Diving 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 most beaches here do not have life guard stations. 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. We do not recommend diving here from November through April. Its just too rough.
#1 Shark's Cove
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Quick word of caution. We highly advise 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!
Insider tips for Diving Shark's Cove
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Best shore diving on the island when in season
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High density of sea life including turtle, reef fish, eels, octos, squid, nudibranch, white tipped shark , eagle rays and the occasional monk seal.
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Rocky shore with jagged lava rocks, huge reef, plenty of dive throughs and elevators on the outside shelf of the reef. What makes this unique is a very well protected tide pool full of sea life
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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.
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After entry swim out to the right and there are some lava tubes, another reef and a drop off. This is where you will see a lot of trumpet fish, turtles and any pelagics in the area.
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There are bathrooms here and fresh water showers
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After diving 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.
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.
Hazards
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There are no lifeguards stationed at Sharks Cove. Don't swim alone.
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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!
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Sharp lava rocks and Wana. Wear booties or surf shoes. We cannot warn you enough about this
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. FYI, ironically, Kamehameha Hwy is a 2 lane road and so traffic can snarl in the afternoons.
59-712 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712
How to get here
#2 Three Tables
Insider tips for Three Tables
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.
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Very soft sand here. Its a little tough to walk through with all your gear on.
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DAWN PATROL. Get here between 6AM-7AM for best vis and to beat the tourist traffic
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There are bathrooms here but no showers. You can walk up to Shark's Cove for fresh water showers.
KNOWN HAZARDS
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There are no lifeguards stationed at Three Tables. Always swim with a buddy
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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!