Oahu Snorkeling Guide
Kahe Point Beach Park
(Electric Beach, Tracks)
This is definitely the most interesting Oahu snorkeling spot on the west side, and it is also a popular diving spot.
Once again, the names of places in Hawaii can be confusing. The parking lot where you park is called Kahe Point Beach Park. But people also park a little more north, next to the railroad tracks, so that is why it is sometimes called Tracks Beach. And the reason it is also called Electric Beach is because there is a big electric plant across the road.
It is this electric plant that makes the snorkeling here so interesting. The plant uses seawater as a coolant, and then recycles this water through a big tube out into the ocean. And this recycled water is pretty warm. That constant flow of warm water has attracted a lot of sea life that flourishes here.
Site Snorkeling Details - Kahe Point Beach Park
(Electric Beach, Tracks)
Oahu Snorkeling
Before you hit the water, go out on the bluff in front of the parking lot and check out the water. All along the rocks in front of the bluff is good snorkeling (watch out for people fishing from shore). But the place that is most interesting is a decent swim straight out from shore. Look for a disturbance in the water. It should look like it is boiling. That is the warm water coming up from the tube, (and no, it is not boiling hot, it is just warm). That is where you want to swim out to.
From the parking lot you access the water on the north side, down the hill past the pavilion. There is a little tiny beach alongside a cement wall. Sometimes this entrance and exit point can be a bit wavy, so time your entrance and exits with the waves. Swim straight out from that beach. On the ocean floor to the right you will find a rocky pile that heads straight out. That pile of rocks is what is covering the warm water tube. Follow it until you reach the end where the water comes out.
We saw tons of fish and some interesting corals on these rocks. It is deeper water here, and the water is actually kind of cold before you reach the warm water tube. Once we reached the end of the tube where the water comes out we encountered lots of sea life and the water clarity was very good.
It is recommended that you do not try to enter the stream of water leaving the tubes, because it is very turbulent.
There is also another reef that jets out from the right side of the jetty, and another farther down in front of Tracks Beach. So there is lots to explore here.
For novice snorkelers, this would be a great place to take a boat tour to. There are a handful of companies that offer these trips from local marinas. From shore this location is probably best for experienced snorkelers, due to the long swim, and sometimes tricky water entrance and exit.
There are restrooms available here, as well as water, picnic tables, showers, bbq pits, and a pavilion for shade.
Driving Directions - Kahe Point Beach Park
(Electric Beach, Tracks)
Oahu Snorkeling
Driving Directions to Kahe Point Beach/Electric Beach/Tracks Beach Park from Waikiki
Getting on H-1 from Waikiki can be challenging! Here's a good way to get on heading west towards the middle of the island. Get on Kalakaua Ave (the one way beachfront main drag). You will be heading southeast. Turn left on Kapahulu Ave and keep on it and you will go under H-1. Veer to the left on Waialae Ave and shortly on the right you will see an on ramp for H-1 West. You will follow H-1 as far as it goes to the west. On it, you may take the shortcut on 201 if you desire. You will pass through Pearl City and Waipahu and Kapolei just before the highway changes to Hwy 93 (Farrington Hwy). Follow Hwy 93 until you come to the water. The best entrance is at the first parking lot on the beach side of the road before you reach the electric plant.
Don't leave any valuables in your car here. Lots of non-locals get their car broken into.
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