I promised a seasoned snorkeler here that I would help keep this place a secret. Conflicting duties, so here is the Unilocal review. :-) After frustratingly trying to find a nice tranquil snorkeling spot near Captain Cook, we decided to drive NORTH of Kona to get at this place, which was listed in the Moon Guide as a potentially good place. We were so glad we did. When we pulled up, there was only one car in the dirt parking lot. It was a sheltered tidal flat with many pools and shallow ocean. Immediately, there were a bunch of sea turtles. As we traversed along, we saw many schools of fish in the shallow waters as well as some beautiful coral. Now, I’ve been snorkeling in other parts of the world. This one was pretty good and very easily accessible. There are many eels and sea snakes too. Remember to wear your water moccasins as there are a ton of sea urchins here. Note: this is not a swimming beach. Come here with your own snorkeling gear and you can spend an hour or two wandering on your own and enjoying tranquility and the abundant marine life. Make sure you get out to the open ocean segment, as that’s where a lot of the fish are.
Lauren L.
Place rating: 5 Berkeley, CA
The perfect view from my family’s vacation home, Puako Bay Beach is certainly captures Hawaii’s tranquil beauty. There is nothing I like more than walking along the beach admiring the colorful sunrises and sunsets, listening to some music, and enjoying some fresh coconut water! I promise you, it’s the perfect way to start or end your day! The beach is never overly crowded which makes it ideal for a romantic date or some peaceful alone time. Turtles can often be seen basking in the sun on the lava that decorates it’s shores which can be a real treat. For those of you with families, shell collecting is perfect here, I’ve come across some wildly colorful seashells and coral. Swimming, snorkeling, and diving fanatics often frequent this beach as well. The wave breaks are usually gentle so it’s a wonderful place to playfully frolic in the water or take a dive beneath the surface to admire the breathtaking tropical sea life. I highly recommend this gorgeous location, it is sure to become a place of fond memories! Aloha!
Emily Y.
Place rating: 4 Louisville, KY
Just north of the Fairmont. Turtles! Go early in the morning before the sun is high. Wear good shoes with traction/grip. Lots of tidepools to check out.
