Business Details
15 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Scuba Diving & Surf Adventures in Oahu, Hawaii
Hawaii Eco Divers is a dive company dedicated to ocean safety, education, and fostering a deep connection between individuals and the marine environment. Founded in 2011 by Ricardo Taveira, a seasoned big wave surfer and PADI Scuba Instructor, the company combines decades of expertise in surfing, diving, and water safety. Our mission is to provide transformative experiences through PADI-certified diving programs, guided eco-tours, and specialized Apnea & Surf Survival courses designed to enhance breath-hold techniques and risk management. With operations across Oahus North Shore, West Side, and South Shore, we prioritize environmental stewardship, offering tours that emphasize marine conservation and sustainable practices. Our team of certified professionals brings unparalleled local knowledge, ensuring clients receive personalized instruction tailored to their skill level, whether they are beginners or advanced divers.By integrating CPR training, surf rescue techniques, and high-surf risk management into our curriculum, we empower individuals to navigate aquatic environments with confidence and responsibility. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in glowing testimonials from satisfied customers who highlight our personalized approach, safety focus, and the life-changing impact of our programs. As advocates for ocean preservation, we actively promote sustainability and marine life protection in all our operations. With flexible scheduling and year-round access to Oahus premier dive sites, Hawaii Eco Divers delivers unforgettable adventures that blend education, safety, and environmental consciousness.
Services
Scuba Diving Tours
PADI Certifications
Apnea Training
Surf Coaching
Snorkeling Adventures
Details
- Year established: 2011
Highlights and features
- We offer PADI-certified diving programs with 10+ years of industry expertise.
- Our Apnea & Surf Survival course combines breath-hold training with water rescue skills.
- Operations span Oahu's most iconic dive sites year-round.
- Committed to marine conservation with eco-friendly tour practices.
- Led by Ricardo Taveira, a big wave surfer with 30 years of ocean experience.
Associations and certifications
- PADI
What people say
Best dive experience
Expert instructors
Unmatched marine life
Life-changing course
Eco-friendly focus
Services
Scuba Diving Tours
Explore Oahu's vibrant marine ecosystems through guided scuba diving tours. Certified divers and beginners discover coral reefs, shipwrecks, and sea turtles at iconic sites like Sharks Cove and Waikiki. Tours operate year-round with expert-led safety protocols.
PADI Certifications
Earn PADI certifications through comprehensive training programs. Curriculum covers open water dives, rescue techniques, and advanced specialties. Instructors emphasize safety, environmental awareness, and skill mastery for all experience levels.
Apnea & Surf Survival
Enhance underwater breath-hold capacity and surf safety through specialized apnea courses. Curriculum includes physiology lectures, static/dynamic apnea drills, and CPR/rescue simulations. Designed for surfers seeking confidence in high-surf environments.
Surf Coaching
Personalized surf coaching for all skill levels. Focus areas include technique refinement, big-wave risk management, and water safety. Sessions held at North Shore's premier breaks during winter months with expert local instructors.
Snorkeling Adventures
Self-guided and boat-based snorkeling tours explore Oahu's pristine reefs. Equipment rentals available for North Shore and Waikiki locations. Encounters include tropical fish, green sea turtles, and coral formations in protected marine conservation areas.
People
Ricardo Taveira
Founder & Lead Instructor
Big wave surfer and PADI Scuba Instructor with 30 years of ocean experience. Developed the Apnea & Surf Survival methodology to enhance water safety. Founded Hawaii Eco Divers in 2011 to promote marine conservation through education.
Questions
What scuba diving certifications do you offer?
We provide PADI-certified courses including Open Water, Advanced Open Water, and Rescue Diver programs.
Are your tours suitable for beginners?
Yes! Our guided dives and snorkeling tours accommodate all experience levels with personalized instruction.
What is the Apnea & Surf Survival course?
A specialized program improving breath-hold techniques, surf safety, and rescue skills for ocean athletes.
When is the best time to dive in Oahu?
Summer months (May-September) favor North Shore shore dives; winter offers West Side boat excursions.
Do you provide equipment rentals?
Yes, we offer scuba gear and snorkeling equipment rentals for all activities.
How do I book a tour?
Reserve online via our booking system or contact us directly at +1 (808) 499-9177 for assistance.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Thammerand
Jan 28, 2022
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I took Ricardo's Surf Survival / Apnea class and couldn't give it higher praises. What an amazing class! Ricardo is an excellent teacher who takes his role seriously and gives each student one on one attention throughout the two days. Going into the class I was already interested in breath-work, mind control, and surfing bigger waves. Now I have so many new tools to work with. Leaving the class I know exactly how to be breathing during any situation while surfing, I learned life saving techniques that were specific to surfing and scenarios that you might encounter while surfing, and was able to
Dowd M.
Dec 29, 2021
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Thorough and experienced crew. Did not disappoint for sure. Check them out for a great dive anywhere on the island.
Bryce A.
Dec 14, 2021
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This is for the Apnea Training Surf Survival course. Extremely informative and humbling course. Highly recommend to anyone who plans on spending time in the ocean and/or big surf. Ricardo is an authentic and passionate surfer/teacher, you will walk away with newfound confidence and understanding of how to better prepare and approach waves of consequence.
Tu-Anh Ha
Nov 25, 2021
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Zoey was such an amazing dive master! We had booked our dives w/ Hawaii Eco divers several months in advance and Zoey worked with us and kept us updated to make sure we were able to dive at the time that worked for us. On the day of, she was super knowledgeable and helpful! She must be a marine life whisperer because before the dive she said we might see whales, turtles, and sea monks. We saw a huge humpback whale breach multiple times on the boat ride. We saw many turtles and even a sea monk during the dives. Zoey also truly lives up to the Hawaii eco name as she personally collected various rubbish
M. V.
Nov 09, 2021
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A good friend gave me this apnea and surf survival class as a gift. It's been amazing so far! (Two 8 hour days total) My daughter (who was a lifeguard) took a similar class that was NO WHERE near as good as this one! (I went with her) Ricardo, the instructor, is fantastic! He is encouraging and supportive. This class was designed for ocean safety and could literally make the difference between life and death. I highly recommend this class to anyone who spends time in the ocean. Make this investment into yourself!
Gaura Johnson
Nov 03, 2021
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Ricardo is a very good teacher, surfer, diver, and waterman. Whichever skill you choose to learn from him I ensure you will have the best instructor out there and become every more competent in the water no matter what level you are at. Thank you Riccardo for the surf survival and apnea training, It was fantastic and already recommended several others your way.
Chris Ray
Nov 02, 2021
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Ricardo and his Apnea/Surf Survival course is no joke! Ricardo, has a lot of experience as a master diver and is a well respected big wave surfer on the North Shore. I was referred to him by a high source of the big wave surfing community and I'm happy that I took his course. He provides an in-depth perspective on Apnea breathing and surf survival to help give you the tools to help boost your confidence in the ocean. His courses are not just for surfers but for anyone! In our class we had divers, beginner surfers and ocean goers along with experienced wave riders. I'd highly recommend Ricardo
