Kauai Snorkeling
Hawaii Guide
Kauai snorkeling for us is wild.
We love this island, and it is truly more wild than the other major Hawaiian Islands. It is greener, has the rainiest place on earth on it, Mount Wai'ale'ale, and don't forget the ever present wild chickens!
The snorkeling waters are also wilder than the other islands. We experienced stronger currents and more potentially dangerous snorkeling situations on Kauai than anywhere else in Hawaii. But that wildness of Kauai is also rewarding.
Besides the absolutely gorgeous scenery on Kauai top sides, underwater we were treated to seeing some of the hugest sea turtles we have seen anywhere, ever! And coral also. (We were amazed that at one snorkel rental shop we asked the clerk about coral on Kauai, and she said there was not any. Boy is she wrong.) We encountered some of the largest coral heads, anywhere in the islands. You just have to know where, and being willing to swim out a ways to experience it.
Kauai snorkeling has presented us with some challenges. It does rain more. And we really don't enjoy snorkeling under grey, wet skies. Getting wet in the water is one thing, but on the way in and out is unacceptable! But seriously, the underwater scenery is so much better under bright sunlight.
And the currents and reef channels must be taken seriously on Kauai. If you have not yet read our safety tips pages about currents you can
here.
Never push beyond your experience and always be aware of your position in the water. And don't blame us if you get into trouble. After all, what do two people who live in the desert of Arizona know?
The season that you snorkel Kauai is pretty important. The best snorkeling is had during the summer. Because many of the snorkeling grounds on Kauai have an Eastern exposure, unlike most of the other islands. And in the off season the winds and waves can really limit your chances of a good snorkel. In fact one of the biggest attractions to snorkel on Kauai, the Na Pali coast, can really only be done in the summer. The water gets too rough off season, and even early and late summer the boats don't tend to stop for snorkeling, preferring to blast out and back before weather picks up.
Finally, Kauai offers some side trips that you should not miss, namely the Waimea Canyon, with it's views down into the Na Pali coastline.
And on equal footing in our minds with the magnificent Waimea Canyon, is the Shrimp Station roadside restaurant on Kaumaualii Hwy. Their coconut shrimp is to die for. My mouth waters thinking about it.
OK. Let's get into the water. Click on the links below and enjoy our pictures and descriptions of the different snorkel spots on Kauai. 
Pick Your Kauai
Hawaii Snorkeling Spot
First we start our Kauai snorkeling way up on the stunning North Shore:East Shore Kauai Snorkeling Spots: South Shore Snorkel Spots:Na Pali Coast
You may also enjoy to check out the BestPlacesHawaii.com website for their Kaui snorkeling spots list.
And if you have not yet searched on TripAdvisor.com, you can learn a lot about snorkeling in Kauai. There is information on specific spots in their reviews section and their forums. Here are some reviews about snorkeling Tunnels.
Return to the Snorkeling Hawaii main page from Kauai Snorkeling.
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