Active travelers can take advantage of exploring Kauai's coastal waters teeming with sea life. Kauai alone offers snorkeling at the oldest and most protected reef ecosystems of all the Hawaiian Islands where you have a chance of spotting hundreds of species of fish, a third of which are indigenous to the area. You can either hire a guide service to take you to the best snorkeling locations, or alternatively, bring your own gear and head out to the spots that interest you the most.
Ke'e Beach
Ke'e Beach is the last beach on the Shore that is accessible by car. The water off of the beach here forms a calm ocean lagoon, protected from rough seas and waves by bordering reefs and is best visited in the calmer, summer months. Be aware of the hazards here such as strong currents that can pull you out to the Na Pali coast, slippery rocks and sharp coral. Snorkelers here commonly see several varieties of fish and sea turtles while exploring the reefs.
Na Pali Coast
Na Pali Coast snorkeling is accessible only by boat, as the entire northern region of the island is very remote and there are no roads beyond Ke'e Beach, just before the start of the Na Pali Coast. Unless you have a boat or are lucky enough to know someone with knowledge of the snorkeling spots there, you will likely have to book a snorkeling tour if you are intent on snorkeling off of the Na Pali Coast. According to napali.com, the coast here offers some of the best snorkeling on the island as it is rich with coral reefs, tropical fish and Hawaiian green sea turtles.
Prince Kuhio Beach
Head to Prince Kuhio Beach in the winter when Ke'e Beach is too rough for snorkeling. This is one the more likely places to see the Hawaiian green sea turtles, or "Honu," on the island. The beach itself is pretty small and covered with slippery rocks and coral reefs under the water, so while the snorkeling is good, simply frolicking and swimming in the water is best saved for other beaches.
Tunnels Beach
Tunnels Beach, or "Makua," is a great beach to go to whether you are a beginning or an advanced snorkeler. Makua has a shallow inner reef with calm waters making for a great novice area, but it also has reefs further out that are well-suited for divers and snorkelers with significant experience. The shallow reefs, calm waters and underwater caverns make Makua one of the best places to snorkel in Kauaii, according to kauaiexplorer.com.
Salt Pond Beach
Make your way to the protected, crescent-shaped cove at Salt Pond Beach near Hanapepe for snorkeling in calm waters with a wide variety of sea life. To get there, take Highway 543 for a one-half mile from Hanapepe to Loloka Road and follow signs to the beach.
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