Diving the North Shore

Best Tour of the North Shore

Scuba or Snorkeling up here is all self directed as you do not need a guide to dive from the shoreline, but we highly recommend you dive with a buddy as this is not your typical tourist destination. There have been more then a few drownings up here and they happened when they got separated form their partners or were diving alone. There are 3 official dives up here and we recommend a plan to stay the whole day and even a night if you can in Haliewa or at an airbnb to take it all in. Ironically Kamehameha Highway is two-lane road and people park on the side of the road to get to the beaches. There are no crosswalks so keep a good eye for people and wild chickens.

Head for the address below for Shark's Cove and Three Tables. There is ample parking here and its very close to Food Trucks and if you look at the map to the right you can see Three Tables Beach just around the bend.

How to get here

59-712 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712

#1 Shark's Cove

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Word of caution. We highly advise shore diving only in the Spring and Summer (May - Sep). During the winter time the surf is UP! The swells are so big they will crash onto the reef making free diving treacherous and selfies a really terrible idea. But at least the visibility is really bad and there are rip tides! If you happen to want to go on a calm day in the late winter time you could try to shore dive mostly around the entry point. Bring a 7 mil if you have one.

PRO TIPS for SHARKS COVE

Best shore diving on the island from May through September.
High density of sea life including turtle, reef fish, eels, octos, squid, nudibranch, white tipped shark , eagle rays and the occasional monk seal.
Rocky shore with jagged lava rocks, huge reef, plenty of dive throughs and elevators on the outside shelf of the reef.
DAWN PATROL. Get there between 6AM-7AM for best vis and to beat the tourist traffic which is headed to Laniakea Beach aka "Turtle Beach" just South of Waimea Bay.
After entry if its calm swim out to the right and there are some cool features and a drop off. This is where you will see a lot of trumpet fish, turtles and any pelagics in the area.
Eat lunch at the Food Trucks parked across the street or better yet enjoy a Hawaiian hot plate lunch at Ted's Bakery across from Sunset Beach.
There are bathrooms here but no showers

ENTRY is from the furthest point NE and you can swim out toward open ocean around the reef to the left or right or stay inside and explore the tidal pools. On the outside work on your breath hold here as there are some elevators and dive-throughs to challenge your capabilities.

KNOWN HAZARDS

There are no lifeguards stationed at Sharks Cove. Do not turn your back to the ocean and always dive with a buddy
Do not use Full Snorkel Masks they kill people
Sea Urchins (Wana) are present in the rocks and hide during the day. Do not step on one they have a painful toxin. Here is how to treat what the locals call a Hawaiian Tattoo!
Sharp lava rocks and Wana. Wear booties or surf shoes. We cannot warn you enough about this

#2 Three Tables

ENTRY and KEY FEATURES

Three Tables is easy to find as it is located behind the Fire Station just south of Shark's Cove. You'll want to enter on the southern most side of the beach and swim out toward the first table on the left and then drop down. Many people do this dive first as you can swim around to Sharks' Cove easily from here past the Fire House and there is a dive through that can get you into Sharks Cove. You will find a dense array of tropical fish here as well as Honu, nudibranch, squid and lots of eels.

PRO TIPS for THREE TABLES

Very soft sand here. Its a little tough to walk through with all your gear on.
DAWN PATROL. Get here between 6AM-7AM for best vis and to beat the tourist traffic
There are bathrooms here but no showers