UPDATED FEB 2020. It is time for a water blog – or perhaps I should say an underwater blog. Whilst I do love hiking a lot, I am a true water baby through and through and much prefer to be swimming or snorkeling. Especially in Hawaii where there are so many beautiful beaches to choose from. In today’s post, I’m sharing a practical guide for snorkeling at Sharks Cove on the north shore. Spoiler alert – it’s not as scary as it sounds and Sharks Cove is just a catchy name. I hope it can help you to plan your own adventure there.
What You Need To Know About Snorkeling At Sharks Cove On Oahu
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FAQ for snorkeling at Sharks Cove
Where is Sharks Cove located?
On the North Shore of Oahu.
How long does it take to drive there from Waikiki?
About an hour from Waikiki.
What is the cost?
Free
What is the difficulty for snorkeling at Sharks Cove?
Easy if you stay in the area protected by the rocks or close to the beach.
More difficult the further out you go. Use your best judgment and swim within your limits.
What should you bring with you?
- Snorkel gear
- Lightweight towel
- Underwater camera (I use this one with this floaty stick that ties around my wrist)
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Snacks
that ties around my wrist)
Where to park
Sharks Cove is a popular spot and the parking can be full at times.
If you put ‘Sharks Cove’ into Google Maps, it will bring you to the area and you can park right in front of the water or in the parking lot further down (I’ve pointed them out on the map below).
If both are full, just park further down the street and walk up to the snorkeling area.
It’s a notoriously tricky area for parking so just be patient, it is worth the wait.
I suggest just taking what you need as opposed to bringing your whole beach bag – I usually just leave my towel and flip flops on the beach.
Are there sharks at Sharks Cove?
First of all, don’t be put off by the name.
The area is not teeming with Great Whites or anything dramatic like that. There are probably reef sharks around since it’s the ocean, though I have snorkeled here a lot and never seen one there yet.
It got the name of Sharks Cove because, from above, it looks like a shark.
It’s is a great snorkeling spot with not as much of a beach area to lounge on.
Safety tips for snorkeling at Sharks Cove
Almost the whole North Shore is red-flagged during winter so don’t plan to go snorkeling during this time.
It is definitely still worth a trip to the North Shore during this time to watch the surf competitions and epic huge waves though.
No matter the season, always check surf conditions before you get in the water, and if in doubt, don’t go out.
Though it is busier, summer offers the ideal conditions for snorkeling at Sharks Cove and all of the north shore and west side of the island.
There is a snorkel area that is surrounded by a rock wall which is good if you are not a confident swimmer. However, if you walk around the side and venture out into the open ocean side of the rock wall (weather conditions permitting) you will be able to see more wildlife.
Again, this depends on your abilities in the water so use your best judgment.
You might need some water shoes to walk over the rocks as they can be quite sharp. I have never used them but I know a lot of people prefer to have them.
You will be walking over the rocks if you stay within the rock wall or if you go out into the open side so either way, they might be a good investment for you.
Other things to do nearby
For more snorkeling, you could snorkel at Three Tables after you finish at Sharks Cove because it is very close (I’ve even snorkeled from Three Tables to Sharks Cove).
Another option would be to go to Waimea Bay for swimming, snorkeling, and/or jumping off the big rock!
Laniakea Beach is another very popular spot in the same area where turtles often come to sleep on the beach.
To avoid the crowds, you could go a little further down and take Papailoa Road, park at the end and walk through the beach access road to the beach where you may see turtles without a hoard of tourists around.
If you prefer to do a hike in the area, I recommend the Ehukai Pillbox Trail or a visit to the nearby Waimea Falls.
Alternatively, you could drive a little further down and do the Kaena Point Trail from the north shore end and watch the sunset.
As far as food goes, I recommend eating at one of the famous north shore food trucks while you are in the area – Giovanni’s Shrimp Van is probably the most famous and it’s awesome or I also love Romys Kahuku Shrimp Hut. North Shore Tacos is another good spot.
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Where to stay on Oahu
If you’d like to stay on the North Shore, I love Turtle Bay Resort – I stayed here for a half solo/half couple trip on my first visit to Oahu and it was amazing.
For hotels in Waikiki, there is a lot to choose from, but I have stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and would stay there again.
If you prefer guesthouses or want to find a different hotel, I recommend searching on Booking.com. I use this to book accommodation when I travel and can usually find a good deal on their site.
I hope this post helps you plan your own day out to go snorkeling at Sharks Cove.
It really is a pretty awesome place to go snorkeling on the island.
As always, remember to bring in some trash from the water if you see any while you’re swimming or pick some up from the beach and treat the area including the wildlife with respect.
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