Sharks Cove, Oahu: dive & snorkel conditions and visibility today
Sharks Cove, Saturday, November 7: visibility Very Poor, 0–3 ft (0–1 m), and No-go (Brown Water Advisory) to dive or snorkel.
Updated ; the forecast refreshes every 6 hours. Confidence 90%.
Open Sharks Cove in the appToday by how you get in
Shore
✕ No-go 0
DOH Brown Water Advisory in effect
Nearshore reef
Kayak
✕ No-go 0
DOH Brown Water Advisory in effect
Ledge (100 ft) 0.7 km out
Boat
✕ No-go 0
DOH Brown Water Advisory in effect
Blue water (300 ft+) 3.5 km out
Next 7 days at Sharks Cove
| Day | Divability | Visibility | Wind | Swell | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · brown water | ✕ No-go 0 | Very Poor 0–3 ft | 11 kt ENE | 8.5 ft @ 9s | 90% |
| · brown water | ✕ No-go 0 | Poor 3–8 ft | 11 kt ENE | 8.9 ft @ 9s | 90% |
| · brown water | ✕ No-go 0 | Fair 8–15 ft | 12 kt ENE | 8.5 ft @ 9s | 86% |
| – Caution 37 from shore | Good 15–25 ft | 10 kt ENE | 7.2 ft @ 9s | 81% | |
| – Caution 55 by boat | Fair 8–15 ft | 11 kt ENE | 7.2 ft @ 9s | 74% | |
| ✕ No-go 30 | Good 15–25 ft | 12 kt ENE | 11.5 ft @ 12s | 68% | |
| – Caution 56 by boat | Good 15–25 ft | 10 kt ENE | 9.5 ft @ 10s | 61% |
About Sharks Cove
A rocky cove at Pupukea with lava pools, arches and caves, one of the best-known summer snorkel and dive spots on Oahu. Entry is over sharp rock, so wear booties. Summer only: winter north swells surge through the cove and make it dangerous. Three Tables is a short swim south.
- Sharks Cove faces west-northwest (300°): swell from that side arrives head-on.
- Swim or kayak in from shore, or go by boat from Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor.
- Water 100 ft (30 m) deep starts about 0.7 km out.
- Blue water (300 ft / 100 m and deeper) is about 3.5 km out.
What spoils the visibility here
- North and northwest swells, mostly October to April, hit it head-on and stir up the bottom.
- Heavy rain sends brown runoff into the water for a few days; Hawaii DOH posts Brown Water Advisories when it does.
Rules and wildlife
- Part of the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District: taking marine life is heavily restricted and spearfishing is not allowed. Check DAR's rules before fishing.
- Green sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals are protected: NOAA asks people to stay at least 10 ft (3 m) from turtles and 50 ft (15 m) from monk seals.
- Rules change: check Hawaii DLNR's Division of Aquatic Resources before fishing anywhere.
Questions about Sharks Cove
- Is it good to snorkel or dive at Sharks Cove today?
- On Saturday, November 7 DiveVis rates Sharks Cove No-go (Brown Water Advisory). Conditions look unsafe or not worth it today.
- What is the water visibility at Sharks Cove today?
- Very Poor, 0–3 ft (0–1 m) expected on Saturday, November 7, with 90% confidence. It is an estimate from wind, swell, rain, runoff and ocean conditions, not a measurement.
- What's the best time to get in the water at Sharks Cove today?
- No hour on Saturday, November 7 looks good enough to recommend.
- How do you get in the water at Sharks Cove?
- Swim or kayak in from shore, or go by boat from Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor.
Other Oahu spots today, nearest first
- Three Tables · No-go
- Waimea · No-go
- Turtle Bay · Caution
- Mokuleia · No-go
- Kahuku · Caution
- Yokohama Bay · Go
- Kaena Point · No-go
- Makaha · Go
- Kualoa · Caution
- Mahi Wreck · Go
- Electric Beach (Kahe Point) · Go
- Ewa Beach · Go
- Moku Manu Islands · Caution
- Kailua Beach · Caution
- Point Panic (Kakaako) · Go
- Lanikai · Caution
- Magic Island · Go
- Sea Tiger Wreck · Go
- YO-257 & San Pedro Wrecks · Go
- Kaimana Beach (Sans Souci) · Go
- Waimanalo Beach · Caution
- Diamond Head (Cliffs) · Go
- Black Point · Go
- Kahala · Go
- Corsair Plane Wreck · Caution
- Makapuu Point · Caution
- Portlock · Caution
- Hanauma Bay · Caution
- Sandy Beach · Caution
Calculated from wind, swell, rain, runoff, tides and ocean conditions; check conditions on site before going in. How the forecast works.