Be careful when going into the water, because there can be strong currents at times in the water at Punalu’u beach. The best place to enter the water is from the small boat ramp on the left (facing the water) of the beach. Stay out of the water if the surf is high. A better place to snorkel is Ninole Cove. Ninole Cove is a short walk from Punalu’u, and offers a sheltered bay with sand channels that provide decent entry to the action. You can either drive there (park below the clubhouse of the sea mountain golf course), or take a sort but rewarding hike from the black sand beach parking lot. Follow the unmarked grassy trail southwards (going right if you face makai/the ocean) for 5 minutes.