Tunnels Beach Kauai
Makua Beach • North Shore
Makua Beach • North Shore
Hawaii's #1 snorkeling paradise and most photographed beach—a crescent-shaped bay fringed by palms and Ironwood trees with underwater lava tunnels teeming with marine life.
Absolutely! Tunnels Beach is rated 4.6/5 stars by 977 TripAdvisor reviewers and named a Travelers' Choice 2025 winner. It's consistently ranked as one of the best snorkeling beaches in all of Hawaii.
Visitors rave about the abundant marine life including sea turtles, colorful reef fish, and even wild dolphins. The beach itself is stunning with its crescent shape, palm trees, and views of the Na Pali Coast.
Yes, but parking is challenging in 2025. The beach is accessible from the North Shore, about 1 hour from Lihue and 10 minutes past Hanalei. You'll cross 8 one-lane bridges.
See parking section for complete details.
Safe in summer, dangerous in winter. There is NO LIFEGUARD on duty at Tunnels Beach.
See safety section for complete guidelines.
Currently free, but may change. As of 2025, Tunnels Beach access and parking remain free, but the state is considering implementing a reservation and fee system similar to neighboring Haena State Park.
Future Changes: Kauai County and the State of Hawaii are reviewing a proposal to transfer Tunnels Beach to state management, which would likely require advance reservations and fees ($5 per person + $10 parking, similar to Haena).
Parking is a major challenge. After 2018 floods, the county banned shoulder parking and enforcement is strict with daily ticketing and towing.
Pro Tip: Arrive before 7:30 AM or try the afternoon shift (after 4:00 PM).
No reservation needed for Tunnels—but it's confusing. Many visitors mistake Tunnels for neighboring Ke'e Beach.
✓ Free public access
✓ No reservation
required
✓ Small public lot (free)
⚠️ Reservation MANDATORY
⚠️ $5 entry / $10
parking
⚠️ Sells out weeks in advance
Experience the magic of Tunnels Beach! This 4K tour showcases the crystal-clear waters, vibrant reef, and the stunning backdrop of Mt. Makana.
Experience the stunning beauty of Tunnels Beach through these captures showcasing the crescent bay, Na Pali Coast backdrop, and vibrant marine life.
Crescent bay from above
Golden hour magic
Colorful marine life
Frequent visitors
Lava tube formations
Access to snorkeling areas
Peaceful early hours
Powerful surf season
2 miles of white sand
Swimming with turtles
Sunset at Makua
Crystal clear tunnels
North Shore panorama
Lava tube exploration
Source: Real visitor experiences via YouTube Shorts
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Parking is extremely limited and fills up early!
"Save yourself the frustration: just park at Haena Beach Park and walk down. The only official parking at Tunnels is a small side street that fills up almost instantly. The 10-minute walk along the coastline is beautiful and far more reliable than hunting for a spot at the Tunnels access point."
Largest public lot in the area. No reservations needed (unlike the State Park).
Requires advance reservation at gohaena.com. Stops at Haena Beach Park.
Guest parking available + scenic 20 min walk
May require advance reservations and fees similar to Haena State Park ($5 per person + $10 parking). State management proposal under review.
"I was there a week ago: Parking at Ha'ena Beach Park is the only real option. Police are active at giving tickets anywhere else. Get there before 8am or wait for around noon. At noon, someone is always leaving side-street lots, causing a few spots to open up. A 10-minute wait can save your day."
r/Kauai Community Insight
Verified Visitor Tip • 2025
The gateway to Tunnels. No reservation required. Free public lot (very competitive).
Entry to Ke'e Beach & Kalalau. MANDATORY advance reservation. Strict entry control.
⚠️ NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY
Protected species. Keep 10+ feet distance. No touching!
Endangered. Stay 50+ feet away. They sometimes rest on beach.
Don't chase or attempt to swim with wild dolphins.
Do not stand, walk, or touch coral. Use reef-safe sunscreen only.
For Police, Fire, Ambulance, or Ocean Rescue.
Haena Beach Park
0.5 miles west (approx. 10 min walk)
Makana North Shore Urgent Care
Princeville (808) 320-7300
4.6/5 based on 977 reviews
"Best snorkeling in Kauai. Saw so many colorful fish and sea turtles. The sand is very coarse and tough to walk through and parking is challenging."
— Barbara S., July 2025
"Parking is a nightmare so arrive very early (before 8:00 a.m.). Having said all of that, the beach and snorkeling were wonderful! Shade is available and the variety of fish around the reef was excellent."
— baldguyut, August 2025
"Limited parking but gorgeous views, some shade, awesome beach walk, great snorkeling. My son snorkeled with a turtle all day. Lots of spots to snorkel."
— Travel_the_world11, June 2025
💡 PRO TIP: Check surf reports 2-3 days before your visit. Even in summer, occasional swells can make conditions dangerous. When in doubt, ask locals or lifeguards at nearby Haena Beach Park.
Note: There are no rental shops at Tunnels Beach. Rent gear in Hanalei (~10 mins away) before heading north.
Location: Hanalei Center
Location: Kapaa / Koloa
1.2 miles away • End of the road beach, Kalalau Trail start
Adjacent • Dramatic cliffs, boat tours, hiking
1 mile • National Tropical Botanical Garden
1.1 miles • Wet Caves, beaches, Kalalau trailhead
2 miles to trailhead • Epic 11-mile coastal hike
8 miles • Iconic crescent bay, water sports, town
💡 Want to see everything?
All locations listed above are within a 15-minute drive of Tunnels Beach. We recommend combining a morning snorkel at Tunnels with an afternoon visit to Limahuli Garden or a sunset walk at Ke'e Beach.
60-min doors-off adventure over Tunnels & Na Pali
From $399
View Tunnels Beach from the water, snorkel stops
From $215
Self-guided driving tour with local stories
From $20
Boss Frog's & local shops in Hanalei/Princeville
From $25/day
* Prices are estimates for 2025. Booking in advance is highly recommended for Helicopter and Boat tours as they often sell out weeks in advance. Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a small commission if you book through our links at no extra cost to you.
Tunnels Beach (Makua Beach in Hawaiian) isn't just a picturesque paradise—it's a locale rich in history and cultural significance that connects visitors to the ancient spirit of Kauai's North Shore.
The dramatic mountain peaks visible from Tunnels Beach were featured in the classic 1958 film "South Pacific" as the mystical "Bali Hai." Mount Makana (also called "Bali Hai" by tourists) serves as the iconic backdrop that has appeared in countless photographs and films.
Today, Tunnels Beach represents a delicate balance between preserving natural beauty, respecting Hawaiian culture, and providing access for visitors to experience one of the world's most spectacular coastal environments.