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IntermediateShore entry

Puako

Hawaii, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested2–18 m (7–59 ft) depthShore entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Puako at a glance

Puako is an intermediate shore dive site in Hawaii, United States with depths of 2–18 m (7–59 ft). Typically most favorable Sep · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Yellow tang, Spotted eagle ray, and Hawaiian garden eel. Recent reports put the water around 28°C (82°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Moderate window now· until 18:00 · sunset 17:52

Forecast for this hour · 17:00 · run 10 h ago
0.6 m (1.9 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about two feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 28°C · seasonal avg 27°C ( · Forecast 82°F · seasonal avg 81°F)

Site hazards: Sharp lava, shallow reef crossing, surge, current, limited exits, afternoon wind, rain/runoff visibility drops, overhead-like pukas/caves, boat traffic offshore, and wildlife-distance rules.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Smallest waves: Fri
Sun9:00–18:00 moderate

0.6 m waves · 7 kn wind (1.8 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Mon7:00–18:00 moderate

0.6 m waves · 8 kn wind (1.9 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Tue7:00–18:00 moderate

0.7 m waves · 5 kn wind (2.2 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Wed7:00–18:00 moderate

0.7 m waves · 7 kn wind (2.4 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Thu7:00–18:00 moderate

0.6 m waves · 5 kn wind (2.0 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Fri7:00–12:00 favorable, 12:00–15:00 moderate, 15:00–18:00 favorable

0.5 m waves · 5 kn wind (1.7 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Sat7:00–9:00 favorable, 9:00–18:00 moderate

0.6 m waves · 5 kn wind (1.8 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 5:59 · Sunrise 6:21 · Sunset 17:52 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 9.7 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 07:25 GMT-10

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Puako

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Yellow tang, Hawaiian garden eel, Green sea turtle
Best time: Early morning and calmer March–October conditions are best; avoid low tide, heavy rain/runoff, and high surf.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 65% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.9 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  2. February, 55% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.2 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  3. March, 78% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.4 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  4. April, 90% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  5. May, 97% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.7 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  6. June, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.8 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  7. July, 96% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.8 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  8. August, 92% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.8 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  9. September, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.4 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots, historically most favorable
  10. October, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  11. November, 79% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.4 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  12. December, 81% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.4 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots

September has typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

The underwater calendar

When these animals are most recorded around Hawaiʻi — from open sighting data, not a promise.

Watch the whole year animate on the Migrations map

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated July 2026

Site details

Puako is a multi-entry Kohala shore reef system rather than one tiny point. Divers and snorkelers use lava-finger channels, sandy cuts, pukas/caves, and reef slopes around Puako Village and Puako Beach Drive. It can be excellent for turtles, white-tip reef sharks, rays, and reef fish, but entry and navigation are more demanding than a resort-beach snorkel site.

cavereefshore

Sharp lava, shallow reef crossing, surge, current, limited exits, afternoon wind, rain/runoff visibility drops, overhead-like pukas/caves, boat traffic offshore, and wildlife-distance rules.

Reviews

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