Nice spacious beach with some shade, a few fish and wildlife, and a dry cave across the road. A pod of spinner dolphins came inside reef and swam with us for around an hour. Makua Beach, better known as "Tunnels," is by far the most secluded and beautiful beach Kauai has to offer. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Carved by the endless pounding of the ocean, the massive cavern of Waikapalae Wet Cave is as enchanting as it, The roaring surf was a teacher to those who first practiced the spiritual art of hula, chanting and testing their skills against nature's decibel levels, Countless Kauai locals consider Lumahai their favorite beach on an island blessed with dozens of beauties. In the shadow of verdant mountains, and shaded by palm and ironwood trees, Makua Beach has golden sand and baby blue waters. 2023 Kauai Beaches. Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park: Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park is home to Hawaii's most famous trail, the Kalalau Trail, which has become famous because of its beauty and difficulty. Are there any tour companies that do snorkeling expeditions for individuals or small groups? Be aware when the surf is high on the outer part of the reef this usually means there is fast flowing water in the channel between the reefs. Latitude: 22. . The beach is sweeping and beautiful. Palms and Ironwood trees fringe this crescent-shaped bay. The golden sand beach has a backdrop of lush jungle and mountains, making this a picture-perfect beach. This golden sand beach is considered the ultimate snorkeling and surfing destination. Mahaulepu Beach This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. scorecard. Tunnels Beach is the ultimate beach for expert surfers. Hideaway Beach Any problem with space to get home. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Read our Privacy Policy. #2 inWhich Hawaiian Island is the Best to Visit? more, Also known as Makua Beach, Tunnels Beach gets its nickname from the maze of lava tubes found throughout its expansive reef. Tunnels, or Makua, Beach ranks among the very best snorkeling spots on Kauai. The road between Sowparnika River and the Arabian Sea will remain in your mind. We are looking for people to hike with or/ and share a car with as we dont drive. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 2023 Hawaii Travel Guide. There is a little stream leading to the ocean that kids were playing in. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. If youre up for a hike, there is a trail that leads to the northwestern tip of the island. Any timeline on when tunnels and the area around will reopen? All partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures. Even got them to try snorkeling, though only the adults went off the shelf. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. These pull offs fill up pretty quickly. An expansive offshore reef here provides wonderful looks at tropical fish, coral banks, and (often enough)sea turtles, while the undeveloped beach, backed by rugged green mountains, is simplygorgeous. It's also the North Shore's most popular dive site, suitable for shore dives. Even if you dont get into the water, the white sands and rugged, junglybackdrop provide a stunning place for a beach stroll and sunset savoring. The lookout offers a panoramic view of Mount Makana (otherwise known as Bali Hai), the lush Hanalei Valley, and the stunning taro fields. The HawaiianIslands.com Local Experts Team. Lots of fish and coral in a variety of sizes, groupings, and depth. Im planning a trip in september 2019 and hoping the road will be open by then, No it is not. There is parking, but most of the locals and visitors park by Haena Park and walk down to Tunnels. Also known as Makua Beach, Tunnels Beach gets its nickname from the maze of lava tubes found throughout its expansive reef. Overview Tours & Tickets Practical Info Makua (Tunnels) Beach is 5.5 miles west of Hanalei on a narrow section Highway 560. Weve seen eels, turtles, octopus, parrot fish, etc. This is a great beach for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and sun tanning. We recommend arriving early to find a spot. Scuba Diving: The fantastic coral reef and generally calm conditions mean you, too, will have a spectacular dive. We recommend booking Tunnels Beach tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Tunnels Beach has an excellent coral reef that goes up to the shore, coming within a few feet of dry land at low tide. The sunset from Makua is truly spectacular. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. Longitude: -159.56055100000003. Here, the water is clear, palm trees abound and if you look toward the west, you can admire the cluster of lush, jagged peaks that flank the beach. If there is a non-swimmer in the family not to worry. The ideal snorkeling conditions are thanks in part to an inner and outer reef, which provide layers of protection from the strong ocean current as and a healthy habitat for abundant sea life. USA, North America Hanalei Bay & the North Shore Yet another too-good-to-be-true North Shore beach. Travelers can expect to see batches of coral, small sea caves and tunnels as well as wildlife, which could include turtles, plenty of tropical fish, eels, crabs and more. Tunnels Beach is located . I did see one large seal basking in the sun on the beach. If you arent scuba certified, you can still check out some of the amazing coral and marine life at this beach. If you like to fish, there are plenty of opportunities here. We also receive a small commission from travel partners for some of the links found on this website. All rights reserved. Tunnels Beach is a beautiful beach on the North Shore of Kauai. Insider Tips:-Dont park right along Highway 560 to access Tunnels Beach: thatsa good recipe for a parking ticket or perhaps a towtruck visit.-Despite the lack of services at Tunnels Beach, there are often vendorsselling coconuts here. When you think of a romantic getaway, or want to take your dog for a walk on a beach that is less crowded, you think of Tunnels. Other ideas include: Hanalei Valley Lookout: For amazing views of Hanalei Valley, head to Hanalei Valley Lookout. Besides, Long renowned as one of the North Shores most glorious beaches, lovely Kee Beach, beside the Kalalau trailhead at the end of Kuhio Hwy, has been given a, Besides the two Na Pali lookouts at the end of the paved highway, Kokee State Park is the starting point for almost 50 miles of outstanding hiking trails, This magnificent scenic drive traces the entire length of Waimea Canyons western rim and continues into Kokee State Park, climbing 19 miles from the, The short easternmost stretch of Hanalei Bay, alongside the rivermouth, usually offers the calmest surf among the wild North Shore swells, and is popular, A mile beyond the Kalalau Lookout, the paved park road dead-ends at the Puu o Kila Lookout. If you're searching for the perfect snorkeling spot in Kauai, look no further than Makua Beach, also known as Tunnels Beach. Tunnels Beach aka Makua at Ha'ena Point. Makua Beach is a part of the Kaena Point State Park. Both times we visited, the surf conditions precluded any kinds of water activity - snorkeling, boogie-boarding, or swimming. Its backed by the Waianae Mountain Range and Makua Valley. With limited parking in this area, come early to find a legal spot. You can go swimming or snorkeling, hike along some trails, or even rent a paddleboard for a tour of the area. Hanalei Pavilion This golden sand beach is considered the ultimate snorkeling destination. The park offers viewing of restored lo'i kalo (taro field, as well as, the spectacular Npali Coast State Wilderness Park . In the reef running along the beach, you successively cross sand and coral areas (3-7ft/1-2m), until you reach a reef drop-off where the depth rises sharply (7-20ft/2-6m). We began rebuilding a few years later. I suggest parking and then walking along the road until you find the entrance with the limited parking. level of our approval. Tunnels beach offers some of the best snorkeling anywhere in Hawaii during the calm summer months. Most beachgoers park at Haena State Park, then walk a half-mile along the sandy foreshore. If you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions, you should not use this website. or less drive up is another parking lot. Discover everything you need to know about Makua Beach (Tunnels Beach), Kauai including history, facts, how to get there and the best time to visit. The road then crosses the first of many one-lane bridges before hugging Hanalei River . Parking is at a premium so get there early and don't move you car once you have a spot. Here, you'll find lots of marine lifelarge schools of reef fish, turtles and even wild dolphinsmaking it one of the best spots for snorkeling in Kauai. Lava tubes form the many underwater caverns that make the reef a magical underwater world to explore and give Tunnels its name. Got there early and had no trouble with parking. Be sure to check for warning signs indicating hazardous conditions, as the North Shore is known for its rough waves, especially in winter. Amazing scenery in all directions. A haven for shelling, snorkeling, and scuba diving during summer. Today, it's open as a museum that showcases its history and provides information about early Hawaiian mission life. They also have large tents and picnic tables available in parking lots so you dont need to stand and wait in sun at the stop. Or did you stay out towards tunnels? Roughly 50 of the 90 miles of coastline is white sand beach, which makes for easy ocean access. Its name refers to the lava tubes, or tunnels, that run through the reef. The parking area can be easily missed so be on the lookout. The center portion of beach has a huge is a half moon shape with a large reef about 1/8 mile off shore. There you can find a food truck, restrooms, a cave and much more. From Honolulu, head west on the H1 and follow signs for Waianae. The inner reefs close to shore are great for kids, who will spot . Excellent guided tours are available if you want some help navigating the caves. The views of Kalalau Valley, plummeting 4000ft below, are, At this beautiful county-run beach, just under a mile before the end of the road, the sea is usually smooth and safe for swimming in summer. To call this out of the way is an understatement, but its totally worth it. My husband and I walked in the sand and it wasn't easy. The ocean bottom drops off quickly here, so swim close to the shore. The beaches of the islands are gorgeous. Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability. Consummate snorkelers will tell you that there's not much color to the marine life and they're right. Went snorkling and was a little disappointed by the amount of fish here, maybe it was the time of year that I went? Waioli Mission House Museum and Gardens: In 1834, American missionaries arrived in Hawaii and founded Waioli Mission House as their headquarters. We went around 2 PM and found a spot. Tunnels Beach has a reputation for some of the best snorkeling in all of Kauaiwhich is a big statement.