Benefitting from the protection of an offshore reef, Punaluu Beach Park provides calm waters that are good for swimming as long as the ocean waves are not too big. This is not such a good beach for snorkeling, and during the winter the beach becomes quite narrow due to large surf.
Great For
Swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, picnics, shore fishing.
Highlights
Plenty of shady areas along Punaluu Beach provide nice areas for relaxing, particularly on weekdays when this beach is often uncrowded. Punaluu means “Coral dived for.”
Need to Know
Beware of potentially strong currents at this beach, specifically in the area directly out from the stream mouth and in the channel on the left.
Lifeguard
No
Facilities
Restrooms, shady areas
Access
Punaluu Beach Park is located on the Kamehameha Highway just to the south of Punaluu on Oahu’s eastern shore, about 19 miles north of Kaneohe and north of Kahana Bay.