Snorkeling Kauai

Snorkeling Kauai

Probably my favorite thing to do on vacation is snorkel---or is it photography?!  I guess it would have to be underwater photography!  As of 2015, we've made 13 trips to Kauai, all during the winter.  I read a lot of comments saying that snorkeling on Kauai isn't very good.  I'm here to offer a different opinion.  I love snorkeling Kauai----and Maui, and the Big Island, and St. Thomas, Grand Cayman, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitt's and lots of other places.  But since we always get drawn back to Kauai, I decided to make a blog of our snorkeling on Kauai.  I figure I'll start at the westernmost area we snorkeled: Saltpond;  and travel to the south side: Lawai; Poipu; and Maha'ulepu Beach--- then to the East side:  Lydgate and Moloaa; Anahola--- and last but certainly not least, to the North shore:   Anini; Tunnels and Kee.   They each have their own unique character to them.

On the South side:

Saltpond:

 Lawai:

Poipu Beach:

Maha'ulepu Beach:

On to the East side:

Lydgate Park:

Moloa'a:

Anahola:

On the North side:

Anini:

Hanalei:

Tunnels:

Kee:


So whether it's raining on the north shore, or windy in Poipu, or beach closed due to shark sighting at Tunnels, or whatever, there are plenty of other great places to find to snorkel at around Kauai.  Check the surf reports and go where the surfers don't. 

Feb. 1, 2014 --move to Wyndham Bali Hai, hang around Hanalei--


Hard to believe 2 weeks is over!!!  Only 3 more nights.  These next 3 nights will be spent in Princeville at the Wyndham Bali Hai in a 3 bedroom presidential unit.  More VIP magic---half the points of the 2 bedroom lower with a free upgrade to the 3 bedroom presidential.  It looked like it might be a really nice day again.  The north shore was even below advisory levels again, but wave heights were suppose to be higher then yesterday.  Our plan was to check out of KBV, return an item to Walmart, then head up to Bali Hai and hope for an early VIP check in.  Then unload the car and head to Kee and/or Tunnels again.  I took a few pictures on our way north.  I love the views any direction we're going!   Even when there's a few droplets of rain on the windshield.

I know these orange flowering vines are harmful to the plants they overgrow, but they sure are pretty.

 Feb. 22, 2012: kee, Kilauea Lighthouse, Hanalei

Today was an EARLY start.  Between my husband being on the computer at 4 am and the mainland visitors getting up, then, too.  I didn't sleep much past that. 

At least we did walk to the beach and watch the sun rise.  That was about 7:04am.  It was pretty cloudy, so it wasn't too spectacular, but it was a pleasant morning---probably low 70s and the wind was down a bit.

We decided to have breakfast at Scotty's.  Last time we were there breakfast was ordered off a menu.  Now it's buffet style.  It was pretty nice.  Pretty similar to Bobby's V's, but I will admit I prefer the ocean views from Scotty's.

Then we decided to make some reservations for some activities they want to do.  Being first time (and not knowing if it's their last), they want to see and do as much as possible.  So---we'll be going zip-lining and to Smith's luau on Friday and on a helicopter ride on Sat.  Plus they wanted to try snorkeling for the first time.  They also wanted to go to Hilo Hattie's and Costco and get souvenirs to take home. 

On the way back from Lihue, we took them up to Wailua falls.  That's a quick, but worthwhile stop.

Back at KBV, we stopped to take a picture of a "jurassic" tree (Morten Bay Fig Tree) amongst the trees lining the entrance to the resort.

Then we decided it was time to hit a beach.  We had heard that the surf was down on the north shore and conditions at Kee were listed as good, so we decided to take advantage of that and head north for a little snorkeling.  Loved the ride north with lots of beautiful views such as this one.

Even saw this cute little bird (the highly endangered  'Alae 'Ula, the Hawaiian Moorhen)  as we were driving along.

Also noticed they're apparently widening the road, or moving the road, along one of the curves on the far north side of the drive.

We noticed a parking spot by tunnels, so we stopped there to check it out.  It was doable, but with new snorkelers, we thought Kee would be a little better. 

So off to Kee we went and spent the next 2 or 3 hours there.  Snorkeling was pretty good.  It was near high tide and there was a bit of a current, but the newbies did pretty well. 

Although Coni did think the water was about 10 degrees.  Took her awhile to get all the way in. 

The first time snorkelers didn't venture too far from the shore, but they seemed to be getting the hang of it.

I was watching all our valuable towels and such while they were snorkeling when this giant rooster showed up!

When they had enough fun, Coni and I took a walk down the beach for a better view of the Napali.

About 5 we decided to start heading back to Hanalei and took them over to the hanalei pier for a little while.

Even got to watch some outrigger canoers.  Looked like fun.

It looked like the clouds were too heavy for a good sunset, so we decided dinner was in order.  As we were leaving, we noticed this post.  i don't know how long it's been there, but I've never seen it before.

Dinner ended up by Kalypso's again.  We even found out that on Wed. nights happy hour is all night!  So we shared wings (hot and bar b q --- exellent!), a rolled crusted and fried kalua roll (ok), fried calamari (wasn't impressed),  Coni had a couple mai tais (said they were great!), I had a pina colada (also great) and Ken and I shared a fish and chips dinner, while Coni and John shared the shrimp and swordfish dinner (no complaints there).  It was another great dinner---followed by lilikoi pie back at the condo. 

So ends another great day in paradise! 

Feb. 20, 2012: Anini

President's day!  We had an appointment this morning to make a few presidents for going to an "owner update".  Easy money!  We've done enough of them to know how to say, "No".  Of course, we also have a bunch of timeshare points, so that makes it even easier.  So, we headed out about 9 and decided to check out Bobby V's in Kapaa for breakfast.  They offer a buffet for $6.99, so we figured we could eat and be on our way quickly.  For the price, it wasn't bad: scrambled eggs, portugese sausage, bacon, fresh fruit, potato chunks, french toast, some rice dish, and orange juice. 

As we were leaving, I noticed this palm tree.  I sure would hate to be under it when it's coconuts decided to fall!

Then we were off to Princeville where the Wyndham/Pahio "owner's update" was.   Although we've never had a desire to stay in Princeville this time of year, it is a pretty area.

We were way too early, so we went to Hanalei and messed around for a bit.  I always love checking out the taro fields.

We were near the Hanalei pier when they called and said they could take us now. 

So we headed back to Princeville and spent an hour visiting with a nice young lady there.  She even gave me a suggestion of how to use one of our exchange companies in a way I hadn't thought of, so it wasn't a total waste of time.  We left there and headed towards Tunnels.  Had hoped to snorkel there or Kee today.  The weather was beautiful again---a few light showers, but lots of sun.  Wind didn't seem quite as bad and the surf was 3-8 ft. on the north shore with a north surge coming in.  Tunnels parking lot was full---surprise!  Looking across from down the road looked like it would be a good day to be there.  Kee had a big sign up saying, "no snorkeling".  The water was pretty choppy, so we didn't push the envelope.  Drove back by Tunnels but it was still full, so we headed on back to Anini.  Spent a couple hour playing in the water there.  There was a pretty good cross current, but we were aware of that and snorkeled accordingly.  Snorkeling was pretty good, even though my goggles were fogging up (dang no-fog drops from Walmart!). 

Anini is such a beautiful beach.   There were a lot of people here like at the other beaches, but this beach is so big that it didn't seem crowded.  There were even some guys playing ukuleles and singing Hawaiian music not far from us.  They sounded very good!

About 4:30, we decided to change and head back to Hanalei for an early dinner (happy hour) at Kalypso.  It's not fancy, but one of the more reasonable priced restaurants.

Dinner of happy hour nachos (had to eat with a fork) and ono fish and chips (VERY GOOD) were filling--- the beer hit the spot, too.

A sign there got our attention!

We finished about 5:30 and headed back to the pier for sunset.  Since I had about 30 minutes before sunset, I wandered around taking pictures.

Sunset wasn't too colorful, again, but I tried to get creative anyway.

On the way out, I made DH stop so I could take another picture of the pretty little blue flowers by the street.  A very interested color for a flower!  (I've been told these are blue jade vines and are highly sought after for making leis)

Thus ended our 4th full day on island.  Tomorrow evening we'll be picking up our friends from the airport for the start of their week with us.  They've never been to Hawaii, so it'll be fun being tour guides!

2011-Feb. 21: Anini , Hanalei

Today we decided to head to Anini and spend a good part of the day there. We parked our stuff under what has become our favorite shade tree and took off to snorkel for about 3 hours.

I'm still amazed that we had such a hard time finding fish the first few years we came there. With the incredibly long sandy beach, it's easy to enter the water. With it's protected reef, it's usually not too rough. With it's shallowness, it's usually warmer then the other waters.
a couple of the Hawaiian state fish---reef triggerfish

 some odd tube animal thing

 a sap sucking slug.  I've only seen them here in the warmer waters of Anini.

 white saddle goatfish

 a juvenile yellow tang

 white spotted toby

 There are even a bunch of birds here.  Like this guy this guy

 and the Cardinals I'm use to seeing in Hawaii.

 even sparrows

 Neat place for a tree swing!

 and some ground flowers.

As the day progressed, the clouds and wind began to build. Off in the distance it was neat watching the high waves coming in below the lighthouse and the wind blowing mist from the top of the waves back.

It was a little chilly sitting in the wind, so we jumped in the car and headed up to Hanalei for a quick look-around. Stopped by the taro fields and took a picture of one of the many Nene ducks that lives there.

The taro fields are neat to see, too.

 from the overlook---apparently some people like poi!

 fields and fields of taro

 With the clouds continuing to build, we didn't wait for sunset. I was pleasantly surprised when we walked into our condo back on the east side just in time to see the most brilliant sunset of our trip so far. There was even a sunset colored rainbow off to the right of this picture.

We also arrived back in time for me to head over to the hotel next door and catch the special weekly music concert that are done there every Monday night until the middle of March. This time they were having a competition for a new Kauai themed hula song. I really enjoyed the concert. Ken elected to stay back at the room and rest.