dlnr.hawaii.gov · Official
MLCD boundary, coral beds, and common marine life context.
Dive Spot Guide•
Palea Point
Palea Point: boat-only drift wall with coral and clear water.
Palea Point is a boat-only east-side drift dive with wall and reef sections, best on low-wind days and strongest when visibility is high.
About Palea Point
Palea Point is a boat-only east-side drift dive at the Hanauma Bay mouth with wall, canyon, and reef structure. It suits experienced divers who are comfortable with changing weather and a moving line. Good days can bring very clear water, coral beds along the reef edge, and Hawaiian marine life such as turtles, rays, sharks, and monk seals. It is not a shore entry and is best treated as an operator-led dive when the weather window is calm.
•
Research Estimate At Palea Point
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 30m
AccessModerate entry effort
CoralHealthy coral
Aquatic LifeExceptional variety
FacilitiesExcellent facilities
Crowd / PopularityModerate
CurrentStrong current
SurgeStrong surge
Where Is Palea Point?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Palea Point Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
12m - 30m
Depth Note
Includes a ~40 ft/12 m reef and a ~100 ft/30 m wall section.
Best Season
Year-round; best on low east winds and a small south swell.
Typical Conditions
Premier drift dive with wall and reef sections, clear on good days, and sensitive to east winds and swell.
Safety & Access At Palea Point
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Strong currentSurgeWavesOverhead environmentRestricted access
Safety Notes
Conditions are dependent on low east winds and a small south swell. Drift diving and cave areas add complexity.
Access Restrictions
Boat-only access and park rules apply; no shore entry.
Legal Notes
Hanauma Bay is an MLCD and State Underwater Park, so bay-mouth access and park rules matter.
Local Intel For Palea Point
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Drift dive with a wall to about 30 m/100 ft plus a shallower reef around 12 m/40 ft.
Freediving
Only for confident breath-hold divers on calm days; the site is a drift line, not a beginner freedive spot.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is better in the bay proper; Palea Point itself is a drift line and not a casual snorkel target.
Wildlife at Palea Point
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Palea Point
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Palea Point
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility30m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
