Kauai North Shore - Hanalei & Princeville

Island of Kauai

Adventures on Water - Snorkeling

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Snorkeling Tours

Captain Sundown, Hanalei, 808-826-5585, www. captainsundown.com, has a few snorkel tours to choose from on their 40-ft catamaran. The tour will take you from Hanalei Bay, where you’ll see Hanalei Pier, and around the Na Pali Coast to view waterfalls. They guarantee that you’ll see the entire NaPali Coast. You’ll stop at Nualolo Kai A`awapuhi to snorkel. The tour includes snorkeling gear, a deli lunch and snacks. The cost is $162 per person.

Anini Fishing Charters, 808-828-1285, www.kauaifishing.com. Captain Bob Kutkowski offers a Na Pali Tour on his new 34-ft power catamaran. Anini Fishing Charters launches right from Anini Beach, and they’ll take you on a half-day charter around Na Pali with all snorkeling gear and gourmet lunch included.

Na Pali Catamaran, Hanalei, 866-255-6853, 808-826- 6853, www.napalicatamaran.com, takes you on their 34-ft custom Cougar catamaran from Hanalei along the Na Pali Coast, with snorkeling and lunch included. They operate regularly throughout the summer, but only weather-permitting during the winter months.

NA PALI FROM THE NORTH OR WEST?

One question that many people have when booking their boat tour is whether to leave from Waimea/ Port Allen or from the north shore. It really depends on what you’re looking for.

If you’re staying on the North Shore, it’s a much shorter drive to the tours that originate from Hanalei, as opposed to driving all the way to Port Allen.
Tours starting from the North Shore reach the Na Pali coast more quickly, so you spend more time actually seeing Na Pali. If you leave from Port Allen, you’ll be in the water 20-25 minutes before you get there. On the downside, the North Shore boat companies only offer catamaran tours. That’s more relaxing, but, if you’re looking for more adventure, you’ll be better off taking one of the tours on a rigidhull inflatable from Port Allen.

Places to Snorkel

If you want to pick up some gear and hit the beach, here are the best places to go snorkeling in the area.

Tunnels is one of the top snorkeling places on the island. It’s best during the summer when the waters are calm. There is a reef relatively close to
shore that makes for good snorkeling, even for beginners. Experienced
snorkelers can venture out beyond this reef and see turtles, trumpetfish, butterflyfish and a whole lot more. In spite of the popularity of the beach, there is plenty of room to explore the reefs and have fun.
Photo Tunnels (shorediving.com)

Ke`e Beach offers opportunity to see bright reef fish. It is tough to snorkel during low tide because there’s not much room between you and the reef. You should also watch out for the left channel, which can form a strong current and sweep you out toward Na Pali. Your best bet is to stay within the small bay area.
Photo Ke`e Beach (Hawaiian Images)

The two-mile-long fringing reef at Anini Beach Park provides excellent snorkeling. It is a good site for beginners and gives you ample opportunity to spot eels, boxfishes and humuhumunukunukuapuaa (say it three times fast!). Be aware of the channel area, for the current can be pretty strong.

Queen’s Bath is excellent for snorkeling, making the hike down worthwhile. On a good day, you can see hundreds of fish. Sometimes, the water can be too calm, which leaves the lava pools somewhat murky.

Where to get Snorkel Gear

Hanalei Surf Company in Hanalei Center, 808-826- 9000, and Hanalei Backdoor Surf Company in the Ching Young Village, 808- 826-1900, both offer snorkel gear for $5 a day or $17 for the week. The staff at both stores is knowledgeable and will steer you to the right places for snorkeling.

Pedal and Paddle in Ching Young Village, 808-826-9069 also offers snorkel gear for $5 a day or $20 a week.

Activity Wholesalers/ Snorkel Depot, Kuhio Highway next to Postcards Cafe, 808-826-9983, offers lower rates than everyone in the area for snorkel gear, sometimes as low as $2.99 a day. The quality isn’t bad. If you’re on a super-tight budget, it’s worth it.

You should also stop at any of the rental shops listed above or at Foodland or Big Save and pick up an underwater camera for about $12-$17. In order to get the best shots, you’ll need to get pretty close. If the water’s clear, you can certainly pick up the different vibrant colors of reef fish.

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