DiveJourneyDiveJourney

Wildlife · Destination Guide

Kauai

Lava caverns, summer runs to Niihau, and year-round reef life on the Garden Isle

Updated Oct 30, 2025 • 20 sources

View On Map

Wildlife In Kauai

Browse the full species list linked to approved dive spots in Kauai.

Green sea turtle ( Chelonia mydas ), Moorea, French Polynesia
Turtles

Green Turtle

Chelonia mydas

9 linked spots

gray snake photography
Rays

Moray Eel

7 linked spots

Photo of Whitetip Reef Shark
Sharks

Whitetip Reef Shark

Triaenodon obesus

5 linked spots

Photo of Surgeonfish
Saltwater Fishes

Surgeonfish

Acanthuridae

4 linked spots

crab on rock
Crustaceans

Crab

3 linked spots

Gestreifter Adlerrochen ( Pteromylaeus bovinus )
Rays

Eagle Ray

3 linked spots

Photo of Octopus
Molluscs

Octopus

3 linked spots

a fish that is swimming in the water
Saltwater Fishes

Barracuda

2 linked spots

a close up of a sea anemone on the ocean floor
Saltwater Fishes

Frogfish

2 linked spots

Photo of Snapper
Saltwater Fishes

Snapper

2 linked spots

a blue and white fish in an aquarium
Saltwater Fishes

Triggerfish

2 linked spots

Photo of Wrasse
Saltwater Fishes

Wrasse

2 linked spots

a yellow and black spotted fish in an aquarium
Saltwater Fishes

Boxfish

Ostraciidae (family)

1 linked spot

A fish that is sitting in the sand
Saltwater Fishes

Butterfly Fish

1 linked spot

Great white shark at Isla Guadalupe, Mexico, August 2006. Shot with Nikon D70s in Ikelite housing, in natural light. Animal estimated at 11-12 feet (3.3 to 3.6 m) in length, age unknown.
Sharks

Great White Shark

Carcharodon carcharias

1 linked spot

Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) Image ID: corl0207, NOAA's Coral Kingdom Collection Location: Pacific Remote Islands, Kingman Reef Photo Date: 2015 Photographer: Kevin Lino NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC/ESD
Sharks

Grey Reef Shark

Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos

1 linked spot

Photo of Guitarfish
Rays

Guitarfish

1 linked spot

Red lionfish (Pterois volitans) near Gilli Banta Island (near Komodo, Indonesia)
Saltwater Fishes

Lionfish

1 linked spot

Photo of Panther Moray Eel (Dragon Eel)
Rays

Panther Moray Eel (Dragon Eel)

Enchelycore pardalis

1 linked spot

Photo of Pufferfish
Saltwater Fishes

Pufferfish

Tetraodontidae

1 linked spot

Photo of Shrimp
Crustaceans

Shrimp

1 linked spot

Photo of Tuna
Saltwater Fishes

Tuna

1 linked spot