snorkeling in kauai
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saltyESQ
New member
I have been to kauai several times and have never found any great spots.
Also, becareful on Kauai as there is a growing meth problem and crime is on the rise. My condo was burglurized while I was there and the popo told me that a major factory had recently closed and unemployment was really high.
Also, becareful on Kauai as there is a growing meth problem and crime is on the rise. My condo was burglurized while I was there and the popo told me that a major factory had recently closed and unemployment was really high.
laverda
Well-known member
There is lots of great snorkeling on Kauai. We will be going soon ourselves. Tunnels is one good area with lots of baby fish every where. Lidgate state park is surprisingly good place to see lots of fish. their is an area that is walled in with rocks almost like a kids swim area, but full of all sorts of fish, some rare and large. No corals, at least not the last time we were there. We stay at the hotel right there and walk to the park every morning before breakfast to snorkel. Then go back to our room clean up and go have breakfast before heading out to do more snorkeling elsewhere. I am terrible with names, so I will have to get back to you with some more places.
Steve
Steve
cthetoy
Active member
Lydgate State Park is a super easy snorkeling spot. Its behind a rock jetty so theres pratically no waves. My 2 year old even went out and its flat slope of 4-6 foot deep water 100 feet out. Bring a roll of bread with you and break it up in pieces underwater. You'll see tons of fish following you.
The Tunnels is on Haena Beach State Park and 9 miles past Princeton. Once you arrive you need to walk down the sandy beach to the right for awhile until you reach Tunnels. The reef is a ways out but its worthwhile. Summer is the best time to go since the waves are not as strong.
On the same road to the tunnels you can take it to it ends where there is another beach. This is the start of the gorgeous Na Pali coastline. Swim (you can even walk since its shallow) about 50 feet and turn around and look to your right. Its going to be the most amazing coastline view Ive seen. The Na Pali coast is something words can't explain. You can snorkel here as well.
On all places except Lydgate parking is super limited so get there early.
An excellent book to get with tips on snorkeling spots, where to eat, and what to see is "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook, Kauai Revealed" by Wizard Publications. Barnes and Nobles and Borders sells this book. This book tells you some secret beach spots as well and tips on parking, theft alert areas, hotel info, etc.
If you forget something home no need to worry. Theres a Walmart there. Another tip the book recommends. If you want to do some souvenir shopping then head to Walmart there. There's a dedicated section just for souvenirs.
The Tunnels is on Haena Beach State Park and 9 miles past Princeton. Once you arrive you need to walk down the sandy beach to the right for awhile until you reach Tunnels. The reef is a ways out but its worthwhile. Summer is the best time to go since the waves are not as strong.
On the same road to the tunnels you can take it to it ends where there is another beach. This is the start of the gorgeous Na Pali coastline. Swim (you can even walk since its shallow) about 50 feet and turn around and look to your right. Its going to be the most amazing coastline view Ive seen. The Na Pali coast is something words can't explain. You can snorkel here as well.
On all places except Lydgate parking is super limited so get there early.
An excellent book to get with tips on snorkeling spots, where to eat, and what to see is "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook, Kauai Revealed" by Wizard Publications. Barnes and Nobles and Borders sells this book. This book tells you some secret beach spots as well and tips on parking, theft alert areas, hotel info, etc.
If you forget something home no need to worry. Theres a Walmart there. Another tip the book recommends. If you want to do some souvenir shopping then head to Walmart there. There's a dedicated section just for souvenirs.
Hey guys, I'm here right now and the weather hasn't been too bad. We're at the Princeville and there's a small snorkel spot here and we just went to Tunnels and it gets a little rough...waves were kicking up pretty good. We are going to try Keke beach later this week...it's supposed to be pretty good.
coralGoodie
New member
You might wanna do the group snorkeling with Holo-Holo Charter. Nice sight seeing aside from snorkeling. I was there in 2003 then went to the Big Island last March.
azmorpheus
New member
I was just there and the spots that cthetoy talks about are the best. Most of the great spots are going to be on the north shore. At the beach at the end of the road there were alot of sea urchins and corals out towards the wave break. I saw all kinds of fish, eels, some turtles, and almost sat on a flounder when I was putting on my fins. There is lots of life in the water to see.
saltyESQ
New member
Dude, I am not trying to be a buzz kill. All I am saying is to be careful. My wallet and my g/f's purse were stolen right from our condo (while I was inside the condo in the bedroom for only 5 or so minutes).
And I went all over the island and did not see any good snorkiling, atleast compared with Maui or Kona.
evad1
New member
thanks guys for all the info. i am super excited just to relax. snorkeling is a plus i have already been to belize and saw som great reefs and swan with 5ft nurse sharks and huge sting rays
i think saltyeq has watched to much of dog the bounty hunter with the meth problem. anyways im from corona-so cali and there is a pretty big meth prob here. no worries. i am staying in princeville in a condo. so i will check out princeville and all the other places cthetoy is talking about i will keep you updated i leave this thurday and i will have internet acces i think
later dave
thanks again reef central is great
i think saltyeq has watched to much of dog the bounty hunter with the meth problem. anyways im from corona-so cali and there is a pretty big meth prob here. no worries. i am staying in princeville in a condo. so i will check out princeville and all the other places cthetoy is talking about i will keep you updated i leave this thurday and i will have internet acces i think
later dave
thanks again reef central is great
Well I just got back. I did manage to snorkel at Ke'e beach. It pretty nice there...lots of fish. You have to get there really early though because parking is terrible.
We stayed at the Princeville Hotel and it was really nice there...lots of golf there. There is a nice little area to snorkel outside of the pool area of the hotel but I never got to try it. Anyways, I wish I was still there. The weather stayed between 82-90 the whole time some passing showers with a nice breeze. Just keep in mind that there isn't much to eat out there by Ke'e and Tunnels so I suggest you pack a lunch. I suggest going to Foodland to get your supplies it's right inside the Princeville shopping center. Have fun!
We stayed at the Princeville Hotel and it was really nice there...lots of golf there. There is a nice little area to snorkel outside of the pool area of the hotel but I never got to try it. Anyways, I wish I was still there. The weather stayed between 82-90 the whole time some passing showers with a nice breeze. Just keep in mind that there isn't much to eat out there by Ke'e and Tunnels so I suggest you pack a lunch. I suggest going to Foodland to get your supplies it's right inside the Princeville shopping center. Have fun!
moonpod
Premium Member
It's NOT as good and easy as Maui or Kona, but there are definitely spots to go to. Tunnels is cool, but don't become shark bait (that is where that one surfer girl had her arm taken off by a Tiger Shark). Tunnels is actually a MAMMOTH reef, but you gotta swim aways and the drop off is a bit unsettling b/c you KNOW there are sharks out there.
Definitely shop foodland in the Princeville shopping center. The fish market/restaurant down in Hanalei town has some decent fish for eating (we didn't try the restaurant)
The thing to do in Kauai is make sure you hit up the Napili coast and take a boat that does some snorkel stops. I've never missed on swimming with dolphins there.
Also, go on some hikes. Kauai is by far the most "tropical" of the islands. Big Island is a dry volcano. Maui is over developed. Kauai is lush and frankly gets mowed down by hurricanes every decade or so which keeps the development down.
What I did NOT like--most of the condos we checked out were relatively run down. Not as nice as the same priced units on say Big Island or Maui.
Definitely shop foodland in the Princeville shopping center. The fish market/restaurant down in Hanalei town has some decent fish for eating (we didn't try the restaurant)
The thing to do in Kauai is make sure you hit up the Napili coast and take a boat that does some snorkel stops. I've never missed on swimming with dolphins there.
Also, go on some hikes. Kauai is by far the most "tropical" of the islands. Big Island is a dry volcano. Maui is over developed. Kauai is lush and frankly gets mowed down by hurricanes every decade or so which keeps the development down.
What I did NOT like--most of the condos we checked out were relatively run down. Not as nice as the same priced units on say Big Island or Maui.
flat broke
New member
Ditto recommendations on snorkeling tunnels. BUuuuuut, my brother just got back from his honeymoon on Sunday, and the swells are already starting to roll in for the fall/winter season. It's not the end of the world, but something to be mindfull of. If the trades are blowing on the days you want to go out, the West Side of the island may be a better bet.
Definitely do the Na Pali Coastline tour via catamaran or zodiac. The zodiac tour can get a little agro, (especially if the swells are up) but they're allowed in closer to the shoreline than the larger boats, and as such you'll get to see some caves and the like. The beach they drop you at for snorkeling and lunch has a decent reef formed from an undersea freshwater spring that creates a nice path through the reef. This allows you to see so dropoff without being on the perimiter of the reef. We did this trip 2 years ago and wish we could go back just about every day. My brother and wife got extremely lucky and actually inadvertantly got up close and personal with a monk seal. They were snorkeling in the reef on the Na Pali coast and his wife got a driveby from the monk seal. She grabed for the camera, but all she got was a shot of his head to the side of the frame. Since you aren't suposed to be within a 100 feet (if I remember right) of them, they didn't pursue for more pics. Anyhow, the Na Pali tour usually gets you some up close time with dolphins and sea turtles as well.
There is also good snorkeling off of State Park Beach north of Port Allen, but you have to drive out a dirt road to get there. If the swells are up though, once again things change.
As for the meth issue raised earlier, it's a real concern but just take typical travel precautions (store your valuables in a safe in the room, or with the concierge) keep your stuff locked up, and don't show off anything fancy that might lure trouble your way.
Have fun on your trip, and if you end up buying one of the reusable underwater cameras from Wal Mart, the ABC store or SeaSport Divers in Poipu, ditch the film that comes with the camera as you don't know how long it's been in there. Also make sure you get any film you take developed before you leave. Supposedly the airport security stuff shouldn't hurt anything slower than 1000, but I would hate to risk my photos to chance.
Chris
Definitely do the Na Pali Coastline tour via catamaran or zodiac. The zodiac tour can get a little agro, (especially if the swells are up) but they're allowed in closer to the shoreline than the larger boats, and as such you'll get to see some caves and the like. The beach they drop you at for snorkeling and lunch has a decent reef formed from an undersea freshwater spring that creates a nice path through the reef. This allows you to see so dropoff without being on the perimiter of the reef. We did this trip 2 years ago and wish we could go back just about every day. My brother and wife got extremely lucky and actually inadvertantly got up close and personal with a monk seal. They were snorkeling in the reef on the Na Pali coast and his wife got a driveby from the monk seal. She grabed for the camera, but all she got was a shot of his head to the side of the frame. Since you aren't suposed to be within a 100 feet (if I remember right) of them, they didn't pursue for more pics. Anyhow, the Na Pali tour usually gets you some up close time with dolphins and sea turtles as well.
There is also good snorkeling off of State Park Beach north of Port Allen, but you have to drive out a dirt road to get there. If the swells are up though, once again things change.
As for the meth issue raised earlier, it's a real concern but just take typical travel precautions (store your valuables in a safe in the room, or with the concierge) keep your stuff locked up, and don't show off anything fancy that might lure trouble your way.
Have fun on your trip, and if you end up buying one of the reusable underwater cameras from Wal Mart, the ABC store or SeaSport Divers in Poipu, ditch the film that comes with the camera as you don't know how long it's been in there. Also make sure you get any film you take developed before you leave. Supposedly the airport security stuff shouldn't hurt anything slower than 1000, but I would hate to risk my photos to chance.
Chris
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