Island Divers Hawaii

What Island Divers Hawaii does

Island Divers Hawaii is a privately held, founder-owned scuba diving charter and training company founded in 2001 by Dr. Matthew Zimmerman and headquartered in Hawaii Kai on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The company operates six boats that launch directly from behind its shop, runs daily two-tank charters seven days a week, and offers a comprehensive service portfolio spanning introductory Discover Scuba experiences, Open Water through Instructor-level certifications across SSI, PADI, and NAUI agencies, specialty courses (Nitrox, Wreck, Night, Deep, Perfect Buoyancy, marine ecology), Divemaster internships, equipment retail/rental, and an in-house service center that also serves other dive shops.

Its customer base spans first-time visitors, certified recreational and technical divers, local Hawaii residents, and continuing-education certification seekers. The Oahu Scuba Diving Club, established in 2000 and now in its 25th year, anchors community engagement and repeat demand. Beyond local operations, Island Divers runs a multi-decade international dive travel program organized by Matt Zimmerman and Sheila Jordan, with channel partnerships across Fiji, Philippines, Palau, Indonesia (Damai I, Pindito), the Caribbean, Red Sea, Maldives, and Pacific destinations, and published 2026-2028 trips expanding to Solomon Islands, Socorro, and Roatan.

The business model combines per-unit transaction revenue (boat charters from $54 whale watching to $194 certified dives and $285 introductory experiences), one-time certification fees ($125-$3,500), professional services (Divemaster internship at $1,500, Bespoke Executive Lessons at $1,500 plus $3,000 equipment purchase), high-margin dive travel ($4,820-$6,400 per trip), and hardware sales/rentals of Scubapro, Aqualung, Oceanic, Mares, and Garmin equipment. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via Fareharbor online booking, phone, email, and walk-in retail, supported by an extensive dive-report blog archive (2013-present), Instagram/Facebook organic social, email newsletters, and event-driven marketing around PADI Women's Dive Day, Wreck Week, and club events. The company is bootstrapped with no institutional investors, M&A activity, or parent company, and operates a single Hawaii Kai location.

Name

Island Divers Hawaii

Legal name

Island Divers Hawaii

Website

https://oahuscubadiving.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Island Divers Hawaii is a Hawaii Kai-based, founder-owned scuba diving charter and training company operating six boats from Oahu, offering daily dive charters, multi-agency certifications, specialty diving, equipment retail/service, and an international dive travel program to tourists and local residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scuba Diving Services

akta.pro primary industry

Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Diving Experiences (Scuba Dives, Dive Trips, PADI/SSI Courses) (THAJAJAD), Dive & Snorkel Equipment Rental, Retail & Boat Services (compressors, gear hire) (THAAAIAL), Snorkeling Tours & Reef Experiences (THAJAJAE), Dive & Snorkel Guides / Dive Masters (Boat-Based & Shore-Based) (THAAALAC)

Keywords

• Scuba diving charters
• Scuba certification courses
• Boat dive charters
• Snorkeling tours
• International dive travel

Headquarters

HQ city

Hawaii Kai (Honolulu)

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Boat Dive Charters: Daily two-tank boat dive charters around Oahu. The company operates six boats that launch from behind their shop in Hawaii Kai, offering convenience. Charters include guided dives to various sites including wrecks, reefs, and drift dives.
2. Scuba Certification Courses: Full range of scuba certifications through SSI, NAUI, and PADI including Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, Divemaster, Instructor courses, and specialty certifications like Nitrox, Wreck Diving, Night Diving, and Freediving.
3. Introductory/Discover Scuba Diving: First-time diver experiences including pool session and open water dive. No experience necessary. Includes equipment, instruction, and boat dives.
4. Bespoke/Private Scuba Lessons: Executive-level private instruction with equipment purchase requirement ($3000 minimum). Includes unlimited pool time, up to 5 boat charters, and personal instructor.
5. Divemaster Internship: Professional training program resulting in SSI Divemaster certification. Includes digital learning materials, professional registration, and hands-on experience. $1500 plus HI sales tax.
6. International Dive Travel: Organized group dive trips worldwide including liveaboards, resort stays, and multi-destination adventures. Destinations include Fiji, Philippines, Palau, Indonesia (Raja Ampat), Caribbean, Red Sea, and Pacific islands. Managed by Matt and Sheila.
7. Gear Rental and Retail: Scuba equipment rental and retail sales. Brands include Scubapro, Aqualung, Oceanic, Mares, and Garmin.
8. Snorkeling Tours: Snorkeling experiences including turtle snorkeling and sunset cruises.
9. Whale Watching: Seasonal whale watching cruises, particularly during humpback whale season.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Island Divers Hawaii operates daily two-tank boat dive charters from Hawaii Kai, offering guided dives to Oahu reefs, wrecks, drift sites, and pelagic night dives. The company delivers the full range of scuba certifications from introductory Discover Scuba through professional Instructor level through SSI, NAUI, and PADI, alongside snorkeling tours, whale watching cruises, equipment sales/rental/service, and an international dive travel program to destinations worldwide.

Product overview

Island Divers Hawaii operates as a full-service scuba diving company offering a comprehensive suite of diving services centered around daily two-tank boat charters from their Hawaii Kai location. The core product portfolio includes certified boat dives, introductory Discover Scuba experiences, and multi-level certification courses (Open Water through Instructor) through SSI, NAUI, and PADI agencies. The company differentiates through specialty offerings including Pelagic Night Dives, Wreck Week packages, and Bespoke Scuba Lessons with private instruction. An international dive travel program organizes trips to global destinations, while the Oahu Scuba Diving Club provides community membership. Supporting services include equipment sales, rental, and service center, photo delivery via Fotaflo 2, and booking through Fareharbor software.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified Boat Dive Charters Daily two-tank boat diving charters from Hawaii Kai providing access to Oahu dive sites including wrecks, reefs, and drift dives, operated with a fleet of six boats including the 50' Seafox. Targeted at certified recreational divers.
• Discover Scuba Diving (Introductory Dives) First-time diver experience including pool session and two-tank afternoon boat dive with professional instructor guidance; no prior experience required. Targeted at first-time divers, tourists, and families.
• Open Water Scuba Certification Beginning-level scuba certification valid worldwide, delivered as a two-day intensive course through SSI, NAUI, and PADI agencies. Targeted at individuals seeking their first scuba certification.
• Advanced Diver Certification Advanced certification courses including SSI Advanced Adventurer and PADI Advanced Open Water that enable deeper and drift diving. Targeted at certified divers seeking expanded capabilities.
• Rescue Diver Certification Two-day rescue certification course covering self-rescue, diver stress, emergency management, and diving first aid, available through PADI and SSI. Targeted at experienced divers seeking safety leadership skills.
• Nitrox Diver Specialty Enriched air nitrox certification course and custom nitrox fills, allowing divers to extend bottom time and reduce nitrogen absorption. Targeted at certified divers upgrading their diving capabilities.
• Specialty Diving Certifications Specialty courses including Wreck Diver, Night Diver, Deep Diver, Perfect Buoyancy, and marine ecology courses such as Shark Ecology, Sea Turtle Ecology, and Manta Ray Ecology. Targeted at divers seeking specialized skills and knowledge.
• Divemaster Course Professional-level diving certification through SSI preparing divers for dive leadership roles; includes digital learning materials, professional registration, and practical training. Targeted at divers pursuing professional dive careers.
• Scuba Instructor Course Instructor-level certification programs including Assistant Instructor, Open Water Instructor, and Instructor Examination through SSI and PADI. Targeted at Divemasters pursuing instructor careers.
• Divemaster Internship Intensive internship program combining Divemaster training with guest photography duties using Fotaflo 2 app; includes digital materials, professional registration, and hands-on boat experience. Targeted at aspiring Divemaster professionals.
• Bespoke Scuba Lessons Executive-level private scuba instruction with equipment purchase requirement (minimum $3,000 MSRP), including unlimited pool time, up to 5 boat charters, Nitrox training, and personalized equipment setup with brands including Scubapro, Aqualung, Oceanic, Mares, and Garmin. Targeted at high-end individual clients seeking premium private instruction.
• Pelagic Night Dives (Black Water Dives) Open ocean night diving experience in deep water with maximum of 8 guests, featuring encounters with pelagic marine life including larval stage creatures, jellyfish, and zooplankton at approximately 40ft depth. Targeted at experienced divers seeking unique marine encounters.
• Snorkeling Tours Snorkeling excursions including turtle snorkeling and mermaid snorkeling experiences, available as add-on to boat charters. Targeted at non-divers, families, and tourists seeking marine wildlife encounters.
• Whale Watching and Sunset Cruises Whale watching and sunset cruise experiences, including private charters and the $20 Sunset Growler Cruise, particularly during humpback whale season. Targeted at tourists, families, and groups seeking non-diving ocean experiences.
• International Dive Travel Program Organized dive travel program featuring trips to destinations worldwide including Fiji, Philippines, Palau, Raja Ampat, Maldives, Egypt Red Sea, Bonaire, Truk Lagoon, Cozumel, Solomon Islands, and more, with liveaboard and resort-based options managed by Matt and Sheila. Targeted at certified divers seeking organized international dive experiences.
• Oahu Scuba Diving Club Membership club established in 2000 offering community events, club dives, newsletters, and discounts; open to certified divers and beginners. Targeted at local residents and repeat customers seeking an ongoing diving community.
• Equipment Service Center Full-service scuba equipment repair and maintenance at the Hawaii Kai location, serving both customers and other dive shops. Targeted at divers needing equipment servicing and other dive shops seeking third-party service.
• Retail Scuba Gear Retail sales of scuba equipment including wetsuits, regulators, BCDs, dive computers, masks, and fins; brands carried include Scubapro, Aqualung, Oceanic, Mares, and Garmin. Targeted at divers seeking to purchase personal diving equipment.
• Scuba Gear Rental Equipment rental service for divers without personal gear, available for boat dives and courses on Oahu. Targeted at visiting divers and certification students who do not own equipment.
• Three Day Dive Package Multi-day boat dive package offering discounted per-dive pricing for three days of certified boat diving (6 boat dives over 3 days). Targeted at certified divers seeking multi-day diving value.

Quantifiable outcome

• Daily departures 7 days a week with boats departing twice daily
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SSI (Scuba Schools International)coreTechnology or Integration
• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)coreTechnology or Integration
• DAN (Divers Alert Network)coreGTM or Marketing Partner
• Fiji Resorts and Liveaboards (Voli Voli, Paradise Taveuni)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor
• Philippines Resorts (Magic Island, Magic Oceans, Anda)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor
• Indonesia Liveaboards (Damai I, Pindito)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor
• Palau Dive OperatorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor
• Caribbean Resorts (Sandals Grenada, Anthony Key Honduras)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor
• DiveAssureminorGTM or Marketing Partner
• Salt & SirenminorGTM or Marketing Partner
• Ocean Defenders AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner
• Dive Travel ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Maui Dive Shop: Larger Hawaiian dive retail and charter operator on Maui. Comparable product mix (charters, certifications, retail, rental) but at greater scale and different island geography.
• Kona Honu Divers: Big Island dive operator offering boat charters, manta ray night dives, and certifications. Comparable in specialty offerings and dive-experience focus although on a different island.
• Sea Sports Divers: Waikiki-based dive operator offering daily boat charters, PADI certifications, and snorkeling tours. Comparable product mix and target tourist segments on Oahu.
• Jack's Diving Locker: Big Island (Kona) dive operator offering boat charters, PADI certifications, and dive travel. Comparable full-service model with a strong travel program, similar to Island Divers' international dive trips.
• Surf Hawaii Scuba: Oahu-based dive operator offering scuba charters, certifications, and snorkeling tours. Operates in the same Hawaii Kai corridor and competes for the same tourist and resident customer base.
• Pacific Dive Oahu: Oahu dive operator providing boat dives, certifications, and tours. Competes for the same Oahu scuba market with similar charter-based offerings.
• Reef Divers Hawaii: Oahu-based dive operator offering boat dive charters and intro dives. Comparable service offering and target customer base in the Hawaiian scuba tourism market.
• Honolulu Scuba Company: Small Oahu dive shop offering boat charters, certifications, and introductory dives. Comparable scale and service offering to Island Divers Hawaii.
• B&B Scuba Center: Direct competitor also operating out of Hawaii Kai on Oahu, offering boat dive charters, certifications, and rental. Comparable in geography, service mix, and target customer (tourists and locals).

Broad incumbents

• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors): Global certifying agency that sets standards and drives customer demand for affiliated dive centers like Island Divers. Functions as an ecosystem enabler and brand partner rather than a direct operator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/islanddivers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/island-divers-hawaii

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Island Divers Hawaii