KIHEI GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Shipwreck Adventure: Diving the Carthaginian off Lahaina
A guided dive from Kihei to the Carthaginian wreck and Mala Pier for certified divers, offering rich marine life, premium rental gear, and operator‑provided snacks.
Shipwreck Adventure: Diving the Carthaginian off Lahaina.
The Carthaginian sits on a sandy seabed roughly a half‑mile off Lahaina at about 96–97 feet, a compact wreck that attracts frogfish, trumpet fish, sergeant majors, unicornfish and cleaner wrasse — and occasionally turtles, sharks and eagle rays. Normally only seen by the Atlantis submarine, this site (together with nearby Mala Pier) is run as a guided outing from Kihei and is prized by photographers and experienced divers for its combination of wreck structure and marine encounters.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Carthaginian: compact wreck at 96–97 feet
Sitting on a sandy bottom about a half‑mile offshore, the Carthaginian offers concentrated wreck features and dense small‑life sightings — keep an eye out for frogfish and the colorful reef community that lives on and around the hull.
Frequent macro life and the occasional big visitor
Divers report frogfish, turtles and rays at the site; when timing aligns you may even find yourself sharing the view with the Atlantis submarine as it passes through the area.
A committed day on the water
The site is an approximately 45‑minute run from the Kihei Boat Ramp and the operator supplies snacks, fruit and beverages aboard, plus rental options for premium BCDs, regulators and wetsuits to round out the experience.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
This is a focused, site‑specific dive outing: a boat run out from Kihei to the wreck, a square‑profile dive well suited to nitrox users, and a second site at Mala Pier when conditions allow. The combination of structured wreck features and concentrated small life makes the dives especially satisfying for photographers and experienced recreational divers.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip is best for — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Check‑in is at 6:10 AM from the Kihei Boat Ramp; the outing is roughly a six‑hour day with return to the ramp between 12:00 and 1:00 PM.
Bring your certification card and logbook; mask and fins are included in the base price but you may specify other rental needs. Expect snacks, fruit and beverages provided aboard.
Premium rental options are available (BCDs, regulators, wetsuits); the boat stocks Sting J Maui wetsuits, Aqualung HD Pro BCDs, Apeks regulators and Oceanic Pro Plus 4 dive computers — specify your needs when booking.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What time do I need to check in?
Check‑in is at 6:10 AM at the Kihei Boat Ramp; the trip lasts about six hours and returns between 12:00 and 1:00 PM.
What are the certification and experience requirements?
You must be a certified diver with a minimum of 15 logged dives and have recent dive experience within the last two years; a refresher is required if your last dive was more than two years ago.
Is rental gear available?
Yes — mask and fins are included in the base price and premium BCDs, regulators and wetsuits are available; specify rental needs when booking.
How deep is the Carthaginian and is nitrox recommended?
The wreck sits at about 96–97 feet; because dives follow a square profile, enriched air use is ideal if you are nitrox certified.
Can we dive with or see the Atlantis submarine?
It is possible to see the Atlantis submarine or dive when it passes by if timing is right; this is occasionally part of the sightings at the site.
What is the refund or cancellation policy if conditions change?
If conditions prevent diving at the specific site the operator will select alternate sites but will not issue refunds for inability to dive that site; if the captain calls off the day entirely you may be rescheduled or offered a full refund.