Kauai Snorkeling Guide
PK's Park
PK's is an advanced Kauai snorkeling spot that is wonderful, if you don't mind a rocky beach entrance, and swimming offshore into deeper waters. We had one of the most amazing turtle experiences here ever!!!
PK's is across the street from the Prince Kuhio Monument. And it is not a very popular snorkeling spot, mostly because there are a number of locations very close by that offer nice beaches. But occasionally one of the local guides will bring a snorkel group from a cruise ship here.
 Site Snorkeling Details - PK's Park
Kauai Snorkeling
Before you get in, stand up on the road and look straight out a good distance. You will see where the water is breaking over a rocky reef. If you swim all the way out there, and to the right side of that reef is fantastic snorkeling. But it is a bit of a swim, so make sure you are up to it.
Getting in the water here can be kind of tricky. We don't tend to wear water shoes, preferring to get in the water barefoot, and putting our fins on once in. But water shoes would be welcome here.
The best place to get in the water is right near the center. There is a big rock with a very narrow bit of sand to the right of it to walk out on if the tide is low. And it stays shallow for a good distance out, with many different sized rocks. So be cautious of entering in waves and surge.
As you swim out it gets deeper, and the best snorkeling out near the reef is actually in pretty deep water, around 15-20 feet. Here you will find some of the best big coral heads on Kauai, tons of fish, including huge schools of them.
And it is here that we have experienced the biggest turtles we have ever seen in our lives! Period! Huge! Much bigger than us. And not shy.Check out the video below. I saw what I thought was the biggest turtle I have ever seen swimming below me. Wow, look at the size of the tail on that graceful creature. As I was taking a video of it I saw that it was going to come up for air. So I decided to dive down a little so I could look up at it getting some air. That was when I got the surprise. An even huger turtle cruised right beneath me, swam up to the other one and gave it a playful nip, and then they both soared off, leaving me in awe. My wife was watching the entire thing, had seen the second turtle, and thought that I was going to dive right into it. Simply fantastic Kauai snorkeling!!!
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And here is another video showing some of the big schools of fish in deeper water.
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Because of the length of the swim and the somewhat difficult entrance and exit, we would probably describe this as an advanced snorkeling spot. But it is well worth it if you are a confident snorkeler.
Read this store left by our site visitor Matt about his experience snorkeling with tons of turtles at PK's here.
Driving Directions - PK's Park from Hwy 50 intersection with Hwy 520
Kauai Snorkeling
From Hwy 50 (Kaumuali'i Hwy) head south on Hwy 520 (Maluhia Rd) follow this through Koloa, where you will turn right and then left to stay on Hwy 520 (which is now Po'ipu Rd). Follow Po'ipu Rd to the intersection with Lawa'i Rd and take the right. You will pass three roads on your left and just after the third is the Prince Kuhio Park on the right and the small PK's beach on your left. Park on the side of the road.
For lots of fish - explore the next spot - Lawa'i Beach
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