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    Pupukea Beach Park

    4.8 (22 reviews)

    Pupukea Beach Park Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Pupukea Beach Park

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    Sharon H.

    Super fun place to go tidepooling! Bring water shoes, you have climb over lots of rough rocks to get to the tidepools and even around the tide pools. The water is clear and shallow. My non-swimming toddlers could walk around and see some fish without any equipment, but certainly you can see a bit more with goggles/snorkel gear. Compared to other snorkeling on the beach: we aw a lot more here than the Ko-Olina lagoons which were really murky when I went in the same week) Hanauma Bay had much more amazing fish to see, but was too deep for my kids. The beach here is pretty gorgeous too. Bathrooms and parking onsite. Foodieland a food trucks are right across the street so super convenient for grabbing a picnic before or after!

    Tiffany N.

    Gorgeous views, I'm talking stunning but be sure to bring waterproof sandals or water shoes, you will get banged up if you don't! This is a stellar spot for snorkeling, I saw an array of fish which was surprising since it was a pretty busy day. I would have loved to get out beyond the lagoon but time didn't allow. Bonus for having ample parking and restroom on site!

    5-12-22
    Nadine C.

    Best beach on the North Shore of Oahu for snorkeling... That's what my friend from Los Angeles called Shark's Cove! I've never swam at Pupukea Beach - even though I've lived on the Island of Oahu all of my life. I didn't really know that this beach is also called Shark's Cove - and that it has calm waters (on 5-12-22) for families to enjoy. I saw from photos that the water is so clear that you can see the fish in their natural environment! I took a look around and noticed the outdoor shower, restroom, free parking, tide pools, and beautiful scenery. My friend jumped in the water so quickly! He left his wife and son on the beach with me. Whaaattt??? It was just amazing that this guy (who never had any swimming lessons) was like a fish! He said that he kicks his legs alike a frog (breast stroke) and that he doesn't know how to swim free style! Yikes! He had brought his face mask (for snorkeling), towel, and change of clothes in his backpack. He only had a carry-on suitcase! Anyway, I learned about Pupukea Beach and will be better prepared the next time I take friends to the North Shore. It's a great place to visit! P.S. be careful if the waves are rough. There are many rocks in the water which could scrape the skin. Bring reef shoes to walk on the rocks!

    Alex L.

    Many people come here so be mindful of peak times. Wear water shoes because going down to the tide pool gets rocky. Bring goggles or a snorkel and you'll see tons of fish while you're there. Its a wonderful spot to swim around and check out the wild life.

    Pupukea Beach Park aka Sharks Cove
    Greg W.

    This is a great park on the north shore for snorkeling and enjoying the sea life. Be eco friendly though with no sun block. So where a tee shirt to avoid sun burn if you must. And remember not to touch or hurt the choral, fish or turtles.

    Jacquelyn C.

    Beautiful beach with not as many people around. It can be difficult to find parking, and there are no showers available. However, foodland is across the street so if you need any snorkeling gear or food/drinks it is available. Some areas can be pretty rocky, but there are areas that are more beachy.

    Jillian S.

    Lovely beach area with clear, shallow water and tide pools. Plus it is located near the North Shore food trucks. Unfortunately we chose a rainy, chilly day to drive around Oahu in January. As a result, it was raining and the waves were rough when we arrived. We stayed on land and enjoyed watching and listening to the waves. We enjoyed our stay, but would have liked to visit on a warm, sunny day.

    Feb W.

    For a person who doesn't know how to swim (like me), this beach is perfect! With the rocks that serves as the protection from small to medium size waves, this is one of the reasons that this beach is good for snorkeling spot during summer. And in winter, it offers a great diving spot. But it still depends. Coz right now, the area is restricted from anyone because if its monstrous waves smashing on shore. It's imperative that you wear reef shoes at all times since there are a lot of sharp rocks. Sharp rocks also means that, if you have kids, you take extra precautions when you let them swim. Or a strict guidance is needed. What I like this beach park is that, picnic is also good coz of the abundant shady area. I could stay in here the whole afternoon just to search something interesting in here. I've seen a lot of sea urchin too! Colorful fishes & anemone. Star fish & big fat sea cucumber. Sea shells & even crabs! Brings me back my memories in Camotes Island when I was younger. That was so fun! Equipment rentals & dining options are nearby. Foodland is even just across the street. Amenities: parking (free); showers & toilets. For sure I'll come back in here. Have lunch together with my bandit & look for some sea urchin after (insert wink face). Mahalo for reading & happy juandering fellow yelpers!

    Jennifer D.

    My family enjoyed this beach so much that we came back three separate times during our 6 night stay on the north shore. The rocks created perfect tide pools for young children and adults that just like to wade. The pools ranged from a few inches of water to a little more than waist deep on my 5' 3" self. My kids loved snorkeling here because the water was very calm and there were plenty of fish to see. There is also a nice little cove to the right with deeper water to snorkel that is not cut off by the rocks. This area is definitely better for stronger swimmers. The area to the left is sandy if you're looking to lay out in the sun or picnic. There are public restrooms at the top of the hill and outdoor showers to rinse off. Parking is extremely limited but we found cars were constantly in/out so we never had an issue finding a spot. The day we went early was obviously the easiest to park. There are food trucks across the street if you're looking for a quick bite. Bring water shoes. The rocks are extremely sharp here.

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    5 years ago

    Such a fun spot. Found on Yelp, and it did not disappoint. Make sure you bring water shoes!

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    Ask the Community - Pupukea Beach Park

    Where do people put their car keys while snorkeling? Are there lockers to store stuff in?

    Aloha Maria. There are no public lockers for storage of personal belongings at this park. To the best of our knowledge there aren't any public storage lockers in our City parks. There are private rental businesses across the street from the park who… Read more

    Does anyone know if BBQ/grilling is allowed at this beach?

    Aloha Edwin. Yes, BBQing is allowed on the beach under the regular guidelines. This includes grilling in a enclosed grill, not a pit dug in the ground, and properly disposing the grilling coals in a designated coal dumping pit (normally circular,… Read more

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    Review Highlights - Pupukea Beach Park

    I took a look around and noticed the outdoor shower, restroom, free parking, tide pools, and beautiful scenery.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

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    Haleiwa Alii Beach Park - Can't beat living in paradise

    Haleiwa Alii Beach Park

    4.5(99 reviews)
    6.2 mi

    Took a drive to Hale'iwa today, so made a stop at Ali'i Beach Park. It was certainly better than…read moreWaikiki Beach. Not nearly as many people and lots of empty sand for people to lay their blankets down without being too close to each other. Was so peaceful just sitting on a rock to watch the surfers coming in on the waves (or at least trying to!). There were young ones on their body boards close to the shore, too. I think there must've been folks trying to learn to surf here. There were two groups of people with boards beyond the first few waves. Was wonderful just to sit and watch them! I just wish there were turtles and monk seals there, but we weren't fortunate enough for that!

    It's not really alii beach park but a little to the left there's a PRIME spot some people call…read morefresh airs (or so I think lol). If you're lucky you can get a parking at the back gate on Pikai street and walk through straight to the beach! The bathrooms are pretty far from here but you can always drive to the beach park or there's even Kaiaka beach park next door with showers too. ***The one thing about parking here and coming here is to be very respectful as you're in a residential area. Lots of locals but also lots of places are rented out to tourists. You're pretty much at their back yards. It's also the best place for the sunset! Which it gets a little busier at the time with families walking or driving over just to catch the last hour. It's clear and good for children. Sometimes it can be a little choppy so of course still use caution anytime you're at the beach. There's not a lot of shade but still my favorite spot. We recently moved to waialua so this'll be my favorite place to come with my family at least once a week

    Photos
    Haleiwa Alii Beach Park
    Haleiwa Alii Beach Park - I could sit at this bench all day!

    I could sit at this bench all day!

    Haleiwa Alii Beach Park - The sun is nearly gone, making the sky a wonder.

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    The sun is nearly gone, making the sky a wonder.

    Kaiaka Bay Beach Park - Fireworks

    Kaiaka Bay Beach Park

    4.3(27 reviews)
    6.8 mi

    I couldn't search for Pohaku Lana'i in Yelp, so I was finally able to find a place where the…read morebalance lock existed. Balance Rock is a historical landmark located at Pohaku Lana'i in Haleiwa, HI. This ancient Hawaiian site for God worship was recently visited by world-famous Japanese baseball great Shohei Ohtani who came to see it because it is known for its "big energy". On a recent visit, it was easy to feel the aura of peace surrounding the unusual natural rock configuration that appears to balance one large rock on top of another. Pohaku Lana'i offers plenty of parking for easy access to the grassy park area where the Balance Rock is located. Close to the ocean, the park is a comfortable place for people to gather, enjoy the beach, and restroom facilities are available as well. Yelp でポハクラナイが検索できなかったので、バランスロックが存在する場所を探してようやく此処に辿り着く事が出来た。 大谷翔平効果で一躍有名になったバランスロックは特に日本人の間でブームなのかも知れない。 この古代ハワイの神崇拝サイトは、その「大きなエネルギー」で知られており、世界的に有名な日本人の偉大なベースボールプレーヤー大谷翔平が訪れた事で一躍注目を浴びる事となったのです。 最近私達が訪問した時も、大きな岩を別の岩の上に、まるで人工的にバランス良く設置したように見える珍しい岩の周りには、とても安定した平和のオーラを容易に感じ取る事が出来ました。 ポハク・ラナイには、バランス・ロックがある芝生の公園エリアに簡単にアクセスできる十分な駐車場があります。海に近い公園は、人々が集まり、ビーチを楽しむのに快適な場所であり、トイレ施設も利用出来るので是非ハワイ訪問の際には此処に来て大きなエネルギーを感じ取ってください!

    Being raised on the North Shore of Oahu I would say Kaiaka Bay is the North Shore's version of…read moreMagic Island. When I worked in town (Honolulu) I would run Magic Island on my lunch breaks. Here at Kaiaka Bay - There aren't any paved walking paths but it's still fun to run around the the perimeter of park (dirt) or the paved road. There is plenty of parking. There are clean bathrooms and showers. There are BBQ areas and campground. There are several picnic tables, mostly shaded. I see people surfing and fishing here but have honestly never swam. I have spotted several turtles here. The park is located Haleiwa on Haleiwa Beach road, right next to Haleiwa Elementary School and is a great place to picnic at.

    Photos
    Kaiaka Bay Beach Park - Fireworks

    Fireworks

    Kaiaka Bay Beach Park
    Kaiaka Bay Beach Park

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    Aweoweo Beach Park - Sunset

    Aweoweo Beach Park

    4.1(25 reviews)
    8.0 mi

    I love adventuring around and finding new little beach parks. This beach park is in Wailua on the…read moreNorth Shore. Although there isn't a parking lot (the only thing that makes it a 4/5 stars), this is a great public beach park. There is a basketball court and a playground that has a swing set. All steps away from the ocean. I'm such a sucker for swings on the beach, it's absolutely epic. They even have a public bathroom ( I didn't check them out though). This feels more like a neighborhood beach with a decent amount of people but not too crowded.

    Fun, sun, sand, and a slice of North Shore charm, Aweoweo Beach Park is a perfect addition to stop…read moreto your day. Tucked away in the town of Waialua, this beach park has it all. With a playground for the children, a basketball court for a quick game, and the beach steps away, it is a perfect stop for any day of the week. Whether it's a beach date, grilling with friends, playing with your fur baby, or taking a quick dip, this spot is one of my new favorite spots that I have found. The calm, shallow waters are perfect for cooling off after a run. The best thing is that there is plenty of street parking, bathroom facilities, and an outdoor shower. Pro tip: You need to stay for sunset. Each one I have seen is even better than the last. I'm here almost every week for my afternoon run followed by a dip, and I have to stay every time to see the sun light up the evening sky.

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    Aweoweo Beach Park - Sunset

    Sunset

    Aweoweo Beach Park - Sunset

    Sunset

    Aweoweo Beach Park

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    Laniakea Beach - Reserve volunteers

    Laniakea Beach

    4.2(501 reviews)
    3.8 mi

    Always a great stop while on the Northshore to hopefully sight turtles either resting on the beach…read moreor tumbling in the waves. In January we came by 2x in a week and did not see turtles on the first day but enjoyed the beautiful views. On the second day, we lucked out and got to see a large turtle laying on the beach and then enjoyed the beautoful sunset. There is usually a volunteer at the beach and they are so helpful to answer any questions and protect the turtles. We learned that there are more turtles in the summer there, and that the waves wash away the sand in the winter and then return the sand in the summer.

    It's hard to believe that it's been over thirteen years since my 1st visit here. I've been back a…read morevariety of times, bringing travel companions to experience this. As the years went by, the traffic and parking situation became a nightmare for all. After parking your vehicle across the road, you start the video game Frogger in trying to navigate and dodge passing cars to cross the road. Coming this year with another 1st timer, we found a dedicated spot to park ((https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=vvIKqY2lR0itJ69ZUlXhJA).) where even the sanctuary volunteers leave their vehicles. The best part is that they installed a marked crosswalk (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=N7ZkG2n7jMLelhcy1vzRdQ) for people to cross in a more safe manner; do still exercise caution in crossing the Kam Highway. On the Tuesday early afternoon we went, the waters were rough with 30 to 40 ft waves. As a result, the beach was taped off as a safety measure. I walked to the primary beach section were the sanctuary volunteers monitored the situation to make sure visitors do not bother the wildlife here. As I spoke with a volunteer originally from St. Louis, she pointed out a seal (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=U6UBzjIUZhr2lFKcMbobiA) that made it's way to the beach to find a resting spot. As my friend and I walked back towards the open area across the parking section, we stared with other visitors towards the break line and saw smaller turtles struggling to make their way in, often catching their bobbing heads out of the water or the outline of their bodies contrasting to the clear waters. None made it to the beach, what little sand space there was, while we were there. The key to seeing the turtles is to check the tide times and trying to come when it is close to high tide. We'll see how things on my next visit, whether we have time or interest to see the turtles.

    Photos
    Laniakea Beach - Turtle at Laniakea Beach

    Turtle at Laniakea Beach

    Laniakea Beach - Turtle at Laniakea Beach

    Turtle at Laniakea Beach

    Laniakea Beach - Reserve volunteers

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    Reserve volunteers

    Puaena Point Beach - Beautiful sunset

    Puaena Point Beach

    4.7(11 reviews)
    6.0 mi

    Is there such a thing as a hidden gem in Hawaii?…read more This place comes very close to it. While Wifey and I were exploring North Shore after having crossed off Giovanni's Shrimp Truck and Matsumoto's Shave Ice from our bucket list, we needed a place to wind down and relax. We drove along Kamehameha Highway and pulled into Kahalewai Place and found a parking spot along the side road. One thing we noticed right away that it seems to a a local spot and there weren't too many tourists around, even though we were up in North Shore. We walked towards the beach and followed some people with surfboards in tow. I could see a bunch of locals out by the beach on their paddle boards and surfboards, and most of them were kids and young adults. It seems to be the local surf spot for beginners as the waves were pretty tame, but it was consistent with the North Shore winds behind them. It also seems to a be a good fishing spot for locals as there was a Filipino family enjoying themselves having a picnic. I got into a conversation with one of the local fisherman (P. Sherman), who told me what types of fish he was catching and how to cook 'em. He showed me his bucket of his catches of the day, and they were enough to feed his family. He didn't have to, but he was nice enough to let me take photos of him as he was more than accommodating. I thanked him for his time and appreciated his hospitality with my intrusion on his daily life. We explored the area some more as there were trails to follow, but there were also "Private Property" signs posted everywhere. I was beginning to wonder if Mark Zuckerberg bought half of this place with all those signs around. But we skirted around it as we went around the beach and enjoyed the relaxed vibe and energy of the beach. We also liked that it wasn't very crowded compared to the hustle and bustle on the main strip of Haleiwa as it felt like a cocoon shielded us from that source. We could have spent more time on this beach, but we wanted to see and experience as much as possible on the North Shore of Hawaii. Definitely a place you could spend a day at if you were a local.

    Great beach to learn to surf. Lessons from Sand n Sea were here; waves about 3-5' when we were…read morethere. A few other surfboard rental n lesson places are set up in the parking lot. Each place has a different number of surfboards in different sizes. Reservations are best if you have specific board needs.

    Photos
    Puaena Point Beach - Long walk here lol

    Long walk here lol

    Puaena Point Beach - Beautiful proposal spot!

    Beautiful proposal spot!

    Puaena Point Beach - Crashing Wave over Rocks. This could be a name of a cocktail drink. It will definitely have coconut in it.

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    Crashing Wave over Rocks. This could be a name of a cocktail drink. It will definitely have coconut in it.

    Kealia Trail - Airplane frame

    Kealia Trail

    4.3(100 reviews)
    8.7 mi

    I was looking for a trail appropriate for 9 year olds, and Nadia K recommended this trail, which…read moreturned out to be perfect for my friend and our kids! The trail was very easy to find, just search for the trail on google maps and the map will lead you to the parking lot next to Dillingham Airfield (look for "West Gate). After parking, head towards the mountain to get to the trailhead. It took us 1 1/2 hours to the covered picnic table, mostly because we were pausing for water breaks and photos with the kids. Tips: wear plenty of sunscreen, a hat, and bring LOTS of water. It gets hot!

    Nice little trail on the north shore…read more You park at the dillingham airport and the trailhead is across the street. Not hard to find. The first half mile is shaded switchbacks. The mile after that is exposed. It sort of reminded me of hikes in SoCal. The gradient isn't too bad because of the switchbacks but you are going up about 1000' in like 1.5 miles. So the climbing can feel a bit relentless. No scrambling over rocks and other obstacles like some other Oahu hikes. I thought it was fairly easy. I think anyone in decent shape won't have any issues. For those who are just beginning your fitness journey, this would probably be a good workout. The trail is easy to follow. Very little chance of you getting lost (at least to the picnic table which was my turn around point). It's very rocky but walking/hiking isn't an issue. Trail Runners: I saw some other trail runners but this wouldn't be my first choice trail on the north shore. The switch backs don't go on long enough to get any sort of rhythm after the half mile point. And while I wouldn't say this is the most technical of runs, you definitely have to pay attention. I went super slow on the decent for my first time. I may go back and go past the picnic table to see what's up there but I'd say skip this if you're a runner. Hikers will like it I think. And it wasn't too crowded. I saw a handful of people on my run. The views are ok. There are definitely much more scenic views on Oahu but these weren't bad by any means.

    Photos
    Kealia Trail - Picnic table at the end of zig zag section of trail

    Picnic table at the end of zig zag section of trail

    Kealia Trail
    Kealia Trail

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    Pupukea Beach Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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