UPDATED FEB 2020. Once upon a time, in days of brightly shaded eyelids and big hair, a wise Cindy Lauper said “girls just wanna have fun” and how right she was. Last week I made the journey up to the North Shore with one of my gal pals for a fun adventure and we had an absolute blast. One of the stops was Three Tables for a snorkeling session and it is yet another Hawaiian treasure that did not disappoint. Today I’m sharing a complete guide to snorkeling at Three Tables to give you all the information you need to experience this fishy (in a good way) spot for yourself.
Complete Guide To Snorkeling At Three Tables On Oahu, Hawaii
Disclaimer:
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FAQ for snorkeling at Three Tables on Oahu
Where is Three Tables located?
North Shore, about 1 hour drive from Waikiki.
What skill level is needed?
Easy – depending on how far you swim. Always swim to your limits.
Is there a cost?
No, it’s free.
What should you bring with you?
- Hat
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Underwater camera (I always use a GoPro
and this floaty selfie stick) - Lunch or snacks (though this is a great area to find food & I’ve recommended some of my favorites below)
- Towel
- Hiking shoes if you want to add a hike afterward (I use the New Balance Minimus)
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When is the best time to go snorkeling at Three Tables
The North Shore and west side are pretty much off-limits for swimming during winter because of the dangerous conditions.
It’s a perfect time if you want to watch the big wave surf competitions but most of the beaches are red-flagged (no swimming) at this time.
Plan your adventure in summer for the best experience.
Where to park for Three Tables
There is a parking area on the side of the road for parking and it is free.
If it is full, just drive further up the street until you can find something.
If you are visiting in peak time, it can get busy, and sometimes the street can get clogged with traffic so just be patient.
Snorkeling at Three Tables
This is a protected marine sanctuary so you can expect to see a lot of life in the water.
During my swim, I saw all sorts of fish and even a monk seal which was a real treat given how endangered they are.
Side note – if you do see a seal, be sure to give them a lot of space as not only are they protected and endangered, but to prevent you from getting hurt.
There are three flat-top rocks peeking out of the water, hence the name Three Tables, and you’ll be able to see a lot of fish congregating around those rocks.
Monk seal swimming by (a bit hard to see)
Snorkeling at Sharks Cove nearby
Three Tables is right next to Sharks Cove, so it’s a great idea to combine the two while you are snorkeling at Three Tables.
Perhaps snorkel at one, take a break for a shave ice, then snorkel at the other to make the most of the day.
Here is my full guide on snorkeling at Sharks Cove if you’d like more information.
Other things to do near Three Tables
If you’d like to do some hikes in the area, I recommend:
Another option is to go to Waimea Falls.
If you are looking for other beaches in the area, I recommend:
- Waimea Bay
- Sunset Beach
- Banzai Pipeline
- Dillingham Beach
Where to eat on the North Shore
There’s a lot of great food to choose from and I recommend visiting one of the iconic food trucks for lunch.
Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is very famous and very awesome. There are a few other stalls near his so you can also get a fresh coconut, fresh fruit, or a BBQ corn while you’re there.
I also like:
- Romy’s Shrimp
- North Shore Tacos
- Maui Mike’s Fire Roasted Chicken
If you’re looking for a shave ice, Matsumoto’s is another famous spot that you shouldn’t miss. Here’s my guide on where to find the best shave ice on Oahu for more info.
Green World Coffee Farm is a short drive away and is a great place to stop for an afternoon coffee – my favorite on the island.
The North Shore is a great place to cruise and beach hop so you could easily find a lot to do just by driving and stopping where you feel called to.
Safety tips for snorkeling at Three Tables
It is quite an open area so swimming requires some experience in the water with ocean currents, especially if you are swimming out around the tables.
If you are not a strong swimmer, you could stay in the shallower areas and still see a good amount of fish and sea creatures.
As always, use your best judgment as far as swimming to your skill level and always check the weather conditions before venturing out.
If in doubt, don’t go out.
Where to stay on Oahu
If you are staying on the north shore, my favorite place in the area is Turtle Bay Resort. It’s a big resort that has everything you would need and really gives you that ‘I’m in Hawaii on vacation’ feeling.
There are also a lot of guesthouses on the north shore so if that’s more your scene, then you’ll have a lot to choose from.
If you are staying in Waikiki, I recommend the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The quickest way to get to the north shore from Waikiki is up the middle of the island which is not the prettiest drive.
If you want a more scenic drive you could go via Kaneohe which will take a little longer but give you beach views for most of the drive.
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I hope this guide can help you plan a day out to go snorkeling at Three Tables.
As always, please remember to take your trash with you, swim to your limits, and be respectful of wildlife so that these beautiful areas can be enjoyed by others for years to come.
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I’ve snorkeled at Sharks Coves, but never ventured towards Three Tables … or maybe I did and didn’t even know it. Yeah my friends love going into the caves/tunnels, I don’t join them because I can’t hold my breath that long haha.
Haha, it is quite similar to Sharks Cove because they are right next to each other and both protected. Tunnels make me a little nervous too!
What did you use to capture your photos? A go pro?
All of these photos were taken using a GoPro – highly recommend them!
Thank you for this post, we will be going there next week!!
Yay, so happy to help 😀 Have fun!