Pua'ena Point Beach Park (Things to Do & What to Know)

If this is your first time visiting Pua'ena Point Beach Park on Oahu, our insider's guide has all the info you need to plan your beach day. Whether you want to get your first surf lesson or just enjoy the beach, we'll tell you everything (photos included!).

Where is Pua'ena Point

Pua'ena Point Beach Park is located just north of Haleiwa Town, next to Haleiwa Beach Park and Police Beach, where the TV show "Lost" was filmed.

It takes approximately an hour to drive from Honolulu and Waikiki: 40 minutes from the airport and 15 to 20 minutes from Pipeline, depending on traffic.

The charming historic town is within walking distance or a very short drive! Head over and grab some delicious local food, or check out the shops.

What's the beach like

Pua'ena Point is known as a prime location for surf schools and beginner surfers. It's a beautiful place with tall palm trees providing good shade and a sandy area to enjoy the beach.

Beach space: While the beach area at Pua'ena Point is smaller compared to other Haleiwa beaches, its sandy shores offer enough room for visitors to spread out and unwind.

Water conditions: The water conditions are calm near the shore, making for an easy entry into the water while the waves break further out on the reef.

Shoreline: The shoreline is primarily reef, but there are areas with smooth, sandy entry points by the beach providing easy water access.

Waves: In the summer, the ocean is pretty calm. In winter, the waves on the inside reef are mellow and excellent for beginners to learn to surf and longboard. The outside reef has much more powerful waves, better suited for intermediate to advanced surfers.

Sand texture: Like other North Shore beaches, the sand here is coarse, feels pleasant underfoot, and easily brushes off.

Shade: At Pua'ena Point, you can choose between sun or shade. The ample trees provide a great escape from the sun.

Views: The views are amazing, and we love spending time here! The palm trees, the reef, the beautiful Kaena Point mountains in the distance, boats crossing the Haleiwa Harbor, surfers all around, it's breathtaking!

Best time to visit

On weekends, the beach is busier with both local families and visitors. Mornings and evenings are quieter, while afternoons draw larger crowds, even tour buses.

The best time of year to visit Pua'ena Point depends on whether you want to get a surf lesson or simply enjoy the beach and scenery. 

• From May to late September, the ocean is calm, making it an excellent time for swimming or snorkeling.
• Ideal surfing conditions are from October to early May, with good waves for beginners and experienced surfers.

Surf lessons & things to do

Beginner Surf Lessons

Don't miss the chance to take a surf lesson in Hawaii! Pua'ena Point is the perfect spot! The waves on the inside reef are friendly and mellow, and several surf schools operate here.

You can hire a private surf guide or join one of the surf schools to get a group lesson. They provide surfboards, and the instructors are surfers and very knowledgeable.

You'll see several surf school vans and tents in the parking lot when you go to Pua'ena. Chat with them and ask questions - they're super friendly.

The schools are open year-round, but the surf season runs from October to early May. We suggest you make a reservation ahead of time to secure your spot and check out North Shore Surf Girls and Uncle Bryan's Surf School.

SUP, Surfing & Foiling

Pua'ena Point offers more than just beginner waves. The inside reef is a really good surf spot for longboarding, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and foiling.

For intermediate to advanced surfers, there is a high-performance right-hander on the outside reef.

This wave gets good when the swell's overhead to triple overhead, and for larger swells, we recommend riding a step-up or gun. The ideal swell direction is from the Northwest.

Additionally, this spot provides opportunities for tow-surfing during extra large swells, and it is where the Big Wave Tow-in Surf contest took place in 2007, with winners including Makua Rothman and Ikaiki Kalama.

Swimming & Snorkeling

The ocean at Pua'ena Point can be quite calm close to shore, especially during the summer months. However, if you're not comfortable in the water, this may not be the best place for swimming and snorkeling.

While there are areas with sandy entry points providing easier water access, you'll be swimming over reef, and there may be waves breaking close by.

Other Things to Do at Pua'ena

Here are some other family-friendly activities that we think you'll really enjoy:

• Walk along the shoreline: Something we love doing here is walking along the shoreline to the tip of Pua'ena. It's beautiful, and around the corner is Police Beach, where episodes of "Lost" were filmed.

• Relax on the beach: Pua'ena Point offers the perfect setting for relaxation and is so peaceful. The scenery is stunning, with plenty of shaded areas thanks to the abundant trees.
• Explore the tide pool: The shoreline is dotted with tide pools teeming with diverse marine life waiting to be discovered.
• Watch the sunset: This is an amazing spot to watch the sunset! The park faces west, providing unobstructed views of the sun setting on the horizon.

• Picnic & BBQs: This is an excellent location for barbecues, picnics, and spending the day with friends and family.
• Look for turtles: Keep an eye out for sea turtles, especially if you go swimming or snorkeling around the edge of the reef. You're very likely to see them here!

• Fishing: If you like fishing, this may be a good place. We often see fishermen around by the shoreline.
• Tasting macadamia nuts: Right across the street, you can visit the macadamia nut farm, which is open to visitors!

Amenities & facilities

Pua'ena shares its amenities with Haleiwa Beach Park since they're right next to each other. There are restroom facilities, showers, a large grassy area with picnic tables, a playground for the keiki (kids), and a basketball court.

Parking-wise, there is a free dedicated parking lot for Pua'ena, but if that's full, parking spots are also available at Haleiwa Beach Park.

Quick heads up - there aren't any lifeguards at this beach, so if you're not very comfortable in the water, please be careful.

Finally, if you're using public transportation, there's a bus stop within walking distance.

Local tips & insights

Restroom hours: The restrooms, shared with Haleiwa Beach Park, are open from 7 am to 10 pm.

Reef walkers: We suggest bringing reef walkers to explore the tide pools or to walk on the rocks by the shoreline. Some areas can be sharp!

Stay alert: Watch out for sharp thorns that may fall from the trees. It's a good idea to wear sandals to protect your feet!

Don't forget the essentials: Bring towels, a hat, reef-safe sunblock, sun shirt, sunglasses, beach chairs, snorkeling gear, and snacks.

Cool down: After the beach, grab a delicious and refreshing shave ice or acai bowl in Haleiwa Town. It's the perfect way to cool down and enjoy a local treat!

Explore Haleiwa Town: Before you head out, check out the shops for local arts, unique gifts, souvenirs, clothing, surf shops, and more.

Heads up: We kindly remind visitors to avoid leaving any valuables in their vehicles due to the possibility of car break-ins.

Conservation Etiquette

Let's keep Pua'ena Point Beach Park's beauty pristine! While exploring the ocean, avoid touching coral or stepping on it - it takes years to recover.

Similarly, please don't touch sea turtles and other marine life, and keep a good distance from them. 

Remember to pack out all your trash and respect the residents to ensure a sustainable and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Faqs

Ready to explore beyond Pua'ena Point? We've got everything you need to know for an amazing trip to the North Shore. Check out these other posts: