Snorkeling Beaches in Kauai

Snorkeling Beaches
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Safety

Snorkeling is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn. Use of this equipment allows the snorkeler to observe underwater attractions for extended periods of time with relatively little effort.

Anahola Beach Park

East Shore

Anahola Beach Park is a local favorite because it has something suitable for everyone. It's located on the east shore of Kauai. Many believe this is the safest beach on the windward coast Kauai. White-sand shores are protected from high surf by a reef.

» Anahola Beach Park in Kauai
Anini Beach

North Shore

Anini beach is well known as one of the safest and most protected beach along the North Shore. A fringed reef runs the length of beach and is Hawaii's longest reef.

» Anini Beach in Kauai
Hanamaulu Beach (Bay)

East Shore

This beach is usually murky from the nearby Hanama'ulu Stream. Further out where the waters are clear some scuba diving and snorkeling can be done.

» Hanamaulu Beach (Bay) in Kauai
Hideaways Beach

North Shore

The Hawaii name for this beach is Kenomene, but it's usually just called Hideaways Beach, or the Pali Ke Kau beach. Hideaways isn't so hidden nowadays, but it's still a great Princeville beach to visit.

» Hideaways Beach in Kauai
Kahalahala Beach

North Shore

This beach is to the east of Lumahai Beach and by many is incorrectly referred to as Lumahai Beach or East Lumahai. However, it's technically a different beach called Kahalahala, which means Pandanus Trees in Hawaiian. It was made famous by the movie Sout

» Kahalahala Beach in Kauai
Ke'e Beach

North Shore

This is the last beach accessible by car on the north shore. Located literally at the end of the road, Ke'e Beach is probably the most visited beach on Kauai.

» Ke'e Beach in Kauai
Kepuhi Beach

North Shore

You will find soft tumbling waves that come close to shore at this beach. They break further out due to the reef and the water is pretty shallow near the shore. The current can tend be strong, so pay special attention as you swim or go in the water furthe

» Kepuhi Beach in Kauai
Kiahuna Beach

South Shore

This beach is a popular beach for beginner surfers, snorkelers and body boarders. You may see others getting first time lessons. The water is usually fairly clam inside the reef. Outside the reef surfers ride the waves, and the water gets much more choppi

» Kiahuna Beach in Kauai
Kipu Kai Beach

South Shore

The majestic "Hoary Head" mountain ridge frames the golden sands of Kipu Kai beach, which is only accessible by boat.

» Kipu Kai Beach in Kauai
Koloa Landing

South Shore

Koloa Landing has a horseshoe shaped reef with plenty of underwater life and tropical fish. It's actually an old boat launch but is now mainly used as a scuba and snorkeling spot.

» Koloa Landing in Kauai
Larsen's Beach

North Shore

Larsen's Beach is a remote and undeveloped beach on the north shore of Kauai between Moolaa Bay and Waiakalua. The beach is narrow and approximately two miles long.

» Larsen's Beach in Kauai
Lawai Bay

South Shore

This beach backs up to the National Botanical Garden and is a breathtaking view of the south. Sunsets are great here. Access is tricky as you have to cross private property in order to access the beach. You can also kayak to the Kukui'ula Harbor which is

» Lawai Bay in Kauai
Lawai Beach

South Shore

This beach fronts the Lawai Beach Resort and the Beach House Restaurant. The Beach House restaurant is reason enough to visit this beach. But make sure you make reservations far in advance of your trip and try to time your meal with the sunset, they are a

» Lawai Beach in Kauai
Lydgate Park

East Shore

The best family-friendly beach on the island is Lydgate Beach Park in the town of Kapa'a, on the east shore.

» Lydgate Park in Kauai
Maha'ulepu Beach

South Shore

The beach is separated into three different parts: Gillin's Beach, Kawailoa Bay, and Haula Beach. The beach offers protection from the surf in parts and can be great for swimming. Fossils of extinct birds have been found in sand dunes along the shoreline.

» Maha'ulepu Beach in Kauai
Milolii Beach

West Shore

There are two legal kayak landing areas along the coast. This is one of them! Kayak landings are prohibited at all other beaches in the park, including Honopu and Nu’alolo Kai.

» Milolii Beach in Kauai
Nukolii Beach Park

East Shore

This beach is also known as Kawailoa Beach and offers two miles of white sand beach, which makes it the longest beach on the east shore of Kauai. The nearshore waters are shallow and somewhat rocky providing only fair swimming. Snorkeling and scuba diving

» Nukolii Beach Park in Kauai
Pila'a Beach

North Shore

Pilaa Beach is a sparsely visited beach. It is difficult to access and since the nearshore ocean bottom is rocky, it's not a good beach for swimming. The beach is a good spot to just relax without the crowds, but since the trail to it is rocky, it's even

» Pila'a Beach in Kauai
Poipu Beach

South Shore

Poipu literally means "crashing waves" in Hawaiian. Poipu beach is located near the southern-most tip of Kauai. The beaches in this area are favorites for snorkeling and scuba diving. This beach consistently receives national and worldwide awards and is k

» Poipu Beach in Kauai
Prince Kuhio's (PK's) Beach

South Shore

This beach is a favorite for surfers. When the water is calm, snorkeling can be really nice (usually in the winter). Shore is small and narrow, not a great beach for shore activities. Some times of the year, the sand is nearly all under water.

» Prince Kuhio's (PK's) Beach in Kauai
Pu'u Poa Beach

North Shore

This beach is framed by lush green mountains. The shoreline changes with the surf, narrowing in winter and widening during calm summer months. Pu'u Poa Beach is the longest beach near the Princeville Resort as it extends from the hotel all the way down to

» Pu'u Poa Beach in Kauai
Rock Quarry Beach

North Shore

This beach is easily identifiable because of the nearby Kilauea River and rock quarry. It's no longer a working quarry, but is still fun to explore. The beach has a large calm area which is great for swimming, but can be a bit murky.

» Rock Quarry Beach in Kauai
Salt Pond Beach Park

West Shore

Salt Pond Beach Park is a wide, reddish-golden sand pocket beach on Kauai's south shore that is generally safe for swimming all year round. At both ends of the beach are rocky outcrops; a natural rock ridge connects the outcrops, creating a small lagoon.

» Salt Pond Beach Park in Kauai
Sea Lodge Beach

North Shore

This beach is calm and fairly private, and is also known as Kaweonui Beach. Getting here requires a 1/2 mile hike through a moderate and sometimes slippery trail. However, once you arrive, this beach has great sand, shade and calm water. Large hala and ka

» Sea Lodge Beach in Kauai
Secret (Kauapea) Beach

North Shore

This beach is perhaps more well known by it's nickname, Secret Beach but in Hawaiian is known as Kauapea Beach. However, many locals simply call this beach Secrets for short. This 3,000 foot long north shore beach is known for its size, privacy, and scene

» Secret (Kauapea) Beach in Kauai
Tunnels (Makua) Beach

North Shore

The post-card scenery of Tunnels Beach offers a wide crescent shaped golden sand beach, shady ironwood trees and views of the Bali Hai and lush jungle mountains.

» Tunnels (Makua) Beach in Kauai
Waiakalua Beaches

North Shore

This beach is a popular fishing location made up of two beaches, Waiakalua Iki Beach and Waiakalua Nui Beach. Waiakalua Nui jis just slightly east and is covered with beach rock. A rocky point separates the beaches. This beach is dangerous for swimming an

» Waiakalua Beaches in Kauai

Tips & Equipment

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Snorkeling Beaches Safety

Please check with appropriate resources and authorities regarding beach conditions, tides, etc. Any statements or assessments of conditions are based solely on opinion and should NOT be considered expert advice.

Snorkeling Beaches