Hawaii
Hawaii spearfishing is warm, reef-led and usually diveable for much of the year, but sea state and protected areas still gate the day. The state list covers Honolulu, Haleiwa, Lahaina, Kailua-Kona, Poipu, Kahului and Lihue. Listed places include Pine Trees / Kohanaiki reef, Paukukalo reef, Running Waters / Ninini Point ledge, Kaka'ako / Kewalo outer reef, Mala Wharf reef and Puaena Point. Expect clear reef water on good days, but also harbor edges, marine life conservation districts and summer-calm timing on the North Shore.
Hawaii is marked as diveable much of the year, with summer and early autumn bringing the warmest, clearest water. The unfavorable swell or wind sector is roughly 150-230 degrees, and Puaena Point is specifically described as summer-calm. Warm water does not remove the need to check wind chop, passing fronts, river plumes and protected reef boundaries before a session. Reef entries should be checked island by island.
In Hawaii, verify the current state and federal rules first, including size and bag limits, gear, seasons, species bans and closed areas, and read the specifics for these islands from state regulations and the closure notes below. Specific closures and restrictions include Honolua-Mokuleia Bay Marine Life Conservation District as no-take and spearfishing banned, while Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District has protected-zone restrictions. At Pine Trees / Kohanaiki, West Hawai'i FMA allows freedive spear but bans SCUBA spear.
The Hawaii list is reef-specific: Pine Trees / Kohanaiki for an offshore drop-off, Paukukalo by Kahului, Running Waters / Ninini Point near Nawiliwili Bay, Kaka'ako / Kewalo near Honolulu, Mala Wharf near Lahaina and Puaena Point by Haleiwa. Harbor-adjacent water and conservation district edges matter.
Top spots
| Spot | Nearest city | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Trees / Kohanaiki reef | Kailua-Kona | Fringing reef north of town with an offshore drop-off |
| Paukukalo reef | Kahului | Local reef just outside the harbor |
| Running Waters / Ninini Point ledge | Lihue (Nawiliwili) | Rocky point and reef at the north entrance of Nawiliwili Bay |
| Kaka'ako / Kewalo outer reef | Honolulu | Harbor-adjacent reef off Kaka'ako |
| Mala Wharf reef | Lahaina | Collapsed-wharf pilings and reef |
| Puaena Point | Haleiwa (North Shore) | Reef point just north of Haleiwa Harbor |
Reserves & no-take zones
- Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District — Protected — restrictions apply: Protected marine zone (MLCD) — not always a full ban, but core no-take areas / seasonal closures exist.
- Honolua-Mokuleia Bay Marine Life Conservation District [part 2] — No-take / spearfishing banned: Spearfishing banned in this protected marine zone (MLCD).
Cities in this region
FAQ
Where can you spearfish in Hawaii?
Listed places sit around Oahu, Maui, Hawai'i Island and Kauai, including Pine Trees / Kohanaiki reef, Paukukalo reef, Running Waters / Ninini Point ledge, Kaka'ako / Kewalo outer reef, Mala Wharf reef and Puaena Point.
When is the best season to spearfish in Hawaii?
Hawaii is diveable much of the year, with summer and early autumn described as the warmest and clearest period. Puaena Point is called summer-calm, so North Shore timing matters.
Which Hawaii protected areas are named?
Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District is listed as protected with restrictions, and Honolua-Mokuleia Bay Marine Life Conservation District is listed as no-take with spearfishing banned.
What species are named in the Hawaii places?
The listed places name uku, goatfish, papio, uhu, weke, kumu, roi, ta'ape and mu. The Kaka'ako / Kewalo note also warns to stay west because the east side is the Waikiki MLCD.
See also: Alaska