6 hours · 7 am Mon, Fri, Sat · Certified, ages 14+
Lanai Cathedrals, 2 Tank Boat Dive
Lava arches and caverns across the channel, snacks aboard.
| Certified diver | $269 |
|---|
Editorial spotlight · 1223 Front Street, Lahaina
2026 Golden Lei Awards nomineeBest Dive Operator
Dive Maui
A dive shop on Front Street that has kept going through the worst of Lahaina's recent years. Dive Maui is run by CJ Kessler, who learned to dive at the shop as a kid, and her partner Nichlas Holm. The boat trip to the Lanai Cathedrals is the one to book; the shore dives, the night dive and the winter whale watches fill in the rest.
- Lanai Cathedrals
- $269
- Shore dive from
- $140
- Tripadvisor
- 4.9
- Lahaina rank
- #2 of 150
Editorial spotlight. Dive Maui is a nominee in the 2026 Golden Lei Awards. They did not pay for this page and had no say in it. We earn a commission when you book through the links here; your price is the same.
The company
Learned to dive here, came back to run it
CJ Kessler learned to dive at Dive Maui as a kid and worked there on school breaks. She went on to dive in Thailand, qualified as a PADI Divemaster and Instructor in Indonesia, and met Nichlas Holm there; the two came back to Maui in August 2018 and own the shop now. The shop's line is that people protect what they love. The operator lists Scuba Diving Magazine Readers' Choice recognition from 2018, and Lanai Cathedrals as a Top 100 Gold Site that year.
After the August 2023 Lahaina fire the team posted that everyone was safe and pointed visitors to community aid. The shop's own pages say it has had to limit its tour list since, citing lost vessels and an instructor housing shortage. The boats that run are Hoku, a 37-foot rigid-hull inflatable for up to 22, and Seahawk, a 27-foot aluminum boat for six. Several boat trips and courses are marked unavailable for now.
“We believe people protect what they love.”
Owner
CJ Kessler
Owner
Nichlas Holm
Instructor
Renee Street
Instructor
Abbi Nulty
Instructor
Scott Scharmer
Names and titles as listed on the shop's About page. Reviews also name Joe, Matt, Brooke and Stephen.
The one to book
Lanai Cathedrals two-tank boat dive
Six hours on the boat across the channel to Lanai, with two dives among the lava arches and caverns that made the Cathedrals a Top 100 site, and snacks between. Meet at the shop at 7 am; the trip runs Monday, Friday and Saturday and gets back around 12:30 to 1. Certified divers only, ages 14 and up, with nitrox available for a fee.
The operator lists a snorkeler fare for this trip; check the booking page for it. Gear is rented item by item.
| Certified diver | $269 |
|---|
Checked against FareHarbor on September 30, 2026. The shop's own site lists a lower figure; the booking price is what applies.
Check AvailabilityThe boats
Hoku and Seahawk
Two boats, picked by season and group size. Whale watches run on a small fast boat.
Hoku
- Type
- 37 ft rigid-hull inflatable
- Guests
- Up to 22
- Use
- Lanai and channel crossings
Seahawk
- Type
- 27 ft aluminum
- Guests
- Up to 6
- Use
- Small groups, chosen by season
Book it
Trips
Per person. Only trips with open dates at this check are listed. Checked against FareHarbor on September 30, 2026.
3 hours · 8 am and 12:30 pm daily · Ages 10+
Discover Scuba from Shore
A first dive with an instructor, all gear included; complete the PADI eLearning first.
| Adult | $140 |
|---|---|
| Child | $140 |
2.5 hours · Evening · Certified
Night Dive from Shore
Dates are limited; five open in October at this check.
| Certified diver | $140 |
|---|
2 hours · Mid-December to April · Ages 3+
Whale Watch, 2 hours
Hydrophone, naturalist narration, ponchos and water from Mala Ramp.
| Adult | $85 |
|---|---|
| Child | $60 |
| Private charter | $1,300 |
Guided turtle and shark shore dives run daily at 7:30 am from the shop. Molokini, the wreck, the hammerhead drift and the PADI courses are not open for booking at this check.
Before you go
Know before you go
Where to check in
The shop at 1223 Front Street, Lahaina. Whale watches leave from Mala Ramp. Parking is the small lot in front of the shop, with overflow across the street and at Lahaina Cannery Mall.
Certification
Boat dives need a card. Discover Scuba needs no experience, but the PADI eLearning must be done first and a medical form signed. Lanai Cathedrals is ages 14 and up.
Bring
Swimsuit, towel and reef-safe sunscreen. Gear is included on Discover Scuba and rented by the item on boat dives.
Whale watch
Season runs from mid-December. The operator guarantees sightings or a free return trip; ages 3 and up.
Cancellation
48 hours on all dives, medical reasons included; 24 hours on whale watches. No weather policy is posted.
Reviews
What guests say
- 4.9Tripadvisor2,020 reviews as of September 30, 2026
- #2of 150Boat tours and water sports in Lahaina, Tripadvisor
- 2018Readers' ChoiceScuba Diving Magazine, per the operator
Reviewers write about patient instructors, small groups with real attention, plenty of turtles and reef life, and a strong focus on safety. The one recurring note is that getting in and out of the water at the shore sites can be tricky.
Questions
Good to know
Is Dive Maui open after the fire?
Yes. Shore dives, the Lanai Cathedrals boat dive and whale watches take bookings. Some boat trips and courses are unavailable while the shop rebuilds its schedule.
Do I need to be certified?
For boat dives, yes. Discover Scuba is for first-timers, ages 10 and up, after a short PADI eLearning and a medical form.
What does it cost?
Lanai Cathedrals $269, Discover Scuba from shore $140, night dive $140, whale watch $85 adult and $60 child. Checked September 30, 2026.
Is there a whale guarantee?
The operator guarantees sightings or a free return trip. Season dates on the shop's pages vary slightly; dates here open in mid-December.
Where do I meet?
The shop on Front Street, at 1223 Front Street. Whale watches leave from Mala Ramp.
Dive the Cathedrals
Small-group boat and shore dives from Lahaina.
Check Availability