Shark diving on Oʻahu with Nick Loewenstine. Picture courtesy of Nick Loewenstein.
Whereas most guests to Oʻahu stick near the sand, there’s an entire different world ready simply three miles offshore—a spot the place Galapagos sharks glide silently beneath the floor, tiger sharks appear as if spirits within the deep and the principles of the land not apply. That is the place you’ll discover Nick Loewenstine, a shark diver, wildlife photographer and founding father of certainly one of Hawaiʻi’s most revered ocean journey operations: Shark Diving on Oʻahu.
Loewenstine’s not right here for the vacationer hustle. He’s not providing sundown cruises or snorkeling-with-sea-turtle packages. He and his crew specialise in one factor: sharks. And he’s been doing it lengthy earlier than it grew to become a bucket-list Instagram publish.
“We’re shark individuals. That’s our operation 98% of the time,” Loewenstine stated. “If you happen to’re going to do that, it’s important to like it.”
Loewenstine’s story begins removed from the islands. Initially from Cincinnati, Ohio, life took him to Sydney, Australia, and finally Haleʻiwa on Oʻahu’s North Shore, the place he’s lived for greater than a decade. His connection to sharks started at age 14, throughout a shark feed within the Caribbean. “I type of acquired addicted from that,” Loewenstine stated. “By 17, I used to be diving with nice whites in Mexico.”
The trail since has been world: Fiji, the Bahamas, Australia, the Arctic Circle. However Hawaiʻi’s waters—and its group of ocean lovers—referred to as him right here. After working as a dive teacher and partnering in one of many first shark dive companies in Hawaii, Loewenstine took the reins and formed one thing new: an organization rooted in respect for sharks, expertise and intimidate encounters.
Every tour consists of an opportunity to satisfy among the ocean’s most iconic residents—from tiger sharks to Galapagos sharks. Picture courtesy of Nick Loewenstein.
A Dive with Nick Isn’t Only a Tour—It’s a Perspective Shift
Neglect the film myths. Neglect the adrenaline-fueled “Jaws” soundtrack. Diving with sharks will not be what you suppose.
“What surprises most individuals is how peaceable it’s,” Loewenstine defined. “You’re swimming in open water with an apex predator, and it’s calm. It’s surreal. These animals—these creatures of fable—are curious, however not aggressive. They’re not the monsters individuals suppose they’re.”
Loewenstine and his group take security significantly, working dives with teams no bigger than six company, guided by a captain, a security diver and sometimes an expert photographer who doubles as backup security.
“The extra we perceive sharks, the extra respectful we could be. And the extra freedom we may give our company,” he stated. “We learn the sharks’ habits in actual time. That permits us to make small changes and keep within the water longer, safely.”
Friends ceaselessly present up nervous—however many come again many times.
Not Simply Any Shark Tour
There at the moment are seven full-time shark tour operations off Oʻahu’s North Shore, with much more providing sharks alongside snorkeling, whale watching and fishing. However Loewenstine is evident: specialization issues.
“It’s to not knock different operators, however once you’re doing a little bit little bit of the whole lot, it’s onerous to have the extent of experience you really want with sharks,” he stated. “We’re all in, each day.”
And this isn’t a zoo. Sharks aren’t assured to seem, although they typically do. The group works in deep water, about three miles offshore, the place the ocean drops away into tons of of toes of blue. When the sharks arrive, it’s on their phrases.
“That’s a part of what makes it so highly effective. That is actual nature,” Loewenstine stated. “We’re simply company of their house.”
Past the Dive: Life as an Ocean Explorer
When he’s not main shark dives, Loewenstine’s nonetheless within the water—or removed from it. He’s additionally a passionate wildlife photographer, touring the globe from the plains of Africa to the tundra of the Arctic in the hunt for wild moments to seize. However he at all times returns to Haleʻiwa, the place the ocean is rarely far and group runs deep.
“Right here, whether or not you’re a fisherman, surfer, sailor or diver—there’s this shared love for the ocean,” he stated. “It connects us.”
Shark Diving on Oʻahu
Loewenstine’s firm runs a number of dives day by day, with morning journeys providing the most effective circumstances. Every tour features a dive briefing and an opportunity to satisfy among the ocean’s most iconic residents—from tiger sharks to Galapagos sharks.
Insider Tip: E-book the 7:00 or 9:00 a.m. tour. North Shore winds can decide up by noon.
And when you’re fortunate sufficient to dive with Loewenstine himself—know that you just’re studying from somebody with 20 years of expertise, a world shark résumé and a crew that genuinely lives for this.
“We’re not out right here for the picture ops,” Loewenstine stated. “We’re out right here as a result of we like it.”
Shark Dive Necessities
- Location: North Shore, Oʻahu
- Journey Period: ~2 hours
- Group Measurement: Max 6 individuals
- What to Deliver: Reef-safe sunscreen, towel, waterproof digital camera if desired
Expertise Wanted: None! You’ll be guided each step of the way in which
