Snorkeling at Sharks Cove
Sharks Cove was named one of the "Top Twelve Shore Dives in the World" by Scuba Diving Magazine. This small rocky cove, part of Pupukea Beach Park on Oahu's world-famous North Shore, features turquoise water and an amazing diversity of marine life. The bottom is composed of huge smooth rocks and coral heads that create tiny caves and ledges for marine life to hide in. The adjacent cliffs offer calmer water, which attracts schooling surface fish. Sharks Cove is one of the finest snorkeling and diving sites on Oahu, therefore the beach may become busy on occasion.
Sharks Cove Snorkeling
Once you've begun snorkeling at Sharks Cove, you'll still have to navigate around some rocks and into some more shallow sections. There may be a lot of fish in this region, so if the current and surge aren't too strong, it might be a nice spot to spend some time.
After swimming through this shallow section (2-4 feet deep), the depth drops to 6-20 feet in the remainder of the cove. The whole cove is worth exploring, with big rocks providing interesting topography and excellent spots for swimming with fish. The deepest part has a sandy bottom and is located in the middle of the cove's mouth. The visibility in the cove changes according on the weather.
Sharks Cove weather
Because Sharks Cove is situated between the world-famous big wave surf locations of Waimea Bay and the Banzai Pipeline, you must ensure that there are no huge waves on the day you visit. The summer months are the ideal time to swim Sharks Cove since the surf season in Hawaii runs from October to April, with waves peaking between December and February.
Sharks Cove Amenities
There are public toilets and showers available in the parking lot for your convenience. There's no lifeguard on duty. There are a few local stores across the street from the parking lot where you may get food and beverages.
Sharks Cove Facilities include:
- Bathrooms
- Outdoor showers
- Parking
- Grass Area
- Food Trucks in the Area
- No Lifeguard on Duty
