What to Expect
Pelagic Marine Life Program
Our Pelagic Programs start when you board one of One Ocean Divingʻs research and dive vessels. Our boats will dock at the commercial loading zone of Haleiwa Harbor (closest to Haleiwa Joe's Restaurant) near the white scaffolding/fish scale about 25ft away from out Blue OneOceanDiving kiosk.
****COVID UPDATE****Please wait by the blue OneOceanDiving Kiosk until the previous group has disembarked, we need to sanitize the boat between trips but we can get you started with signing your waivers while we wipe everything down.****
The Pelagic shark snorkel tour is 1 hour and 40 minutes long and consists of a highly educational presentation on your way to and from the natural shark aggregation & snorkel site! You will then get in the water with your safety diver where you will experience first hand how beautiful and amazing the Hawaiian ocean and share really are. We believe you will walk away with a new found respect for marine ecology and conservation. Keep an eye out for turtles, whales, dolphins, and more on the way in and out, those are not guaranteed but its the ocean :) so they are around.
Take a look at our map below or go to our "Find the Boat" page to find specifics on where to meet us!
When arriving to Haleiwa Boat Harbor - please wait at the blue “One Ocean Diving” kiosk near to Haleiwa Joes Restaurant. If you are the first tour of the day, the kiosk may not be open yet and the crew will meet you at the boat that pulls up right across from the kiosk five to fifteen minutes before departure time.
The Pelagic Snorkel tour starts when you board a One Ocean Diving & Research vessel. Your guides will welcome you onboard and assist you with fitting your fins, mask and snorkel. We have ample storage in the boats for any items you wish to keep dry. Before departure, your Captain will give a safety briefing including important information about the vessel and emergency protocol in case of the unlikely event of an accident/injury.
Keep in mind you are several hundred thousand times more likely to be injured on the drive to the harbor than during your pelagic experience and time in the open ocean, so drive carefully and arrive early so you dont need to stress about making the boat that does leave on time.
During the short 15-30 minute trip out to the survey/snorkel site, your marine biologist and safety diver will educate you about shark behavior, biology, physiology, our current research, and how to safely and respectfully interact with sharks. They will discuss what to do in the unlikely event of an adverse approach or presence of agonistic body language.
You will learn what types of marine animals you could potentially see both near and offshore, how to tell the difference between species of sharks, determine gender and how biology/physiology effects their behavior.
Your safety diver will also discuss how your behavior effects shark behavior, how weather and seasons effect the animal's behavior and how it can effect your specific trip.
We share information about the significance of Manō and Honu in Hawaiian and Polynesian culture and how to contribute to or support the ID program.
The "Safety Rules and Guidelines" will be shared again within the last five minutes prior to getting into the water so it is fresh in your mind. But please ask your crew if you are unsure.
Subject to weather disclaimer:
If you are booked later in the day please be advised that afternoon charters do have a higher chance of cancellation due to strong winds making for rougher seas, so please have alternative plans in mind in the event we need to cancel due to unsafe conditions. If you can go on an earlier time please send us a text message to let us know: Text +1-808-649-0018
Please note that we do guarantee that you will see sharks in the water (unless you signed up for only the ride-along) however going into winter we cannot guarantee how much time you will have in the water. Safety is our top priority and depending on environmental factors such as how rough the surface waters are the safety divers can make the call to have a rotation (have people take turns in-water.). Please expect that if surface conditions are very rough or if the animals are needing their space back (many coming very close) that you may be asked to do rotations of fewer people in the water for safety considerations and your comfort. If you are a strong swimmer and want more time in the water please volunteer to go in on the first and last rotation. Please remember we operate in deep open ocean over three miles offshore with apex predators and your safety is our #1 priority. If you want to increase your chances of getting more time in the water please book onto an earlier time or on a day with very light winds. (Large surf and rain do not affect the charter much so we do not cancel for large surf or rain, only for strong winds.)
