Best Shark Cage Diving Tour in Oahu: Unleash Your Wild Side

Oh, the thrill of being up close and personal with one of nature’s most powerful predators!

There’s nothing quite like shark cage diving to get your blood pumping and create an unforgettable experience. My boyfriend and I are absolute water adventure enthusiasts, always on the hunt for that next exciting escapade. And let me tell you, shark cage diving in Oahu has been one of our favorite aquatic adventures so far!

You might be wondering: what makes shark cage diving in Oahu so special? Well, besides being surrounded by crystal clear waters teeming with fascinating marine life – including whales, turtles, dolphins – it offers the unique opportunity to safely come face-to-face with various species of sharks. From Galapagos to Sandbar and even the elusive Tiger sharks, our encounters have left us speechless (and slightly out of breath).

Now, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time researching and experiencing different tours available on this beautiful island paradise. The goal? To ensure you can find the perfect tour without breaking a sweat or worrying about making a wrong choice.

Warning: You may become addicted to this adrenaline-pumping activity after trying any (or all) of these top-notch tours!

So strap on your snorkel mask and dive into my carefully curated list of the best shark cage diving experiences in Oahu! Let’s ride this wave together towards an unforgettable oceanic adventure!

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#1 Shark Cage Diving On “The World Famous North Shore of Oahu”, Hawaii

Duration: 2 hours (approx.)

Address: Haleiwa Shark Tours 66-105 Haleiwa Rd, Haleiwa, HI 96712

The best shark cage experience on Oahu is with The World Famous North Shore of Oahu dive tour. This locally owned and run tour is great for those wanting to shark dive for the first time, or those more experienced.

The crew is very knowledgeable and focused on safety. They provide detailed instructions, snorkeling equipment, all the gear, and even bottled water. They are so friendly, they even provide emotional support (for those who get boat sick!) We booked well ahead, and everything was as planned. We got full use of our time, and the spot they picked had a lot of sharks. You could see a lot of the sharks right off the boat.

Our tour had only 6 guests, so it felt intimate and a lot of attention was focused on us. It also allowed us plenty of time in the water. They even have the option to take underwater pictures and videos while you are in the cage. This made a great gift for us.

Shark Cage Diving On “The World Famous North Shore of Oahu” is the best tour because:

The instructors are approachable, friendly, and helpful.
The groups are small, allowing everyone plenty of time in the water with the sharks.
The spot they chose is amazing, because there were so many sharks, you can see them right off the boat.
You can have them take underwater pictures and videos as part of your tour.

#2 Oahu Shark Dive

Duration: 2 hours (approx.)

Address: 66-101 Haleiwa Rd, Haleiwa, HI 96712 (Haleiwa Harbor on Oahu’s north shore)

This tour is run by a great expert crew that gives great instruction and focuses on safety. The tour can be done by anyone, regardless of experience. The tour guides provide all the necessary snorkeling equipment, all you need to bring is a towel. Even for those who get seasick, the staff is understanding and helpful.

The ride out to the cage is very relaxing and enjoyable. We even saw some green turtles on the way (the guide was skilled at spotting them). He told us that they always see humpback whales in the winter months. They went over all the procedures again and guaranteed we would see sharks up close or we would get our money back!

The spot where we were lowered into the cage already had some sharks visible right from the boat. The guide explained how to recognize Galapagos, Hammerhead, and Sandbar sharks which are the most common. Once lowered into the water I counted over 10 sharks around me. Because our group wasn’t too big (about 10 people) we had plenty of time in the water.

Oahu Shark Dive operated by North Shore Shark Adventures is one of the best because:

The staff is incredibly well-trained, professional, and experienced. They are focused on safety.
They guarantee that you will see sharks! And if you are like most people you will see many sharks!
There’s a good chance to spot whales, turtles, and even dolphins on the boat ride to and from the shark cage.
The groups are usually about 12 people, so there is plenty of time for everyone to dive and experience the adventure.

#3 Shark Cage Diving In Oahu

Duration: 2 hours (approx.)

Address: Hawaii Shark Encounters, 66-105 Haleiwa Rd. Haleiwa, HI 96712 (Haleiwa Boat Harbor)

This is a great first-time shark tour, especially for those with reservations about meeting a shark face to face. In fact, this is an activity even suitable for older children. They use large poly glass windows to let you watch the sharks from a cage tight under the surface of the water. Scuba gear is provided.

When we did the tour we encountered both Galapagos and Sandbar sharks (although we were hoping to see the rare tiger shark), some were quite large. The tour had a great stable boat, and they only did groups of 9 guests. This meant we had much more time inside the cage than with some companies that to up to 15 people per tour!

The staff is highly professional and navigates the waters perfectly. Even when it is windy, I felt safe with them. They also give great instructions and check in with each guest. When we did the tour, they didn’t have a photographing and taping package deal, I hope they have changed that. The experience is so unbelievable and breathtaking it needs to be photographed.

Shark Cage Diving in Oahu with Hawaii Shark Encounters is an incredible experience because:

They have super safe cages with poly glass windows suitable for larger children.
The staff is professional, incredibly knowledgeable, and helpful. You don’t need the experience to do this tour.
You will be able to see multiple types of sharks including Galapagos and Sandbar sharks.
Tour sizes are smaller than most, giving you more time in the water.

#4 Haleiwa Shark Cage Dive

Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours (approx.)

Address: Real Hawaii Tours, 1366 Mokolea Dr, Kailua, HI, 96734

This is a great tour, especially for those with a busy schedule or last-minute openings. They do many tours each day, so sometimes you can get a spot quickly due to cancelations. Also, each tour only has 6 passengers, which assures you get a lot more time in the water. I would argue that we spent the most time in the water during this tour.

We spotted several types of sharks including Galapagos, Hammerhead, and Sandbar sharks. Some were very large (which got my adrenalin going)!

The tour guides are super friendly and approachable (even if you are getting nervous!) They have a strong focus on safety and give great instructions. Not much experience is needed to do this tour, thanks to them! They also have a lot of information about authentic practices and the relationship of Hawaiian people to the sharks. The stories they tell are truly authentic and one of a kind.

They also offer a private charter option that can for up to 12 or more passengers, which is great for an extended adventure with friends. We always prefer to do the morning shark tours, but they also offer tours in the afternoon. I think the last tour out is around 4 pm.

Don’t miss out on the Haleiwa Shark Cage Dive because:

They have many available tours each day, so they can work perfectly with your schedule.
They also have some last-minute availability options and private tours.
We were able to do a tour with only 6 guests, which gave us plenty of time in the water.
We got to see many sharks of varying sizes including Galapagos, Hammerhead, and Sandbar sharks.
The staff was professional, well trained and they had great focus on safety.
They offer an authentic and native feeling to their trips by sharing traditions with the tourists.

Conclusion on the Best Shark Cage Tours on Oahu

Oahu is a tropical paradise that also provides adventure and adrenaline! Asides from the breathtaking waterfalls, jungles, and beaches, the oceans are rich with tropical creatures.

The best of which is the abundant sharks!

Check out my list of the best shark cage tours and have unforgettable adrenaline-filled adventures. These picks are suitable for couples, families with children, and groups, so make sure you don’t miss out.

Whether you are looking for an authentic outing with Hawaiian natives, or just a professional and caring crew I have your pick. Try to do more than one dive if you can. Otherwise, whatever dive you choose, you won’t be disappointed.

So take a swim with the majestic Galapagos, Sandbar, Scalloped Hammer-head, and Tiger sharks of Oahu – and send us back pictures!

Enjoy your trip! We sure enjoyed ours!

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Last Updated on April 8, 2023 by Brigitte