Palauea Beach (White Rock)

Hawaii, United States

Depth

15m

Visibility

5m - 15m

Entry

Boat

Experience Level

Beginner

Palauea Beach (White Rock)

Hawaii, United States

Depth

15m

Visibility

5m - 15m

Entry

Boat

Experience Level

Beginner

About Palauea Beach (White Rock)

This beach is lesser known and less crowded than others. The closest facilities are a short drive North to Polo Beach. It is a wide beach to the south of the Kea Lani Resort. The beach has reef formations at both ends. Swimming is good and snorkelling around the rocky point is excellent most of the time. This site is perfect for beginners and intermediates. This site has a very sandy bottom and gently slopes. It has a very easy sandy beach entry. Holoa Point is a point of land at the south end of the beach. There is a section of reef that extends for several hundred meters, both out to sea and further down the shoreline. Near the point you will find a very interesting underwater topography with small caves and ledges. Lava arches rear up from sand channels between the rocks and coral. It is easy to navigate here as you just follow the reef out that comes off the rocky point on the right side of the beach. Directions: At the South End of Highway 31, bear right onto Wailea Iki. Continue to the T, turn left on Wailea Alanui. After 1 mile, turn right onto Kuakahi. Drive down to the T and turn left onto Makena Road. Continue for a little less than half a mile. Park on shore side of the road onto an unpaved small parking area. Basically, this is the South side of Haloa Point.

Palauea Beach (White Rock) Dive Info

Terrain & Features

Rock, Reef

Entry Type

Boat

Max Depth

15m

Visibility Range

5m – 15m

Experience Level

Beginner

Best Gas Mix

21%

O₂

CNS Load (45 min)

11% at 13m / 36%

O₂

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Marine Life

Honu

Weather Conditions

Water temperature (℃)

Air temperature range (℃)

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Location

Dive Site Hazards

Bubble Trapping Under Overhangs — Rock overhangs can trap exhaled bubbles, reducing visibility and causing disorientation.
Reflected Surge Patterns — Surge reflecting off rock faces can create irregular and unpredictable water movement.
Current Funnel Effect — Narrow gaps between rocks can accelerate water flow unexpectedly.

Hidden Depth Variations — Complex reef topography can conceal depth changes, leading to unintended profile variations.

Distraction from Marine Activity — High fish activity can distract divers and delay depth or gas awareness.

Rapid Surge Direction Changes — Surge near reef structures can reverse direction quickly, pushing divers sideways into unexpected areas.

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