Waialea Bay (Beach 69)
Puako, HI
Waialea Bay sits along Puako's undeveloped coastline, a protected cove locals still call Beach 69 for the old utility pole number that used to mark the turnoff. Ironwood trees shade a grassy strip behind the sand, and the bay's reef keeps the water calm enough for snorkeling most of the year.
A genuine local favorite for its calm water and shade, though the unmarked turnoff and small lot keep it from ever feeling truly discovered by out of towners, until it fills up.
How we score beachesThe turnoff off Puako Beach Drive is easy to miss now that the pole is gone. Look for the small state park sign and the row of cars parked along the shoulder instead.
A small gravel lot sits at the trailhead off Puako Beach Drive and fills by mid morning on weekends. Overflow parking lines the road shoulder.
A flat, five minute walk on a shaded dirt path connects the lot to the sand, manageable for most visitors but not paved.
Summer's calmer surf makes for the clearest snorkeling, while winter swells can push more current into the bay and stir up visibility.
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