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.
First Cathedrals
Cavern dive with dramatic light and unique lava formations.
Boat Access
15m Avg Depth
18m Max Depth
About this dive site
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
Bannerfish
Sweetlip
Triggerfish
Honeycomb Grouper
Clownfish
Reef Shark
Snapper
Nudibranch
Nurse Shark
Octopus
Reef Manta Ray
Reef Fish
Crab
Blue-Barred Parrotfish
Surgeonfish
Scorpionfish
Eel
French Angelfish
Turtle
Boxfish
Trumpetfish
Frogfish
Pipefish
Common Lionfish
Things to Note
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Cavern environment requires good buoyancy control, despite moderate depth.
Hazards:
overhead environmentcurrentmarine lifeboat traffic
Current Strength:
Variable
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