We saw a few fish, but nothing too cool or exotic that day. The water was also a little cloudy because we went on a gloomy day with off-and-on rain. Even so, we still had a blast! My kids stayed on the right side, where it was deeper. It was quite a workout getting back to shore because of the waves that day. The left side, on the other hand, is shallower and much calmer. Make sure to wear grippy water shoes because you have to climb over some large rocks to get there. The rocky, sandy bottom can also be painful to walk on barefoot. We'd love to come back on a sunny, calm day. There is a rental shop right across the road, and they also have parking available. Parking can be difficult depending on how busy it is, so having that extra option is nice. read more

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Meh. I was excited to go to as many beaches in the North Shore on this trip, but this one was probably my least favorite. I didn't realize that it was known for being a snorkeler's paradise. We didn't have water shoes or snorkel gear. Parking was hard along the street, the sand was hot and not soft, and there wasn't much shaded area. We brought poke with us to enjoy on the beach, but it was a bit hard. The area with shade under the trees had a bunch of ants and lots of flies. We couldn't access the water because it was full of rocks. I understand that it's a great place to go snorkeling, but I don't think I'll be back. Better spots to go to. read more

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My kids loveeee this spot!!! First of all, be careful! Go down the other way! Not by where all the trees are at! I fell and bled from my fall.. and 6 other people Fell after me so please please be careful! The right side of the cove where the trees are at and a lot of shade near the bathroom where you have to go down, that is slippery!! Especially when you are carrying a lot of stuff with you so please be careful! The other side is so much easier to access! I love it here and so did my children! They were able to see so many fishes! We saw an eel too! So awesome! Sadly due to the construction there was a ridiculous amount of traffic. But this spot has food trucks just across to grab some food! read more

We visited on a day when locals said there were 40 ft waves in the morning. I didn't realize what this meant and we found out, upon arrival, that the beach itself was closed for safety. We sat on the grass and watched the waves hit the rocks then enjoyed the sunset. It's a beautiful spot and I'd love to visit it when we can sit in the sand. Note: There are public restrooms and limited parking. read more

Shark's Cove - Beaches Near Me - Haleiwa, Hawaii

A snorkel work out! I planned to work out prior to going but my sister convinced me not to. So I didn't work out first. Glad I didn't as there was more climbing than swimming. Make sure to get here early. We arrived around 10:45am on a Monday and it was already packed in parking. I had to circle around twice and lucked up. With an early bird leaving my second time. If you forget something don't worry. In the food trucks parking lot across the street they have it. You can rent or buy snorkels, fins, life jackets and more. Swim shoes is a must 1000%. It's rocks everywhere. You will have to walk, climb or scoot over them a lot. In some spots it's rock walls. It's more rocks than water. There is also a lot of sea urchins, so be careful. It was a lot of different fish to see. Overall it was okay. It's does have an inside bathroom there. As well as plenty food choices across the street at food trucks or the food land grocery store. If you have kids that are accident prone I wouldn't bring them here. They will definitely get hurt. I even scratched my knee when I was leaving. Just when I thought I made it out bruise free, it got me. read more

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We had mixed reviews on Sharks Cove but checked it out. It's a calm cove with quite a few fish. There are many rocks so water shoes are recommended. There are signs discouraging from walking on the rocks but it's gonna happen even if you are trying to be careful. The waters are shallow enough for kids and as you explore there are deeper areas. I had a minor injury so I couldn't explore the deeper areas very easily but I heard there was good snorkeling in the deeper areas. Parking can be a challenge but there is a lot of roadside parking. read more

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second or third time here and it's just as i remember it! you can relax on the grass/sand or snorkel in the shallow parts and see fishies (be sure to wear shoes of some sort because it's rocky!) lov how there's restrooms and a place to wash off all the sand and stuff read more

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This rocky, lava-formed cove within Pupukea Beach Park, about 4mi north of Haleiwa is easily accessible, with on-site parking, restrooms, and rinse showers Though it's most enjoyable and safe late spring through early fall, we went in February (and planning this December) when guides warn of big surf and strong currents. However, many of the zones are 2-4 feet, making it very, in the words of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, sha-ha-ha-hallow. Outside of Hawaii-based blogs and books, Scuba Diving Magazine ranked it "Top 12 Shore Dives in the World" and Condé Nast Traveler lists Shark's Cove as a must-see on its "My Five: Oahu Sights," noting it for its excellent snorkeling. Guides claim you can see green sea turtles, octopus, eels, and more, though we only saw tropical fish (parrotfish, surgeonfish, butterflyfish). Though nearby Three Tables is slightly more protected, sandier, with an easier entry, less swell, and possible lifeguard supervision, I'd argue Shark's Cove is more suited for little kids. For sure: wear water shoes, don't go alone, and wear fins during the winter to combat the currents. You can't rent gear locally ($10-18), which is especially helpful if you are like me and wear all of your clothes and stick your snorkel gear into neck pillows to avoid baggage fees. read more

This is our family's favorite spot to snorkel when we come to Oahu, not that "other" touristy nature spot. There are some important things to know about snorkeling at this spot... #1: check the tide charts to know when to get here. If the water is too low, it may be too shallow to snorkel amongst the rocks inside the cove, but you can also swim/snorkel in the deeper area that opens directly to the ocean. #2: be careful. There are a lot of sharp rocks here. Bring water shoes if you don't have fins. Walk carefully in the shore with bare feet. Be aware of how close you are swimming to the rocks because strong currents can throw you into them. #3: this place is good for people of all ages. We have brought our kids here since they were toddlers because they could wade in the shallow spots and still see fish. As teenagers, they still love this area as their swimming abilities have advanced and they are able to be more independent in the waters. Teach your kids to respect the ocean. Remember it's a law to keep a distance from the sea turtles. #4: wear sunscreen and bring extra to reapply; this area has shade, but you will mostly be in full sun the entire time as you are snorkeling. #5: there are showers and bathrooms #6: parking is limited, but free; you may have to circle around to wait for a spot if you don't come early This last visit, it is wonderful to see several food trucks set up right across the street. Great way to take a break from snorkeling, fuel up with food or shaved ice and get back to the water, if you are up for it. read more

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This is a great place to relax by the beach--perfect for snorkeling, enjoying some snacks, and lounging by the water. I highly recommend getting there early, as it can get quite busy and parking is limited. read more

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Made it in time for sunset and it was soo nice! The view is insane and it would be soo easy to sit here for hours enjoying it. Even the drive along the coast made this area even better to come see. Next time I come, I am 1000% going to go snorkeling here! DO NOT MISS OUT!!!! read more

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This is actually such a good snorkel spot to visit on North Shore and in my opinion, more convenient and fun than Hanauma Bay. Yea the views aren't as great but the lagoon area has no waves at all and there's so much fish in the shallow areas. We spent a couple hours here and our biggest regret was not bringing water shoes because there are so many big rocks and coral on the bottom. Above the cove, there's a decently sized beach, we left our belongings there for a bit and everything was safe. Parking was a struggle after noon so I would recommend getting there in the morning. Would come back here instead of Hanauma Bay next time and also it's free! read more

This is a must-go place when visiting the North Shore. The parking is free but it may be tough to get a spot sometimes. Our kids loved to play in the shallow end while the adults go snorkeling. You see all types of fish here. Please bring water shoes because the rocks are very sharp. There are some areas that are very deep so please be careful. You can simply spend 3+ hours here just snorkeling and enjoying the water. The sunset here is very beautiful also. read more

This place is awesome. There are a ton of fish and other marine life. Just be careful of the rocks and careful of the urchins. Wear water shoes. Definitely worth it! read more

During a past visit, we were interested in visiting Hanauma Bay to snorkel and see all kinds of marine life. Unfortunately, it was closed before and this time it was hard to obtain tickets for a larger group so we had to save it for another time. Enter Shark's Cove! We decided to head to the North Shore and included this location as part of our day trip. No tickets are required and we showed up in the afternoon. It's definitely wise to wear sunscreen, and lots of it since the sun is deceivingly strong. We didn't really have our own snorkeling gear but we waded around and luckily because parts of it are fairly shallow, you're actually able to wander in pretty far on foot! I recall getting up to my hip at the highest point and we felt like we got to see plenty. We saw uni (sea urchin) and some smaller fish and one of the highlights was spotting and following a tiny eel! The water was extremely clear and it was super exciting to be able to see everything from the surface. One person in our group did have a snorkeling mask and he was able to go into a tiny cave so definitely bring your gear if you have it! I'm glad we made time to stop by and would highly recommend since it's very beginner friendly. It is quite rocky so highly recommend wearing water shoes or we even got by with flip flops (though not ideal). Unfortunately, I don't have many pictures of the cove itself since I didn't want to drop my phone but I would definitely return here in the future! read more

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Shark's cove is one of our favorite places to go swimming and snorkeling whenever we're back home. We love to see all the fishes swim by and just relax in the water. It's always a must to come early since parking is limited and free. You can get lucky and park in the front of Shark's cove if you get there early enough. There is another free parking lot on the side that you can park at and walk over to Shark's cove. We got there around 9 am last Thursday and the front lot was already full so we had to park at the parking lot on the side. It's also important to bring proper water shoes since the cove is rocky and sharp. There's also a bunch of sea urchins so be careful. We took our 3 year old son last week to Shark's cove for the first time and he had so much fun. There were a few times I was paranoid since my son had no fear trying to walk and stand on the rocks. He slipped a few times but thankfully he had no injuries. It's a fun and beautiful beach to check out but just be careful if you bring little ones. read more

Shark's Cove - Beaches Near Me - Haleiwa, Hawaii

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I LOVE THIS PLACE! My husband and I wanted to do some snorkeling (but I can't really swim that well) and we ended finding this place. Super kid friendly to the point where you don't really need to know how to swim because the water level in some parts of this place is about knee/thigh level! There are deeper parts which is on the other side where you see less people if you feel like swimming. There are so many cool fishes to see! Just make sure you try to get there early, parking is very limited. Great place for beginner snorkelers! :) read more

Shark's Cove - This side is less busy :) - Beaches Near Me - Haleiwa, Hawaii

Out of our 12+ times visiting Oahu, we finally made it here in 2024! Tip: get there early! We got there around 6:30-7am. Secured a great parking spot after our pit stop @ Foodland (just a short way down the highway) to pick up snacks (hot spam musubi, coffee, drinks). Got a nice spot to layout our towels. Don't forget water shoes as it is rocky entering the waters. You don't have to snorkel to see the tiny fishies. They have showers to rinse off and restrooms. We didn't stay all day, since we had places to go. 5 hours was good enough for us. The food trucks across the freeway started to open up but we were good with our Foodland goodies. Great place to visit! read more

Shark's Cove is a great place for snorkeling on the North Shore of Oahu. Best of all, 1. it's free! 2. there is free parking, and 3. there is a good amount of ocean fish, turtles, and sea life to see. Other pluses for Shark's Cove include having an outside "shower" to wash the sand off your feet and a public bathroom (although not the cleanest). We came here on a Friday afternoon and although parking was crowded, we were lucky to find a spot quickly. We brought our own beach chairs and snorkel gear. (There was no business at the beach renting or selling equipment so if you want to snorkel, make sure to bring your own equipment.) When entering the water, there are a lot of rocks that you have to walk over or go past. I would definitely recommend wearing water shoes (unless you have very tough feet) because it really hurt my feet to walk and climb over the rocks (and I was wearing flip flops, which I don't recommend). Once you are past the very rocky entrance, put on the snorkel gear and start looking around! Shark's Cove is very shallow so it's easy to stand in the water, but it hurts your feet less to swim around. I was surprised I saw so many varieties of fish! There were even a couple of sea turtles in the cove. It was so fun to explore. The giant rocks enclosing the cove, protected the cove from strong waves, however, there were a few times when giant waves crashed over the big rocks, causing everyone to be washed back. Although it was generally safe, be careful of those strong waves. Also, there were no sharks. Overall, Shark's Cove was a great place to hang out on the beach and go snorkeling in the cove! Seeing all of the fish and sea life in this area made our day and was remembered as one of our favorite activities during our entire trip to Oahu. read more

Shark's Cove - Shark's Cove - Beaches Near Me - Haleiwa, Hawaii

We snorkeled for the very first time at Shark's Cove and it was a wonderful experience. The area to snorkel is much larger than it looks with both deep pools and shallow areas. Must have durable water shoes - all of the rocks are sharp. read more

Shark's Cove - Beaches Near Me - Haleiwa, Hawaii

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Shark's Cove is a great beach to snorkel especially for beginners like me! Been living on this island since birth and don't even know how to swim, pretty embarrassing but this place made going to beach a lot more enjoyable for me. There's a lot of rocks so beware not to injure yourself while walking or swimming, rocks are slippery. There are sea urchins in the water, i may have stepped on one and got myself a splinter on my toe(which I took out a day later). The left side of the beach is made up of shallow waters, great for kids, elderly and just about anyone. Saw a lot of cool fishes, small and even big ones. Saw a big school of fish while snorkeling. It was definitely an experience and i'm glad I came here. Would come back here again whenever I'm on this side of the island. read more

Shark's Cove - Fish on the rocks - Beaches Near Me - Haleiwa, Hawaii

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Wow! How have I not reviewed this place yet?! This is a part of Oahu that feels...a little less Oahu. And that's a good thing. It's one of the top snorkeling destinations on the island, and for good reason. While you (probably) won't see any sharks, you will get to snorkel in calm waters with lots of fish. The highlight of this area though, for us, was fighting the strong currents that rush into the cove periodically. You feel like you're at a waterpark in Florida except it's natural and free! read more

Shark's Cove was a lovely place we discovered this past visit to the North Shore. There is a smallish parking lot and some street parking and both times we visited, were able to find parking. It is an family friendly place to try out snorkeling. There is a bit of sandy area but the immediate entry into the water is rocky. There are about two logical entry points where you can basically walk straight into water, if you avoid some rocks, so that's pretty manageable for swimmers of all ages. A good portion of the cove is shallow, like waist deep for an adult so you can find a sandy spot to stand if you need to rest. My daughter who is new at snorkeling loved that she could stand and ease into the water and see some fish. To be totally honest, there is not a great quantity or diversity of fish. I felt like I saw the same two fish over and over as they swam around me in circles. The coolest thing I saw here were a bunch of sea urchin attached to a big rock cluster in a deeper area but it was plenty for us. At times, it's really difficult to swim over the coral without touching the reefs because you are barely floating above it. It can be hard to kick or do arm strokes. Also because it is so family friendly, there are a lot of children with no discipline who sit on reefs. There is no lifeguard and no amenities (no showers, etc) fyi. read more

Best swimming/snorkeling spot I've been. Parking is sufficient in the early morning, but the path to the water consists of sharp rocks, so be careful. To swim here, you should have some experience because the waves are strong. Strong enough to slam you against jagged rocks. Wear water shoes or gloves to help you navigate around sharp structures so you wont get cut. Take your time getting in and out the water because there are a lot of sharp rocks. We saw tons of sea life. To be able to swim with a school of fish is amazing. The water is clear so you can see further away unlike other areas. Also, no fishing here! read more

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One of the two must-visit places for snorkeling (the other being Hanauma Bay) whenever you're in Oahu! Shark's cove is broken up into two large pools. The first pool (left side facing the sea) is shallow, calm, and very clear. It's family-friendly since young kids can usually wade in waist deep and still see a decent number of fish. We were even able to see a school of fish numbering at least in the thousands. Snorkel gear, other than goggles and swim shoes (to avoid stepping on sea urchins), is not necessary. Access is also very easy as long as you walk down from the grassy field. The second pool (right side facing the sea) is more for adults or experienced swimmers, since the waves can be incredibly choppy and strong. The powerful current can often dash you against sharp rocks, so expect some bruises or cuts. Though you can swim to the second pool from the shallow first one, it's not recommended for the above reason; venture down from the cliff to the right instead. Snorkel fins are highly recommended, and even buoyancy gear for weaker swimmers. There are far more fish in this pool, but sometimes the sandy sediment gets brushed up and visibility can be poor. Get to the cove before 9am, otherwise risk circling for parking. You CAN park along the side of the road or rock wall, but cops DO check illegal parking, so just mind the signs. There's a rinse area and bathrooms in between the pools. read more

Shark's Cove - Right side pool, rougher waves - Beaches Near Me - Haleiwa, Hawaii

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Plan a trip to the North Shore here for epic snorkeling. So many fish of all sizes and colors and species. We saw moray eel, trumpetfish, schooling fish by the hundreds, large parrot fish, tangs, gobis, etc. plan accordingly. Arrive before 10 am for a decent parking spot. Have fins or water socks and a mask and snorkel. A rash guard and sunblock are key too. Afterward grab a bite at Foodland market across the street or visit Da bald Guy food truck or Jenny's Shrimp truck for specialty kine grinds! read more

Shark's Cove - So many fish and sea life to enjoy in their world. - Beaches Near Me - Haleiwa, Hawaii

So misleading. With a name like Shark's Cove one would expect it to be teeming with sharks but Noooooo not even one shark to be found. I even cut my leg on one of the rocks and let the blood flow freely while I snorkeled in the cove. All I saw were hundreds of fish, including a moray eel and a large trumpet fish. So upsetting and disappointing. Avoid this place. read more

If you're looking for a less crowded beach with option to snorkel, this is your place. The sunset is amazing here and the water is shallow. Just watch out for all the rocks and note that there is no lifeguard on duty. read more

Shark's Cove - Beaches Near Me - Haleiwa, Hawaii

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Sharks Cove was the best snorkeling experience I had in Hawaii! & It's FREE!! Just get there early and have patience to try to find parking. It's great for kids since it's shallow and there's so many beautiful fish. I recommend water shoes for a better experience since the rocks can be sharp. I saw a turtle here my last day which made my entire experience read more

Amazing and calm snorkeling area on the way to Waimea Valley. Lots of families hanging around and plenty of parking. We only wandered around and observed the fishies in the little coves but it was perfect fun. Lots of coral and schools of fish swimming around. The waterfall was beautiful and I will be bringing our snorkels next time! Love it! read more

Shark's Cove - Sharks cove waterfall - Beaches Near Me - Haleiwa, Hawaii

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I have so much positive things to say about Shark's Cove. First of all, if you are visiting North Shore, this spot should absolutely be on your list. It offers relaxing beach environment, swimming, and snorkeling (in shallow or deep water) without the fear of your kid getting hit by big waves or not being able to take care of themselves in unknown waters. The snorkeling is definitely the best part. You'll see many schools of fish, marine fish of various colors / shapes / sizes, and a few eels here and there. Shark's Cove is kid friendly and ultimately an awesome place for families to hang out, and take a few memorable photos. My only complaint is that parking can be tricky, so you may need to wait during busier hours. read more

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This was my first time snorkeling here and I had such a great experience. This cove is located across from Foodlands so we ordered some poke and ate it on the beach. The entrance fee is also free as opposed to Hanauma Bay. The water was so clear and there were so many types of fishes to see. We were even able to see a couple sea turtles! Try to avoid the rocks though as it can be slippery and dangerous. The water is pretty calm within the cove so it was easily swimmable as you get passed all the rocks. However, it can be a little hard to walk around the rocks near the shore. As you swim further out, the waves also get stronger outside of the cove so I would suggest staying within the cove. This is definitely a great area to snorkel! Great for beginners :) read more

Shark's Cove - Beaches Near Me - Haleiwa, Hawaii

There is a lot to see and even with a ton of people there was space. However there are so many rocks. A member in my party had a really hard time navigating the physical side of the rocks and it was not enjoyable for them. So I wouldn't drive too far to come here but if you are on the road and find parking, you definitely will have good snorkeling. There are also bathrooms and showers so that was nice. read more

We really wanted to go to Hanauma Bay because that is the 'Best" snorkeling area, but yet you have to pay $25 a person, pay for parking, and need a reservation. When I asked a local about snorkeling she told me we have to come to Sharks Cove because its like a little enclosed lagoon that is safe for kids. I liked that they have bathrooms here because well, you never know when you'll need it. Some points are very shallow. Make sure you have water socks or something on your feet so you don't slip and cute your feet open. You pretty much have to keep your legs straight behind you or they will get scraped by the coral. Your hands are how you get around. Make sure to bring a underwater camera. I used a waterproof cover for my phone but it kept fogging up and my stupid phone wasn't recording when I saw the 2 big rainbow fish, darn. There isn't snorkel sales and rentals that I saw. But we had our own. There is a Walmart on the island that you can buy some for cheaper than shorelines. If you have kids this is the perfect spot becaues the water is clear and average depth is about knee deep. Some spots closer to the ocean are about 7 feet deep. read more

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One of my pledges this year is complete more reviews of dive shops & sites. Shark's Cove is the most famous dive site on Oahu's North Shore. It's very popular with families, snorkelers, & free divers too. It's reef structure is great, lots of swim throughs & hidey holes for critters to camp out. SC is really the template I use to compare other dive sites too. Its status as a marine protected area means there is more sea life, big and small, then there is typically at an Oahu dive site (some are very fished out). There are multiple routes to enter & exit the water, including entering through the nearby Firehouse dive site (see other review), a "jump dive" area, and exiting via the "elevator" on the northern side of SC. One favorite area is the "Big Blue Cavern," where one can find some of my favorite small critters, nudibranches! During the summer North Shore diving season, come early to get the limited parking available. One plus is compared to several nearby dive sites, SC is well equipped with beach showers (with the island's coldest water) and a restroom. We've seen all kinds of critters, including a Hawksbill Turtle that I reported (to https://www.hihawksbills.org/, check them out) and got to name. Some of the favorite critters we get to see are the scarlet cleaner shrimp, tako, red spot nudibranch, egg eating nudibranch, titan scorpion fish, frog fish, & snow goddess nudibranch. So come on down, enjoy Sharks Cove in whatever mode you want (except fishing) and enjoy some world class scenery. Let's dive! Repeat and recommend! read more

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8-4-22 If it's a beautiful sunny day and a parking spot is available, pull in pronto. Yesterday the water looked incredible like Isla Mujeres( one of the most beautiful waters I've seen on earth.) just the view alone is breath taking and good for your soul. If you're adventurous you can check out the tide pools or scuba dive as we saw many coming out of the water. There is a restroom facility at the top before heading down. If time is not a concern, drive from Haleiwa to Shark's Cove for the view. Windows down for fresh ocean air then blast your AC if it gets too warm. Yesterday the sun was out, the ocean was gorgeous with a triad of blues and as we drove past Laniakea Hubs said he saw turtles on the sand. Couldn't have asked for a more perfect day to be out on the North Shore. Enjoy the remaining days of summer 2022. read more

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We went here after missing out on Hanauma bay reservations, but was glad We did. The fact that it's a cove actually helps since you don't have to fight with as many waves getting in on the snorkel action. As soon as you get into the water there's so much to see! All different kinds of fish, eels, and more. You can definitely spend a few hours just checking out all the cool sea life. There's a fair amount of rocks in the beginning so I recommend some water shoes and definitely bring some snorkel gear so you can go out further. This location also has bathrooms and showers to rinse off which is nice. read more

Shark's Cove - Eel - Beaches Near Me - Haleiwa, Hawaii

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My biggest regret while visiting the north shore is not knowing about this place! We were driving by and happened to see it. We were able to stop for about 5 minutes but it was just enough time to get my feet in the water and see how amazing this place was. I hope to come back and spend a lot more time here! read more

Shark's Cove - Beaches Near Me - Haleiwa, Hawaii

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You guys, Shark's Cove is definitely a snorklers paradise to explore. No Shark's from what I saw. Supposedly it gotvita name from the way its shaped. The area is surrounded by huge boulders of lava rocks and lots of reef. There is plenty of sea life to see, Fish, sea snakes, Seal, and an occasional seaturtle. Water is calm on the left part of the cove . There is plenty of parking but be sure to get there early. Bring plenty of sunblock, water shoes, snorkel gear, bottled water and a days worth of snacks or picnic lunch. Cost is FREE ! Which is great because Hanauma Bay charges $25 PP and you need a reservation and it fills up fast Lame... If your on Oahu, make sure to check it out ! read more

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I love bringing the kids here. It's not too deep, the water is crystal clear and there are a lot of fish to see! Tips: come early to get parking, and wear reef walkers. And of course, bring your mask and snorkel, and a go-pro if you have one. read more