Fishing Spots - Select by City

The Best Fishing Spots in Hawaii

Hawaii offers excellent year‑round recreational fishing from shore to offshore, with popular deep‑sea and sportfishing charter trips targeting big pelagics like blue marlin, striped marlin, yellowfin tuna (ahi), bigeye tuna (aku), mahi‑mahi (dorado) and wahoo (ono). Nearshore and reef fishing produces species such as giant trevally (ulua) and various reef fish and snapper, while flats and estuaries are good for bonefish and fly fishing. Popular methods include trolling, bottom fishing, light‑tackle and shore casting, with clear waters and varied habitat making Hawaii a top recreational destination.

Top Cities For Fishing

Sea Fishing

Aala (3 km to coast)

‘Āhuimanu (2 km to coast)

‘Aiea (1 km to coast)

‘Aiea Heights (3 km to coast)

Ala Moana (1 km to coast)

Ala Moana - Kakaako (1 km to coast)

Aliamanu / Salt Lakes / Foster Village (2 km to coast)

Camp H.M. Smith (3 km to coast)

Diamond Head / Kapahulu / Saint Louis Heights (2 km to coast)

Downtown (Honolulu) (2 km to coast)

Dowsett Highlands (6 km to coast)

East Honolulu (1 km to coast)

Enchanted Lake (2 km to coast)

‘Ewa Beach (1 km to coast)

‘Ewa Gentry (4 km to coast)

‘Ewa Villages (4 km to coast)

Farrington (3 km to coast)

Ford Island (0 km to coast)

Haʻikū (4 km to coast)

Haiku-Pauwela (4 km to coast)

Hālawa (1 km to coast)

Hālawa Heights (2 km to coast)

Hawaiian Ocean View (9 km to coast)

Hawaiian Paradise Park (3 km to coast)

Hawai‘i Kai (2 km to coast)

He‘eia (1 km to coast)

Hickam Field (1 km to coast)

Hilo (1 km to coast)

Hōlualoa (4 km to coast)

Honolulu (2 km to coast)

Iroquois Point (1 km to coast)

Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (1 km to coast)

Kahalu‘u (0 km to coast)

Kahului (2 km to coast)

Kailua (0 km to coast)

Kailua-Kona (1 km to coast)

Kaimukī (3 km to coast)

Kalāheo (5 km to coast)

Kalaoa (8 km to coast)

Kalihi-Palama (2 km to coast)

Kalihi Valley (7 km to coast)

Kaneohe (2 km to coast)

Kapa‘a (1 km to coast)

Kapolei (4 km to coast)

Kekaha-Waimea (2 km to coast)

Keolu Hills (2 km to coast)

Kīhei (1 km to coast)

Kihei Mauka (2 km to coast)

Koolauloa (2 km to coast)

Kula (15 km to coast)

Kuli‘ou‘ou (1 km to coast)

Kuliouou - Kalani Iki (3 km to coast)

Lahaina (0 km to coast)

Lā‘ie (1 km to coast)

Lihue (4 km to coast)

Liliha - Kapalama (5 km to coast)

Lower Aiea (1 km to coast)

Mā‘ili (0 km to coast)

Mākaha (0 km to coast)

Makakilo (4 km to coast)

Makakilo City (4 km to coast)

Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale (3 km to coast)

Makawao (11 km to coast)

Makiki / Lower Punchbowl / Tantalus (4 km to coast)

Manoa (5 km to coast)

Marine Corps Base Hawaii - MCBH (2 km to coast)

McCully - Moiliili (2 km to coast)

Mililani Mauka / Launani Valley (11 km to coast)

Mililani Town (8 km to coast)

Moanalua Valley (3 km to coast)

Mō‘ili‘ili (2 km to coast)

Nānākuli (0 km to coast)

Napili-Honokowai (0 km to coast)

Niu Valley (1 km to coast)

Nuuanu - Punchbowl (7 km to coast)

Ocean Pointe (1 km to coast)

Pacific Palisades (4 km to coast)

Palolo (5 km to coast)

Pauoa (4 km to coast)

Pearl City (2 km to coast)

Pukalani (11 km to coast)

Punahou (3 km to coast)

Pupukea (0 km to coast)

Robinson Heights (1 km to coast)

Royal Kunia (1 km to coast)

Schofield Barracks (12 km to coast)

Spreckelsville (3 km to coast)

Upper Kalihi Valley (5 km to coast)

Village Park (2 km to coast)

Wahiawā (14 km to coast)

Waianae (0 km to coast)

Waihee-Waiehu (1 km to coast)

Waikīkī (1 km to coast)

Waikoloa (7 km to coast)

Wailea (0 km to coast)

Wailea-Makena (2 km to coast)

Wailua Homesteads (6 km to coast)

Wailuku (3 km to coast)

Waimalu (1 km to coast)

Waimanalo (2 km to coast)

Waimānalo Beach (1 km to coast)

Waimea (15 km to coast)

Waipahu (1 km to coast)

Waipio (3 km to coast)

Waipi‘o Acres (9 km to coast)

West Loch Estates (1 km to coast)

Whitmore Village (14 km to coast)

Top Saltwater Fishing Spots

Kahuku Point

Near Oahu’s northern tip, Kahuku Point features reef ledges and channels that attract trevally, bonefish, and barracuda, with cleaner summer water favoring sight-fishing and heavier metal for predators on the edges; sunrise and sunset are prime—shift west toward Laie Bay if wind lines stack up.

Kahului Harbor

Maui’s primary commercial port gives quick access to the Pa‘uwela and Kahului offshore ledges for ahi, mahi-mahi, and ono, while shoreline anglers pick off trevally, ladyfish (awa‘awa), and goatfish around the breakwaters; pelagics pick up spring–summer with dawn and dusk best—if trade winds howl, tuck behind Kanaha for a lee.

Kailua Bay

Fronting Kailua-Kona, Kailua Bay offers quick access to the Kona ledge for blue marlin, ahi, and mahi-mahi, while the shoreline and pier areas can turn up oio (bonefish), papio, and night-time ulua; summer sees prime pelagics with shoulder seasons rewarding live-bait and jig tactics—when bait shows, follow it toward Honokohau Harbor.

Kaneohe Bay

Hawaii’s largest sheltered bay is a versatile fishery where flats and channels produce oio (bonefish), trevally, and goatfish, while deeper drop-offs hold snapper and amberjack (kahala); summer mornings often bring clear sight-fishing, with year-round opportunities by kayak or skiff—launch near Heeia to access the central sandbars and channels efficiently.

Kawaihae Harbor

On Hawaii Island’s Kohala Coast, Kawaihae Harbor provides a straight shot to cobalt depths where ahi, mahi-mahi, ono, and marlin follow current lines; shore-casting the breakwalls and nearby beaches produces ulua, papio, and oama-chasing predators, with peak pelagics in late spring through summer—run south toward Puako when the water is clean and blue.

Keauhou Bay

South of Kona, Keauhou Bay is a small-boat haven with immediate access to drop-offs holding mahi-mahi, ono, and tuna, while inshore edges and lava ledges turn up trevally and night-time ta‘ape; summer offers prime trolling with winter jigging near humps—if bait schools slide north, track them toward Kailua Bay.

Kewalo Basin

Just west of Waikiki, Kewalo Basin is a busy charter hub with short runs to ledges holding mahi-mahi, ono, skipjack (aku), and ahi; from shore, anglers target trevally, barracuda, and night-time menpachi along the seawall, with spring and summer pelagics complemented by winter inshore bites—if trades are stiff, tuck inside Honolulu Harbor for calmer water.

Lahaina Harbor

Maui’s Lahaina Harbor sits near classic trolling lanes where striped marlin, shortbill spearfish, mahi-mahi, and ono stack along temperature breaks; shore casters pick at papio, moana (goatfish), and nocturnal ehu/ulaula-type reef fish, with pelagics strongest spring–summer and reef action steady—if trades kick up, slip south to Maalaea Harbor for a lee.

Nawiliwili Harbor

Kauai’s main harbor opens to channels that regularly produce mahi-mahi, ono, aku, and ahi, with color lines forming off the breakwater; shore anglers work the rocks for trevally, wrasses, and seasonal akule, with summer a reliable window for pelagics—if seas are mellow, explore toward Poipu for lee-side water.

Poipu Beach

South Shore Kauai’s Poipu Beach features reef pockets and sandy cuts that attract trevally, goatfish, and wrasses, with dawn and dusk brings roving predators into casting range; summer’s calmer seas open up the outer edges for heavier offerings—if wind shifts onshore, slide to the lee near Spouting Horn.

Waimea Bay

Famed for surf in winter and glassy water in summer, Oahu’s Waimea Bay offers seasonal chances at oio (bonefish), papio, and cruising barracuda, with deeper edges occasionally drawing ulua; calm, clear mornings favor sight-fishing, while dusk brings predators tight—if swell is up, look toward Haleiwa for more manageable conditions.

Kaena Point

Oahu’s western tip, Kaena Point, offers rugged ledges and deep drop-offs for ulua, papio, and occasional ono or mahi pushing bait tight to the rocks; night sessions and tidal swings often spark bites with live or heavy offerings—when conditions allow, work along toward Keawaula for cleaner water lines.

Top Saltwater & Freshwater Spots

Wailua River

Kauai’s Wailua River mixes freshwater and estuarine zones that hold tilapia, mullets, trevally, and occasional barracuda, with snags, bends, and river mouths producing on moving tides; kayaks unlock upper reaches while shore anglers work eddies and drop-offs—if clarity drops, explore the mouth along Wailua Bay.

Hanalei Bay

North Shore Kauai’s sweeping Hanalei Bay mixes river inflow with reef edges, drawing bonefish, trevally, and barracuda inside while boats poke outside for mahi-mahi and ono; summer’s calm glass-offs favor flats sight-fishing, with bait and birds revealing action—if swell rises, slip to Kalihiwai Bay for shelter.

Hilo Bay

Protected Hilo Bay blends freshwater inflow and ocean currents to support trevally, bonefish, barracuda, and seasonal akule, while boats work the bay mouth and beyond for mahi-mahi and tuna; calm periods open sight-fishing on flats, with winter swells pushing life inside—launch options include Wailoa Ramp for quick access.

Ala Wai Canal

Skirting Waikiki, the Ala Wai Canal’s brackish waters harbor tilapia, barracuda, mullet, and roaming trevally, with evening and early morning producing the most bites; light tackle, small baits, and subtle presentations are key, especially on a moving tide—when the wind rises, shift to the lee at Kewalo Basin.