Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas
Divers interact with playful seals in a vivid underwater scene, showcasing marine life.
📷 Francisco Davids · Pexels

Edge of the World

4.0 — based on 20 community signals
4.2 12 species 27 contributors

Year-round diving at Edge of the World in Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District, Hawaii. Protected waters with diverse marine life and no coral stress.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Molokini Shoal Marine Life Con… updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
MPAMacro hotspotFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Green sea turtle

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
Edge of the World location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
12.2 kn
Wave
1.56 m
Water
28.1°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NNE (26%)
Now: E (80°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.66m

Today: High 11:00 (+0.81m), Low 01:00 (+0.39m)

+0.9 m+0.3 m
▼ 01:00 · +0.39m ▲ 11:00 · +0.81m ▼ 20:00 · +0.43m ▲ 23:00 · +0.45m Now +0.4m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV8.6 · very high Air PM2.55 · good 06:14 18:26
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 12 1.58 9 0mm
09-19 10.7 1.7 8 0mm
09-20 12.8 1.62 9 0mm
09-21 9.3 1.52 9 0mm
09-22 9.3 1.68 8 0mm
09-23 7.9 1.68 8 6mm
09-24 16.4 1.42 8 8mm

About this spot

Edge of the World sits within Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District, a protected area off Maui's coast. The site draws divers year-round thanks to Hawaii's stable tropical climate and reliable conditions. The conservation district status means the marine environment stays healthy—recent surveys show no coral bleaching stress, a sign of thriving reef systems. The spot has logged 12 documented species observations, giving you a solid sense of what to expect underwater. Local community videos (3 available) offer firsthand looks at conditions and marine life behavior, helpful for planning your dive. Because this area is a marine life conservation district, follow all local regulations and respect closed zones. Check current access rules and any permit requirements before heading out. The protected status keeps the reef in good shape, so you'll be diving a healthy ecosystem.

📖 Guide: Diving in the United States: 87 Sites From Springs to Open Ocean

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Green sea turtle

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 120V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 11664km · ~2683kg · €48

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Edge of the World?

Edge of the World is dived year-round. Hawaii's tropical climate keeps water conditions stable throughout the year, so pick your dates based on your schedule rather than seasonal constraints.

What depth and difficulty should I expect?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings are not documented for this site. Contact local dive operators or check community forums for current conditions and recommendations before your dive.

What marine life will I see?

The site has 12 recorded species observations. Reef fish, eels, and other tropical marine life typical of Molokini Shoal are expected. Watch community videos for recent sightings and behavior.

Are there access restrictions or permits needed?

Edge of the World lies within Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District. You must follow all conservation district rules, which may include permit requirements or restricted zones. Confirm current regulations with local authorities or your dive operator before diving.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

212 records · 32 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
6 May 2026
×38records

Heterocentrotus mamillatus

Echinoidea · Echinometridae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×2records

Samla bicolor

Gastropoda · Samlidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×1records

Echinometra mathaei

Echinoidea · Echinometridae
GBIF
Last seen:
22 Jan 2026
×4records

Cellana exarata

Gastropoda · Nacellidae
GBIF
Last seen:
22 Jan 2026
×1records

Calappa gallus

Malacostraca · Calappidae
GBIF
Last seen:
18 Jan 2026
×1records

Pocillopora grandis

Anthozoa · Pocilloporidae
GBIF
Last seen:
17 Jan 2026
×1records

Calcinus laevimanus

Malacostraca · Diogenidae
GBIF
Last seen:
7 Jan 2026
×2records

Periglypta reticulata

Bivalvia · Veneridae
GBIF
Last seen:
5 Jan 2026
×1records

Lobactis scutaria

Anthozoa · Fungiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
5 Jan 2026
×1records

Grapsus tenuicrustatus

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Jan 2026
×4records

Actinopyga varians

Holothuroidea · Holothuriidae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Jan 2026
×2records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

The Flip Side Margaux and Kassidy

USA Diving

Diving On the Far Side of the World: Journey into the Depths of the Deep Blue

A Shot & A Story

The Most DANGEROUS Dive Site on Earth | Diving Gone Wrong

Scary Interesting
💬 3 top comments
  • To anyone wondering, that wheezing sound is just his regulator squeaking. They do that sometimes. He wasn't struggling or panicking or wheezing until he looked at his gauge and saw how deep he was. When you're in deep water like that, you can't tell how fast you're sinking at all. It can feel like you're sitting still, but you could be plummeting. Always keep track of your depth.

    @factorem9327 · 👍 17000
  • The moment the camera shifts from Yuri’s struggle to suddenly being on the surface is one of the eeriest things I have ever seen.

    @cruelseason · 👍 2900
  • Underwater photographer here. The cap Yuri puts on his camera is a colour filter that helps offset the intense blue of underwater shots. The warmth of his filter is usually only for very deep filming - suggesting he always intended to go deep.

    @emit5586 · 👍 1600

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "is this like a putting green? i cant really tell. it has a big tent on it though so i am not sure"

    maddog107 · 2025-12-16
  • "is this actually tourist lodging like the nearby hotels, or would it be better tagged as building=apartments?"

    freebeer · 2023-09-23
wind peaks Jun-May-Jul, calmest Oct-Dec-Jan, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Mar (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (87/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

Nearby spots

Tako Flats United States Diving
🇺🇸 United States

Tako Flats

Tako Flats offers year-round diving in Hawaii's protected Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District with healthy coral and abundant marine life.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
The Back Side United States Diving
🇺🇸 United States

The Back Side

The Back Side offers year-round diving in Hawaii's protected Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District with healthy coral and abundant marine life.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Middle Reef United States Diving
🇺🇸 United States

Middle Reef

Year-round diving at Middle Reef inside Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District, with 12 documented species and healthy corals.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

Enenue United States Diving
🇺🇸 United States

Enenue

Enenue is a year-round Hawaiian dive site within Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District, known for healthy coral and diverse marine life.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Reef's End United States Diving
🇺🇸 United States

Reef's End

Year-round diving at Reef's End, a protected marine reserve off Maui with healthy coral and abundant reef life.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Flying Sea Cliffs United States Diving
🇺🇸 United States

Flying Sea Cliffs

Year-round diving at Flying Sea Cliffs in Hawaii's Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District, with healthy coral and diverse marine life.

Beginner 25m May·Jun·Jul+
Vallée aux Murènes France Diving
🇫🇷 France

Vallée aux Murènes

Vallée aux Murènes is a French dive site known for moray eel populations. Dive year-round in this unprotected area with 12 recorded species observations.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+

Suggest an operator

Know a great dive shop, kite school, or local guide at this spot? Tell us — we'll review and add it.

Up to 500 characters
Plan
View →