Best Snorkeling Spots on Kauai

On Kauai’s western shore, Salt Pond Beach Park has a number of protected shallow pools that offer great snorkeling for the little ones and beginners. The water is generally quite clear here, and the outer reef/Lava wall help keep the water fairly calm. You may encounter wrasse, parrotfish, tangs and humuhumunukunukuapua'a (Hawaiian state fish, aka rectangular trigger-fish).
Kauai's east shore offers another great learning spot, where you will see tons of fish, called Lydgate Park. It can be found just off the highway adjacent to the Wailua River. The man-made rock walls that protect the two pools keep the crashing waves out but allow the reef fish to slip through into the ponds. You can expect to see tangs, moray eels, butterfly fish, humuhumunukunukuapua'a, wrasse, goatfish and parrotfish among some cauliflower coral.
During the summer months, Makua Beach (Tunnels) on the north shore of Kauai is a beautiful spot for beginners and advanced snorkelers. Advanced snorkelers who are strong swimmers will enjoy heading out to the horseshoe-shaped outer reef about 0.25 miles offshore that is clearly visible at low tide. While snorkeling Tunnels, you may encounter plenty of green sea turtles, monk seals, yellow-stripe cloris, humuhumunukunukuapua'a, white tipped reef sharks, goat-fish, porcupine puffer-fish, moral eels, parrot-fish, tangs and rainbow cleaner wrasse.
Now that you know some of the spots all you need is to rent that snorkel gear and get out there!