maui is actually one of the best places in the world to go diving with sharks, primarily because the warm and clear waters make diving comfortable, while also allowing you to get magnificent views of what happens beneath the water’s surface.
However, if you are thinking about diving with sharks, then you will probably want to know which company is the best to dive with.
In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best companies in Maui that offer shark diving. So keep on reading to find out.
Maui Diving
First up we have Maui Diving. Maui Diving offers diving expeditions that take place in the area surrounding what was once Mala ramp, a historic pier in Maui.
The pier was destroyed in 1992 when Hurricane Iniki hit, but what it has left behind is an incredible diving site.
In order to dive with Maui Diving it is advised that you are scuba certified, as this allows you the best experience when diving.
In the area beneath the water where Mala ramp once was, you will find a variety of aquatic creatures, including sharks.
Mala Ramp is home to a variety of different sea creatures, but the main thing that attracts divers to this site is the white tip reef sharks that reside here.
When you are scuba diving in this area, you can get up close and personal with these impressive creatures, and it truly is a once in a lifetime experience.
As well as these sharks, you will also be able to swim among green sea turtles, octopus, squid, and a variety of different fish. So, this is definitely one of the best locations in Maui to visit.
Dive Maui
Another outstanding company to consider is Dive Maui. This company offers shark dives in a totally different area of Maui to Maui Diving, and, as a result, you will be able to see different sharks on this trip.
While Maui Diving offers the opportunity to dive with white tip reef sharks, Dive Maui allows you to swim with hammerhead sharks.
Due to the times of the year when hammerhead sharks reside in Maui, this company is only able to run seasonal trips.
However, these do run throughout summer, starting in May and ending in November. So, it is only really the winter months when you will be unable to take part in this diving expedition.
This experience is truly unique. It is intimate, and you do not need to have lots of diving experience in order to take part.
Your lunch is included in the cost of the trip, and you will spend around 6 hours out on the water, with a large portion of this being spent in the sea with the Hammerheads.
If Hammerhead Sharks are a species of shark that you are desperate to swim with, Dive Maui is definitely the company to choose for your experience.
Banyan Tree Divers
Banyan Tree Divers is another company that operates out of the truly beautiful Mala Wharf area of Maui. This means that the sharks that are the main focus of this company’s trip are white tip reef sharks.
The experience that Banyan Tree Divers offers is a little different to the trip that Maui Diving runs.
While you will be seeing the same sharks and aquatic wildlife on your trip, the way in which you will experience them is different.
For the Banyan Tree Divers shark diving trip, you do not need to have any diving experience.
You also have a lot of free rein of how much time you spend in the water, as you will not need to dive that deep in order to see the sharks.
That is why this trip is the perfect option if you want to swim with sharks, but are slightly nervous about the entire experience.
If you want the ability to have control over how much time you spend in the water with the sharks, then this is the perfect trip for you!
Extended Horizons
If you are a certified scuba diver that wants to go diving with sharks because you care about the environment and conservation efforts, then Extended Horizons runs the perfect trip for you.
None of this company’s trips are specifically designed for seeing sharks. But due to the areas in which they take place, there is a very good chance that you will be able to go diving among sharks while you are underwater.
One of the eco-dives that this company runs is also centered around shark education, making it the perfect choice if you want to dive with sharks because you care about them. Not just because you are seeking a thrill.
The trips run by Extended Horizons are not suitable for everybody, purely because you must be scuba certified to participate.
They are also very different because they are not designed for thrill seekers. Instead they are designed for those who care about aquatic life. So, if this sounds like you, then this trip is the best option.
One Ocean Diving
Finally, we would recommend One Ocean Diving. This company’s tagline is “save the ocean”, and because of this a great amount of their focus is on conservation work.
Shark and aquatic wildlife populations are dwindling all over the world, so it makes sense that so many companies are now focusing on conservation.
One Ocean Diving runs a single trip that combines conservation work with the ability to dive with sharks.
As well as getting the once in a lifetime experience of being up close and personal with these magnificent creatures, you will also be able to learn about how we can help the environment.
Each of these trips is an opportunity for marine research, so you could be there when ground-breaking research is completed.
The first couple of trips that we have looked at in this guide are perfect if you just want a fun experience.
But, if you want to learn more about sharks and their natural habitats, either the One Ocean Diving or Extended Horizons trip will be perfect for you.
Buyer’s Guide
Now that we have taken a look at some of the best shark diving companies in Maui, here are some other things to consider before you book your trip.
Your Focus
As has become apparent in this guide, there are 2 main styles of shark diving that you can complete in Maui.
There are some companies that run shark diving trips purely for people to enjoy the experience, and there are some that offer these trips for conservation purposes and to raise awareness.
Before you book a trip, you need to consider what you want out of it to ensure that you end up on a trip with the right focus for you.
Price Range
Something else that is very important to think about is how much you are willing to spend on the trip.
The majority of shark diving trips will be fairly expensive simply because you are paying for a once in a lifetime experience.
However, there are some that will be considerably more expensive. This might include trips that run for a longer period of time, or trips where conservation is a larger focus than having fun.
Diving Ability
Finally, you need to think about your diving ability before you book. A lot of trips will only allow experienced, scuba certified divers to participate due to the amount of time spent in the water.
However, there are quite a few trips that are open to beginners. Before you book, it is important to consider your own diving ability, and research what a company requires to avoid disappointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maui Good For Shark Diving?
Yes, Maui is a great place for shark diving. Whether you want to swim with sharks for conservation purposes, or because you want the thrill of this experience, Maui is a great location.
As you can see from this guide, there are lots of different companies that run shark diving trips in Maui.
What Sharks Can I See in Maui?
There are a number of different sharks that occupy the waters surrounding the beautiful island of Maui.
But some of the most common sharks in these areas include sandbar, hammerhead, white tip and black tip reef sharks.
Should I Worry About Sharks in Maui?
If you have stumbled across this guide because you want to know if you will be attacked by a shark while holidaying in Maui, then you will be happy to know that there isn’t really a need to worry about this.
Statistically speaking, it is incredibly unlikely that a shark attack will occur in Maui while you are on your trip.
The beauty of sharks up close and personal is too precious to put into words - there’s nothing like it that I’ve ever experienced. Not only that, but to be in close proximity to one of the ocean’s most ferocious predators is such a thrill!
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