There's not much temp difference North to South. This beach boasts a grove of ironwood trees providing comfortable shade for your visit, golden, soft sand and spectacular views at the edge of the Na Pali coast. Makua Beach The most awesome of beaches in the spectacular, rural area of the North Shore, Haena. Thanks for all of your advice! If you leave the West side that early, traffic should not be an issue and you could probably get to the trailhead by 7 or 7:30. Could you please explain to me how I can get there? The island was still incredibly beautiful. mahalo! Hi! Will snorkeling be OK then? Mahalos. Kēʻē Beach has a unique reef lagoon, which allows the water to be calm and attractive for snorkeling and swimming. Statistically March is a transitional period from Winter weather towards a more stable Summer pattern - however the difference between beginning and end is pure luck. There is a normally weak, but often present lateral rip current to pay attention to. We will be visting in June and have never been to this island. Some other type of flotation, or simply staying in shallow water would be more fun. Is there another way to walk to Anini other than to hike down the bluffs? Thanks! Is this a good time of year to go and what side of the island is best to go snorkeling/swimming/boogie boarding? Thank you. Hanalei Bay is a common spot to learn. Is it safe to go in the water in the Tunnels? What would you recommend? We usually come in Sept and stay in the south. … Tune into our daily Ocean Report to choose your best location. After snorkeling we stayed and watched one of the most beautiful sunsets we'd ever seen! The Magnificent Makua Beach Is One Of Hawaii’s Most Undeveloped And Secluded Stretches of Sand. Havng a late May early June trip to the Garden Isle. Don't forget that Tunnels has extreme ocean conditions and large surf in winter months, making it dangerous or impossible to snorkel here during that time. I have two small children, 4 and 5...and after reading your website, I am concerned about going to the beach. We are having a difficult time deciding on whether to snorkel on the North Side (Haena Beach Park & Kee Beach) or South Side (Poipu Beach). Am I going to be able to snorkel or even swim at Tunnels at this time, or will it be too dangerous? What is the best time of the day ~ calm water to snorkeling? Is Tunnels appropriate for beginner not so experience snorkelers? Thanks and look forward to gracing your shores. They are 11 and 13 and pretty good snorkelers. @ Lori: north swells will be declining and south swells will be on the rise in April. If you miss it and you're desperate, you could probably call the DJ to ask them the report at (808) 826-7774. Where is the best snorkeling the week of Dec. 26th? I'm sure the beach was beautiful without her 'it's all about me' drivel. I love this part of Kauai , but have never camped there.Is it safe for woman camping? Even when the surf is small there are inherent hazards. Our favorite things to do are snorkeling and boogie boarding. Sunsets here are dreamy and irresistably photogenic. 2. Thanks. How is the weather during the first 2 weeks of march? Learn to recognize a rip (looks much like rapids in a river). Beautiful beach with huge reef. Hope this helps. I guess a good comparison is that it does not snow every day of winter on the mainland. Is there access before, or right at, the 8 miles marker? We've rented a beach house in April 2009 (9 people all adults) and it is right across from Kepuhi Beach. I just want to make sure I pick the right beach before I have to pay for all the permits and insurance fees. The reef, dropoffs and fish are quite a sight worth seeing. We would love any and all ideas or suggestions. If we are staying in Kapaa on the East side and want to snorkel the Tunnels where should we rent snorkel gear? We are really torn between the North and South shore, which do you recommend, unfortunately we can only stay for 4 nights?! Yes gr8 - the outer reef at Makua (Tunnels) does offer some protection for the nearshore areas since the waves break far offshore. Whether you live on Oahu or are vacationing in Waikiki, it is a definite fact that the island’s leeward coast is severely underrated. Thanks, Laur - Hawaii is not the best shelling and you will have to get up early to beat the regulars. Hi Justin. Makua has many great areas for swimming / snorkeling but they can also be deadly. I will be staying in a rental home on the beach about half way between the west end of Alamo\'o Road and the east side of Makua Beach. Thanks very much for your comments. But there will be so many great beaches on the North Shore during April, it will be hard to choose. There will not be much surf but for learning that might be good. Great job guys with all the advice. Are there lifeguards at Tunnels? Kauai Explorer Staff:
I would like to see spots like Wet Cave, Dry Cave and the Blue Room. And is it near Princeville? Hanalei Colony is an option. Haena Beach park is nearby - but it's a hike back to tunnels - especially if you're hauling ice chests, snorkel stuff, kids stuff .... Our favorite snorkeling beach. What a great site with so much useful information. See the seasonal surf trends page seasonal surf trends for more info and always check the daily conditions. @ Nancy: July is our summer and it's generally sunny on the North Shore during this time. Do you recommend this beach and how do you get there from the main road? That's why you should talk with the lifeguards to get a report on the current conditions and read their signs. Explore the site because we've tried to present the info you are looking for. Waimea Beach. Hanalei Surf Company or Pedal and Paddle. Was also wondering about the river. Thanks !! Surf lessons have become quite popular over the past couple of years and a search online will point you towards several different schools. If nobody is in the water, there is probably a reason. As far as safety, if you are smart and prudent it is very safe. Hi Hanna - the chances that you'll get to snorkel are almost 100%. During our stay we had large swells and windy conditions (a good day to drive out to the Kilauea lighthouse, visit the farmers market, and have a smoothie at Banana Joes), calm days with brilliant sunshine, followed by more high surf days in which the lifeguards closed Ke\'e Beach, Makua Beach, and performed a courageous rescue of a swimmer just east of Haena Beach. The Kuhio Highway drops down a massive cliff side to give you views of Hanalei Bay against the backdrop of misty, waterfall-covered mountains. Tunnels gets its name from the surfers who have seen the tube and divers who have found the caverns. Think in terms of $2,500 to $10K weekly. am going to kauai in late sep 07; i plan to be at tunnels reef every morning for the week that i am there......been there before in april '05 i am expecting the same incredible snorkeling.....all who enquire about tunnels be assured...it's the best!!!!! Lotsa good memories there before Iniki wiped it out. Aloha Emma. Love, love, love your website. This beachfront property is just steps from Tunnels Beach, with great swimming and snorkeling directly in front of the home. The owner says that we can swim (or kayak) across the river mouth to the sandbar at Wainiha Bay. Thanks again for this great site! So, the lesson here is to be aware of current ocean conditions. If I'm staying in Poipu but want to visit Tunnels Beach, how should I do it? Enjoy. If you want to camp, you may want to check out a more central camp location like Anahola or Anini (though it's quite a walk to the nearest bus stop from this beach). Shelly - both places are so amazing it's hard to name one as better. we are planning our first trip to kauai in early october with our 3 kids ranging in age from 14 to 1. we all like quiet, natural places and are trying to decide between basing ouselves at anini or tunnels. Hi we are staying on Kepuhi Beach for a lovely 16 days! I am travelling to Kauai in September and plan to do some camping but would like to camp in a place that is relatively well occupied (as I will be travelling alone), is Tunnels beach a good option and are there any other suggestions? Gorgeous water, magnificent view and the little neighborhood you drive through to get to it - across a couple of one-lane bridges is REAL Hawaii. Unfortunately, it was during record rains that even washed out a bridge and lead to loss of life. A great snorkeling beach, Tunnels has something for everyone. Is it a lot hotter? Hi,
Wondering about water temps for scuba diving at that time? Our folks are attending, and my Mom has some minor mobility problems (a bit of arthritis and problems with her hip) that would make hiking down the beach for long distances an issue. I have recently been reading about the time of the month that the box jellyfish arrive and wouldn't you know it, it will be that week. Mac - April is generally calmer as we transition into summer, but it's impossible to know what exactly the conditions will be. Thanks! Brennecke’s Beach Poipu is closer to Mahaulepu Trail and Kokee. Tunnels is a favorite surfing, winds surfing and kite surfing beach. Travelers love the area for its beautiful beaches. Do you know when this is expected to start? How will the snorkeling be? My son is a good swimmer but not used to "ocean" swimming, and my daughter can swim, but is still a novice. My fiance and I are heading to Kauai the end of July. Page 44: "WARNING: Wainiha quite appropriately means "unfriendly waters." DID YOU KNOW THAT ALL CAPS IS EQUIVALENT TO DIGITAL YELLING? Happy surfing! Depending on the daily weather outlook and surf reports, what is generally our best bet for snorkeling there and what would the closest rental place be that has prescription lenses? Hi Andy - I highly recommend a local wedding coordinator. Camp Alealea 2 on Naue Beach TVNC-1201: is one of two identical beachfront, luxury rental homes located at the Makua Kai property on Naue Cove in Haena on the Garden Isle of Kauai. Thanks for you input. I am debating between the beginning vs the end of March. It will still have beach goers. All these companies leave from the West side. With the weather being very windy and not exactly tropical, I used your info every day to determine the best place to go for surfing or snorkling. J. I'm going to be staying on a residence on Tunnels beach from April 19-26. If you're willing to drive to the South and West side, you may find Anini beach a good fit. tunnels sounds more beautiful with better snorkeling but anini sounds safer for the little ones. We are doing a project on the island of Kauai and the beaches they have .... we were looking if you could give us the best beaches for surfing, swimming, fishing and snorkling ... and what kine of waves does each beach have all through the year! WW. Mahalo. Walking along the shoreline from Makua (Tunnels) to Kee is a wonderful experience. We have two chikdren who will be 12 and are resonably good swimmers. If you are looking for less crowded locations usually all it takes is a little walking. Makua is a beautiful spot that typically has a good amount of sandy beach, especially in summer. Today in Feb it is like a swimming pool at Kee, tomorrow the surf will reach WARNING levels. W. Aloha! I'm not sure about the pricing. My daughter is getting married on Tunnels beach mid june in the evening. Thanks
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