Note: Since 2015, this has been designated as a nursery/recovery area for the fishes and has been a no-entry area for the past 7 years (Haw. Code R. § 13-60.8-6). https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/regulated-areas/haena-community-based-subsistence-fishing-area/

Snorkeling Tunnels is great if you know where to go and are a confident swimmer. Tunnels, also known as Makua Beach, is a deceptively massive snorkeling area. Standing on this wonderful wide, long beach, looking out at the waves breaking on the reef edge offshore, it just does not look like all that big of an area, or that far away to its outer edge. But the reef here is a big horseshoe that protects what amounts to a small bay inside. It is much bigger than it appears when you start trying to swim around in it.

Snorkeling Tunnels is some of the best you can find on the island. It is one of the best places on Kauai for seeing big coral formations. Because it is a large area and there are currents, the snorkeling out on the larger reef is not for beginners, but for strong swimming, experienced snorkelers.

Tunnels, like any north shore Kauai snorkeling spot, is seasonal. Often in the winter the waves are too big and the current too dangerous to attempt to snorkel here. We recommend in the winter to snorkel on the south side of Kauai.

The parking for snorkeling Tunnels is even more scarce than at Ke’e Beach. You must arrive very early in the morning to guarantee yourself a spot here. If you don’t get here early enough to get one of the few spots nearer the beach, you can park farther down the road at Ha’ena Beach Park and walk down the beach to Tunnels area. It is over a half mile walk along the beach. If you don't want to try to find parking, you can ride the Kauai North Shore Shuttle to Ha'ena Beach Park.

Tunnels Beach

On 06/11/04 my wife and I made two dives on the reef with Ocean Quest (a GREAT outfit, by the way). North shore run-off due to a wetter than normal June cut the visibility to about 25' more or less. No, it's not the Carib, but if you're not a "dive snob" and want to broaden your experience, it's a pretty neat dive. No sharks, but we saw turtles, tiger moray, leaf scorpion fish, razors, and heard the spinner dolphins playing a little further out. Topography was great, could be tricky for less experienced divers without a guide. All in all, a VERY enjoyable dive. We'll do it again when we go back.

Freddy Mangogna's Dive Log

@freddy_mangogna

1 dives