Kuilima Cove
Kuilima Cove
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
48 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
15
Average
8
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Qoss
Norwalk, CT147 contributions
Feb 2020
This small, well protected cove is great for beginner snorkeling, with picturesqe rollers in the distance. Abundant juvenile reef species can be spotted just yards off the beach. Out before the breakers, we spotted a large turtle wedged under an overhang for a nap. I was delighted to teach my mother to snorkel here, and show her some beautiful Hawaiian fish for her 75th birthday. As a bonus, Rocky was surfing with his dog, Kahuna, nearby. It was magical.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
grliegrl21
Phoenix, AZ33 contributions
Jun 2022
We got there in the early afternoon and it was HOT and pretty crowded. Luckily we had an umbrella. We saw like three fish and zero turtles but had fun trying.
Parking was a little hard. We got lucky and only circled once before finding a spot. I would suggest getting there as early as possible for parking and sea life.
Parking was a little hard. We got lucky and only circled once before finding a spot. I would suggest getting there as early as possible for parking and sea life.
Written July 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christie M
Virginia37 contributions
Jun 2018
This bay is beautiful and perfect for beginner snorkelers like my family and I. There are lots of fish, and (be careful) lots of black sea urchins! The bay is bordered on one side by a rock wall which extends to the ocean. The water in the bay is calm and crystal clear.
It can, however, be dangerously shallow in some areas, putting you uncomfortably close to the coral where urchins dwell.
The rock wall looks like it would be fun to walk on toward the ocean, and there will no doubt be people on it, but it is actually quite challenging. The rock is very sharp and there are many holes that you can turn your ankle in if you’re not careful. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes.
The bay is adjacent to the classy Turtle Bay Resort, and as such the prices for snacks are exorbitant. Bring your own unless you find paying $24 for a burger a deal. There is a cool water fountain/water bottle filler that is free, so be sure to bring bottles.
Parking is free but the public beach access parking (for non-guests like us) is very limited. If you are lucky to find a spot, access to the beach itself is simple via a short path directly from one end of the lot.
It can, however, be dangerously shallow in some areas, putting you uncomfortably close to the coral where urchins dwell.
The rock wall looks like it would be fun to walk on toward the ocean, and there will no doubt be people on it, but it is actually quite challenging. The rock is very sharp and there are many holes that you can turn your ankle in if you’re not careful. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes.
The bay is adjacent to the classy Turtle Bay Resort, and as such the prices for snacks are exorbitant. Bring your own unless you find paying $24 for a burger a deal. There is a cool water fountain/water bottle filler that is free, so be sure to bring bottles.
Parking is free but the public beach access parking (for non-guests like us) is very limited. If you are lucky to find a spot, access to the beach itself is simple via a short path directly from one end of the lot.
Written July 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew
St. Helena, CA515 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
That's how we found out about this place... we had family visiting, and he REALLY wanted to do some snorkeling. So we made Hanauma Bay a destination, of course, but that place is SWARMING with people and can be a bit stressful as a result (plus it costs an entry fee)... we wanted to find other good free/casual snorkeling spots, but the reality is that Oahu is not the best island for snorkeling (in our opinion, that is probably Maui, as well as a few choice areas of the Big Island)
This is especially true in winter, when several snorkeling spots (along North Shore) are deemed too difficult or dangerous due to the rough surf. Kuilima Cove is the exception -- it is sheltered by a rocky reef which blocks the waves and creates a nice little cove. It is not as teeming with fish as Hanauma Bay is... but the nice part is that it is not as teeming with people, either! There seems to be a little bit more live coral here, as well, and we found it easier to deal with because the water was deeper over the reefs (however, the more challenging part is that there is definitely a strong current in some spots here. You just have to learn how to navigate the currents... it's nothing too dangerous)
The beach itself is also pretty nice. The public parking was pretty packed, and the beach definitely gets some people -- it can be a little cozy, but nothing like Waikiki on a busy day.
It was also cool to see a monk seal sunbathing right there on the beach...
It's at the opposite end of the island from Waikiki (about an hour drive), but a pleasant experience for snorkeling and sunbathing, when the weather is good (it is cooler and more windy than Waikiki... very nice when the sun is out, but a little cool when cloudy)
This is especially true in winter, when several snorkeling spots (along North Shore) are deemed too difficult or dangerous due to the rough surf. Kuilima Cove is the exception -- it is sheltered by a rocky reef which blocks the waves and creates a nice little cove. It is not as teeming with fish as Hanauma Bay is... but the nice part is that it is not as teeming with people, either! There seems to be a little bit more live coral here, as well, and we found it easier to deal with because the water was deeper over the reefs (however, the more challenging part is that there is definitely a strong current in some spots here. You just have to learn how to navigate the currents... it's nothing too dangerous)
The beach itself is also pretty nice. The public parking was pretty packed, and the beach definitely gets some people -- it can be a little cozy, but nothing like Waikiki on a busy day.
It was also cool to see a monk seal sunbathing right there on the beach...
It's at the opposite end of the island from Waikiki (about an hour drive), but a pleasant experience for snorkeling and sunbathing, when the weather is good (it is cooler and more windy than Waikiki... very nice when the sun is out, but a little cool when cloudy)
Written January 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James R
Picayune, MS42 contributions
May 2018 • Family
Snorkeled & saw incredible variety of fish between 8 and 9 AM. (I actually saw as much here as at Haunauma Bay.) Used the public beach parking/access located on Turtle Bay Resort. We rented snorkel gear from the Resort at a very reasonable rate. Also, just before we got out of the water a Hawaiian monk seal decided to take a siesta on the beach prompting the resort staff to surround him with "Keep Your Distance," signs. Very cool.
Written May 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carolyn211
Vancouver, Canada71 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
I am surprised to read the reviews about choppy water and few sightings of fish as that was not our experience. It could well be the time of year, but we had a wonderful few hours at Kulima Cove. We factored in a visit on a day trip up along the North Shore. There is clearly marked parking for "Beach Access" visitors in the Turtle Bay parking lot. It's a two-minute max walk to the cove area. Yes, it is small, but it is beautiful and protected, with so much coral teeming with marine life.
It is first and foremost a resort, but you can set up anywhere on the beach, and if you have kids, it's a safe place. We were there on a Thursday and there was plenty of room for everyone. I spoke to a woman at the TBR rental, confirming that the beach chairs on the sand were for purchase and wondering where we should set up. She sweetly said that a few of the chairs were out of commission and we could sit there, which I appreciated. There is a washroom on the way in, for changing if needed. The food prices at the small server were outrageous resort prices, so bring some food if you plan to stay a while.
We showed up at Hanauma Bay the day before literally five minutes after they had shut it down for high bacteria counts, so were upset that we might not have a good snorkelling experience while on Oahu. Kulima Cove solved that problem and I can honestly say that we had a wonderful time in the water and saw about 20 different varieties of fish, from the Humuhumu and the pink neon Christmas Wrasse, to the Millet Butterfly fish and the stunning Moorish Idol. It was the first time we also swam amongst schools of fish. We would recommend swimming out a bit, to the larger areas of coral. You won't see any a few feet from the shore. It all feels very protected, and visibility with a sand bottom is great. We left there with BIG smiles on our faces.
It is first and foremost a resort, but you can set up anywhere on the beach, and if you have kids, it's a safe place. We were there on a Thursday and there was plenty of room for everyone. I spoke to a woman at the TBR rental, confirming that the beach chairs on the sand were for purchase and wondering where we should set up. She sweetly said that a few of the chairs were out of commission and we could sit there, which I appreciated. There is a washroom on the way in, for changing if needed. The food prices at the small server were outrageous resort prices, so bring some food if you plan to stay a while.
We showed up at Hanauma Bay the day before literally five minutes after they had shut it down for high bacteria counts, so were upset that we might not have a good snorkelling experience while on Oahu. Kulima Cove solved that problem and I can honestly say that we had a wonderful time in the water and saw about 20 different varieties of fish, from the Humuhumu and the pink neon Christmas Wrasse, to the Millet Butterfly fish and the stunning Moorish Idol. It was the first time we also swam amongst schools of fish. We would recommend swimming out a bit, to the larger areas of coral. You won't see any a few feet from the shore. It all feels very protected, and visibility with a sand bottom is great. We left there with BIG smiles on our faces.
Written February 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
warrenville111
Warrenville, IL1,005 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We went on a Sunday afternoon in May. All of the beach-access spots were taken and we parked in a grass/gravel area towards the back of the parking lot. We were not staying at the resort.
We found a nice place in the shade to put our things and set out for snorkeling. It was just okay. Visibility not great - and it seemed that it was just a wavier type of day. We did see fish though just not the best. If you have kids - it would probably be a great beginner snorkeling spot.
It was definitely a resort feel. There was a food/restaurant...snorkel gear...bathrooms...outdoor showers. Definitely a busier beach. Would have liked it better on a quieter day.
Overall - an okay place to stop. Certainly the facilities are welcome for changing/showering off. Walked outside of the resort a bit - but was not able to make it all the way around as they had a private event.
We found a nice place in the shade to put our things and set out for snorkeling. It was just okay. Visibility not great - and it seemed that it was just a wavier type of day. We did see fish though just not the best. If you have kids - it would probably be a great beginner snorkeling spot.
It was definitely a resort feel. There was a food/restaurant...snorkel gear...bathrooms...outdoor showers. Definitely a busier beach. Would have liked it better on a quieter day.
Overall - an okay place to stop. Certainly the facilities are welcome for changing/showering off. Walked outside of the resort a bit - but was not able to make it all the way around as they had a private event.
Written May 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mdecker17
Calgary, Canada957 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
After a drive getting to the north shore and visiting some nearby tourist sites we came to this beach to enjoy the sun and snorkelling. Great area for kids as the water is not deep and good for snorkelling with a variety of fish. Would recommend this place for families.
Written March 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2Calgarytravlers
De Winton, Canada213 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
When the weather consort are favourable, this is a very good beach with families with young children. The reef at entrance to cove almost completely Protects the beach It’s also great for novice snorkelers given water conditions and depth. Our 7 yo grandson saw his first Humu humu here. Beach parking at nearby turtle bay parking lot. Bathrooms and beach rentals. A very nice beach. Beach eats were outlandishly expensive. $25 hamburger!!!!
Written March 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kalon J
Carnation, United States2 contributions
Jan 2018
If you're in the area or want to check out the North Shore, this is a great spot for snorkeling - if the weather holds, especially in Winter. Check the conditions over at Hawaii beach safety and if the wind is too high or the waves reported are over 6 ft, chances are this will not be good.
But if it's under 6 ft, you should have clear water, great visibility (about 30-40 ft), calm swimming and a good variety of fish in a small area. We went when the wind was no more than 15mph and the waves reported were 4-6 feet, and it would have been hard to ask for better views.
More advanced snorkelers will likely want to check out some of the other places on Oahu, but this is quite nice for those who don't want to swim a ton - especially for kids. Kids can see fish easily around the area even without swimming out further than they can touch.
The beach itself is smallish and somewhat crowded. The food from the resort is expensive, but is at least there. The facilities are good and convenient. Parking isn't too bad, though it's a smidgen of a walk - if you have a lot of gear consider dropping it off at the public entrance first.
But if it's under 6 ft, you should have clear water, great visibility (about 30-40 ft), calm swimming and a good variety of fish in a small area. We went when the wind was no more than 15mph and the waves reported were 4-6 feet, and it would have been hard to ask for better views.
More advanced snorkelers will likely want to check out some of the other places on Oahu, but this is quite nice for those who don't want to swim a ton - especially for kids. Kids can see fish easily around the area even without swimming out further than they can touch.
The beach itself is smallish and somewhat crowded. The food from the resort is expensive, but is at least there. The facilities are good and convenient. Parking isn't too bad, though it's a smidgen of a walk - if you have a lot of gear consider dropping it off at the public entrance first.
Written January 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gs32794
Virginia2,269 contributions
So many mention that this cove is perfect for families, however I like to be in water that is 5 to 6 feet deep. Are there areas of the cove with that depth and a sandy bottom? Thanks.
Christie M
Virginia37 contributions
Yes, there are some areas that deep, however the majority of the cove is coral-covered, not so much sandy-bottomed, and with the coral the depth is much shallower.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Kuilima Cove
- Hotels near Kuilima Cove:
- (0.02 mi) Direct Ocean View Studio Villas Beach Level and 2nd Floor!
- (0.02 mi) Turtle Bay Oceanview Beachfront Villa
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- (0.03 mi) Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi
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Kuilima Cove Information
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