What time should I get to Tunnels Beach?

For the best chance at securing a parking spot, visit early (before 10 a.m.). Otherwise, you can also park at nearby Ha'ena Beach Park and make the five- to 10-minute walk to Tunnels Beach. For more information on Tunnels Beach and other snorkeling hot spots, visit the Hawaii Tourism Authority's website.



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You can also park at Haena Beach Park and walk two miles along the beach to Tunnels Beach. Due to the distance and coarse sand that can be difficult to walk on, this is only recommended for more athletic people.

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You can go swimming or snorkeling, hike along some trails, or even rent a paddleboard for a tour of the area. If you like to fish, there are plenty of opportunities here. Fishing can also be gratifying at this beach because it is surrounded by a reef system that provides food for many different types of marine life.

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Tunnels is a mile down the beach on foot, and has no amenities. Lifeguards: Haena is guarded, but Tunnels is not.

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Daytime is the safest time for ocean swimming. Visibility is low in early morning hours and at dusk, and predatory animals in the water tend to move closer to shore at night. What to do during severe weather. If you see an approaching storm, it's best to get out of the water until the storm subsides.

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Follow HI-route 56 West out of Hanalei for about 5 miles. After passing mile marker 35 and driving respectfully through the residential area lookout for a sign with “Tunnels” on it as you go left onto Waikanal Rd. Keep an eye out for mile marker 8 which sits near the two small dirt roads that point towards the beach.

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It's advised that novice snorkelers stay close to the shore in the inner reef; only advanced snorkelers should venture to the outer reef. There aren't bathroom facilities at Tunnels Beach, but there are some at the nearby Ha'ena Beach Park, which is a little more than a half-mile southwest.

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The 90 feet long tunnel was built in 1926 by the Rosenberg family, who owned a resort at Oceanside, to let guests access more of the coast shore.

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Tunnels Beach snorkeling tips and recommendations The 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.

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Ha'ena State Park starts at Lumahuli Gardens and goes to the end of the road to Ke'e Beach and the Kalalau Trail head. Ha'ena Beach Park is across from the Maniniholo Dry Cave and is a life guarded beach with camping.

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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.

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