A man in his late 20s was taken in critical condition to the hospital today after nearly drowning while diving off the North Shore.

Paramedics were called to Sharks Cove about 3:30 p.m., where the man was diving with friends, said Honolulu Emergency Services Department spokesman Bryan Cheplic.

Bystanders brought the man to shore and performed CPR on him until paramedics arrived and then took him to a nearby hospital in critical condition, Cheplic said.

Waves were moderate with 2 to 3 foot face heights at Sharks Cove, where there are no city lifeguards, Cheplic said.

“The water was rough because the wind was 10 to 20 mph,” he said.