Tunnels Beach Snorkeling: Best In Kauai, Hawaii
Snorkeling is the top reason to visit Tunnels Beach on Kauai.
Indeed, Tunnels Beach snorkeling is a bucket list item for many summer visitors to Kauai. Not only can you see a variety of fish, you may even see honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles).
The expansive fringing reef at Tunnels Beach features an exciting underwater landscape and a thrilling variety of marine life, making it a must-visit beach for snorkeling on Kauai.
Located a few miles west of Hanalei and Princeville on the north shore of Kauai, Tunnels Beach or Makua is a fairly long drive if you are based in Kapa’a or Poipu.
But despite its fairly remote location, Tunnels Beach is still very popular as one of the premier snorkeling spots in Kauai, and indeed in all of Hawaii.
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In this article, we will describe what to expect from a snorkeling trip to Tunnels Beach.
Planning a trip to Tunnels Beach? Be sure to check our Tunnels Beach home page for all the details you need to plan!
Want to experience snorkeling on the remote Na Pali Coast? Book a morning boat tour and look for dolphins, turtles, and more! Tours offer snorkeling in the summer and whale-watching in the winter. 🌊 ⛴️ 🤿
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Tunnels Beach Snorkeling
| Tunnels Beach Snorkeling | Details |
|---|---|
| Reservations | No reservations are required to visit or snorkel at Tunnels Beach |
| Closed | Makua Pu’uhonua, part of the coral reefs off Tunnels Beach is restricted area (see map below) |
| Rentals | No rentals are available at Tunnels Beach, rent from Hanalei or Princeville |
| Winter | Snorkeling in winter at Tunnels Beach is dangerous, the waves are very high |
| Best Time | The best time to snorkel at Tunnels Beach is early morning in summer |
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Summer Snorkeling at Tunnels Beach
Protected by a large coral reef, it is not surprising that Tunnels Beach is known as one of the top snorkeling beaches on the island of Kauai.
The reef is visible in aerial photos of Tunnels Beach (see photo at top of page).
There are actually two reefs at Tunnels, an inner reef that’s ideal for beginners, and an outer reef for experienced snorkelers. The inner reef lies just one-eighth of a mile offshore.
While very experienced and strong swimmers can access the outer reef from shore, boat tours to the Na Pali Coast that depart from Hanalei stop at the outer reef to allow for snorkeling.
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What to Expect when Snorkeling Tunnels Beach
The beach got its nickname of “Tunnels” from the many lava tubes that run through the inner and outer reefs here. These tubes have resulted in numerous underwater caverns that make for perfect places to look for marine life.
Visibility is usually excellent, and you can hope to see many species of colorful tropical fish, moray eels, crabs, octopus, urchins, Hawaiian green sea turtles, and the occasional endangered Hawaiian monk seal.
Getting to swim with honu, Hawaiian green sea turtles, is an especially delightful experience at Tunnels. Be sure to maintain a respectful distance though: at least 10 feet is the guideline.
Some of the tropical fish you may see while snorkeling at Tunnels include yellow tang, parrotfish, goatfish, cornetfish, bluefin trevally, and butterflyfish. It is exciting to see the fish, often in schools, dart in and out of the “tunnels” of lava rock!
Look for sandy areas to enter, to avoid stepping on coral. Stepping on coral is not healthy for the coral, which is a living organism. Plus, you may cut your feet.
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Beyond the outer reef, the surf is usually rough, and this is where you will find surfers and kite boarders trying to ride the waves.
Like other Kauai north shore beaches, Tunnels Beach is only suitable for snorkeling on days when the waves are calm, which occurs mainly in the summer.
In the winter, the waves can be very high, making it dangerous to get into the water.
There is a lifeguard at adjacent Haena Beach if you would like up-to-date information on snorkeling conditions at Tunnels.
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Area Closed to Tunnels Beach Snorkeling
The Hawaiian government’s Department of Land and Natural Resources designated a portion of the coral reefs off Tunnels Beach as restricted to protect the marine life in that area.
Effectively, you cannot snorkel in this area (see map below) and buoy markers may be placed to demarcate the restricted area, Makua Pu’uhonua.
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Tunnels Beach Snorkeling Map
The Tunnels Beach snorkeling map below shows the Makua Pu’uhonua are marked out.
The colored area is now protected and you need a special activity permit to enter. For practical purposes, snorkeling (and other water activities) in this area is now prohibited.
While the restricted area looks large, more experienced snorkelers can explore the area further along the Tunnels Beach coastline or hug the lines of the area above.
You’re likely to find large tropical fish and huge schools of fish here, along with underwater lava caves, arches, tubes and tunnels!
Most beginning snorkelers and kids are likely to stay closer to the shore, and you have fringing coral reefs right up to the shore. Kids may see fish even when standing in knee-deep water right by the beach.
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Best Time of Day to Snorkel Tunnels Beach
Early morning is the best time of day to snorkel Tunnels Beach!
The waters are calm and crystal clear, making underwater visibility excellent. Later in the morning, winds pick up, decreasing visibility.
Besides, Tunnels Beach is almost deserted in the morning, ideal for a spell of peaceful snorkeling!
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Tunnels Beach Snorkeling Conditions
As with other North Shore Kauai beaches, the ocean waters are typically calm, almost lake-like, in summer, especially in the mornings.
Conditions are ideal for snorkeling: extensive coral reefs, crystal clear and calm water, and abundant marine life.
Make sure you stay close to the coral reefs (but please avoid stepping on them!), as currents are common, and you may find yourself being pulled out to the ocean.
Snorkeling (or even entering the water) in winter is usually a no-no! Waves in winter are large and powerful, crashing over the coral reefs, pulling unsuspecting swimmers into the ocean with vicious rip currents.
You will find signs all over the beach warning you from swimming and snorkeling in winter.
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Tunnels Beach Snorkeling Conditions Today
Before you head to Tunnels Beach for snorkeling or for a beach day, make sure you check the weather reports!
Swells are possible any time of the year, and once waves start getting bigger, visibility drops drastically.
Daily surf report websites are usually a good source: what is good for surfers (big waves) is bad for snorkelers and swimmers!
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Helpful Things to Know When Snorkeling Tunnels Beach
- Tunnels Beach offers sandy entry points, no water shoes necessary. Use the sandy channels to enter and avoid stepping on delicate coral. Lift your feet off the floor as soon as you can and snorkel your way over the reef.
- Please wear reef-safe sunscreen! The Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray is a good reef-safe option for Hawaii.
- Always stay close to the reef. Getting away from the reef can expose you to strong currents that can pull you out to sea. The inner reef has marine life and is very close to shore, making it better for beginners.
- Calm waters offer superior visibility. You will likely find the waters at Tunnels Beach calmer in the mornings, in the summer. As the waves kick up, visibility diminishes quite a bit.
- There are trees for shade at the back of the beach if you want to lay out beach blankets to chill in between forays into the water to snorkel Tunnels Beach.
- Note that there are no facilities at Tunnels Beach. After snorkeling, you’ll need to head to Haena Beach Park next door if you want to rinse off.
- Rent snorkel gear in Hanalei or Princeville, or bring your own snorkel set with a quality mask, snorkel, and fins.
- Remember to bring your underwater camera if you think you would enjoy filming or snapping photos of the incredible marine life you may see snorkeling Tunnels Beach! If you want high-end photos and video, splurge on the GoPro HERO12 – Waterproof Action Camera!
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