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Dive Spot Guide•
Nautilus Reef
Offshore lava-field reef off Ala Moana with mooring lines and shark life.
4/5
1 dive 1 diverLocal operator required
Most visits are run as guided boat dives through local Oahu operators.
Easy boat dive over a lava-field reef with two mooring lines, a shallow north side, and a deeper south side; good for beginners on calm days.
About Nautilus Reef
Nautilus Reef is an offshore lava-field reef just outside Ala Moana, shaped by mooring-line access and a clear split between its easy north side and deeper south side. The reef’s overhangs, ledges, coral corridors, and shark-nap ledges make it a rewarding boat dive for beginners and experienced divers who want a clean, high-structure Oahu reef.
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Research + Early Community Signal At Nautilus Reef
Conservative research baseline blended with 1 dive by 1 diver.
VisibilityVisibility: 24m
AccessSimple entry
CoralHealthy coral
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesGood facilities
CurrentLight current
SurgeModerate surge
Where Is Nautilus Reef?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Nautilus Reef Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
9.1m - 30.5m
Depth Note
Two mooring lines sit around 30 and 40 ft, while the south side drops to about 100 ft.
Best Season
Year-round, with summer typically clearest.
Typical Conditions
Easy-to-read lava-field reef with overhangs and ledges; the shallow north side suits newer divers while the south side rewards more experienced teams.
Safety & Access At Nautilus Reef
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Overhead environment
Safety Notes
Keep to the assigned line, be honest about ear equalization, and treat the south-side drop-off with respect.
Access Restrictions
Boat-access reef just offshore from Ala Moana; the mooring-line setup controls the easier and deeper routes.
Legal Notes
No special legal restriction surfaced; use the boat operator’s site briefing and the mooring-line setup.
Local Intel For Nautilus Reef
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Easy boat reef with a shallow entry line and a more advanced south-side drop-off for divers who want extra structure.
Freediving
Freediving works best on the shallow north or center mooring line on calm days.
Snorkeling
Snorkel is limited to the shallowest edges; this is more naturally a freedive or scuba site.
Wildlife at Nautilus Reef
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Nautilus Reef
1 community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Nautilus Reef
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility24m
Activity
Total Logs1
Unique Divers1
