First Cathedrals

Cavern dive with dramatic light and unique lava formations.

Boat Access
15m Avg Depth
18m Max Depth

About this dive site

First Cathedral is a truly remarkable dive site located on Maui. Entering through a dark hole, divers are immediately transported to an expansive cavern, illuminated by skylights that cast turquoise beams upon the scene. The centerpiece of this underwater cathedral is a vividly lit central altar – a fallen lava rock from the ceiling. Exploring further reveals ‘confessionals,’ small side chambers often hosting resting sharks, pufferfish, crabs, eels, and nudibranchs. A unique exit point, known as the 'shotgun,' leads out through a lava shoot to a coral garden and other lava formations, where frogfish, reef fish, and more eels can be observed. This unforgettable dive site is accessible year-round, consistently providing a memorable underwater experience.

DivingFreedivingSnorkeling

Site Ratings

Big Marine Life Good
Macro Marine Life Very Good
Landscape Quality Excellent
Water Visibility Very Good Viz

Brought to you by Dive Maui

Plan Your Visit

cavernswim-throughsharkturtlecoral reeflava formationwide angleboat dive

Marine Life

  • Pufferfish Pufferfish
  • Bannerfish Bannerfish
  • Sweetlip Sweetlip
  • Triggerfish Triggerfish
  • Honeycomb Grouper Honeycomb Grouper
  • Clownfish Clownfish
  • Reef Shark Reef Shark
  • Snapper Snapper
  • Nudibranch Nudibranch
  • Nurse Shark Nurse Shark
  • Octopus Octopus
  • Reef Manta Ray Reef Manta Ray
  • Reef Fish Reef Fish
  • Crab Crab
  • Blue-Barred Parrotfish Blue-Barred Parrotfish
  • Surgeonfish Surgeonfish
  • Scorpionfish Scorpionfish
  • Eel Eel
  • French Angelfish French Angelfish
  • Turtle Turtle
  • Boxfish Boxfish
  • Trumpetfish Trumpetfish
  • Frogfish Frogfish
  • Pipefish Pipefish
  • Common Lionfish Common Lionfish

Things to Note

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Cavern environment requires good buoyancy control, despite moderate depth.

Hazards:
overhead environmentcurrentmarine lifeboat traffic
Current Strength:

Variable

Nearby Dive Sites

Explore other dive sites in the area

Get directions