Nor should it be, as there are plenty of places to rent snorkel gear that are convenient and affordable. While joining a snorkeling tour in Hawaii is a great option to see turtles, it’s also possible to grab your own snorkeling gear and find these friendly creatures without a tour guide!. While you explore along the wall, realize that waves can make it over the wall and hit you. Far too many have had their lives tragically taken due to Kaua‘i’s dangerous rip tides. As with every Kauai snorkeling site, do not feed the fish, and make sure to give sea turtles plenty of space. More dates. Stones covered in algae line the outer edges of the two coves, but the centers are all sand. Features. If you’re planning on snorkeling with the turtles, please read our “Snorkeling Safety Tips in Hawaii” article. There is an offshore reef that holds back the big waves. In Maui but flying to Kauai tomorrow for 7 nights, staying at Aston Islander in Kaea'a. The turtle area, Sheraton Caverns, was amazing and we were able to swim with the huge green turtles extremely up close. This is where some of the most beautiful spots on the island are located. You’ll find the shelves mid-bay, where it looks light yellow and sandy in the water. Snorkeling is great fun in both coves, but most of the fish are found on the left! Get up close and personal with Hawaii's incredible wildlife. Sun, Jan 17-Mon, Jan 18-Tue, Jan 19-Wed, Jan 20-Thu, Jan 21-Fri, Jan 22-Sat, Jan 23-Sun, Jan 24-Mon, Jan 25-Tue, Jan 26-Wed, Jan 27-Thu, Jan 28-Fri, Jan 29-Sat, Jan 30-Sun, Jan 31-About this activity. "We lucked out with blue skies & sunshine the rest of our trip, explored sea caves where we met a monk seal named Waldo, swam with a honu & an array of tropical fish, & spotted mountains goats climbing the hillside." Swim to the very middle of this Kauai snorkeling site for the most colorful fish and coral. The rest of this Kauai snorkeling area is rocky and covered in algae. You’ll also head to Nu’alolo Kai for snorkeling over a gorgeous reef, and learn about the marine life you’ll be spotting, thanks to some fun facts delivered on board by the crew. Along with that rocky habitat, there is sand topped with boulders topped with coral. "Captain and crew were very attentive and friendly, got us close to dolphins, into sea caves and to a snorkeling spot with sea turtles - everything we hoped for and more!" Back on board, there’s a hot buffet lunch with island dishes like kalua pork and pineapple (in winter, the menu switches to deli sandwiches) before cruising back to where you started the day. Instant confirmation. … After parking at Haena Beach Park, you reach Tunnels by walking about a mile south along the grand, sandy beach. There can be great snorkeling days other seasons, too. There are truly awesome fish everywhere! This is a very family friendly place! ), and don’t forget the Hawaii state fish – say it with me now! For the little ones, there is a natural saltwater wading pool. Lawai Beach. Nice small beach- has a cute snorkeling spot for daytime and easy to rent snorkel gear at Koa Kea hotel and Marriott beach club nearby. GoPro snorkeling on Hawaii. The water gets deeper as you go farther, to a maximum of about 30 feet. Let’s face it: snorkel gear isn’t on anyone’s Hawaii vacation packing list. This deluxe tour isn’t quite as long as the full-day tour with a SCUBA options, but it really shines with what it can offer guests—and those who have been on this excursion love it. (No, the sea urchins are not boring, they’re quite interesting, but they do bore into rocks and reef.) 49 verified reviews More information. It was really the highlight of my trip. Off shore and beneath the surface, tall stony plateaus block some of the wave power from reaching the beach. The best snorkeling is on the right hand side of the cove, just to the right of an underwater rock line. 1.5 hour Sea Scooter Snorkeling guided tour, located near Kauai’s pristine south shore beaches, will have you snorkeling alongside our most experienced tour guides. The fresh water there is full of the leptosporosis bacteria, which can really ruin your vacation. Enter the water on the far left, where the cove is sandy. Leaving you to swim with a bountiful selection of fish and lots of Hawaiian … (Are you excited, yet?) It’s … While on Kauai, this is always our favorite spot to go snorkeling. See tickets. Calm, peaceable and impressive, they are one of the most pleasant animals to observe under water. The fish who swim at Salt Pond Park are quite amazing. Shoreline Snorkel Tour. . Although pine and palm trees grow at Poipu, there isn’t much shade. Of the seven species (all endangered) that exist in the world, two (the green turtle and, to a lesser extent, the hawksbill sea turtle) can regularly be seen when snorkeling, and are sometimes abundant in specific sites. You’ll stop off along the way, should conditions permit, to snorkel or simply swim in the ocean, catching glimpses of brightly colored fish under the waves. First-timers need not worry: Instruction will be provided. When you exit, use a sand channel for safety. Lawai Beach is known for being one of the best snorkeling spots on the island, … The current can be very dangerous there. Makua Beach, also known as Tunnels Beach, located on the north coast of Kauai, is one of the best snorkeling spots on the island. Patricia M wrote a review Mar. Snorkeling on Kauai is lots of fun and easy to do. See all reviews. Salt Pond, named after the Hawaiian salt collecting ponds nearby, is a great Kauai snorkeling site for beginners. Maui snorkeling spots are rarely busy but during the fall shoulder season, they are especially quiet. The cove here is medium sized, and home to colorful fish of all shapes and sizes. You’ll also head near Ni’ihau, the forbidden island itself, to snorkel in the turquoise water of Lehua Crater—widely considered to be one of the best snorkeling spots in the state. In fact, two prime snorkeling locations—Anini and Tunnels—do not have lifeguards and are more often … You can also expect to find beautiful raccoon butterflyfish, and boring sea urchins. For the best fish viewing, swim about 60 yards out to the reef. The rest of the year, strong ocean currents can present real hazards for anyone in the water. Out in the crystal blue water, snorkel with some of Kauai’s finest inhabitants, the green sea turtle… With perfect barrels for the … You’ll depart from Port Allen Marina Center, with starting times at 7 or 8 a.m. or 1:15 or 1:30 p.m. During the cruise, those who want to snorkel can; others can upgrade to SCUBA, splash around in the ocean or head down the boat’s water slide. Free cancellation available. In fact, the fish are so abundant, many offshore snorkeling trips leave from “PK’s” (as the locals call it)! Because the entry and exit are a bit difficult at PK’s, this Kauai snorkeling site is rated as intermediate. The water gets deeper as you go farther, to a maximum of about 30 feet. Lydgate Beach … This is one of my… - See 869 traveler reviews, 401 candid photos, and great deals for Kauai, HI, at Tripadvisor. If you walk left, there are amazing tide pools hosting all kinds of tiny marine life. Turtles are one of the symbols of the sea. If you are on Kauai… 4.8/5. Clearwater with lots of turtles.”-David D (Houston, TX) ★★★★★ Yelp “We went to 2 snorkeling spots and I can not decide which one I liked most! This Kauai snorkeling site is protected from the open ocean by a rock wall. "Captain and crew were very attentive and friendly, got us close to dolphins, into sea caves and to a snorkeling spot with sea turtles - everything we hoped for and more!" There are also several facilities to make your time at the beach that much more relaxing. On Kauai there are dozens of great snorkeling beaches, but only a handful are recommended for snorkeling with children. If you wait there long enough, a school of large yellowfin surgeonfish is almost sure to swim by and check you out. Hotel pick-up and drop-off aren’t included, so you’ll have to get yourself to and from Port Allen, but it’s a fairly central location on the island. It’s updated daily, and the info comes from the lifeguards themselves! You will also encounter sharpnose mullet, sergeant majors, schools of Hawaiian flagtail (aholehole) and maybe even a pufferfish! Once you arrive at Tunnels, you’ll notice sand channels running through the reef. In winter, however, this part of the coast is … The snorkeling area is bordered by large lava boulders toward Na Pali on the left, and sand on down the coast. The beach is not as busy as other beaches on the island. Take to the seas on this small-group expedition, which will transport you and your family or friends on a motorized raft. What's included, what's not. The five-hour excursion, overseen by a USCG-licensed captain, leaves from Port Allen Marina Center before taking guests along the lush coastline of Na Pali, where cliffs, valleys, and other stunning landscape as the sun sets, making for stunning vacation photos and memories. In the summer months, the water at Ke’e Beach is usually calm, so summer snorkeling is amazing. It is too shallow there to be safe. If the conditions aren’t right for taking in Lawai’s marine life, you’ll relocated to Anini Beach on the island’s north shore, which is just as beautiful. Anini Beach: Snorkeling with sea turtles - See 869 traveller reviews, 401 candid photos, and great deals for Kauai, HI, at Tripadvisor. Omilu have an absolutely gorgeous outline that flashes like neon when sunlight touches it. Once in, you’ll find a jetty to the left, rocks to the right, and coral rubble in between. You’ll catch the incredible scenery—the cliffs reach up to 4,000 feet—from a 65-foot catamaran, which comes equipped with plenty of great places to view the coast from: an inside cabin, spacious sundecks, and lounging trampolines. Keep your flippers crossed, and have a great time! One of the greatest treats of snorkeling in Kauai is getting to swim with the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle or Honu. The waves at Lydgate tend to be gentle, and the water is very shallow at entry. On board the Lucky Lady Kauai, enjoy continental breakfast with fresh baked pastries and fruit. During your excursion, you’ll travel under waterfalls and into sea caves (when conditions permit), encounter playful dolphins, turtles, whales (in season) and more. To check the waves before you drive over, take a look at kauaiexplorer.com. I make it a point to get into the ocean where it’s sandy, to spare the fragile habitat my weight. From the tropical north shore to the sunny south side, visitors can get up-close-and-personal with an array of dazzling marine life. You’ll see unicornfish, goatfish, needlefish, and many kinds of wrasses. Hawaiian monk seals sometimes haul out here on the sand, they like the place so much. This is where most of the fish hang out. After plenty of time to catch marine life, you’ll get back on board to dry off and enjoy a late buffet lunch with beer, wine, and Mai Tai cocktails. 7 Best Kauai Snorkeling Spots #3 Anini Beach. Truly worth it . Best Dinner Cruise: Napali Snorkel Dinner Cruise. Kauai: SeaFun Snorkel Tour best deal & discount. This Kauai snorkeling area is fairly protected from the open sea, so even when you move fast, you’ll always stay near shore. The water is beautiful there, and you will see some fish. Here we share with you the best turtle snorkeling locations on each island in Hawaii and tips for how to fully enjoy them!. Mahalo! Mai Tais, beer, and wine (as well as soft drinks) are included for dinner, too. Do not chase, approach, touch, dance with, high five or ride a turtle. It is sandy and shallow here. Large schools of fish and marine life to swim thru were at our second location, but the turtles were definitely the highlight. per adult. helicopter rides ; pearl harbor tours; polynesian cultural center; interisland tours; more sightseeing tours; neighbor island trips. This of course is the ideal time to go snorkeling. If you go up the road a mile to visit the blue Waikanaloa wet cave, know that it is not a place to swim. Haena Beach Park could have been dreamed from the tropical paradise of your imagination. During day, we saw a giant turtle or two. When you’re visiting Ke’e Beach, always talk to the lifeguards before entering the ocean. The outer reef is the best place to snorkel, but there is also a shallow … 5. As you flounder delightfully about, all kinds of fish will surround you. Lifeguards watch over the swimmers in the water. Look around the Maniniholo dry cave carved into the mountains, just opposite the lifeguard tower. It can be very hard to see anything in the center, but also thrilling if you’re willing. For the best fish viewing, swim about 60 yards out to the reef. For a more challenging hike with unparalleled views, climb Kalalau Trail! This creates a fairly calm spot for ocean exploration. Even the parking here is relaxing – there’s plenty. 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