Turtle Pinnacle
Kona Coast · United States
A shallow volcanic pinnacle off the north Kona coast where Hawaiian green sea turtles pause over cleaner fish stations. The main action sits around 12-18 m: turtles hover over the reef while surgeonfish and wrasse pick algae and parasites from their shells, with morays, octopus and reef fish tucked into the lava ledges.
Conditions
Depth
6 to 18 m
Good for beginners
Current
Usually gentle
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
20 to 40 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
24 to 28°C
3mm wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 |
| Vis (m) | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 |
| Current | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Hawaiian green sea turtle
Last confirmed May 15, 2026 · 130 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Yellow tang
Last confirmed Jul 6, 2026 · 200 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Reef manta ray
Last confirmed Jun 28, 2026 · 90 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Whitemouth moray
Last confirmed Mar 30, 2026 · 77 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Hawaiian cleaner wrasse
Last confirmed Apr 25, 2026 · 31 records
Very likely
Most dives
Gear
Basic kit
For this site
- 3mm wetsuit · Kona water is warm but many divers chill during long, slow turtle-observation dives.
- Reef-safe camera discipline · The turtles are protected wildlife; stay neutral, avoid blocking their route, and let cleaning behavior continue undisturbed.