Our Favorite Spots for Snorkeling in Kauai

Best Beach for Beginners Snorkeling in Kauai: Lydgate State Park in Wailua

Protected snorkeling area! There is an area of ocean protected by a ring of boulders. This is a place where you can relax and learn to snorkel except when the sea is particularly fierce.
Plenty of fish! The fish like the protection of the rocks and are used to being fed so you should see a large variety of fish here.
A lifeguard!
Restrooms and showers!
A picnic area!
A playground!

This is a great place for the whole family to spend the day!

We saw

a short bodied blenny,

a striped belly puffer fish,

and a yellow tail coris.

Pretty beach!
Plenty of fish! We saw some fish here that we had not seen on Maui or the Big Island.
Great for snorkeling and sunbathing!
Restrooms and showers!
A picnic area!
Gorgeous sunsets!

Just follow Rt. 56 west along the north shore to the end and you’ll be in Haenea State Park where you will find Ke’e Beach.

Use caution when snorkeling or swimming here. We had no problem in October but winter waves are rough.

This is a very popular place. If the parking lot is full, follow the dirt road to the right for a few hundred feet and then stay to the left. There are spots along the dirt road to park.

We saw

tear drop butterfly fish,

threadfin butterfly fish,

and Picasso triggerfish (Hawaii state fish).

We also saw some interesting fish we hadn’t seen when snorkeling in Maui or the Big Island . There was a

lizard fish and

this fish that I think is a flying gurnard burying himself in the sand. It’s cool whatever it is!

Happy snorkeling!!

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