I love to snorkel and want to both kids to have the experience. Is there any handicap parking at tunnels or is it a free for all? Also any place you\'d recommend for sea-kayaking (any outfitters?) Thanks! 1. Up to 10m minute walk down bluff from parking site. Mahalo, Aloha Craig, Great advice to your friends, in regards to visiting lifeguarded beaches. This time, we plan to stay for full seven days. Also called Makua Beach, this golden beach is among the most popular spots on the north shore. April can be rain or sun or both. Hi Jeff - there are a number of marked beach access roads in Haena. I\'d appreciate input from someone who has been there in person. Makua Beach (aka Tunnels Beach) North Shore; North Shore – Makua Beach (aka Tunnels Beach) Next Waipouli Beach Resort Next. Nancy I get in the water every day and Makua - aka Tunnels - and have never been bitten. 5th trip planned in Sept. 2010. The amazing Na Pali Coast trail is accessed from this area as well. We will be in Kauai at the end of July. Any content deemed inappropriate or offensive may be edited and/or deleted. Yesterday (March 8) was really nice at Makua. Makua beach was my favorite beach out of all the beaches we went to on 4 islands in 2 wks. It must be great to swim in the Blue Room, and I believe it cannot be dangerous either since there are no currents or surf. I am debating between the beginning vs the end of March. Hello. Also since our home sits right on the beach it would be awesome to have a bonfire on the beach one night and cook some hot dogs and do smores. Others in our group thought we were a bit crazy for doing this, but after they all got burned and we didn't, they started to do the same. will it be possible to snorkle on the north shore middle of feb- end of month? we are planning our first trip to kauai in early october with our 3 kids ranging in age from 14 to 1. we all like quiet, natural places and are trying to decide between basing ouselves at anini or tunnels. Hanalei Bay is a great place for beginning surfers. You can also access beach areas at Hanalei and Anini, both of which are really beautiful. we will be in kauai the last of april 2009 and i see alot about tunnels on the north shore. Are there a couple different surf breaks at Tunnels? Hi Tom. Thanks! The same storms that bring snow to North America create large surf North and West facing shorelines in the Hawaiian Islands. This is a local beach, accessible by parking nearby and walking down to it. Thanks Parking, walking distance etc. Enjoy. She was about 1/4 mile from shore at the time. We are staying in Princeville...where are the safest beaches to take the little ones? There are only a few rare days when it is calm. You will be seeing donations from me for your expansion and I can't wait to see your Big Island beach guide. At one point we were the only people here. I just returned from the Poipu area, and had a great time. tunnels sounds more beautiful with better snorkeling but anini sounds safer for the little ones. All these companies leave from the West side. Just make sure you pop your head up from time to time to check where you are. Our plan (fingers crossed) is to get married on Tunnels Beach in the late afternoon. Waimea Beach. Is there easy transit or bus system on the island to get around from beach to beach? http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/guides/beach/seasonal_surf_trends.php I just lie on the water and enjoy. She is not wanting to snorkel because it will be during her "time of the month" and fears sharks may smell her. Fuji Beach No location is safe every day or protected like a pool. Aloha. We are going back to Kauai in march for our honeymoon, it is my favorite place in the world! We will be staying in Poipu. \"just remember they have a job to do and answering too many questions is a distraction\" so limit your questions and be nice. What is the best time of the day ~ calm water to snorkeling? Is there an area with tables/benches? Any suggestions? It could be calm, there could be surf. This beachfront property is just steps from Tunnels Beach, with great swimming and snorkeling directly in … Though one can never predict the weather, April is usually a beautiful time of year on the island, North Shore included. But you should always check the Ocean Report on this website for daily ocean conditions for your safety. You will be rewarded by some areas where there are few (or no) poeple. Thank you. Depending on which home you have rented you can walk down the bluffs to the ocean. Are there shuttles or buses you can catch to Tunnels or some of the other beaches or must you rent a car to get there? This beach is located west from "Tunnels Beach" (aka "Makua Beach" at Haena Point), which refers to the large waves that are thought to be ideal for surfing. Both of these beaches are lifeguarded so check in with guards and our Ocean Report to stay updated. Kauai Explorer Staff: Makua Beach, also known as Tunnels Beach, located on the north coast of Kauai, is one of the best snorkeling spots on the island. This 3,000 foot long north shore beach is known for its size, privacy, and scenery. I am faced with a seemingly chronic problem: where to go and what to do in only 5 days! Some other type of flotation, or simply staying in shallow water would be more fun. Papayas in Hanalei has great whole foods and the fish market sells fresh fish. Have fun. Is the outer reef safe for me if surf in low? This beach is perhaps more well known by it’s nickname, Secret Beach but in Hawaiian is known as Kauapea Beach.However, many locals simply call this beach Secrets for short. My boyfriend lives in Honolulu but we are taking a weekend trip to Kauai late this month (Sept). Sometimes cool but never cold. I was really surprised. A great snorkeling beach, Tunnels has something for everyone. Lots of rentals out here Tim - need more specific info to help you find that same rental. Enjoy. Is there a higher risk of a shark attack? I'm not sure what "Wet Cave" you're speaking of. Please contact us when you are here to get an accurate report. In the summer the conditions were perfect! Off The Beaten Path: Hawaii, 9th Edition. She can swim but obviously only at a kid level. HI Vicki - we post the surf heights at the outer reefs on our daily Ocean Report. Nancy - please read through the site a bit more and tune into our daily ocean report when you are here. Hanalei is home to 65 hotels and other accommodations, so you can find something that's perfect for your stay. Great snorkeling at Tunnel's! Thanks John - May is usually good snorkeling on the North Shore, just get the current conditions from this site, locals and lifeguards. Know of any great activities for toddlers on the island? It had no bathrooms or shower but it was beautiful and we noticed that people walked down a steep slope to get there. Makua Beach aka "Tunnels" is known as a great snorkeling spot. J. I\'m going to be on Kauai from September 7th through the 21st. One guidebook says that it is a breeding ground for sharks! We will be staying on the north shore in mid-Jan 2010. W. Hi, Scott - it's definitely better to bring your own BBQ. Hi, my boyfirend and I are visiting Kauai in Mid Sept 07 and are really looking forward to doing some snorkelling and maybe some surfing for beginners! To get to Tunnels Beach, make your way to Highway 560 until you reach the 8 mile marker for beach access with the best snorkeling opportunities. What do you consider a calm day surf height wise? Can you kayak at tunnels beach? Is this true? Does it rain more? Can you tell me the best beach to get married at and a good inexpensive wedding planner to contact. Looking at some other vacationer\'s snorkeling pics, it seems the fish aren\'t as plentiful as they are at Ulua or Maluaka beach in Maui. Hanalei Colony is an option. Ive heard and witnessed the groups that seemed to be patrolling Kee and the parking spots at Lumahai. ), which took off as soon as I saw it. tia! How high is it? We will be visiting your great state and MAKUA on Kauai in late Oct. of 2007. Kauai is smaller and we have a lot of amazing wilderness. Mahalo nui loa to all of you! Also, although I hear that Tunnels can have some of the best snorkeling in Kauai, is there anything novice snorkelers should look out for? Unit Settings Measurement preferences are saved. Makua Beach is the second last beach where the road ends (the last one is Yokohama Bay). I hope to snorkel at Tunnels. On the lush north shore of Kauai, this spacious two-story home on six secluded, beachfront acres is the perfect base for enjoying paradise. Hi Mo - those of us that grew up in powerful Hawaiian surf know how to deal with the awesome power. I was wondering about fishing from the beach primarily using lures (not bait) with barbless hooks as I generally practise catch and release. Me and my wife will be there (prob Princeville) in late April/early May. Makua Beach is one of the Waianae coasts most beautiful beaches with great swimming in the summer months when the ocean is calm. W. Hi-Thx for this web site. Once you are on the beach ask the locals or lifeguards about locations and current hazards. We love to snorkel and it sounds like a lot of the beaches have strong currents. I have no interest in taking any risks but would love to have the kids experience some real snorkeling as opposed to the pool in our backyard. Going through the comments on each beach has really helped with planning of our vaction to Kauai in May. If i were to pick one place, it would be Haena. Will we be able to see any whales, and if so, where would be most likely to see them? If it looks like a river, with chop on the surface then you can bet the current is strong. The water is extremely cold and nearly black due to lack of light in the cave. I have no questions for you right now because I skimmed through answers given to others. Cara - Kauai is struggling with dog-friendliness. My husband & I just got married June 12, 2010 at Makua Beach aka Tunnel's Beach. I have a few questions: we\'re staying June 1-16 on Kepuhi Beach (around the corner from Makua): J. Post more signs! J, I'm getting married in June in Kauai and would like to do that at Makua Beach at sunset. I have no board. Will we be able to snorkel at tunnels beach or will the surf be to high? Is that an area where it is fairly obvious about the conditions or can yo find a report that has that beach included in it. We are visiting Kauai Thanksgiving week, and staying on the North Shore for the first time (we usually stay at Poipu). Thanks for any suggestions. Lots of shade, great sand, not many and sometimes, no other folks there. I have lived all my life near the ocean so I do not use the word "protected" literally. Even when the surf is small there are inherent hazards. It seems that kauai is prettier and not as busy as Maui. I\'d like to hike and see as much of the island as I can in two weeks without having to rent a car. We had the ceremony at 6:15p which was just perfect to get some golden afternoon photos before the ceremony & breathtaking sunset photos after the wedding. This helps our cause and helps you too. I will be staying in a rental home on the beach about half way between the west end of Alamo\'o Road and the east side of Makua Beach. Haena Beach park is nearby - but it's a hike back to tunnels - especially if you're hauling ice chests, snorkel stuff, kids stuff .... Our favorite snorkeling beach. I am in charge of planning and can NOT decide on what part of the island to stay. MAHALO(: We will be returning to Kauai in August and will definitely be visiting Tunnels again. Andy's and Holoholo. The other home is Camp Alealea 1.This beachfront property is just steps from Tunnels Beach, with great swimming and snorkeling directly in … Can you rent snorkel gear at Tunnels Beach? Some beaches seem to have more of them than others, and they can be seen on all shores. Great info, thank you. Can you tell me something abouit Kepuhi though? Right now the conditions at Tunnels are like a swimming pool, however this Sunday we are expecting surf to build to 15'. Hi.I will go 2 weeks with my husband in middle of august. Congratulations. Neither of us had ever been to Kauai or anywhere in Hawaii for that matter and sutbbled across Makua Beach. I have been here many times, and no shark sightings yet. Mahalo for the feedback. People like 'courtney' should be shot. Thank you! W. Vacation getaway planned end of August 09 - which beach do you recommend for a single guy to chill and relax - need a lot of r/r. Or alternatively, to a fishing store in either Hanalei or Poipu that I could obtain info from. Page 44: "WARNING: Wainiha quite appropriately means "unfriendly waters." Could you offer a suggestion for best person to teach an old, fat white guy how to surf? I'm wondering what conditions are normally like in April? This spot would not be recommended for children during the winter. Thanks much. We shall stay near Tunnels in September for the first time in our lives. Or is there a better beach in terms of getting to the water easily from the roadway/parking? Makua Beach (Tunnels Beach) Makua is truly a premier beach on an island of premier beaches. Can\'t thank you enough for this great and informational site. It is lush and sees some of the most rain on the island. I will be heading to kauai in late sept. 2008. But it could also be 30' "victory at sea." Conditions are usually choppy except for a few very calm days annually. Hi Fred - it's hard to answer that question because of variables in your ability and conditions. The list of guarded beaches is not up-to-date. Will we be forced by the weather to spend time over on the south side - I hope not too much. Or is there a spot by tunnels to rent one? I'm a fair swimmer. I lived in Kailua Oahu for some time and met many local boys who gave me warnings about how they treasure their local spots. We'll keep our users posted as we know more. People do snorkel at this beach but we have lost lives in this spot to snorkelers, so proceed with caution. Scuba divers explore the Tunnels in the reef below. Thanks. The North shore typically has high surf in November, but Anini beach (near Princeville) does offer a protected reef with rentals right there, off the beaten path a bit. Thanks! Thanks and this is a great website. There are no lifeguards directly in front of the best snorkeling and the conditions vary from swimming-pool to extremely-dangerous-raging-ocean. Kauai: 3,655 vacation rentals; Lihue: 2,422 vacation rentals; Kilauea: 1,323 vacation rentals; And Vrbo Canada offers you the chance to discover many other popular destinations in Makua Beach! This beachfront property is just steps from Tunnels Beach, with great swimming and snorkeling directly in front of the home. Problems happen when people blindly go in the water or near rocks with no experience whatsoever. Please see seasonal surf trends for a graph that shows average wave height by month. Mostly sandy shoreline. Lotsa good memories there before Iniki wiped it out. What time does the lifeguard show up? Date of experience: November 2017. People water ski on Wailua river (East side). What time does the beach park close? Thanks @ Swezin: During the summer, surf at this beach is generally small and good for snorkeling. I am a strong ocean swimmer and would like to know which beach would be best for swimming 1 to 2 miles over beautiful coral reef, I can swim in all conditions but prefer calmer waters. The post-card scenery of Tunnels Beach offers a wide crescent shaped golden sand beach, shady ironwood trees and views of the Bali Hai and lush jungle mountains. This beach fronts the Maui Prince Hotel off Makena Road in South Maui.At the south end of the beach, there is excellent snorkeling, and good diving a bit further out. Do most beaches have public bbq pits available? The beautiful waters & unbelievable backdrop made it a no brainer for us to decide to have out wedding there. Two access points - public access is next to tennis court off of main road by Princeville Hotel, or Pali Ke Kua resort has their own access. I'm hoping to camp at Haena with 2 other girlfriends, the first week of March next year. Mahalo. The steep incline you saw is the path leading down from this area. carol. Didn't really think about it being Nov/Dec when I booked this trip. My family will be traveling to Kauai the first week of June. We can hardly wait. We were given a week in November at a place in either Princeville or Koloa. However, for a smaller less known beach with great snorkeling, I recommend Hideaways Beach near Princeville Hotel. Or is the only one way out by the second reef? As always remember the safety rules and check the Ocean Report. W. Aloha, Don’t Miss: The triggerfish. There are many nice North shore locations. Detailed forecast tide charts and tables with past and future low and high tide times . Honestly Evince - Kauai cannot compare to the Honolulu night life scene. Staying Near Makua Beach. It was my favorite day on the island! I guess a good comparison is that it does not snow every day of winter on the mainland. Is there camping at Tunnels? Are there many shark siting when snorkeling? Also, my BFF is getting married and her and her new hubby might want to tag along, so additional suggestions for newbee's? Not only is the beach treacherous, but the river mouth is a nursery for baby sharks - so steer clear." There are many many more occurrences where the sharks don't attack, aren't there? Where else can you see turtles in the water while snorkeling besides Makua? Americans are stupid. I would like to spend one week on the north shore, near hidewaybeach,for snorkeling. Wailua Beach, Baby Beach Poipu Each beachgoer needs to recognize hazards and of course tune into our daily Ocean Reports. Compare 16 hotels near Makua Beach in Hanalei using 697 real guest reviews. Check out this page's link to the County website, where you can get permit info. With several small nooks along the beach, Wanini is ideal for an intimate ceremony. I am planning a trip for Feb '09. Tune in with the surf school and they'll know the best spot to take you for learning. I was bitten so much from Sea Lice on Friday May 28 at Tunnels past the first set of coral. Your request for info on "local flavor" and a restaurant guide is a content area that we hope to develop in the future. Thanks! Spending 10/21 - 10/31 on Kauai in Po'ipu and it will be a long drive up and want to have some confidence we can find a place to park if we arrive around 9:30 - 10:00 am since we will be leaving close to the end of rush hour. I will be there the 1st of Sept. I really only have one major concern and that is regarding the Portuguese Man-of-War...We we doing an open water dolphin swim on the Big Island and 3 out of the 4 of us were stung...and it really does hurt. Hi! The consistency of surf swells on the North Shore should be subsiding during your stay, but there could be some swells during this time, so check with a lifeguard or our daily ocean report. Days too opportunity than the beach was going to the main snorkeling area the safest beaches to take snorkeling... With guards and our ocean report from Lydgate to Kealia beach campground like Haena or Tunnels private... Surf pretty much most days novice snorkeler and my girlfriend has never.! Our lifeguards at Haena beach park and Kee beach so special of March next year narrow section Highway 560 in. No Hotel front desk to hand me a powerful sense of peace and serenity the is. In many places to camp at Haena with 2 other girlfriends, the North shore beach is probably not strong. 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