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Best Beaches to Snorkel in Kauai
Kauai is the perfect place to snorkel. Roughly 50 of the 90 miles of coastline is white sand beach, which makes for easy ocean access. Top that off with lots of family-friendly spots and places for those with more experience, and Kauai is every snorkeler's dream.
And because we hoped you could find your perfect slice of snorkeling heaven, we're presenting our picks for Kauai's best snorkeling beaches here. We've split them into those ideal for beginners and those better left to intermediate or advanced snorkelers.
Kauai Snorkeling Safety
Please consider safety before snorkeling, especially if venturing out of protected areas where stronger currents can overpower a swimmer. Before entering the ocean, a general rule of thumb is to find a comfortable place in the shade and observe the water for 20 minutes. Observing the current and identifying any obstacles, such as rocks, is essential. Being aware of your surroundings will help keep your snorkeling adventure as safe as it is fun.
Also, please be mindful of the coral reef, a delicate living organism. Do not step or walk on the reef, nor touch the coral or its inhabitants—for the reef's health and safety. You'll also want to take a reef-safe sunscreen, as traditional sunscreens damage the reefs.
Snorkeling For Beginners
Lydgate Park, Keiki Pond
The keiki (children's) pond at Lydgate Park is a great place to try snorkeling for the first time. This water is protected year-round from the surf by a man-made rock wall. The pond gets as deep as 10', and numerous fish swim near the outer rocks. There is no coral here, and the beach is popular with families. It is a great place to put on the mask and fins and snorkel for the first time without worrying about ocean currents or crashing waves.
Poipu Beach Park
If you are on the South Side, there is no need to travel far to snorkel for the first time. Poipu Beach Park is a good beginner spot as long as there is no large south swell. The snorkeling area at Poipu Beach is small, as most of the area has a sand bottom. However, just to the right of the sand is a rocky area with a bit of coral, some fish, and usually several people! If you are lucky, you'll spot a Hawaiian monk seal lying on the beach.
Intermediate and Advanced Snorkeling
Kee Beach
Kee Beach, at the end of the road on the North Shore, can be excellent for snorkeling when the surf conditions permit. It is most easily accessible during the summer months. Be aware of the strong rip current on the left side of the reef, where it opens up to the ocean. Kee has a barrier reef with plenty of marine life—a comfortable intermediate snorkeling location. Please be mindful not to step on the reef here.
The area outside the reef at Kee is for experts only, but the marine life is abundant. As a result, it's common to see locals spearfishing in this area. Do not go outside the reef unless you have experience swimming in the ocean and have a clear return plan. The rip current may help you escape through a shallow crack in the reef; however, it is often not easy to get back because the current is pushing against you. There have been sightings of turtles, Hawaiian monk seals, and even an occasional white-tipped reef shark.
Tunnels (Makua) Beach
Tunnels is a deceptively sizeable horseshoe-shaped snorkeling area. The outer reef, which has excellent coral formations and lots of marine life, is for advanced snorkelers only, as it is exposed to strong ocean currents. The best entry point is the water near the end (on the far right side of the reef when looking out from shore). You can then swim out to the inside portion of the outer reef. Be aware that the current will push you back towards Haena Beach Park. Follow the curve along the outer reef; there are varying depths here from 3'-40'. When you get in the shallows, the current can be powerful. As you approach the far left side of the reef (when looking from shore), head directly to shore and back to the beach (you will be crossing a channel). Under no circumstances should you follow the reef out and away from shore – the exit current can be powerful around the left corner of the reef.
For beginners, there is a protected shallow area with small caves (or tunnels) on the inner reef, which is usually a safe place to get in the water when the surf isn't significant. It is on the left side of the beach closest to Haena Beach Park (where you come back from the outer reef advanced snorkel).
Like the rest of the North Shore of Kauai, a large north swell is typical in the winter. In such conditions, even strong swimmers cannot snorkel at Tunnels. We suggest you head to Koloa Landing or Lawai Beach on the South Side during that time of year.
Tunnels Beach has minimal parking because it is a popular snorkeling area. If it is overcrowded, there is more parking at Haena Beach Park. It is a beautiful (albeit long) walk from there to the tunnels.
Hideaways Beach
To access this beach, you must follow a steep trail in front of the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. Hideaways' turquoise blue water is perfect for snorkeling when the conditions are good. The reef here is shallow, with many pockets or deep grooves to explore and find abundant fish. It's not necessary to swim very far out over the shallow reef; the snorkeling isn't any better, and you will be exposing yourself to more hazardous ocean conditions. Visibility is impaired during high swell, and entering the water may be unsafe.
Koloa Landing
If you are on the south side, Koloa Landing is best for snorkelers who are excellent swimmers with more advanced skills. This is a popular diving location, but there is a fairly long swim across a sandy area. There is limited sea life in this area, but you will see plenty when you get to where the snorkeling is good (either side of the bay). Koloa landing is also exposed to the open ocean, so don’t go here when there is a large south swell (usually during the summer).
There is no beach at Koloa landing; you enter the water from a boat ramp. If there has recently been heavy rain, do not snorkel at Koloa landing. There is a small stream near the boat ramp- do not snorkel near it as the stream clouds visibility and may carry run off from the livestock farming operations that are upstream.
Lawai Beach
Lawai Beach is a reliable snorkeling area protected by a barrier reef that hosts abundant fish. If you want to try snorkeling, we highly recommend taking a snorkel tour. After you go with a guide, you'll learn the basics and be more comfortable snorkeling independently. Note that visibility gets better (and the coral much healthier) the farther out towards the reef you go, but don’t venture outside the reef.
Lawai Beach can be crowded because it is one of the best snorkeling spots on Kauai. Awareness of the currents at Lawai Beach in high wind or south swell is vital. It is also very easy to access, with ample street-side parking available. There is a small sand beach on the left side of the bay that disappears at high tide, and the lawn in front of the beach house restaurant, which borders the east side of the bay, is also a nice place to relax.
Lawai Beach is an excellent choice if you are a confident swimmer and have been snorkeling several times.
No matter where you choose to snorkel on Kauai, be safe, respect the marine life whose home you visit, and, of course, have fun!
