Puako - Hawaii

Smith Cove, for us, is a perfect shore dive when you’re looking for something easy and rewarding. We love the feeling of strolling in from the beach, fins on, and almost immediately being surrounded by the reef. There’s a distinct mini-wall structure here, dropping down to about 19 metres, but it’s the colossal coral heads scattered on the sandy bottom that really catch our eye. Keep an eye out for the Orange-spotted Blennies bobbing their heads in the crevices; they’re often overlooked but a real treat to find. The visibility averages a decent 19 metres, so you get clear views of those busy French Grunts schooling, and the parrotfish making their incessant crunching sounds as they graze. Our favourite moment is always finning through the small archway near the mooring line – it’s a simple thrill, but really adds to the charm. If you’re into macro life, slow down and scan the sandy patches for Sand Gobies or even a shy Sand Stargazer. This site is brilliant for a relaxed afternoon dive, no pressure, just good, honest Caribbean reef diving.

Location
Hawaii, United States, North America
Coordinates
19.974200, -155.844700
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Waialea Bay Marine Life Conservation District

Best Time to Dive in Hawaii

The warmest water temperatures in Hawaii occur in September, averaging 29.0°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 25.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.2°C
  • February: 25.7°C
  • March: 25.6°C
  • April: 26.0°C
  • May: 26.8°C
  • June: 27.6°C
  • July: 27.9°C
  • August: 28.5°C
  • September: 29.0°C
  • October: 28.6°C
  • November: 27.9°C
  • December: 27.2°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Hawaii

Nearest Dive Centres to Puako

Marine Life in Hawaii

Home to 23 recorded species including 17 reef fish, 3 other, 2 sharks & rays, 1 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Puako

Based on average water temperature of 27.2°C, currents 9 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories