Anchorage· Hawaii (Big Island)· Hawaii
Puako Anchorage
19° 59.0′ N · 155° 50.5′ W · approximate
A deep roadstead off the Puako reef, the only charted anchorage between Kawaihae and Anaeho'omalu, useful as a daytime stop for diving the Puako moorings rather than as an overnight berth.
Practical
Coordinate is approximate: placed about 0.8 nm northwest of the Puako landing/ramp (19.97422, -155.83170) per the Coast Pilot description, and checked to be in water on OpenStreetMap coastline data; plot it on the chart before use. Coast Pilot (October 2026): anchorage about 0.8 mile northwest of Puako in 12 to 15 fathoms (72-90 ft), sand and coral bottom; Puako Bay itself is open to west and northwest winds and foul with coral heads and reefs, with no protection for large vessels and very little for small craft. Prefer the Malama Kai day-use moorings for dive stops so you do not anchor on coral. Afternoon trade gusts spill off the Kohala Mountains on this stretch.
Best for
Lunch or dive stop off Puako on a calm day
Season
Calm summer days only
Nearby
- Waialea Bay (Beach 69)0.7 NM away
- Puako Reef0.8 NM away
- Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area1 NM away
- Kauna'oa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach)1.6 NM away
- Puako Petroglyphs1.9 NM away
- Spencer Beach Park2.7 NM away
- Kawaihae Harbor (North and South Small Boat Harbors)2.8 NM away
- Pelekane and Hale o Kapuni Shark Heiau2.9 NM away