To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 4. Mahaulepu This remote, more sparsely populated beach at the end of the Heritage hike offers twinkling blue waters ideal for snorkeling with sea turtles. Tunnels Beach is one of the best spots on the island for discovering a few surprises beneath the sea, from colorful fish to the rare Hawaiian monk seals and if youre lucky enough, maybe even a turtle or two! A day of fun and excitement as we journey to the N Pali Coast on board Imiloa, our 40-foot Express Catamaran. You should be able to see turtles at the end of the day. If youre looking for amazing vistas of sea turtles, the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail should be your first stop in Kauai. This is an amazing spot to see gentle waves usher turtles to the shore for some sunbathing, and it's considered one of the most reliable turtle-watching spots in Hawaii. There are so many stunning varieties of tropical fish for you to encounter on your vacation to Kauai. green sea turtle. Prices drop even more in October and November, when room rates may be half the . We used the parking lot next door and then walked across to see the sea turtles before purchasing food from this place. Car rentals have a lot of restrictions about exploring the island. Loud noises and abrupt movements startle these timid creatures. The water is protected by the reef making it swimmable even in winter. This is a heritage hike in Kauai which leads to a viewpoint of a remote beach. We are looking for people to hike with or/ and share a car with as we dont drive. Want to swim with turtles in Hawaii?Get my ultimate guide to Laniakea Beach aka Turtle Beach Oahu below! This is the period that will give you the quintessential Kauai/Hawaii experience as the temperatures are moderate (upper 70s to low 80s), the greenery is lush and dense, and the weather is sunny with little rainfall. We saw turtles while snorkeling on south shore at beach right next door to Kuhio Shores. When you spot honus, stay at least 10 feet away, and never harass, feed, chase, ride, handle, injure, or hunt them. Jordan Tan/Shutterstock. ! She blows water out her snorkel. Waikiki Beach is certainly towards the top as far as the best place to snorkel with turtles in Oahu. However, they do swim in the waters around Kauai year-round. We saw tons of turtles around queen's bath in Princeville and had a seal lumber up the beach for a nap while we were snorkeling at Tunnels. Sea turtles, or honu (hoh-noo) to the locals, top most travelers wish lists of wildlife to see in Kauai. Do not chase, approach, swim with, try to touch or ride a turtle. These creatures spend the majority of their lives in water, especially the males, so your chances of spotting one increase when you are also at sea. Wondering if anyone has tips on the best places for these type of sightings. Bottlenose dolphins can be found throughout the year around Kauai. Holding the animals in captivity is also prohibited under federal and state laws. Theres no better chance to feel connected with nature than by observing turtles in their natural habitat plus, you never know what other surprises await along the shore. She points, and there, just beyond the rocks, floats a peaceful, gentle. Best Place to Snorkel on Kauais South Shore. Explore different ways to experience this place. The best time of day to see turtles in Kauai is around sundown. Here's where you can find these ancient turtles in Kauai. It's a great place for younger kids to play and be safe. Guests can grab snorkel gear from the resort or get hooked up with a local guide. Many conservation efforts are trying to maximize the number of offspring that survive this nesting period each year, so whilst there may be more turtles on the shores of Kauai, there may also be stricter measures to stop tourists from getting too close. [] Dolphins which are indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands. Even behind her mask and snorkel you can tell she is grinning ear to ear. All of these specific sites are in close proximity to Koloa Landing and Poipu Beach. Youre in luck! Below are the best spots for seeing turtles in Kauai on the north and south shores of the island. Thank you for your support! This award is our highest recognition and is presented annually to those businesses that are the Best of the Best on Tripadvisor, those that earn excellent reviews from travelers and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide. Copyright 2019-2023 Hawaii Travel With Kids/Marcie In Mommyland. Dolphins and pilot whales out in open water seen on tour boat. Watching the many turtles crawl ashore to sunbathe was a delightful show. Repel down the cliffs of Kauai to visit a cave inhabited by sea turtles! Because Hawaii has some of the best beaches for viewing these magnificent animals, you'll have a greater chance of catching a glimpse of these graceful creatures from a safe distance (or by venturing out into the water! After all, who can resist a flippered friend coming out of the blue? Fines can set you back $100,000. This is one of the coolest ways to snorkel with sea turtles in Oahu. Park at the coves public lot or along the road at Queens Bath. Kipu Kai Beach This beautiful crescent-shaped beach boasts clear waters ideal for seeing and swimming near sea turtles. For Jeep? We are traveling to Kauai in August. Where Can You Swim with Turtles in Hawaii? The bathrooms are well maintained and there was plenty of parking each day that we went. Perfect feeding grounds mean that these gorgeous sea creatures are easily spotted if you just wait long enough. Kee Beach is the prime place to spot turtles in Kauai. We also saw a monk seal on the beach and whales in the distance. But the following are a few other beaches and destinations that you possibly might witness sea turtles if youre there at the right time. Flashlights, flash photography and even bright street lights are not allowed because sea birds and turtles get confused thinking that they're going towards the sea where the moonlight is, and instead go inland and get hit by cars or attacked by dogs. Weighing up to 400 pounds, the Green Sea Turtle possesses unique habits that set it apart from the other two species of sea turtle seen in the warm Kauai waters. Since Hawaii's sea turtles are a protected species, it is a federal crime to touch them. The northwestern-most Hawaiian island is a nesting location for green sea turtles, which means that they come here to lay their eggs between the months of May and September, and each nest may have several hundred eggs. People have spotted the Hawaiian humpback whale around Kauai starting in December and as late as April. Just past the gravel road that leads to Koloa Landing on your right, find parking and stand by the cement wall where you can overlook the cove. This hike requires swimming, repelling down a steep cliff and potentially high tides. The snorkeling is a very good at the beach, and though there are a great many places for it. When only visiting for the 8 hours of the cruise ship being in port. Go to Poipu Beach for the beautiful sunset, then 20-30 minutes after sunset the turtles come out of the water and crawl up on the beach to sleep for the night. You and your daughter swim up for air, and burst through the surface cackling with delight. Head to Turtle Cove for some quality beach time with Hawaiian sea turtles. I and my 2 sons saw a lots of sea turtles hanging/playing around the "(ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Theyre quite the islands darlings. Experience the beauty of Kauai and encounter marine life! There arent as many spots to see turtles on the North Shore compared to the South Shore, but there are still a few prime spots if you know where to look! Great advice and info. Enjoy snorkeling, sea cliffs, pristine beaches, waterfalls, and sea caves. On Kauais South Shore, there are a number of areas where turtles can be viewed safely from shore. There are two parts to the beach and you can easily walk to the beaches on either side of it. Guests can even grab snorkel gear from the resort or get hooked up with a local guide. Youll see depictions of sea turtles in petroglyphs and in kapa cloth displays. Koloa Landing Straight out in front of Koloa Landing Resort is one of the best places to snorkel with sea turtles in Kauai. Dont be too friendly; the turtles may look cute, but that doesnt mean that they want anything more than peace and quiet. The rocky corners of this beach provide perfect viewing spots, and surfers can also combine a turtle-spotting day with a surf-trip day with help from the amazing waves found here. What is Travelers Choice Best of the Best? Many of the Turo owners dont. This beach isnt just the perfect place to see turtles, its also great for surfing too. Just leave lots of space for sea turtles when you see them in Hawaii. These animals are protected under the Endangered Species Act as well as by the state of Hawaii. If caught mishandling, mistreating, or holding sea turtles in captivity, you can face fines up to $100,000 and even prison time. Most of them will come out when the sun is the hottest. In terms of where specifically to go, Brenneckes Beach is a prime viewing location, as is Whalers Cove, Lawai Beach and the aptly named Turtle Cove. Since we were staying in the Poupou area, we managed to visit the beach a couple times. Turtles are a sea creature that is synonymous with Hawaiian islands. If you can't see the Big Island turtle beach video above, you can watch it on youtube. Guests can even grab snorkel gear from the resort or get hooked up with a local guide. Although its real name is called Laniakea Beach, its the most reliable and best place to see turtles in Oahu. . Click here for more info about our Kauai resort or to book a room for your familys best sea-turtle-spotting vacation ever. In other words: no snoozing here! Sat here reading my book under a tree watching people and the ocean. The Best Things to Do in Kauai, Hawaii. How about places to perhaps see them while snorkeling? Snorkelers can enjoy a vast stretch of ocean in this area, perfect for seeking sea turtles. Im not sure if the best rental business. And a huge highlight - watching the sea turtle that was still on the beach slowly walk/swim away when he was ready! Where the main highway ends, this gorgeous beach begins. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-4575321', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kauai last January we saw monk seals daily on Poipu beach and Shipwreck beach on the south shore. Are there places they typically come ashore? The best time to see turtles on Laniakea Beach is from May to September. Maybe youre longing to swim with the turtles in Oahu? You should be able to find the turtles at a safe distance of 10 to 15 feet away. Not only is this spot filled with beautiful scenery, but it has also been known to offer some of the best turtle-viewing experiences around. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-4574651', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kauai in November. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. If so, youre also in for a treat! Current research shows that the green turtle population has increased significantly since these federal laws began. hump back whales, monk seals, and sea turtles. When we were in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Added by Dan Deublein. If youre planning on snorkeling with sea turtles in Oahu, Electric Beach is a fabulous destination to do so. Swimming here gives you access to an old boat ramp leading to a healthy reef inhabited by lots of fish and turtles. What's the best way to see Poipu Beach Park? Turtle sightings are guaranteed; if a turtle is not sighted, you will be given a free second cruise. Heres a brief glimpse at some of the best places to view sea turtles, as well as the best places to swim with turtles in Maui. Dont allow the name to mislead you, because Cockroach Cove is another great place for Oahu snorkeling with turtles that you wont want to miss. Thats because they enjoy basking in the heat of the hottest part of the day. There are three species of sea turtles native to the Hawaiian Islands: the Green, the Hawksbill, and the Leatherback. Read my full guide to Turtle Beach Oahu. Look no further than the shores of Lawai Beach. And if youre patient and lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of one of Kauais friendly monk seals snoozing away on the beach. Is there overnight parking allowed? Appreciate them quietly and be gentle with your movements. There are three varieties of Hawaiian sea turtles that you might spot in Kauai; the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, the Hawksbill turtle and the Leatherback turtle. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-4575975', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kauai this weekend! Unless you need your eyes checked, theres no way you could possibly miss spotting a sea turtle when you visit Turtle Beach in Hawaii. too crowded in February's rainy season, can't imagine how many humans flock here in their high season! . Hours: 8:00a.m. They might even pop their head up to check you out! It's just a mile or so to the west of Po'ipu Beach. Scuba equipment available across the street from the park. Kauai's Waimea Canyon and South Side Private Guided Tour, Kauai Adventure Bundle: 4 Epic Audio Driving Tours, Ultimate Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of Kauai (Na Pali, Waimea), Hawaii, Kauai Poipu & Koloa Town Audio Driving Tour, Waimea Canyon Private Tour with Local Guide, Come a half hour before sunset to see turtles, Poip Beach is located directly opposite of Puka's Hotdogs. We advise you to keep your distance from the sea turtles. Full guides on the top bucket list travel destinations to inspire your wanderlust! Daily, If catching glimpses of this ancient animal is on your, When you spot honus, stay at least 10 feet away, and never harass, feed, chase, ride, handle, injure, or hunt them. Every time we went to Tunnels we saw both turtles and monk seals. In short, the answer is no. Monk seals are rare to spot throughout Hawaii because theyre an endangered species. Theres no need to be the tortoise and the hare when it comes to finding turtles on the South Shore of Kauai theyre everywhere! On a catamaran tour with Kauai Sea Tours, a guide will explain the history of whales around Kauai and take you to the perfect viewing areas. . The other two sea turtles you may be able to see around Kauai, the Hawksbill and the Leatherback, are both endangered. Go slow, the road is narrow. Hi redfitgirl, I just got back from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? These include the official Hawaiian state fish, named the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa, and several species of Butterflyfish, including the Pennant Butterflyfish, Raccoon Butterflyfish, the Longnose Butterflyfish, the Milletseed Butterflyfish, and the Four Spot Butterflyfish. The species tend to hunt for food more between midday and later afternoon, so if youre planning a trip to spot Kauai sea turtles, later in the day is the best time. 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