files.hawaii.gov · Official Guide
State mooring guide for the broader Kewalo Pipe system, including pipe depth range, marine life, boat traffic, current, and south-swell cautions.
Dive Spot Guide•
Cherry Pipe
Macro pipe-and-reef dive with shrimp, nudibranchs, and eels.
Boat dive on the third Kewalo Pipe mooring, best for slow macro hunting in moderate depth with tide, traffic, and swell awareness.
About Cherry Pipe
Cherry Pipe is the third outflow-pipe mooring farthest from shore along the broader Kewalo Pipe system off south Oahu, known as a macro-focused dive where the pipe and adjacent reef hold dense small life. The draw is not a dramatic wall or wreck profile but a slow hunt along coral-covered structure, where shrimp, nudibranchs, eels, and small reef fish use the pipe and nearby ledges as shelter. This is a boat-access dive best treated as a patient close-up exploration rather than a fast swim. Conditions are often manageable for experienced beginners, but the site still sits in south-shore water influenced by tides, harbor traffic, and seasonal south swell, so it is more comfortable when seas are calmer and visibility is settled.
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Research Estimate At Cherry Pipe
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 15m
AccessModerate entry effort
CoralMixed health
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesBasic facilities
CurrentLight current
Where Is Cherry Pipe?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Cherry Pipe Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
9m - 19m
Depth Note
Cherry Pipe is described as the third mooring on the Kewalo Pipe line, with the broader pipe system ranging from roughly 20 to 70 feet and Cherry Pipe listed around 19 meters maximum depth.
Best Season
Cherry Pipe can be dived year-round, but calmer winter through spring periods are often the easiest for visibility and surface comfort. Summer south swell can affect south-facing Oahu sites more often.
Typical Conditions
Usually a moderate-depth pipe-and-reef dive with workable visibility, mild to moderate current around tide changes, and nearby harbor traffic that matters more than heavy surf.
Safety & Access At Cherry Pipe
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Boat traffic
Safety Notes
Use a dive flag and stay aware of boat traffic near Kewalo Basin approaches. Tide changes can increase current along the pipe, and the structure itself is better explored from the outside than by attempting to enter tight sections.
Access Restrictions
Cherry Pipe is normally dived by boat from south Oahu operators. Shore access to the broader pipe exists, but local guides generally recommend boat diving because of traffic and the site’s position off the harbor area.
Local Intel For Cherry Pipe
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Cherry Pipe is best for slow scuba passes along the pipe and adjacent reef, with macro attention and buoyancy control more important than covering long distance.
Freediving
Cherry Pipe is generally not a routine casual freedive site because it is usually approached by boat and the main interest sits deeper along the pipe structure.
Wildlife at Cherry Pipe
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Cherry Pipe
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Cherry Pipe
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility15m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
