Snorkel· Hawaii (Big Island)· Hawaii
Puako Reef
19° 58.4′ N · 155° 49.9′ W
A long fringing reef off the village of Puako, cut by tide pools, lava coves and inlets, that is better known to scuba divers than to beachgoers; on calm days the shoreline entries open onto some of the healthiest coral on the Kohala coast.
Practical
Coordinate from To-Hawaii.com's map pin for Puako Bay. Not a swimming beach: the nearshore bottom is rocky. Shoreline entries are along Puako Beach Drive with small pullouts; no facilities. Go in calm water, ideally at lower tide when the lava shelves are easier to read; stay out when waves wash over the rocks. Puako Bay and Puako Reef have special marine rules and fish feeding is not allowed. The state GIS fisheries layer maps the Puako Bay and Puako Reef Fisheries Management Area (HAR 13-54); read the rule before fishing. Coast Pilot (October 2026): Puako Bay is open to west and northwest winds and foul with coral heads; small boats approach the Puako landing on 137 degrees until within 250 yards, where private buoys mark the channel. The state Puako Ramp is at 2 Puako Beach Drive (19.97422, -155.83170). Malama Kai Foundation day-use moorings mark dive sites along the reef (Puako Reef #55, #69 and #112 at about 19.970, -155.847 to -155.855).
Best for
Reef snorkeling and diving on calm summer mornings
Season
Summer; winter swell makes entries dangerous
Nearby
- Waialea Bay (Beach 69)0.5 NM away
- Puako Anchorage0.8 NM away
- Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area1.1 NM away
- Puako Petroglyphs1.8 NM away
- Kauna'oa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach)1.9 NM away
- Spencer Beach Park3 NM away
- Kawaihae Harbor (North and South Small Boat Harbors)3.2 NM away
- Pelekane and Hale o Kapuni Shark Heiau3.2 NM away