Looking for the best snorkeling spots in Kauai? We got you covered!
Are you taking a vacation to the Hawaiian island of Kauai? You are one lucky traveler. Hawaii is obviously a dream beach destination and offers visitors boundless beauty.
Known as the Garden Island, Kauai is the perfect destination for beach bums, hiking enthusiasts, waterfall lovers, and Hawaiian history buffs alike.
But not everything worth exploring in Kauai is above ground. Those eager to encounter Hawaii’s unique and diverse marine life will love snorkeling around the island.
Table of Contents
Best Snorkeling in Kauai – North Shore Kauaui
With miles upon miles of suitable coastline on Hawaii’s fourth largest island, though, it’s hard to determine where exactly the best snorkeling in Kauai is. But not to worry; we’ve got a list for you.
Let’s get into it!
Ke’e Beach
Let’s start with one of the most popular spots on Kauai’s North Shore. The closest you can get to the famous Na Pali Coast by car, Ke’e Beach is most easily accessible during the summer. Even during the summer months, though, this Kauai snorkeling spot is best suited for intermediate and advanced swimmers.
Here, you’ll find a barrier reef teeming with marine life, including unicornfish, goatfish, sea cucumbers, butterflyfish, and more. Intermediate snorkelers should stay inside the colorful reef itself, but be careful not to step on it! Venturing outside of the reef should be reserved for advanced swimmers as the currents here are strong. If you’re lucky, you may even encounter sea turtles, monk seals, and white-tipped reef sharks.
This is also one of the best beaches in Kauai for swimming and is known as one of the most beautiful on the island. There are plenty of amenities at Ke’e Beach, as well. These include bathrooms, a fruit and drink stand, water fountains, showers, picnic benches, and a lifeguard on duty every day from 9 to 5.
You will need to make a reservation well in advance in order to visit this beach, though. If all the parking passes are sold out on your preferred date, you can also book a shuttle.
Anini Beach
Located off Highway 56 between Princeville and Kileauea, this is some of the best snorkeling on Kauai’s North Shore for beginners. With calm, shallow waters and abundant marine life near the shore, it’s great for families with kids. This can also be a drawback, though, as during low tide the water can get so shallow that the visibility is clouded. But not to worry – just wait for high tide.
Anini Beach is also one of the longest on the island at 2.5 miles, so there’s plenty of room to spread your towel out. It’s also home to the biggest fringing reef on Kauai, so you’re sure to see tons of fish here. Some people have seen sea turtles here before they even stepped foot into the water!
For the best Anini Beach snorkeling, it’s best to get there early in the morning before the wind picks up. There are also plenty of facilities here such as showers, restrooms, picnic tables, and more. There is no lifeguard on duty at Anini Beach, but it’s still considered to be one of the safest beaches in Kauai.
Tunnels (Makua) Beach
Another perfect location for intermediate and advanced snorkelers, Tunnels Beach forms a large horseshoe shape. The outer reef is for advanced swimmers as there are strong rip currents, while the inner reef is good for beginners.
Both of the reefs are home to a diverse range of colorful coral and marine life, but the inner reef is the namesake of Tunnels Beach. Here you’ll find small underwater lava tubes, or tunnels, where a lot of fish and other sea life gather. You’ll encounter parrotfish, Moorish idols, yellow tang, and even Hawaiian monk seals if you’re lucky. This is also a great place to observe sea turtles swimming around the outer reef.
This beach has plenty of space for you to lay out on your towel and picnic tables to use if you brought your lunch. For other facilities, you’ll need to go to the adjacent Haena Beach Park. If you plan to drive, you will also need to book a parking permit for Haena Beach Park in advance.
Hideaways Beach
This is the last of our Kauai North Shore beaches but certainly not the least! Located in Princeville near the St. Regis Hotel, Hideaways Beach was named for its secluded atmosphere. So if you’re looking for a less crowded snorkeling experience, this is the place to go.
While it’s secluded, it’s also incredibly small, so it’s good to get here early if only to secure a parking spot. After you park, you’ll need to trek along a short but steep hike, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes at least until you reach the sand.
When you reach the beach, you’ll find the shoreline framed by a reef. Once underwater, you’ll encounter sea cucumbers, triggerfish, Hawaiian Gregory, barracuda, and more swimming around in this area. There are plenty of grooves in the reef to explore with more fish around every corner. You won’t have to venture too far out to get the best snorkeling experience here.
This beach is not manned by lifeguards and is a popular surfing spot in the winter, so it’s best to visit during the summer months. Even then, it’s best suited for experienced snorkelers.
Best Snorkeling in Kauai – South Shore
Poipu Beach Park
Located just south of Koloa, this beach has been recognized not only as some of the best snorkeling in Kauai, but also as some of the best snorkeling in America. This is because the endangered Hawaiian monk seal is native to this area, so you’re most likely to see them here as opposed to anywhere else. Just remember to give the seals plenty of space if you are lucky enough to encounter them.
Poipu Beach Park is a crescent-shaped beach separated in the middle by a sandbar. The left side has calmer waters for beginner swimmers, while the right side is a better snorkeling spot. The marine life here is incredibly diverse; you’ll find needlefish, unicornfish, several types of wrasses, and the Hawaii state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua’a. We know, it’s a mouthful.
In addition to amazing snorkeling, Poipu Beach is also manned by a lifeguard 7 days a week and there are facilities such as showers, restrooms, picnic areas, and barbecues. Perfect for families with kids, this place can get packed fast so arrive early in the morning if you’re visiting during summer.
Lawai Beach
Lawai Beach, also known as Prince Kuhio Beach, is located in Koloa. It’s super small but it still has some of the best snorkeling in Kauai. This is because it’s protected by a large barrier reef that’s home to plenty of fish and other marine life. It’s also perfect for beginners as the reef protects from larger ocean swells.
The farther out you swim at this beach, the healthier the coral and the better the visibility. There are still plenty of fish closer to the shore for kids to enjoy, though. Here, you’ll find sea cucumbers, sea urchins, a wide variety of vibrant fish, rockmover wrasse, and plenty more.
On this beach you’ll also find facilities such as restrooms, showers, plenty of shade, and a restaurant for when you get peckish.
Salt Pond Beach
Another Kauai beach protected from the waves by an offshore reef, Salt Pond in Hanapepe is perfect for beginner snorkelers. The best area for snorkeling at Salt Pond is on the east side of the beach where you’ll find tidal pools that are home to a diverse range of marine life.
At Salt Pond you’ll be able to see the Moorish idol, tons of wrasses, and baby goatfish, unicornfish, and parrotfish. Sightings of the Hawaiian monk seal here are also common, so be sure to keep an eye out. Since the water is pretty shallow here, you won’t see as many big fish. But on the other hand, that’s why you’ll find plenty of baby fish as well as smaller creatures like eels, cuttlefish, and sea urchins.
Salt Pond is not only a great place for snorkeling but is also an important cultural asset in Kauai. Salt Pond is named after the ponds that native Hawaiians used to make natural salt, so it’s perfect for those looking to get a little history in, as well.
Koloa Landing
If you’re an advanced swimmer ready for a challenge, Koloa Landing is the place to be. Just beware not to swim during a south swell or right after rainfall, as the water can get dangerous even for good swimmers. This is a popular diving location, as well.
There is plenty of marine life here to see on either side of the bay. It’s also worth noting there is no beach here so you’ll have to enter the water from the boat ramp. While the visibility near the ramp can be low, you’ll often find sea turtles swimming around this area.
If you swim out a little further, you’ll find plenty of reef sharks and other larger and smaller fish swimming around. In fact, this snorkeling spot is known for large schools of fish and even some octopus sightings. Intermediate snorkelers are encouraged to book guided snorkeling tours as there is no lifeguard on duty and the currents here can be strong.
Best Snorkeling in Kauai – East Shore
Lydgate State Park
Lydgate State Park is among the best snorkeling in Kauai for beginners as the water is shallow, the ocean floor is sandy, and there’s always a lifeguard on duty. There isn’t as much marine life to see here as there is at the more advanced locations, but this is a great place to get your feet wet before stepping up to the big leagues.
The beach at Lydgate is protected from the open sea by a large rock wall, so if you stay between the wall and the shore the waters will be fairly calm. Snorkelers have spotted large surgeonfish, chubs, pufferfish, Hawaiian flagtails, jacks, and much more swimming around the rocks here.
There are also picnic tables, bathrooms, and showers so you can enjoy a full day at the beach if you bring lunch. Unlike many of the other beaches on this list, there’s also free parking available.
Larsen’s Beach
This beach on the northeastern corner of Kauai in Kilauea is best visited in the summer months as it can be dangerous for swimming in winter. However, if you’re an intermediate or advanced snorkeler, you’ll love spotting all the marine life swimming in the deeper channels of the reef. There are plenty of pufferfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and more. You’ll also enjoy checking out the unique underwater topography and the colorful coral here.
One thing to know before you go is that this beach is pretty undeveloped, so you won’t find lifeguards or restrooms. It also has a reputation for becoming a nude beach the farther down you venture, so be aware of what you’re getting into.
Because of its remote location, though, this beach is almost never crowded. So if you’re looking for a peaceful beach and a calm snorkeling experience, this is the place to go.
Best Snorkeling in Kauai Wrap-up
There you have it: the best snorkeling in Kauai for all experience levels and on all corners of the island. No matter which of these you choose, you’re sure to encounter tons of native marine life, including the occasional Hawaiian monk seal and sea turtle. Choose one that’s appropriate for your experience level and get snorkeling!
As always, happy travels everyone! We’ll see you on the road!
Everything You Need to Know to Visit Prague!
