Pūpūkea Beach Park (Shark's Cove)
Rocky snorkel cove and tide pools inside the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District. Summer only; dangerous in winter.
Know before you go
- Parking
Parking at Pūpūkea Beach Park. Bus service daily.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Fees
Unknown – check locally
- Paying
Unknown – check locally
- Getting there
Unknown – check locally
- Tide & surf
From about May–October the water is generally calm, but surges are possible. In winter, currents and waves become extremely dangerous throughout the MLCD and the tide-pool area.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Hours
City park closure hours: 10 p.m.–5 a.m. (Shark's Cove comfort station closed 10 p.m.–7 a.m.).
Verified · City & County of Honolulu, Dept. of Parks & Recreation · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Dogs
Dogs may not stay in Honolulu city parks except areas signed for leashed dogs. A leashed, licensed dog may cross a beach park by the most direct route to reach the shoreline.
Verified · City & County of Honolulu (American Legal Publishing) · checked Oct 25, 2026
Rule text: ROH § 10-1.7 (crossing rule, which overrides the general park ban in § 10-1.2(a)(9)).
- Restrooms
Yes
Hawaii Beach Safety listing · Hawaii Beach Safety (safebeachday.com)
- Showers
Yes
Hawaii Beach Safety listing · Hawaii Beach Safety (safebeachday.com)
- Accessibility
Unknown – check locally
- Lifeguards
No lifeguard at Shark's Cove or Three Tables.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Rules
Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District: no taking or injuring marine life; no feeding fish. Lifeguards at Waimea Bay, but not at Three Tables or Shark's Cove.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Protected area
Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District: no taking marine life.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Reef-safe sunscreen
Hawaiʻi law bans selling sunscreen containing oxybenzone or octinoxate without a prescription (since Jan 1, 2021). Bring a mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide).
Verified · Hawaii State Legislature · checked Oct 25, 2026
The law covers sale and distribution. On Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi the county also bans using non-mineral sunscreen.
- Wildlife distance
Stay at least 10 ft from sea turtles and 50 ft from Hawaiian monk seals (or behind any signs or barriers), on land and in the water; 50 yd from dolphins; 100 yd from humpback whales.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Boating & Ocean Recreation · checked Oct 25, 2026
NOAA recommends 150 ft from a mother monk seal and pup.
Information only, not safety advice. Hawaiʻi surf and currents change fast. Always follow lifeguards and posted signs; if in doubt, don't go out.
Tides & daylight · next 3 days
Information only, not safety advice. Hawaiʻi surf and currents change fast. Always follow lifeguards and posted signs; if in doubt, don't go out. Facts checked against Hawaiʻi DLNR (State Parks, Aquatic Resources), Hawaii Ocean Safety, county park pages and NOAA on Oct 25, 2026. Times are Hawaiʻi time (HST). Map © OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.