Welcome to Puako! Located on the northwest side of the Big Island, this charming town is ideal for anyone wanting easy ocean access while staying only a short drive from world-class shopping, dining, and luxury resort amenities. Average year-round temperatures in Puako range from 75 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, while average rainfall is under five inches per month.
As you cruise down Puako Beach Drive, you can turn off to the right on Old Puako Road to reach Waialea Bay, also known as Beach 69. This white sand beach is a local favorite for snorkeling and scuba diving and offers access to public restrooms and showers to rinse off the sea salt. Continue left on Puako Beach Drive to visit the Puako General Store where you can stock up on basics, or try their famous spicy clam dip!
As you travel along the drive, you'll see a wonderful mixture of beach cottages, classic Hawaiian plantation-style homes, and upgraded luxury properties, some of them available for rent. Public shoreline access routes can be found all along Puako Beach Drive since Hawaii requires that shoreline access be allowed to the public.
When it comes to dining out, you'll have many Big Island restaurants to choose from, whether you head north or south from Puako! About 10 minutes to the south, you'll find The Shops at Mauna Lani, where you'll find the Foodland grocery store and restaurants such as Tommy Bahama, Pele's Wok, Under the Bodhi Tree, and Sushi Shiono. Visit galleries, a surf shop, or even enjoy a magic show at Tiki Palace! Also, try the Canoe House at the Mauna Lani Resort or Brown's Beach House at the Fairmont Orchid.
Beach cottage in Puako (photo credit: Dave Minkus)
Just 10 minutes north of Puako, you can enjoy the beautiful white-sand beaches and luxury amenities at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and Mauna Kea Resort. Both resorts offer an array of casual and fine dining eateries and bars. The Copper Bar at Mauna Kea and Meridia at the Westin Hapuna are some of the best Big Island restaurants to enjoy an oceanfront meal. Don't miss the gorgeous white sand beach at the Hapuna Beach Recreation Area.
Whether you're an avid golfer or new to the sport, these resorts offer some of the most stunning oceanfront fairways in the world, surrounded by volcanic peaks and cooled by tradewinds. Choose from the Mauna Lani North and South courses, the Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed course at Mauna Kea Resort, and the Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay "golf resort" at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.
We look forward to welcoming you to Puako on your next Big Island vacation. This charming, oceanfront town on Hawaii Island is a quiet, peaceful haven tucked away from the hustle and bustle of some of the bigger towns and cities in Hawaii. You'll feel a million miles away, yet Puako offers easy access to some of the most stunning Hawaii beaches, dining, world-class golf, spas and watersports that the Big Island has to offer.