In summer the water goes clear and flat in this lava-rock bowl on the North Shore, and reef fish crowd the ledges. Sharks Cove is a marine reserve, so everything in it is protected. In winter the cove is one of the more dangerous places on the island, so season matters most.
Summer turns the cove into a clear, rocky basin with a central pool roughly 15 to 20 ft deep and sheltered shelves around it. Convict tang and yellow tang graze the rock, Moorish idols drift past, and trumpetfish hang vertically in the crevices. Look under ledges for small moray eels and octopus. Green sea turtles visit occasionally, and whitetip reef sharks are sometimes seen just outside the cove.
The deepest part of the cove, around 15 to 20 ft, where the biggest fish and the clearest water usually are in summer.
Fish shelter in cracks and overhangs along the rock walls. Watch for moray eels, octopus and urchins in the crevices.
Shallow tide pools beside the cove, added to the marine reserve in 2021. Look but do not touch, and do not walk on living reef.
A pale surgeonfish with dark vertical bars, often moving across Hawaiian reefs in big grazing schools.
Acanthurus triostegus
A striking black, white and yellow fish with a long trailing fin, often seen in pairs or small groups over Pacific reefs.
Zanclus cornutus
A bright lemon-yellow surgeonfish that grazes algae in loose schools. It is one of the easiest Hawaiian reef fish to spot, especially along the Kona coast.
Zebrasoma flavescens
A long, thin fish that hovers head down among coral or shadows bigger fish to sneak up on prey. Found in Hawaii and Florida.
Aulostomus
The turtle you are most likely to meet. Greens graze on algae over shallow reef and rest under ledges. In Hawaii they are protected and very used to snorkelers.
Spotting tip: Scan the rocky edges where waves wash over algae, and sandy cleaning stations where fish pick at their shells.
Guardian rule: Stay at least 10 ft away. Never block a turtle's path to the surface.
Chelonia mydas
A master of disguise that changes color and texture to match the reef. Look for a pile of shells outside a hole, which often marks its den.
Octopus cyanea
Eels that peer out of reef holes, opening and closing their mouths to breathe. They are shy unless provoked, so keep hands out of holes.
Muraenidae
Spiny grazers wedged into reef holes. Some have long, sharp spines that break off in skin, which is one more reason to never stand on the reef.
Echinoidea
Live sea temperature, waves and wind for the next 7 days, with our snorkel rating for each day.
Calm Choppy Rough. Wave heights are offshore model values.
Loading tides…
Forecast: Open-Meteo. Tides: NOAA station 1612340. Model data, not a lifeguard report. Always check posted warnings.
Hand-picked tours that run here, ranked for small groups, a proper reef briefing and respect for wildlife.
by Pink Sails Waikiki
Catamaran trip to Turtle Canyon with 30 to 45 minutes in the water, a guide and snorkel gear included. Minimum age 7 and basic swimming skill required.
The listing recommends reef-safe sunscreen. It does not state turtle distance rules, so ask the crew for the 10 ft briefing. Price is an estimate for two travelers.
by Living Ocean Tours
Two hour boat trip along the Honolulu coast to the Turtle Canyons site with in-water guides and snorkel gear. Operator says it sees green sea turtles on most trips.
Ask the crew for a turtle distance briefing (10 ft) before you get in. Group size not confirmed.
by Island Splash Tours
Short boat ride from Waikiki to an offshore area where green sea turtles feed, with gear provided.
Check the listing for group size and the operator's sunscreen policy before you book.
by See Viator listing
Full day minibus loop around the island with a North Shore snorkel stop to look for green sea turtles. Round trip hotel pickup in Waikiki.
Listing describes a small group of about 24 to 28 or fewer. Confirm the snorkel stop and season on the listing.
by See Viator listing
Guided Hanauma Bay visit with round trip transport from Waikiki, useful if you cannot get a bay reservation or do not want to drive and park.
Hanauma Bay's mandatory 9 minute education video still applies. Confirm on the listing whether bay admission is included.
We may earn a commission when you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which tours we pick. How we choose tours.
May to September is the safe window, when North Shore swells are small and the water is clear. October to April brings swells of 10 to 30 ft or more, and the cove is extremely dangerous for swimmers and snorkelers.
Get in early. The small lot fills by mid-morning in summer, and the water is calmest and clearest before the wind picks up.
Swell matters more than tide here. Skip the cove if waves wash over the rocks.
October to April, any day with a surf advisory, and 72 hours after storms or heavy rain, because the enclosed tide pools can hold bacteria.
| Row | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snorkel conditions | Avoid | Avoid | Avoid | Avoid | Good | Best | Best | Best | Best | Fair | Avoid | Avoid |
| Green sea turtle | Avoid | Avoid | Avoid | Avoid | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Avoid | Avoid |
| Water °F | 78 | 77 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 81 | 82 | 82 | 80 | 79 |
In calm summer water, comfortable swimmers can snorkel the cove on their own. The challenge is getting in over sharp, uneven lava rock, so wear reef shoes and go with a buddy. There is no lifeguard at the cove, so check the surf report first. In winter, do not enter the water at all.
Swim level: Comfortable swimmer
Sharks Cove is in Pupukea Beach Park on Kamehameha Highway, between Waimea Bay and Three Tables, about 45 minutes to an hour from Waikiki depending on traffic.
The small lot on the mauka (inland) side of Kamehameha Highway holds about 30 cars and fills by mid-morning in summer. Overflow parking is along the highway shoulder. Cross the road carefully.
The easiest entry is the sandy pocket on the south side of the cove. Experienced snorkelers sometimes enter from the rocks on the north side. Wear reef shoes either way.
Free. Parking in the small lot across the highway and along the road is free.
Checked 2026-10-22. Fees change, so confirm before you go.
Plan around summer. From May to September the North Shore is usually flat enough to snorkel the cove, and the water is warm and clear. From October to April, winter swells of 10 to 30 ft or more crash over the lava rock. Do not enter the water in that season, even on a quiet looking day.
Check the surf report and the water quality advisory before you go. Wear reef shoes, go with a buddy and keep out of the water after heavy rain. There is no lifeguard at the cove, so know your limits. If waves are washing over the rocks, the entry is unsafe and you should skip the swim.
Expect reef fish rather than big animals. Convict tang, yellow tang, Moorish idols and trumpetfish live on the rock, with small moray eels and octopus in the cracks. Green sea turtles visit occasionally. All of it is protected, so look but do not touch.
Sharks Cove sits inside the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District, created in 1983. The state sets strict rules on what you can take or touch.
Fishing, spearfishing and transiting with fishing gear are prohibited in the cove. Collecting marine life, shells or opihi is also prohibited, as is damaging or taking coral and natural features. Official rule
Feeding fish or other marine life is prohibited in the district. Official rule
Stay off the coral and rock shelves where animals live. Wear reef shoes for the entry, then lift off and swim. Official rule
Stay at least 10 ft from sea turtles and 50 ft from Hawaiian monk seals. Official rule
Use mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, or wear a rash guard, so less washes into the reserve. Official rule
How snorkelers protect reefs · Hawaii reef-safe sunscreen rules
These local groups restore coral, rescue wildlife and keep the water clean. Volunteer a morning, donate, or just follow their work.
Community stewardship of the Pupukea-Waimea Marine Life Conservation District
A community group on the North Shore that has pushed for stronger protections for the marine reserve, including the 2021 rule changes. See their site to donate or volunteer.
Visit pupukeawaimea.org →
May to September, when North Shore swells are small and the water is clear. Go early, because the lot fills by mid-morning on calm days. From about October to April the cove is not safe to enter, no matter how calm it looks on arrival.
In summer, yes for comfortable swimmers who check conditions first. Entry is over sharp lava rock, urchins sit in the crevices and there is no lifeguard at the cove. In winter, swells of 10 to 30 ft or more make it extremely dangerous, so stay out of the water.
Whitetip reef sharks are occasionally seen just outside the cove. Sources describe them as harmless to snorkelers, but give them space and do not chase any wildlife. Do not expect to see one.
Yes, there is a small free lot across Kamehameha Highway that holds about 30 cars, plus overflow parking on the highway shoulders. It fills by mid-morning in summer. Cross the road carefully, because traffic moves fast.
Convict tang, yellow tang, Moorish idols and trumpetfish are the most common, with moray eels and octopus in the crevices. Green sea turtles visit now and then, and whitetip reef sharks sometimes pass outside the cove.
What we pack for every snorkel trip. Each link searches the category on Amazon so you can compare brands and prices.
Non-nano zinc oxide only. No oxybenzone or octinoxate, which Hawaii bans.
Shop on Amazon →The best sun protection is fabric. Less sunscreen in the water, less sunburn on your back.
Shop on Amazon →A low-volume mask that fits beats any rental. Short travel fins pack easily.
Shop on Amazon →An inflatable vest lets you rest without standing on the reef. Lifeguards love them.
Shop on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure.
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We check fees, rules and access against official sources first, then local operators and recent visitor reports. Conditions change, so always follow posted signs and lifeguards. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
