Oahu Snorkeling Guide
Sunset Beach Park
This is a great summertime Oahu snorkeling beach. Sunset Beach in the winter boasts 25 foot waves, with it's steep sandy beach. But in the summer it offers a huge two mile long beach that is very wide with calm waters. The sand is silky white, and the waters are often very clear. And there are several areas close to shore that make interesting snorkeling, though not the best in the area.
Site Snorkeling Details - Sunset Beach Park
Oahu Snorkeling
We found the snorkeling to be pretty good at Sunset Beach Park. The huge sandy beach is very easy to access. The park is right alongside the road.
There are a couple of different areas we have snorkeled here. If you find the lifeguard station in the center of the park, and head straight down to the water, just off shore there are some interesting rock formations with some coral and lots of fish. These rock formations are not far off shore, and you can follow them to the left and right down the beach. We were surprised at the size of some of the fish here.
The second spot is further down the beach to the right in the little bay like curve of the beach. You can see where the underwater rock topography starts from higher up on the beach. Again you don't have to swim very far out to explore some interesting flat rock and coral formations with a nice variety of fish.
The visibility was not great when we were there, but it was not overly calm, so the waves were kicking up some sand. But the waters in the summer when it is calm are supposed to be very clear.
Be aware of some potential strong currents that are offshore here called the Sunset Rip. We have not experienced it, but you may want to ask the lifeguard if there are any currents to be concerned about when snorkeling.
Share Your Sunset Beach Snorkeling Stories Here
Driving Directions - Sunset Beach Park
Oahu Snorkeling
Driving Directions to Sunset Beach (Support Park) from Waikiki
You can choose to drive up the east side of the island or up the middle of the island to reach the north shore. To reach Hwy 83 on the east side heading north, you need to get on Hwy H-1 westbound then take one of the highways that crosses the Ko'olau Mountains, Hwy 61 (Pali Hwy), Hwy63 (Likelike Hwy), or Hwy H-3. When you come to the intersection with Hwy 83 (Kahekili Hwy), turn left, heading north. Alternately, to reach Hwy H-2 that leads to Hwy 99 up through the middle of the island, get on Hwy H-1 heading westbound until you reach the intersection with Hwy H-2 and head north. Hwy H-2 will turn into Hwy 99 that you follow until it comes to Hwy 83 again near Hale'iwa. Sunset Beach Support Park is right next to the road on Hwy 83, southwest of Waiale'e Beach Park about 2 miles. It is northeast of Shark's Cove by just over two miles.
Go to the next Oahu location Shark's Cove
Return from Sunset Beach to the Oahu Snorkeling Main Page
|
