Tunnels Beach

Tunnels Beach is a snorkeling paradise and a picture-postcard tropical beach located on the north shore of the island of Kauai.

One of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii, Tunnels Beach is considered a top summer snorkeling and scuba diving beach on the island of Kauai.

Known as Makua Beach to locals, the beach was given the nickname of Tunnels Beach by divers that found the many lava tunnels in the reef here.

Landscape photographers love Tunnels Beach for its stunning setting. The beach served as a filming location for the 1958 classic South Pacific.

Tunnels Beach features a long swathe of golden sand, backed by the majestic Mount Makana and lush tropical vegetation, and fronted by the turquoise waters of Maniniholo Bay.

Makua Reef, the reef that makes Tunnels a snorkeling haven, is large enough and the waters so clear that it can even be seen from the air!

Snorkelers love Tunnels Beach for the variety of marine life that can be seen here, from schools of colorful tropical fish to rays, eels, octopuses, sea turtles, and even the occasional Hawaiian monk seal.

Despite the fact that Tunnels Beach does not offer any amenities and parking can be a hassle, it is one of the most popular beaches on the island of Kauai.

Tunnels Beach is a short drive west from the town of Hanalei on Kauai’s north shore. Shops in Hanalei offer equipment rentals, and there are restaurants if you are looking to eat before of after your visit to Tunnels Beach.

Tunnels Beach is a summer snorkeling paradise well worth visiting in its own right, but it is also close to other Kauai north shore attractions.

On this website, you will find detailed information on activities you can enjoy at Tunnels Beach. We also tell you how to get to Tunnels Beach, where to park, and tips for visiting the beach.

Get started discovering the complete guide to visiting Tunnels Beach!