Puako Village End

Shore Diving and Snorkeling Site

Puako Village End

Puako Village End, site near the end of the Puako Beach Drive.

 Dive Site Maps:

  

Mahukona Dive Site Map, Big Island Hawaii 

Site Briefing: 

  • Accessibility: About 3 miles from Hwy 19, on Puako Road, look for the last turn-off heading towards the water.  You will go under large trees and look for an appropriate parking spot without blocking the access. Gear up here, then take a short walk down dirt path to water and entry point (about 20 yards)Entry point is South of the parking area, a slash in the lava leading to the bay. 

  • Nearby FacilitiesThe Puako General Store, for food and drinks, and the Hot Malasadas Truck at turnoff for Puako on Hwy 19. Best place to get Malasadas on the island. If you don't know what a malasada is, think sugar covered donut - absolutely delicious

  • Features: Shallow coral reef for about 75’ then the shelf drops down into canyons.  Follow canyons in and out for arches, caves, and lava-tubes. There is also a large pinnacle under the mooring ball. Deep out in the sand there are Garden Eels. This site as has an abundance of Turtles, Eagle Rays, reef fish, and beautiful coral.  Look in the many small caves (pukas) for sleeping white-tip reef sharks, and keep your eyes peeled along the walls of the canyons for Nudibranchs.

  • Entry/Exit: Follow the pathway to the water’s edge. Look for a small semi-sand area. This bay is super shallow, so try and time your entry to higher tides. When exiting, use caution and follow contours of the reef, avoid hitting the coral.

  • Depths: 0-75’: This site starts with a shallow shelf, then has a small drop-off with finger canyons and caves.

  • Special Concerns:

    • North and West swells:  This site is exposed to occasional large north and north west swells (typically in the winter months).  Due to the shallow swim from the entry/exit area, it doesn't take much swell to make getting to the site difficult.

    • Strong Winds:  As with much of the Northern Kona and Kohala Coast (Waikaloa to Hawi), strong winds tend to prevail later in the day, which can create lots of surface chop.

    • Tides: Low tide can be tricky and is NOT recommended, the bay is too shallow.

Site Photos:

  • Coming soon

General Info:

  • Check the weather, surf, and tide reports:  Plan ahead for safety

  • Know your limits: Diving and snorkeling from shore means you have minimal help if something goes wrong.  Know your limits, and consider taking a snorkel lesson, a scuba refresher, or book a guided trip to increase you experience before considering diving and snorkeling from shore.

  • Use a Dive Flag:  These are required by law for both scuba and snorkeling and we have them available for rent.

  • Rent gearWe have a full line of rental snorkel and scuba gear, and air and nitrox tank fills.

  • Check Your Gear and Bring Spares:  Whether you rent or own your own gear, inspect it thoroughly before heading to the dive site.  Many are in remote locations, so save yourself the long trip if you forget something.  Jack's Diving Locker is the best dive shop on the island to help restock your save-a-dive kit with spare o-rings, mouthpieces, and tools.

  • Use the Buddy System:  Dive and Snorkel with someone capable of assisting you in an emergency

  • Be Reef Friendly:  Please use reef safe sunscreens, don't stand on the reef, don't touch marine life, and don't feed the fish.

  • Be Respectful of Our Community:  Act with aloha, pick up litter if you find it, and be helpful to others.