Booking choice: The Atlantis submarine dive, from $160 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
If you are island-hopping, you can choose where to do your submarine dive. All three are run by Atlantis Adventures, all last about 45 minutes underwater with a shuttle boat out, and all require passengers to be 36 inches tall and able to climb a near-vertical ladder.
The differences are the size of the sub, how natural the reef is, and how easy the check-in is to reach.
The quick answer
Maui dives over the Carthaginian II wreck and natural reef off Lahaina, and rates highest (4.8). Kona dives over a natural reef off Kailua-Kona in a 48-seat sub (4.7). Waikiki has the biggest sub, 64 seats, over artificial reefs made of sunken ships and planes, and rates lowest (4.4) but is the easiest to reach from a Waikiki hotel.
How do the three Atlantis submarines compare?
Maui is the best rated, Kona has the most natural reef, and Waikiki has the biggest sub and the easiest check-in.
| Maui (Lahaina) | Oahu (Waikiki) | Big Island (Kona) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check-in | 116 Prison St, Lahaina | Hilton Hawaiian Village beachfront | King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel |
| Submarine | 48 seats | Atlantis XIV, 64 seats | 48 seats |
| Main sights | Carthaginian II wreck, natural reef | Artificial reefs: sunken ships, plane wreckage | Natural coral reef |
| Depth | About 100 to 130 ft | About 100 ft | About 100 ft |
| Rating | 4.8 (826) | 4.4 (1,347) | 4.7 (759) |
| From (adult) | $160 | $168 | $160 |
| Hotel pickup | No | No | No |
On Maui now? The Lahaina dive is the best rated of the three and cancels free up to 24 hours before.
Check dates for the Atlantis submarine diveWhat makes the Maui submarine different?
The wreck: the Carthaginian II, a 1920 schooner sunk by Atlantis in 2005, sits upright on the sand next to natural reef off Puamana.
It is rated 4.8 from 826 reviews, the highest of the three. The downsides are logistics: no pickup, paid parking, and a harbor that is still a construction zone after the 2023 fire, with a reduced mid-2026 schedule of five days a week. More in what you see on the Maui submarine.
What is the Oahu (Waikiki) submarine like?
The biggest of the three, Atlantis XIV with 64 seats, diving off Waikiki over artificial reefs rather than natural coral.
Atlantis has sunk several structures there to create habitat, including a former Navy yard oiler (YO-257), the San Pedro and airplane wreckage. Atlantis itself has said, replying to a guest review, that Waikiki has very sparse natural reef. Check-in is at a beachfront kiosk at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, 20 minutes before the dive.
Staying in Waikiki? The biggest Atlantis sub leaves from the Hilton Hawaiian Village beach.
Explore the Waikiki Atlantis submarineWhat is the Kona submarine like?
A 48-seat sub over a natural coral reef off Kailua-Kona, in a one-hour tour with about 45 minutes underwater.
A Kona concierge listing describes a 25-acre natural reef garden formed on old lava flows. You check in at the Atlantis office inside the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel 30 minutes before; the shuttle boat ride is about 5 minutes each way, and an all-day parking validation costs $10 at check-in. Rated 4.7 from 759 reviews.
Heading to the Big Island? The Kona dive is a one-hour tour from the heart of Kailua-Kona.
Explore the Kona Atlantis submarineWhich island has the best reef?
For natural reef, Kona; for a mix of wreck and reef, Maui; Waikiki is mostly artificial reef.
Guests on all three report sharks, rays and dolphins on good days, and complain about quiet days on all three. The sea floor is what really differs, so pick the one whose scenery appeals most.
Which is easiest to get to?
Waikiki, if you are staying there; Kona is also central, while Maui means driving to Lahaina and paying to park.
None of the three includes hotel pickup. In Waikiki you can walk from many hotels to the Hilton Hawaiian Village. In Kona the check-in is in a hotel in town. On Maui, allow about 45 minutes to an hour from Kihei or Wailea, and extra time for the walk through the harbor works.
Is one cheaper than the others?
Barely: Maui and Kona are both $160 and Waikiki $168 on Viator, and all three give children about 55% off.
On Maui, the 10% Viator offer (about $144) runs for bookings by 15 October 2026. Atlantis quoted $148 adult direct in June 2026 for Maui. See Maui submarine tickets and prices.
Should you do more than one?
Only if you love it: the ride is similar, so a second dive is worth it mainly for the different scenery.
- Only one dive: Maui for the wreck and the best reviews.
- Natural reef fan: Kona.
- Staying in Waikiki with kids: Oahu, for the easy walk and the big cabin.
- Second dive on another island: pick the one with the scenery you did not see.
Choosing Maui? The Lahaina dive is back after the fire, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check dates for the Atlantis submarine diveFrequently asked questions
How many Atlantis submarines are there in Hawaii?
Three: off Lahaina on Maui, off Waikiki on Oahu, and off Kailua-Kona on the Big Island.
Which Atlantis submarine is best?
Maui has the best rating (4.8) and the Carthaginian II wreck; Kona has the most natural reef; Waikiki has the biggest sub.
Is the Maui submarine the same as the Oahu one?
The Maui sub was brought over from Oahu after the 2023 fire destroyed the original, but it dives a different site off Lahaina.
Do the Atlantis submarines have the same rules?
Yes on the basics: 36 inches minimum height and a near-vertical ladder you climb on your own.
Ready to book
Choose your dive
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Maui Atlantis Submarine Adventure
- Open-air shuttle boat from Lahaina Harbor to the dive site and back
- About 45 minutes underwater in a battery-powered 48-passenger submarine
- Live narration by the crew; Japanese audio narration available
Kona Atlantis Submarine Adventure
Oahu Atlantis Submarine, Waikiki
Waikiki stays; the biggest sub, over artificial reefs
