Shark's Cove: Honu and Scuba

Sharks Cove, North Shore Oahu

Sharks Cove was something I had put off for a while.  I had wanted to do it a lot but I don't really spend a bunch of time on the North Shore.  It is a gorgeous lava rock "beach", but it's more of just a cove to snorkel in than any kind of sun bathing spot.

When I finally did snorkel there a couple of weeks ago I wanted to kick my own butt because it was just that awesome.  It might actually be cooler than Hanauma Bay.  There aren't as many fish but there are still a bunch and the water is calmer and clearer at Sharks Cove, too.

The water is crystal clear and there are warm thermal spots where the fish actually gather.  It's not really a place for kids unless you're taking them to the Pupukea tide pools which are south of the cove.  (You can see them and they in the same area. No worries.)

Fish and Marine Life that I Saw Snorkeling  at Sharks Cove:

Sea Turtle Sharks Cove

• HONU!!  (2 of them!)
• Angel fish
• Reef trigger fish
• Needle Fish
• Perch 
• Wrasse
• Box Fish
• Butterfly fish
• Parrot fish

(What I didn't see was any eels but the two Honu kind of made up for that!)

Sharks Cove Tips:

Parking is small.  Get there early.
No beach. Not really.  Just a place to sit while not snorkeling.  It gets crowded too.
Wear beach shoes.  It's rocky especially entering the water.  Get down and snorkeling ASAP
Sharks Cove is a marine conservation district.  Respect the environment!

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Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

Hanauma Bay is the premiere Oahu snorkeling spot.  There may be other snorkeling spots in Oahu with less crowds and more open water, but when it comes to snorkeling on Oahu then most tourists and even some dedicated Islander residents choose Hanauma Bay as their "go to" snorkeling spot on the Island.

The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is regulated and there is a charge to get in.  For non-military and non-Hawaii residents the charge is $7.50.  You can rent snorkel gear at the beach on Hanauma Bay for $5 per individual piece or $12 per set.

Before entering the beach, you will need to watch a short, 9 minute video on the history of the bay, preservation and safety tips.

There is a tram that will take you down or up the steep hill to the beach for $1 one way or $2 for an all-day bracelet. There is food on site but it is up the hill so it might be a good idea to get tram pass if you’re going to eat or have to go and down the hill for any reason.

Other Amenities at Hanauma Bay:

Gift shop, bathrooms, changing rooms, showers, informational booth and, of course, the snorkel rental booth.

Many snorkel tour companies and Waikiki Beaches offer transportation to Hanauma Bay.

Directions to Hanauma Bay:

From Waikiki/Honolulu:

Take H1 east from Waikiki till it ends & becomes Kalanianaole Highway for approximately 10 miles. Entrance to the preserve is on the right at the top of the hill just past the city of Hawaii Kai. 

From the west, take the Kalanianaole Highway.  Pass Waianae Beach Park, Ka’iwi Beach Park (Makapu’u Lighthouse trail) and Sandy Beach.  The entrance to Hanauma Bay will be on your left.

Note:  The Hanauma Bay parking lot fills up early and costs $1 to park for the full day.

Hanauma Bay Hour of Operation:  6am to 7pm and closed on Tuesdays.

Fish and other marine life in Hanauma Bay:

You can’t snorkel at Hanauma Bay and NOT see fish.  It’s dang near impossible.  Here the most common fish that I’ve seen when snorkeling in Hanauma Bay on Oahu:

Green Sea Turtle

Moray Eel

Parrot fish

Butterfly fish

Yellow fin surgeonfish

Christmas Wrasse

Trumpet fish

Needle fish

Cornet Fish

Sea Urchins

Reef Triggerfish (Hawaii State fish, “humuhumunukunukuapuaaa”)

Bonus Tip:

All of the tourists will snorkel very close to the beach in shallow water.  The key is to get out just past the shallow reef. The water will be clear.  There will be caves and the water will be open while still have lots of reef for fish and turtles to gather.  You’ll love it.

Kuilima Cove: Best Snorkeling for Kids

Snorkeling in Hawaii is one of the greatest and most majestic experiences that you can take part in when you visit or move to Hawaii.  It's not just the chance of your lifetime but imagine what it could mean for kids!  A good snorkeling experience can form a true appreciation for the beauty of nature on young minds.

Kuilima Cove on Oahu is the perfect place for kids to snorkel

There are good and bad places for kids to go snorkeling in Oahu.  Some spots will have the possibility of being a little tough rough in the wave department.  High surf is never good for snorkeling but what the definition of what is acceptable surf for some snorkelers that tell you about great snorkeling spots may not be good for the kids to be splashing around in and learning to snorkel.

Kulima Cove has crystal clear water.  The water is so clear, in fact, that you may have a hard time trying to find a place on Oahu with the same water quality.  It's almost like you're snorkeling in a huge aquarium. That's how clear the water is!

The entire cove is shielded by a coral barrier that keeps the water still and perfect for snorkeling and underwater picture taking.

And...the fish are plentiful.  In my opinion, there are as many fish in Kuilima Cove as their are in Hanauma Bay.  The fish are just as tame and friendly and I'll even go so far as to say that the conditions are better for snorkeling, both in the water and out.

Kuilima Cove is not near as popular as Hanauman Bay so there is always plenty of room on the beach. Also, the beach front on Kuilima Cove is on the grounds of the Turtle Bay Hilton Resort, so it's maintained and clean.

Another good thing is that there is usually plenty of parking at Kuilima Cove on the Turtle Bay Hilton grounds.  Stay to the beach on the right side Hilton and you'll be in Kuilima Cove.  If you're left of the resort then you're actually in Turtle Bay and it's not real great for snorkeling.