Puako Bay

Puako Bay, Big Island

Puako Bay (view panorama) on the Big Island's northwestern coast has a rocky shoreline with many tide pools, inlets and coves, which offer good snorkeling conditions when the ocean is calm. A long, but narrow white-sand beach spans almost the entire length of the bay. Due to the nearshore rocky ocean bottom, Puako Bay is not a good area for swimming. The bay is mainly frequented by scuba divers because of the bay's vast reef.

Puako is also known for being home to the largest collection of petroglyphs in the state. The petroglyphs (ancient rock drawings) depicting life in prehistoric Hawaii hold a deep cultural value. Over 3,000 of these drawings can be found at the Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve, each one with a story to tell. A trail leads from Holoholokai Beach to the petroglyph site.


Puako Bay Overview

  • Good beach for tidepooling, snorkeling and scuba diving
  • Expansive petroglyph field nearby

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Reviews and Comments:
 
quiet,private and safe.family oriented beach. secluded. we wished we knew about this place from day 1.
VIVIAN c, Sun Jun 17, 2012
 
I lived in Puako as a young boy 1969-72 we loved it! The Petroglyphs take you back to old Hawaii & the snorkeling is some of the best on the Big Isle!
Rich Dubbs, Fri Oct 28, 2011