Kuau Cove
Paia, HI
Kuau Cove is a small, rocky pocket beach just past Paia, most recognizable as the water in front of Mama's Fish House. The cove itself is a low key local stop for a swim or a bit of snorkeling, popular with the neighborhood as much for the shade trees and grassy edge as for the water.
A charming, low key local stop with genuine snorkeling on a calm day, though the small size and restaurant traffic nearby keep parking tight most of the week.
How we score beachesThere's a small, informal snorkel spot along the cove's rocky north edge. Go on a calm day since there's no real protection from bigger north swells.
Limited street parking along Hana Highway near Mama's Fish House and the cove is the only option, tight during restaurant meal times.
A short, grassy and sandy path leads to a small, partly rocky cove, uneven underfoot in spots.
Calmest in summer, with winter's north swells capable of making the cove rough and reducing visibility for snorkeling.
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