Tunnels Beach is one of the most beautiful places to snorkel, dive and surf in the world. It is a family-friendly place, where young children can enjoy swimming in the shallow areas of the beach while expert surfers can catch the wave of a lifetime.
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It's said that Tunnels Beach has the best snorkeling on the island which means it is a perfect beach for the “in-between” family that has both older kids who want to experience sea life and underwater caverns and younger children who will be happier playing in the sand and shallow, docile waves.
Tunnels is too dangerous to swim during the winter when large waves pound the north shore. We recommend arriving early to find a spot. Don't leave it to the last minute if you want a prime location at the beach.
Tunnels Beach snorkeling tips and recommendationsThe best area to explore includes the reef that runs parallel to the western part of the beach. It is on your left when you enter the water. The shallow lagoon around Haena Point is now closed to all water activities, including snorkeling.
Choppy waters are not ideal for snorkeling, especially; if you're not a proficient swimmer. Wavy waters will bounce you around, and you'll experience diminished underwater visibility because of increased moving debris and sand. Waves also influence the ease and safety of getting in and out of the waters.
Tunnels Beach (Makua) is an epic spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. Lava tubes form the many underwater caverns that make the reef a magical underwater world to explore and give Tunnels its name. The beach is a crescent shaped bay is fringed by palms and ironwood trees.
Snorkeling Tunnels, also known as Makua Beach, used to be some of the best in Kauai, especially for seeing big coral formations. But snorkeling is now prohibited in the large inner reef area known as the Makua Lagoon.
I would not recommend taking small children to Sharks Cove unless it's to wade in the tide pools. As you can see, Sharks Cove is not a sand beach and the entrance is rocky, so watch your step as you get in. The inside of the bay is about 8 to 15 feet deep, progressively getting deeper as you head out.
Though it is unclear how many deaths were due to ROPE, according to the Department of Health, there were 204 snorkeling-related deaths from 2012 to 2021.
You will need a parking permit reservation to get to Ke'e beach. You do not need a parking permit to get to Tunnels, but make sure that you only park in an area where it is permitted or you will risk getting ticketed / towed.
The wide sand beach offers the easiest entrance into the water. Don't attempt to enter the shallow areas where there are rocks and reef that come all the way up to the beach edge. Large and small Lava tubes form the many underwater caverns give Tunnels it's name as well as a magical underwater world to explore.