[2022] Best Snorkeling on Kauai You Can’t Miss

Kauai, also known as The Garden Island, is one of the oldest islands in the Hawaiian chain and home to some incredible natural beauty. In addition to exploring waterfalls, jungles, mountains, cliffs, and a variety of top activities, visitors can experience some of the best beaches in Kauai for snorkeling. 

The island has a variety of top snorkel spots where you can explore beautiful reefs to encounter colorful tropical fish and other marine species. This is a great place to see Hawaii’s state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapuaa (or reef triggerfish). We’ve compiled this list of the best places to snorkel in Kauai to help you plan your adventure.

Best Snorkeling on Kauai

Kauai is a circular-shaped island surrounded by extensive reefs. Overall, the best beaches in Kauai for snorkeling are found along the north and south coasts, with a handful of other great locations in other regions of the island. 

To make it easier for you to plan your snorkel adventures and choose the best place to stay in Kauai, we’ve divided the island into four main areas and listed the best places to snorkel in each instead of ranking them.

Something to keep in mind when planning is that some areas along the coastline are steep and rugged, so it isn’t always possible to drive along the coastline from place to place. 

North Shore

Some of the best snorkeling in Kauai can be found along the north shore. This region of the island offers plentiful snorkel spots to choose from, all offering good encounters with tropical fish. 

Generally, the north shore offers seasonal snorkeling with the winter months experiencing larger waves.

Read next: Things you can do in Kauai in 3 days

Anini Beach

One of the best beaches in Kauai for snorkeling is Anini Beach. Not only does this location offer a lovely sandy beach, but it’s kid-friendly and has plenty of facilities. 

This location is sheltered by Kauai’s largest reef which not only offers abundant marine life but also protects the waters from extreme…