Tunnels Beach Scuba Diving Kauai, Hawaii
Tunnels Beach Scuba Diving Kauai, Hawaii
Tunnels Beach Scuba Diving in Kauai, Hawaii
Tunnels Beach Scuba Diving Kauai, Hawaii
Tunnels Beach Scuba Diving in Kauai, Hawaii
Tunnels Beach Scuba Diving Kauai, Hawaii
Tunnels Beach Scuba Diving in Kauai, Hawaii
Boat Dive
Dive Type
20 -70 ft
Depth Profile
30 -70 ft
Visibility
Easy-Intermediate
Dive Type
Worldclass SCUBA diving with Seasport Divers
Sheraton Caverns
Boat Dive
Dive Type
35 - 70ft
Depth Profile
60 -100 ft
Visibility
Easy-Intermediate
Dive Type
About This Dive
Nestled on the north shore of Kauai, Tunnels Beach, also known as Makena Beach, is just to the east of Haena State Park. It is considered one of the top 2 shore dive locations on the Island. With its horseshoe shaped reef and stunning natural beauty, this dive site offers an unforgettable underwater adventure that caters to both novice and experienced divers alike.
The Allure of Tunnels Beach
Tunnels Beach is renowned for its breathtaking underwater landscapes and vibrant marine ecosystems. The beach itself boasts golden sands and crystal-clear waters, framed by lush green mountains and dramatic sea cliffs. As you slip into the water and descend beneath the surface, you'll discover a world brimming with life and color.
Dive Conditions
The best time to dive at Tunnels Beach is during the summer months when the ocean is calm, and visibility is at its peak (summer season). During this time, the waters are typically clearer, making it easier to explore the intricate underwater landscape and spot marine life.
However, conditions can change quickly, so it's important to check the wind, tides and swells and NOAA ocean advisories before heading out. Seasport Diver’s professional staff can provide valuable insights and guidance and ensure that you're diving safely and responsibly, as well as rental gear you may need to explore the site.
Best time to dive Tunnels Beach: At or near high tideBest month to dive Tunnels Beach: May - September
Unique Underwater Terrain
What sets Tunnels Beach apart is its intricate underwater topography. The area is characterized by a series of lava tubes, caves, and tunnels that create a fascinating network for exploration. These geological formations not only add to the allure of the dive but also provide essential habitats for marine life.
The reef system here is diverse, featuring both hard and soft corals that provide shelter and food for an array of species. As you navigate through the tunnels and over the coral formations, you'll encounter schools of tropical fish, such as parrotfish and butterflyfish, as well as occasional sightings of more elusive creatures like moray eels and octopuses.
Marine Life Encounters
The marine life at Tunnels Beach is one of its biggest draws. The clear, calm waters offer excellent visibility, allowing divers to fully appreciate the vibrant colors and intricate details of the underwater world. You might spot:
- Hawksbill Turtles: Often seen gliding gracefully along the reef or resting on the sandy bottom.
- Reef Sharks: While generally shy, these sleek predators are a thrilling sight if you're lucky enough to encounter them.
- Nudibranchs: These colorful sea slugs add a splash of vibrant hues to the reef, often hidden among the corals.
- Manta Rays: Occasionally, these majestic creatures visit the area, adding an extra thrill to your dive.
- Peacock Flounder: As you make your way out to the reef, keep an eye on the sand below. You may just spot the elusive Peacock Flounder.
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Rental Equipment Available
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No prior experience needed
No experience, no problem. We have scuba dives for all levels!
Getting the Most out of Your Dive
First and foremost, bring your safety equipment and a snorkel. The best way to explore this site is to surface swim to the reef and find a suitable decent area. This will allow you to preserve precious gas and maximize your bottom time in areas with the most exiting features. As for diving itself, there are three ways to plan your dives at this site.
1. Exploring the inner and upper reef:
Diving at high tide will allow you to explore most of the inner and upper reef. With its horseshoe shape, it provides a fantastic, protected environment with a natural reef break that swimmers, snorkelers and divers will thoroughly enjoy. Due to the heavier NE trade winds, currents at this site are nearly always east to west. Start your dive on the east side and swim directly towards the dive site; The current will push you west where most of the best diving is. Once you reach the reef, the currents tend to die down, making for a relaxing dive exploring the caves, tunnels and vibrant marine life on the upper reef.
2. Venturing to the outer reef:
Exploring the outer reef will give you the opportunity to see some of the more dramatic caves, arches and swim throughs at the site. Use the same entry procedure as described above but don’t make your descent until you are near the western edge of the dive site. Navigating to the outer reef is fairly easy. Follow the horseshoe bend on the west side, with the reef on your right and continue until you see several boat moorings. Once located, you know you’re on the right path. Continue making your way N/NE and you will soon discover why this location boasts the title Tunnels Beach.
3. Exploring the shallows:
The third area to explore is to the west of the reef. You can use the same entry point as described above or find a more suitable entry further to the west. Again, there will be an easterly current so plan to enter a location where you will naturally drift onto the site. There is no particular route defined for this area, but it is teeming with nudibranch, smaller rays, octopus, turtles, coral reefs, sandy beds, and a variety of endemic fish found only on Kauai.
Note:
Exploring the outer reef is recommended for experienced divers. The outer reef is considered open ocean, and currents can become very strong and change without warning. Make sure you plan to have plenty of air reserves (turn the dive at 1,800 -2,000 PSI and bring both audible and visual signaling devices as well as a dive float. If ever in question about continuing the dive due to conditions, turn around and make your way back to the protected inner reef.
Conservation and Safety
As with any diving destination, it's crucial to practice good environmental stewardship. Tunnels Beach is a protected area, so it's essential to avoid touching or disturbing marine life, algae stone formations, and coral reefs. Additionally, always dive with a buddy and be mindful of your buoyancy to avoid accidental damage to the delicate ecosystem. Entry points for this dive are limited but you will find that as you move east across the beach there are several sandy openings that are perfect entry and exit points. Heavy currents are prevalent at tunnels throughout the year and beginning the dive from the east side of the beach is going to reduce your workload, provide easy access to either the inner reef or exploration of the outer reef, and prevent damage to the fragile microsystems that live on the stone reef just offshore. Please, never stand on the reef, even if it looks like a stone surface. Algie reefs are critical to many species that rely on them from oxygen, sustenance, and protection from predators.
New Regulations at Tunnels Beach
As of early 2024, commercial trips to Tunnels beach is prohibited. While Seasport Divers can provide advice on safe diving procedures we do not host trips or provide dive guides for this site.
Final Thoughts
It’s best to get firsthand advice from one of our experienced staff members before venturing out for a dive at tunnels. We can check weather conditions, and suggest the right dive based on your experience level. Additionally, the same recommendations above apply to those that plan to snorkel, rather than SCUBA Dive Tunnels Beach. Bring a whistle and carry an SMB. At our shop in Koloa, we have a variety of resources available that will help you make the most of your trip to the north shore’s premier SCUBA diving, swimming and snorkeling beach.
Kyle Minar (PADI MSDT) 