What sharks are around Kauai?

There are some forty species of sharks that occur in Hawaiian waters and about eight of those are somewhat common in nearshore waters, including sandbar, hammerhead, whitetip reef, and tiger sharks. The ones we most frequently encounter are the whitetip reef sharks, who we'll sometimes see resting in caves in the reef.



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Kauai is home to several species of sharks and marine life, some of which are more commonly seen than others. While encountering a shark may be intimidating, it's important to remember that shark attacks are extremely rare.

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Wailua River, East Side of Kauai “Seriously though, we do see sharks here occasionally,” he adds, which prompts every passenger on the slow boat to the fabled Fern Grotto to look overboard.

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Mana Crack is known for its amazing visibility and unique topography. Great place to see large barracuda, spotted eagle rays, and white tip reef sharks. If you dive in Kauai a lot you will be surprised to see the java moray, rainbow runner, grey reef shark, stripe belly puffer, black surgeonfish and wringtail wrasse.

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Kauai's beaches at times, are exposed to strong waves and rip currents can form without notice. Choose a Kauai beach with a lifeguard. Before entering the water, check for any warning signs indicating hazardous conditions.

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On Sunday, 50-year-old Kauai resident Kevin Kanehe was attacked by a 12 to 15-foot tiger shark while surfing The Bowl at Hanalei Bay. Kanehe managed to fight off the shark by sticking his finger in its nostril, Hawaii News Now reported yesterday.

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Although tiger sharks may be the most dangerous of Hawaiian sharks, other species have been known to bite people, usually with much less serious results. But as mentioned above, sharks have very sharp teeth, and even small sharks can cause significant tissue damage to a person.

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Encounters between sharks and people are infrequent, and most inshore species pose little threat to humans. Although any shark may be potentially dangerous, especially if provoked, it is believed that only a few species of Hawaiian sharks have been responsible for biting people.

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About eight species are somewhat common in nearshore waters. The most frequently encountered are the whitetip reef, sandbar, scalloped hammerhead, and occasionally tiger. These inshore species are top-level carnivores, feeding primariy on fishes.

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Lumahai is the subject of many postcards and paintings, but is also known on island as one of the most dangerous beaches for drownings and is not recommended for swimming. During the summer months the conditions at Luimahai are calmer, but still use caution. Lumahai is exposed to open ocean and strong currents.

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You won't have to worry about crocodiles, grizzly bears, or mountain lions in Hawaii either. There is only one native mammal in Hawaii, the Hawaiian Hoary Bat, all other mammals have been introduced by humans.

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Out of all the Islands, Maui sees the majority of shark incidents, with twice as many shark encounters as Oahu, according to the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources.

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White-tipped reef sharks may rest in the reef tunnels in deeper water and other species may also visit.

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Don't go beyond the tombolo (the lifeguards say there are tiger sharks out there). Turn to your right and go across the bay – being careful not to get so far out that you in the line of surfers.

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Also, with the exception of white tip and black tip reef sharks, seeing a shark is so exceptionally rare that most locals have never seen one. If you do see a shark when visiting Hawaii—especially in clear, blue water—consider yourself lucky to have had the chance at such a rare encounter.

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Beneath the ocean's beautiful blue surface, conditions can be unpredictable and even dangerous. Ocean safety experts recommend checking in with lifeguards before you enter the water - they'll be happy to tell you about potential hazards like rip currents, hidden rocks and shorebreaks.

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Avoid murky waters, harbor entrances, and areas near stream mouths (especially after heavy rains), channels, or steep dropoffs. These types of waters are known to be frequented by sharks. Do not wear high-contrast clothing or shiny jewelry. Sharks see contrast very well.

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You'll want to keep a safe distance from the underwater animals (as many of them could be endangered) and never stand on or touch the reef, as it is extremely fragile and can easily cut you. Snorkeling tours are safe, well-organized, and know the best spots for viewing sea turtles and fish.

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Yes, great white sharks have been spotted around Hawaii. They visit the area between January and April when the water temperature goes below 75 degrees Fahrenheit because great whites prefer living in colder waters. No official record indicates specific locations in Hawaii where great white sharks have been spotted.

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The easy answer is no. Alligators are not native to Hawaii, and the only way you'll see a gator in the Aloha State is in the zoo, such as the Honolulu Zoo. However, of the two alligators the Honolulu Zoo had, their oldest alligator, Goliath, died in 2015 after living six decades in the zoo.

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The eight bird species in Hawaii declared extinct are the Maui akepa, Maui nukupuu, kakawahie, poouli, Kauai akialoa, Kauai nukupuu, Kauai oo and kamao.

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One of the most critically endangered marine mammals on earth, the Hawaiian Monk Seal, can be seen on the beaches of Kauai. And, peak birthing season for monk seals is right around the corner.

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The most frequently encountered are the whitetip reef, sandbar, scalloped hammerhead, and occasionally tiger. These inshore species are top-level carnivores, feeding primariy on fishes.

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