NOTES: West of Kilauea and east of Princeville on Kauai, the snorkeling at Anini Beach at Kalihikai County Park is primary known as an easy place to snorkel. The reef off 'Anini Beach is the largest in Kauai. Anini Beach snorkeling is good any time, especially during high tide. It usually has calm waters even during high surf elsewhere. There are plenty of reef inlets to explore just off the beach, though you probably will not see a wide variety of fish. The reefs tend to be covered in a brown algae.
For experienced snorkelers at Anini, try heading out center channel about a half mile to outer edge of reef then head right just before the white channel marker pole where there are drops of 30-40 feet to see green sea turtles and white tipped reef sharks. This is best about an hour before low tide.
To reach the snorkeling at Anini Beach, head west on Kuhio Highway (SR56) through Kapa'a towards Hanalei. Turn right heading north on Kalihiwai Road. After about 0.5 miles, veer left on Anini Road for a mile to the public parking area.
Before snorkeling at Anini Beach, make sure to check the current surf report. The waters off Kauai are known for potentially strong currents, high surf and rogue waves. Luckily, there are excellent up-to-date surf reports that can provide guidance on these adverse conditions. In addition to changing surf conditions, a Anini Beach snorkeling dive may expose you to sharp coral reefs and you may encounter sharks, such as whitetip reef sharks, galapagos sharks and tiger sharks.
For more details on Anini Beach snorkeling, we highly recommend the Kauai Snorkeling Guide eBook.
Additional printed reading material on Anini Beach snorkeling can be found in Snorkel Kauai by from Judy Malinowski.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Hawaii Visitors (808) 245-3971; Pedal N Paddle (gear shop), Hanalei (808) 826-9069; Kauai Weather (808) 245-6001.
