Tunnels Beach

Kauai’s North Shore,
Approximately 5-10 minute drive from Hanalei

The post-card perfect scenery of Tunnels Beach on the North Shore of Kauai offers visitors a wide, golden sand beach, shady palms and ironwood trees and views of the fabled Bali Ha’i (made famous by the musical South Pacific). Tunnels Beach is also a premier swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and surfing spot. The scenic beach, located just North of Hanalei, is a 2-mile stretch of beach perfection. The center portion of beach has a huge, half moon shaped reef about 1/8 mile off shore. This reef not only provides excellent snorkeling and diving, it also creates a barrier from the rough surf conditions and strong currents characteristic of Kauai’s North Shore. The shallow, sandy bottom in front of the reef remains calm even in the rough winter months and the waves breaking beyond the reef makes for an an excellent surfing spot.

In addition to great snorkeling and diving, the beach is an idyllic spot with a grove of ironwood trees providing comfortable shade for your visit, golden, soft sand and spectacular views at the edge of the Na Pali coast. Also, while a popular spot with both tourists and locals, the beach is not overly crowded and you can always find a spot distanced from other beach goers.

You also can’t miss the sun setting behind backdrop Bali Ha’i and dropping below horizon. Take a bottle of wine and a blanket and enjoy the picture-perfect sunset. Tunnels beach really is a little piece of paradise and one of my favorite beachesin the islands.

While there are no facilities or lifeguards at Tunnels. There are, however, picnic tables, restrooms, showers and about 100 campsites at Haena State Park about a half mile from the beach. Campsites go fast at Haena State Park, so if you want to stay there make reservations or arrive early!

During my trip to Kauai, we were lucky to get a rental house tucked in the ironwood grove about 100 yards from the beach. Every day we would roll out of bed and walk the few steps to the beach and spend the day snorkeling and lounging. After dinner, we would walk back down to the beach to enjoy the spectacular sunset. If you are interested in avoiding the resorts in nearby Princeville, look into some of the rental properties near Tunnels.

Directions to Tunnels
Take Highway 560 east from Hanalei toward Ha’ena. Two short dirt roads, just past Mile Marker #8, lead to the parking area for the beach.