Snorkel· Kauai· Hawaii
Tunnels Beach (Makua)
22° 13.5′ N · 159° 33.6′ W
Kauai's most famous reef snorkel: the Makua reef encloses a shallow lagoon, and on its outer edge the reef drops to 60 feet with the tunnel entrances that give the beach its name.
Practical
Seasport Divers: 5-60 ft; shallow at first, then drops to 60 ft, with tunnel entrances over the drop-off (scuba only with training/supervision); a good summer site. Rules: Haena ocean waters (HAR 13-256-40) allow mooring or anchoring in daylight only, slow-no-wake throughout; Zone B is swim/snorkel only (no motorized vessels). The Haena Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area (HAR 13-60.8, 2015) covers these waters: no commercial take, strict gear and bag limits, and the small Makua Puuhonua refuge inside the Makua lagoon may not be entered at all without a special permit. Strong currents through the reef channels; dangerous in winter north swell.
Best for
Best reef snorkel on the north shore in summer
Season
Summer; dangerous in winter surf
Nearby
- Haena Keyhole Anchorage (Makua Reef)0.1 NM away
- Haena Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area and Makua Puuhonua0.2 NM away
- Haena State Park Reservations (Kee Beach)1.3 NM away
- Hanakapiai Beach2.3 NM away
- Hanalei Bay 75-ft Vessel Limit and Commercial Rules3.1 NM away
- Hanalei Bay Anchorage3.4 NM away
- Hanalei Farmers Market3.4 NM away
- Hanalei Bay and Pier (DOBOR)3.6 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).