Pupukea Beach Park
Pupukea Beach Park
4.5
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This location is great for children to swim.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
194 reviews
Excellent
128
Very good
60
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Emily M
Charlottesville, VA73 contributions
Sep 2021
First of all, I realize it is a little silly to rate a beach. That being said, I rated this as average because the "beach" itself is composed of volcanic rock. Very very uncomfortable to sit on if you can find a place at all. The snorkeling was good once you got past all of the rocks. We chose Pupukea because I read in my guide book that there were snorkeling rentals and bathrooms and food nearby. All of that is true. Next time what I would do is go early in the morning, rent snorkeling stuff at the rental place by Pupukea Beach Park, then drive up the road to Wailea Beach Park. That is a fantastic beach and I believe there is snorkeling there too.
Written September 16, 2021
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.
Meri T
44 contributions
Feb 2022
We were on our way to dinner after watching the sunset at Sunset Beach, and stumbled across this beautiful little area on our way. Absolutely beautiful as the sun finished setting. It is also near some delicious local spots for food - we went to Seven Brothers after this.
Written February 22, 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.
Wilma B
Nampa, ID64 contributions
Apr 2021
The beach was great. The view was great. The water was, you guessed it, great as well. The crowd was huge. We lucked out and found a parking spot right away, be patient. The view is breath taking in areas. We left to move onto another local beach.
Written April 21, 2021
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.
Hollandaze
Nanaimo, Canada30 contributions
Yes, we did the usual tourist thing - Hanuma Bay, paid our $7.50 each, listened to the boring film run by crabby elderly volunteers, got in the water and found it was a union holiday for fish. What few could be seeing were sensibly huddling where no human could reach.
Then some locals told us about Three Tables Beach at Pupukea Park. What a find! No fee, no lecture, no crabby people - just fish and beautiful coral from the moment your mask hit the water. Entire schools feeding over the reef. Best of all, absolutely no crowds. The icing on the cake was getting within a yard of a large green sea turtle feeding. I'll be back
Then some locals told us about Three Tables Beach at Pupukea Park. What a find! No fee, no lecture, no crabby people - just fish and beautiful coral from the moment your mask hit the water. Entire schools feeding over the reef. Best of all, absolutely no crowds. The icing on the cake was getting within a yard of a large green sea turtle feeding. I'll be back
Written May 20, 2015
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.
melheness
Sydney, Australia56 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
You need reef shoes for kids and yourself, but was a great spot for kids to snorkel and see fish in very shallow water without waves. Plenty of fish around. You just need to make sure you have reef shoes for the kids and yourself as it is very rocky and lots of sea urchins. Very pretty spot to spend a few hours. No toilets that we saw and nothing around at that exact spot so come prepared.
Written July 22, 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.
mtzennmaster
Kapolei, HI1,527 contributions
May 2015 • Family
I have spent a lot of time in the water on our North Shore and the snorkeling at Sharks Cove is exceptional. That said, the entry to the water is a bit of a challenge and the crowds are usually crazy on the perfect day with 0 to 1 foot waves. We have found that when the waves are down and the tide is up, or at least in slack, Three Tables Beach, just a short walk from Sharks Cove is a much better bet to see great fish and usually a Honu or two. The beach makes for a nice easy entry and a great place to plop after an hour or so finning around the rocks and corals. We often bring a picnic with us and make a day of it. Hands down, if the waves are running low, Three Tables Beach beats Sharks Cove any day.
Written July 4, 2015
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.
larabarccp
Honolulu52 contributions
Aug 2011
Pupukea Beach Park (a.k.a "Shark's Cove", although there are no sharks here), is an outstanding snorkeling spot ideal for swimmers of all ages and skill levels. I recommend it over Hanauma Bay because although it may be smaller and less hyped up, it is also usually way less crowded as a result. The cove is enclosed by a rocky barrier, so it is very calm in the summer, and there are many shallow, sandy spots perfect for young children to splash in. You should watch out for rocks, though, which can be slippery. Young children will also enjoy watching the crabs and fish that are abundant in the warm water. Shark's Cove is even better suited for exploration by older kids, teenagers and adventurous adults, with deep hidden pools (some I estimated to be about 12 feet deep) for diving, rock structures to clamber over and tidepools full of sea urchins, a narrow stream and underwater "cave" leading out to the ocean, and hours of swimming and snorkeling among tropical marine life. They are easily frightened, but we've spotted many types of fish including gobies, blennies and even a snowflake eel. Look carefully and bring nets, buckets, reef walkers and snorkeling gear (goggles will suffice). Shark's Cove also offers a decent amount of sandy beach and a strip of grass in the shade, bathrooms and showers (although not the most hygienic). They usually have people there selling T-shirts, but not usually food or drinks, so bring your own picnic lunch and plenty of water.
Written September 8, 2011
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.
Kulihi
Petaluma, CA7 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
This is south of sharkys cove 100-200 yds - Visited in June - excellent clarity; minimal surge that allowed my son to safely swim out to the ocean side of reefs. Under water ledges and over hangs made for fun to swim under. A couple turtles came by the rocks, but quickly left the area. A monk seal lion hauled out on beach one day of our visit. Many fish; only one Cowrey shell (brown with white spots) seen in water this is a MPA, so I expect more shells. some shade trees, bathroom nearby.
Food trucks nearby, so this made for an easy day to swim, enjoy sand and eat. Great area to spend the day. Parking was easy each of the three days visited. well worth the drive from Waikiki Beach hotel.
Food trucks nearby, so this made for an easy day to swim, enjoy sand and eat. Great area to spend the day. Parking was easy each of the three days visited. well worth the drive from Waikiki Beach hotel.
Written June 30, 2015
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.
Pokerroamer
Leonardtown, MD69 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
We love to snorkel. Tried out Hanauma Bay and was disappointed. Shark’s Cove was much better. We had no problem getting free parking right near the beach. Getting down there and entry into water is a bit of a challenge, but not too bad unless you have leg or back problems. Unlike Hanauma Bay, there was much more live coral, fish were as good or better, and the people respected the coral. We were lucky and water was very calm. They also had restroom facilities, so we were able to easily change out of our we swim clothes. Unless you just want a burger, not too much to eat, but drove a few miles to Haleiwa and had a decent selection.
Written October 3, 2013
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.
Sarah N
Roatan, Honduras51 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
We visited for a month in midwinter. We made a couple attempts to snorkel shark's cove on calmish days, but visibility was poor, waves made me queasy and our entry/exit was very sketchy.
Much better was the shallow tidepool area left of the cove, which we dubbed "the punchbowl". Excellent visibility in winter (never deeper than 10ft), tons of fish, and some coral. Parrot fish, lion fish, triggerfish, schools of pipefish and many others. We even saw a sea turtle in there! It seemed to be happy, munching on the algae which grows on the rocks.
There tended to be more kids on the left end and idiots walking around on the coral and algae-covered rocks. DON'T do this! You're killing the life you came to see, and possibly also your feet. There are urchins with finger-length spines in those rocks, and other things that sting or bite when stepped on. If you don't want to SWIM, please stay on the beach. With a mask and snorkel you can float and swim here in just a couple feet of water, and carefully navigate around the living rocks, which contain a multitude of life if you would just look closely. There is no need to stand up EVER.
Right side near the cove is less busy / damaged by jerks, and best are the deeper areas at the center back near the mouth. Be careful directly in front of the mouth in winter; when waves make it over the outer barrier the current gets very strong there and you'll get tumbled.
In the summer I have heard that the calm water ruins visibility and the fish leave for places less polluted by sunscreen and urine and stomping feet. But in the winter quite a lot of fresh water cycles through and keeps this pool vibrant. Strong winter recommend - I found this place had consistently much better visibility and more life than Hanuma bay in December.
Much better was the shallow tidepool area left of the cove, which we dubbed "the punchbowl". Excellent visibility in winter (never deeper than 10ft), tons of fish, and some coral. Parrot fish, lion fish, triggerfish, schools of pipefish and many others. We even saw a sea turtle in there! It seemed to be happy, munching on the algae which grows on the rocks.
There tended to be more kids on the left end and idiots walking around on the coral and algae-covered rocks. DON'T do this! You're killing the life you came to see, and possibly also your feet. There are urchins with finger-length spines in those rocks, and other things that sting or bite when stepped on. If you don't want to SWIM, please stay on the beach. With a mask and snorkel you can float and swim here in just a couple feet of water, and carefully navigate around the living rocks, which contain a multitude of life if you would just look closely. There is no need to stand up EVER.
Right side near the cove is less busy / damaged by jerks, and best are the deeper areas at the center back near the mouth. Be careful directly in front of the mouth in winter; when waves make it over the outer barrier the current gets very strong there and you'll get tumbled.
In the summer I have heard that the calm water ruins visibility and the fish leave for places less polluted by sunscreen and urine and stomping feet. But in the winter quite a lot of fresh water cycles through and keeps this pool vibrant. Strong winter recommend - I found this place had consistently much better visibility and more life than Hanuma bay in December.
Written December 10, 2019
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.
ノースにあるすべてのビーチに当てはまるかどうかわかりませんが、わたしの知る限りですと、かなり波は高いのでシュノーケリングはできないと思います。というか、お魚もいないような気がします。場所によっては波打ち際で高波を楽しむという遊び方もできますが、危険ですし、自己責任だと思いますので、私からはおすすめはできないです。ププケアビーチは、湾になっているので、他よりは波は来ませんが、それでも打ち寄せてくる波を見ていると恐怖を感じます。（以前は、能天気にそれも楽しんでいたのですが、今年そのように感じ始めました） ずっと以前にハナウマ湾へ行って以来、今年行ってきましたが、断然こちらをおすすめします。有料で駐車場も混み合いますが（それはププケアも同じ）、魚の量が違いますし、種類も多いですし、何よりライフガードがいるので安全です（油断はだめですが）。それから岩場で足を切るようなこともありません。久しぶりにハナウマ湾へ行って、こんなに良いところだったのかと改めて感じています。
Written February 5, 2019
今更ですが返信させていただきます。後の情報源として利用して頂ければ幸いです。
治安は、決して良くはないけれど悪くはないといった感じです。
週末ですと、現地の方がファミリーでのんびり過ごしています。
と、これまではのんきに利用していましたが、カカアコの事件など、思いもよらないところで危険に合うことがわかり、あそこのトイレも危ないといえば危ないなと考えなおしています。
塀で囲んでいるので、不審者やホームレスが隠れていてもわかりませんので。
今年は、WANTEDという張り紙が貼られて、ビーチは封鎖されていました。 時間がなくじっくり見ていませんので、ビーチで遭難か、誘拐などの事件かなどまではわかりませんが、平和にのんびりと遊んでいて大丈夫ではないことがわかりました。
過去には、ノースで日本人の方も行方不明になっているようです。
駐車場は以前から危ないです。（それはハワイどこでも同じだと思いますが）。
今年は、トイレを利用しなくて済むように、ホテルから水着着用で行き、バスタオルなども、あらかじめトランクに入れておき、現地では何も持たずにビーチへ短時間だけ行く計画で、安全性重視で行く予定でしたが、上記の通り閉鎖されておりいけませんでした。その代わりハナウマ湾に行きました。
十数年前に行ったきりで久しぶりでしたが、こんなに良いところだったっけと思えるくらい良かったです。
いろいろな面で、今後はこちらをおすすめします。
もし、ププケアに行くのであれば、ひざまであたりで見れる範囲で見るくらいの方が良いかもしれません。
Written February 5, 2019
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