Three Tables — Attraction in Oʻahu

Three Tables Beach is located in Pupukea on Oahu's north shore just before the Sunset Beach Fire Station. The parking lot can seem rather small when it is a nice day and especially on the weekends but there is a working restroom nearby that is newly reopened after having repairs done for several weeks.

The area itself boasts some pristine water accessible by a somewhat small sandy area, but still a favorite spot of many locals. This beach gets its name from the reefs you see protruding straight ahead in the ocean when you are standing on the sandy shore.

We never drive out that way on the weekends because traffic there can be really backed up on high surf days or when there is really nice weather. Today is Tuesday and a school day so there were quite a few parking spaces in the parking lot that is next to the fire station. There is also parking on the side of the road right in front of the sandy area but backing out can be a problem since that stretch of Kam. Highway tends to be pretty busy most of the time. If you park in the parking lot you have a short walk to the beach but you also have the benefit of a stop light that makes getting in and out a lot easier. And the restroom is also nearby as well as Foodland located right across the parking lot on the other side of Kam. Highway.

Take a look at the photos and you will get an idea of what the beach and ocean views are like from the shore and also how many people use the beach in the middle of the week.

All in all it is a nice beach but the traffic issue can be a hassle. Thus the 4-stars...

Where a number of other beaches did not give us a good snorkeling experience(Hanauma Bay, Laniakea Beach), this place more than provided for a good snorkel.

The day we came, there was crystal clear visibility, calm waters, and a wealth of marine life, all made for excellent snorkeling conditions. We spent hours in the water. We saw sea turtles (didn't even realize I was right above one until someone told me), corals, humuhumu-nukunuku-apua'as, and all kinds of butterflyfish. It gets deeper and the currents become colder the closer you get to the three "tables", though there's no real need to swim past them as there's plenty to explore inside of the three rock barriers.

Has a bathroom and washing stations. Uses the Pupukea Beach Park parking lot, and has a rather limited number of spots. Aside from the small lot, you can also park right along route 83 on the side of the beach park.

Definitely come here if you want an...

This is one of my favorite snorkel spots on the island! It’s also one of the least populated ones in comparison to the other good spots. I never felt crowded in this area, which I really liked. You can explore all around the three different tables and even go around the back of them. People often stay in the shallow area to the left side of the beach, but I also think it’s worth it to go towards the right side. There’s a bright shallow coral over there, which makes things easier to see. Also eels, sometimes like to hang out in the rocks to the left side of the beach.

The tide and current can get strong here though so...