Snorkeling Poipu Beach Park
Kauai Snorkel Guide
Snorkeling Poipu Beach Park is popular and the beach offers all the facilities needed for hanging out on a beach for hours. The far right end of the beach is fronted by the Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club Resort.
The geology is pretty unique at Po'ipu Beach. Po’ipu has a tiny island off the beach that is connected with a sand spit. This formation is called a tombolo. There are only a few places in the world where this occurs naturally (although it is not completely natural here anymore). The sandy area that connects the beach with the island protects the right side from the waves that come from the trade-winds. Sand is periodically brought in to restore the tombolo. There is a study being conducted to see if there is a more permanent solution. When we were last there, the sand was abundant on the tombolo.
Poipu is also a popular spot for the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals to rest on the beach. If you see one, give them lots of room, because they are tired, and because there is a hefty fine for disturbing them.
Water Entrance for Snorkeling Poipu
Beach Park
Enter from the beach on the right side of the tombolo. There is some coral shelf pretty close to the water’s edge that you should be aware of, but it is possible with bare feet. If you want to feel completely safe, wear some footwear.
Where To Snorkel
The snorkeling area is small here. It is between the beach and where the waves are breaking off the right end of the island. And it goes from the tombolo out into the little bay about a quarter length of the beach. There are some fish to see and we have seen turtles here frequently. The underwater topography is flat and uninteresting, but there are a few colorful little corals to see. The visibility is not great snorkeling Po'ipu Beach Park, especially close to the beach, but as you get closer to the island you will find it improves some. The depths are no more than 10 feet through this area.
What We Saw Snorkeling
Poipu Beach Park
The reef here has sea cucumbers in residence. We frequently see turtles at Po’ipu Beach. When we were here we saw the following fish:
eel
Goatfish, Manybar
Surgeonfish, Orangeband
Wrasse, Bird
Find More Poipu Snorkeling Details
For more pictures, parking and driving directions and maps see our full Kauai Snorkeling Guide eBook, which has all of our favorite spots in it.
People have left reviews about snorkeling Poipu Beach Park on this Yelp page.
Now check out Hideaways Beach
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