Kauai Snorkeling

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving on Kauai

Snorkeling on Kauai is lots of fun and easy to do. Several professional guides are available that can provide you equipment and show you the best snorkel and scuba diving spots on Kauai. Or, if you have your own equipment and are comfortable in the water, a variety of fish and sights await you just below the surface all around the island. Because of Hawaii's geographic remoteness, many of the fish you'll see aren't found anywhere else in the world.

Anini Beach is protected from wave action by the largest reef on Kauai. The relatively calm and shallow water here provides a great snorkeling, especially for beginners. Located off of Kalihiwai Road, on Kauai's north shore, Anini also provides a large public park with picnic benches, and fresh water. Beware of strong currents during periods of high surf. The beach is also a good location for shelling.

Ke'e Beach is located at the very end of the road on Kauai's north shore past Haena Beach Park. The reef offers good swimming and snorkeling during summer months and calm seas, but stay inside the reef and be aware of strong currents which tend to pull you towards the Na Pali coast. Snorkelers can see a wide variety of fish and sea turtles.

Lydgate Family Beach Park is located on Kauai's east shore between Lihue and Wailua. Follow highway 56 to Leho drive near mile marker 5. Lydgate is perhaps the best Kauai snorkeling spot for children and beginners. It is protected by a small lagoon that is enclosed by a man made rock wall. You can see a surprising number of fish here including colorful parrotfish. The park also features a playground.

Poipu Beach has been ranked as one of America's best beaches and is undoubtedly one of Hawaii's favorites. There is something for everyone here including swimming, body surfing, a shallow protected area for children, and good snorkeling to the west of the tombolo (narrow strip of sand running out to Nakumoi Point). Poipu Beach Park includes fresh water showers and a playground. A restaurant and convenience store are also right across the street.

Salt Pond Beach is located near Hanapepe and is a nice protected crescent shaped cove with good snorkeling with a wide variety of marine life to see. From Hanapepe, travel 1/2 mile on highway 543 to Loloka Rd.

Tunnels Beach is for the more experienced snorkelers and scub divers. Located near the YMCA camp between Hanalei and Haena on Kauai's north shore, "Tunnels" gets its name from a labyrinth of underwater lava tubes, canyons, and pathways that support a wide variety of colorful sea life. The shallow reef is protected by an even larger reef further out. Although no facilities are located here, the beach is spectacular and very picturesque.

Kuhio Shores: The bay across from Prince Kuhio park is a great spot to see Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, also know by their Hawaiian name Honu. Park along the street in front of the park and use the small beach to the east of Kuhio Shores.

See this Kauai Map for more information.

KAUAI SNORKELING

Good Environmental Practices

Coral reefs are amount the world's most spectacular ecosystems and snorkeling is an excellent way to explore them. As coral reefs face an increasingly uncertain future, snorkelers and other coral reef visitors can play an important role in helping protect these fragile habitats. Follow these simple guidelines to become a "coral friendly" snorkeler.

BEFORE SETTING OUT TO EXPLORE THE REEFS

For your vacation, choose an environmentally friendly resort or hotel; one that practices energy conservation, recycles, and treats sewage and solid waste in responsible ways.
Pay user fees or make a donation when visiting coral parks and other marine conservation areas.
Get the best possible snorkeling instruction you can.
Practice snorkeling skills away from the reef.
Make sure your equipment fits properly before you snorkel near corals - it can be very difficult to adjust in the water.
If you feel uncertain, or are an inexperienced snorkeler, consider wearing a snorkel vest for added buoyancy.
Learn all you can about coral reefs - they are fascinating and fragile environments.

IN THE WATER

Never touch corals; even slight contact can harm them. Some corals can sting or cut you.
Select points of entry and exit to avoid walking on corals.
Maintain a comfortable distance from the reef, so as to avoid contact.
Know where your fins are at all times and don't kick up sand.
Stay horizontal in the water while you're near or above the reef.
Learn to swim without using your arms.
Take nothing living or dead out of the water except recent garbage with does not have living organisms on it.
Move slowly and deliberately in the water - relax as you swim and take your time.
Avoid using gloves in coral environments.
Remember, look but don't touch.

MINIMIZE CONTACT WITH MARINE LIFE

Never Chase, harass or try to ride marine life.
Do not touch or handle marine life.

ON BOATS

Choose snorkel operations whose boats make use of available moorings - anchors and chains destroy fragile corals.
Make sure garbage is well stowed, especially light plastic items.
Be sure to take away everything you brought on board, such as packaging, used batteries and bottles.

SHORESIDE

Support coral parks and other conservation projects;
Visit established coral parks and pay applicable user fees that support marine conservation.
Encourage and support the use of boat moorings.
Participate in local initiatives to monitor the marine environment.
Participate in cleanups.
Make a donation or volunteer your skills to support a coral park. For example you can participate in a reef survey, conduct outreach, or help educate others about reef conservation.
Donate used equipment such as cameras, dive gear or reef identification books.
Avoid purchasing souvenirs made from coral, turtles or other marine life - this is often illegal, and it's never environmentally wise.
Speak up. Make sure your snorkeling biddies understand these simple but important conservation practices.

© 2005 CORAL. The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) is a member supported, non-profit international organization dedicated to keeping coral reefs alive around the world. Visit our website http://www.coral.org.

Kauai Vacation Rentals
North Shore Hanalei Bay Resort Sealodge Pu'u Poa Kamahana The Cliffs Villas of Kamalii	North (cont.) Pali Ke Kua Puamana Alii Kai Hale Moi Paniolo Emmalani Court	South Shore Kuhio Shores Prince Kuhio Poipu Shores Sunset Kahili Regency at Poipu Kai Whaler's Cove Nihi Kai Villas	East Shore Waipouli Beach Resort Kaha Lani Islander on the Beach Kauai Beach Resort	West Shore Kauai Bed and Breakfast	Island Wide Vacation Homes Cottages

Kauai Snorkeling

KAUAI SNORKELING

Good Environmental Practices

BEFORE SETTING OUT TO EXPLORE THE REEFS

IN THE WATER

MINIMIZE CONTACT WITH MARINE LIFE

ON BOATS

SHORESIDE

North Shore

North (cont.)

South Shore

East Shore

West Shore

Island Wide