Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
visitors; it's less crowded in the summer months. Again, access is via Ehukai Beach Park, off
Kamehameha Highway, on Ke Nui Road in Pupukea. TheBus no. 52 (Circle Island) will drop
you on the highway.
PUPUKEA BEACH PARK
★
This 80-acre beach park is a Marine Life Conservation District; as such, it has strict rules about
taking marine life, sand, coral, shells, and rocks. Two major swimming areas are in the Marine
Life Conservation District:
Shark'sCove
and
ThreeTables.
Don't worry: Shark's Cove, near
the northern end, is not named for an abundance of sharks that call this home (in fact, it's re-
latively uncommon to see a shark here); rather, it's a popular snorkeling and dive site. Diving
is best outside the cove, where caves promise interesting night diving. During the calm sum-
mer months, this is a popular dive site both day and night.
Impressions
The boldness and address with which we saw
them perform these difficult and dangerous man-
euvers was altogether astonishing.
—Captain James Cook's observations of Hawaii-
an surfers
At the southern end of the Marine Life Conservation District is Three Tables, which is
named for the three flat sections of reef visible at low tide. Snorkeling is good around the
tables where the water is about 15 feet deep. Diving outside the tables, where the water is 30
to 45 feet deep, is excellent—there are many ledges, arches, lava tubes, and a variety of marine
life. Swimming, diving, and snorkeling are best from May to October, when the water is calm;
nevertheless, watch out for surges. In the winter, when currents form and waves roll in, this
area is very dangerous, even in the tide pools; a lifeguard is never present in this area. Sum-
mers find this Marine Life Conservation District brimming with visitors weekdays and week-
ends; it's a popular site for local dive operators to take their clients. In the winter, it's nearly
empty during the week. It's right on Kamehameha Highway in Pupukea and has a small park-
ing lot. TheBus no. 52 (Circle Island) stops at the park.
MALAEKAHANA BAY STATE RECREATION AREA
★★★
★★★
This almost mile-long white-sand crescent lives up to just about everyone's image of the per-
fect Hawaiian beach. It's excellent for swimming. On a weekday, you may be the only one here;
but should some net fisherman—or a kindred soul—intrude upon your delicious privacy, you
can swim out to Goat Island (or wade across at low tide) and play Robinson Crusoe. (The is-
let is a sanctuary for seabirds and turtles, so no chase 'em, brah.) Facilities include restrooms,
barbecue grills, picnic tables, outdoor showers, and parking.
