Hawaii Marine Education and Research Center

HawaiiMERC, located in beautiful Pāpā Bay in the South Kona district of the Big Island, is a State of Hawaiʻi and U.S. federally-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that connects communities to timely scientific information on marine ecosystems of Hawaiʻi. We support exploration and research of the marine environment, and we provide opportunities to connect cultural and scientific perspectives for the sustainability of reef ecosystems in Hawaiʻi.

Our labs support education and scientific investigations that benefit from close proximity to coral reef ecosystems. We host groups for presentations and hands-on educational experiences. Our state-of-the-art scientific dive center supports scuba, NITROX, and TRIMIX open circuit (scuba) and closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) diving as well as advanced open-circuit and rebreather maintenance capabilities. Our ocean imaging shop supports a wide range of underwater and drone photography and videography. We also provide SSI and SDI dive training for our professional and citizen scientists, and we partner with Scuba Schools of America (SSA) to provide additional periodic training for the public.

For overnight visitors, we are within close walking distance to numerous Bed-and-Breakfast house rentals. Ocean access is easy in front of HawaiiMERC, and boat, canoe, and kayak options are available to cover larger areas of Pāpā Bay and west Hawaiʻi island's 300 km long reef system.

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Visit our Facilities page for more information and to schedule use of HawaiiMERC.