Sea Turtles in Kaua'i Waters Gracefully gliding through the ocean current, the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle or honu, is one of the oldest, and most beloved creatures in the Hawaiian Islands. Look for the volunteers setting out cones to keep tourists from getting too close. Snorkeling, scuba diving, and going on a boat tour are the best ways to see these beautiful animals. Park at the coves public lot or along the road at Queens Bath. Visiting Anini Beach means making an appointment with nature how cool is that? Its considered the best place to see Kauais famed turtles. Sea Turtles arriving on the beach at sunset! Of course, chances of survival for newborn turtles is low, as they have to make it safely into the ocean after hatching, avoiding predators and other dangers. If you would like to move closer to a turtle, float or swim as gently as possible. Spouting Horn Kauai turtles are often seen congregating just below the lookout to the right of the horn in a little cove filled with rocks and delicious sea grasses. This fascinating animal swims up to 35 miles per hour and is unfortunately listed as an endangered species following years of neglect during the early 20th century. It was my first time snorkeling so I can't compare it to anywhere else, but a sea turtle swam right in front of me, and there were so many fish and sea urchins to look at it. The Marriott has a morning kayak turtle snorkel tour there that I hear is very successful in seeing turtles, never done it myself. We stopped by the beach on two different days at sunset. But the following are a few other beaches and destinations that you possibly might witness sea turtles if youre there at the right time. The protected species thrive in the tropical waters that surround locations like Kauai and lay their eggs in the sand along the coastlines beaches, meaning that spotting a sea turtle is high on many visitors bucket lists when they come to visit. Even if they make it to the sea, hatchlings are a favorite snack of bigger creatures, and only one in 1,000 eggs will survive to adulthood. This is a great beach to come with kids. You need to be aware that in some spots the distance between rock and water surface is very very shallow and you need to be careful to "glide" over it so as not to scrape your palms or knees. Despite crystal clear waters, it might be one of the hardest spots to snorkel around in due to its depth. The sea turtle seems unfazed by your presence. Its also common to spot turtles making their way towards the beach. Just what I was looking for. Thank you. 1. And if youre patient and lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of one of Kauais friendly monk seals snoozing away on the beach. Brenneckes Beach is the best place to go if youre looking for a turtle-spotting experience that doesnt involve getting your feet wet. Kee Beach Where the main highway ends, this gorgeous beach begins. When you spot honus, stay at least 10 feet away, and never harass, feed, chase, ride, handle, injure, or hunt them. Mahalo! However, these areas are extremely dangerous for snorkeling and swimming. If youre heading to Hawaii with kids and want to teach them a bit about Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, youre in luck! (Youd be surprised what people attempt!). Told about in many Hawaiian myths and legends, the Hawaiian green sea turtle, or honu, is a gentle-looking creature with a heart-shaped brown shell and large flippers that help it sail through the islands waters with ease. You can find spinner dolphins swimming near Kauai year-round. Honu love to eat and lounge in the sand here. Sea turtles usually prefer calm water and may come to shore when the weather is sunny and peaceful. To up your chances of spotting a honu, spend your time in a spot in front of the restaurant its their favorite snack spot! Even behind her mask and snorkel you can tell she is grinning ear to ear. We also saw seals on the beach and dolphins. Guests can even grab snorkel gear from the resort or get hooked up with a local guide. Repel down the cliffs of Kauai to visit a cave inhabited by sea turtles! Swimming here gives you access to an old boat ramp leading to a healthy reef inhabited by lots of fish and turtles. If a sea turtle does beat the odds, however, they can live up to 80-plus years! Maui has several turtle tours that you can choose from that are also worth mentioning. The water was shallow which made for some challenges. One note of caution however is that millions of years of evolution have made sea turtles remarkably adapted for life in the ocean. When and Where is the Best Place to View Sea Turtles in Kauai, Seeking Sea Turtles: Kauais South Shore is a Snorkelers Dream, Hear it from the Pros! Here are some guidelines to help keep them safe for future generations to love on: The concierge team at Koloa Landing Resort is ready to help steer you toward all the best places to see sea turtles in Kauai. If youre planning to soak up some sun, pick a reef-friendly sunscreen. Native Hawaiians are doing God's work when it comes to animal stewardship. Straight out in front of Koloa Landing Resort is one of the best places to snorkel with sea turtles in Kauai. You can feel your goosebumps even underwater. A really good beach with lots of room. This particular access point is located on private property, so you should . Tunnels Beach is a prime spot to make friends with countless fish and the occasional wandering honus. Holding the animals in captivity is also prohibited under federal and state laws. Should you be staying in the Honolulu area, youll be excited to hear that swimming with turtles in Honolulu Hawaii is a popular thing to do there. One of these places is just past Lawai Beach on the way to Spouting Horn. But there are certain times of the year that youre more likely to encounter some of these beautiful creatures. Shell Me About It: The Best Places to See and Swim with Sea Turtles in Kauai. Scenes from the movie The Descendants were filmed here. Do you have to pay to park at the beaches on the island? Unfortunately, its not easy to get to this crescent-shaped beach, as there are no roads or trails leading there by land; you can try joining a snorkel tour or kayaking over. During the summer, the sea is calmer, and they come ashore to bask during the day. Avoid loud noises and abrupt movements which will startle these timid guys. Considered one of the most reliable spots in Hawaii for seeing turtles, Kholo Bay is famed for its dark rocks and jewel-colored tide pools, and the sea turtles that frequent here love to bask on its smooth lava rocks. If not expensive rent an island taxi and have them take you to poipu beach It is a public beach and free. The sand and water are great and its such a nice beach to visit. Perfect feeding grounds mean that these gorgeous sea creatures are easily spotted if you just wait long enough. Poipu Beach Poipu Beach is a highly popular south shore beach. And a huge highlight - watching the sea turtle that was still on the beach slowly walk/swim away when he was ready! With fine sand and lots of algae, it truly makes a lovely resting point for turtles who have been out in the water all day. As a resulted, turtles can safely feed in rough surf. Turtle Cove A bit of a hike gets you to this hidden gem near Queens Bath. Fines can set you back $100,000. On this beautiful stretch of sand, snorkelers can suit up and hit the ocean to spot one of these majestic creatures. As long as you stay mindful of the rules around interacting with the species, planning a trip to some of the best beaches in the summer means youre pretty likely to spot a turtle or two and get the chance to appreciate this incredible sea creature. The best places to watch turtles are at Poipu Beach and Kuhio Shores. According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Poipu Beach Park: 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Always give a sea turtle a clear path, taking care not to block their access to land or sea. At times youll see them basking on the beaches and later on swimming beneath the Oahu waves. Youre much more likely to interact with turtles whilst in the water, where they swim all year round. The best thing we did was buy water shoes. For a fun way to see turtles on Oahu, book one of Holokai Catamaran's tours. You will see a large rock wall on the ocean side of the road that separates the beachfront homes. Green sea turtles are threatened, but not yet endangered. With a history of ten consecutive TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards, Kauai Sea Tours has been providing award-winning tours since 1991. It's quite delightful to watch these creatures nibble on seaweed, and you may also be lucky enough to catch the serene scene of them napping on the beach here. Honokeana Bay (West Maui) Located just south of Napili Bay, this spot is known for one thing: the overwhelming number of turtles you can find in the water. 3) Snorkel In The Crystalline Waters Of Tunnels Beach. Elevation gain: 0-3,000 feet. If you just cannot wait to see a Green Sea Turtle on your trip to Kauai, you are not alone. The beach also usually has shallow waters, making it safe for all types of swimmers. You may also encounter sea turtles while swimming or snorkeling. Honolua Bay (West Maui) Kaanapali Beach's Puu Kekaa (West Maui) Kapalua Bay (West Maui) Keawakapu Beach (South Maui) Makena Landing (South Maui) Maluaka Beach (South Maui) Honu love to eat and lounge in the sand here. Waikiki Beach is certainly towards the top as far as the best place to snorkel with turtles in Oahu. Great advice and info. Below are the best spots for seeing turtles in Kauai on the north and south shores of the island. Today, Hawaii now sells, is ready to help steer you toward all the. Since Hawaii's sea turtles are a protected species, it is a federal crime to touch them. If you are on Kauai, call the Division of Aquatic Resources at 808-645-0532 or 808-274-3344. You dip your face mask under the water and see your daughter, some 15 feet away, waving you over like mad, stirring up bubbles all around her. All of these specific sites are in close proximity to Koloa Landing and Poipu Beach. Poipu Beach Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. June is the best time. Still a great place if you have kids. Dolphins would be great, too! Thats because they enjoy basking in the heat of the hottest part of the day. This breathtaking resort is located on Keauhou Bay (a perfect spot to view manta rays!) Car rentals have a lot of restrictions about exploring the island. After all, who can resist a flippered friend coming out of the blue? This is another great turtle viewing location. If you encounter a sea turtle that is stranded, injured or in distress, report it immediately to a lifeguard or to the, Use a sunscreen that is friendly to marine life and reefs. But dont let that deter you, as there are plenty of reasons why this should be top of your list for turtle spotting. 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. The island of Maui also happens to be one of the best places to swim with turtles in Hawaii. Here is a sampling: Brenneckes Beach Just across from Nihi Kai Villas honu can often be seen from the shore as they feed on greens along the lava shelf. We used the parking lot next door and then walked across to see the sea turtles before purchasing food from this place. Visited: January 2023. We saw upwards of 40 turtles. Oahu - For a guaranteed sighting of the turtles, the Sea Life Park has green sea turtles in their displays. This is a great beach in a good location but is losing its appeal as it gets more and more crowded. Its an unforgettable experience that youll be able to share with your family and friends back home. 12 Things You Didnt Know, 14 Amazing Botanical Gardens in Hawaii You Must Visit, 15 Best Food Trucks in Kauai for Every Foodie. within easy driving distance of A-Bay, one of our favorite turtle-viewing beaches on the list. We advise you to keep your distance from the sea turtles. Koloa Landing Straight out in front of Koloa Landing Resort is one of the best places to snorkel with sea turtles in Kauai. green sea turtle. You may also spot the Bluestripe Snapper, Yellow Tang, Achilles Tang, Parrotfish, and the mysterious Black Triggerfish. There are two parts to the beach and you can easily walk to the beaches on either side of it. the best places to snorkel with sea turtles in Kauai. You can either cross the grass at Poipu Beach Park where you can overlook Brenneckes beach to the left, or walk along the road past Brenneckes and look back toward the beach. So, the best time of the day to see sea turtles in Maui is between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Have you ever seen sea turtles in Maui? What does Aloha Mean? The two most common species of dolphins are spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. After snorkeling, enjoy lunch (if option selected ) and two provided . There is a turtle group that keeps watch over the turtles from sundown until sun up in shifts to protect the turtles from poachers and evil people who would try to harm these magnificent creatures. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Made with by Wanderly, What is Kauai Known For? Not worth it not to mention cruel. Snorkelers enjoy a vast stretch of ocean perfect for seeking sea turtles. Theres no need to be the tortoise and the hare when it comes to finding turtles on the South Shore of Kauai theyre everywhere! This was the. Keep a distance of at least 10-15 feet away at all times. 712 The Na Pali coast is one of the most spectacular sights in Kauai. When in Hawaii go swimming!! While you will see some fish here and even some sea turtles, the Lawai Beach area has many more fish to see when snorkeling. Violators can be fined up to $100,000 and possibly imprisoned. If youre lucky, you can also spot Hawaiian monk seals which frequently visit the area. When we were there last, we actually met the artist who creates the incredible Sea Turtle etchings on exotic papers at the Christian Riso Gallery in Koloa. 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. Perhaps youre looking for more of an underwater adventure, where snorkeling with turtles in Hawaii sounds more like it? After that, hit up your favorite beach-side spot to reward yourself for hard work done well! 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