Pupukea Beach Park / Shark's Cove Beach
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Address 59-694 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712
 
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Great for snorkeling when conditions are good.
Features
• Facilities: Bathrooms • Facilities: Equipment Rentals • Facilities: Grassy Area • Facilities: Showers • Type: No Dogs Allowed
• Type: Protected From Open Ocean • Type: Shady • Sand Type: Regular • Parking: Good / Plenty • Good For: Scuba Diving
• Good For: Snorkeling
Pupukea Beach Park is better known by locals as Shark's Cove Beach. So should you come here looking for or in fear of Shark Attacks In Hawaii?
No, not at all. You're not any more likely to spot them here than anywhere else so don't get excited or worried either way when it comes to sharks. It's nothing but a name.


Getting here is easy, just head to Haleiwa on the north shore of O'ahu (see our map / directions page for exact details). There is a decent amount of street parking but come during the week and come early as those spots go really fast. Equipment rentals are available across the street or bring your own (see Should I Bring My Own Snorkel Gear To Hawaii?). You'll also want to make sure you know How To Snorkel.


Shark's Cove is a preserve and offers some excellent snorkeling and scuba opportunities. Some say this is one of the best places to snorkel on the island. The main cove is the best area for this but only during summer months and only when the ocean is calm. This is the real reason to come here and for that it's probably a 5 star experience.


There are also huge tide pools here that you can check out as well snorkel in during high tide but the real show is out in the cove. Still, if the open ocean makes you nervous then the more protected tide pools are a neat option but keep in mind that they too are only a good option when the ocean is calm.


Either way, be prepared to walk on some slippery and sharp rocks if you want to get into some parts of the water here. It's not difficult but the option to slip and get hurt is there so maybe not the best for smaller kids or older folks. Water shoes are probably a good option if you're not using flippers.


If you want to snorkel or scuba then this is a great place to do it, but as a beach to hang out on, play in the water, and so on, well, it's sort of sub par at best. It's not really a beach you'll likely want to hang out at if you're not snorkeling here.