I'm looking at 2 BR rentals here for a few days in fall of next year, it looks interesting, looks like good snorkeling.

Anyone stayed here or know someone who has?

Thanks

I stayed in Puako about 20 years ago. Back then I remember it being a very quiet area of mostly modest old style Hawaiian bungalows built on the ocean. Our place was a funky, older house with a huge screened in porch that overlooked a lawn with Palm Trees and the ocean beyond that. It was a great place. My aunt rented it for a month every year.

I'm sure it has changed a lot since then, but when we go back to the Big Island some day,we'll spend a week in this area and a week in the south Kona area around Captain Cook.

-Bill

We rented a house in Puako a couple of years ago - I don't think it has changed much since Bill was there 20 years ago. Still a quiet, funky beach community. We really enjoyed it - rented a house right on the beach - unfortunately the link to the listing no longer works so I guess they aren't renting it anymore. But, there are lots of beachfront rentals in Puako (from basic to fairly upscale) so you shouldn't have a hard time finding something that suits your tastes and budget. Snorkeling in front of the house was good -- but the beach is narrow and rocky -- not a wide sandy beach. However, it is a short drive to the big resorts -- so if you want wide/sandy beaches you don't have to go far.

We also spent a week in the Captain Cook area -- and we're happy we split our time between both areas. Different experiences and we enjoyed both.

Enjoy.

We recently went to the Big Island and snorkeled for a day in Puako. It was great EXCEPT that it was very difficult to access the water due to the lava rocks (you had to scramble/scrape across sharp rocks to get to the water). Beware of sea urchins! I ended up having hand surgery because I impaled my hand on a sea urchin while I was trying to get to shore.

Yeow!

Thanks for the comments. My mostly grown daughter loves the idea of a cottage near snorkeling water, she could swim with turtles until she is pruny. I think we'll do it, the budget will like Puako better than the Hapuna.

We've rented this place in Puako for a week in Feb . . . http://www.letsgohawaii.com/v-rental...wai/index.html