The bay just east of Kuhio shores is a favorite sea turtle hang out due to the plants that grow among the rocks in this area. Sat here reading my book under a tree watching people and the ocean. Best Time and Season for Turtles at Laniakea A green sea turtle comes ashore. This is a great beach in a good location but is losing its appeal as it gets more and more crowded. The water was shallow which made for some challenges. June is the best time. Scenes from the movie. Have you ever dreamed of seeing one of the most majestic marine creatures in their natural environment? The great swimming and snorkeling that can be enjoyed here will leave you more than satisfied even if no turtles show up during your visit. Snorkel with green sea turtles in Oahu's Turtle Canyon on this 2- to 3-hour tour departing from Waikiki. Although there are many spots to check out if youre planning to get a glimpse of Hawaiian sea turtles, seeing them in real life is still a pretty special experience due to their adorable nature and rarity. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Im not sure if the best rental business. Fins make every snorkel experience safer. These turtles, which can weigh up to 400 . What restaurants are near Poipu Beach Park? 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. Explore different ways to experience this place. This site contains affiliate links. We've rounded up some of our favorite Hawaii islands that offer amazing turtle coves where you can spot these emerald-shelled wonders in the wild. The bathrooms are well maintained and there was plenty of parking each day that we went. A few of them include: Sea turtles prefer calm waters with gentler waves, which is why the summer months are the best time to see Hawaii sea turtles. Board a power catamaran and sail along the shore of Oahu towards the island's best place to spot the resident turtles. Its an unforgettable experience that youll be able to share with your family and friends back home. Honu were officially placed on the endangered species list in 1978 and are strictly protected. You may not appreciate the power plant thats clearly noticeable, but scenic landscapes arent exactly what youre there for. I and my 2 sons saw a lots of sea turtles hanging/playing around the "(ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You end up driving parallel to the ocean. It is protected by a reef so water is not rough. Park at the coves public lot or along the road at Queens Bath. However, these areas are extremely dangerous for snorkeling and swimming. Every time we went to Tunnels we saw both turtles and monk seals. Dont Quit your Daydream: 5 Classic Hawaiian Drinks We Love, Stay on the Sunny Side: Why Kauais South Shore Rocks, A Match Made in Paradise: Pupus and Sunsets, Weather Challenge: Games to Play On a Rainy Day During Your Villa Vacation. The island of Maui also happens to be one of the best places to swim with turtles in Hawaii. Theyre quite the islands darlings. If you want to see turtles in the water, Lawai Beach is your best bet. You never know when you might get an unexpected sighting while you paddle out. So, make sure that swimming with turtles in Waikiki Beach is among the top activities that you participate in while youre there. Portions of the beach have rocks which make entry more difficult, but there are sandy areas as well. A calm and inviting beach, Maluaka Beach is hidden from trade winds by the peaks of Haleakala. When is the Best Time to See Hawaii Marine Life. She points, and there, just beyond the rocks, floats a peaceful, gentle, beautiful green sea turtle. Its a pretty special site to see and something youll always look back on fondly. Either way, you are nearly certain to see turtles. (808) 338-9980 The ocean speeds here reach the speeds as much as 35 miles per hour. The Marriott has a morning kayak turtle snorkel tour there that I hear is very successful in seeing turtles, never done it myself. Thank you. If youre ready to take in the beauty of Kauais honus while keeping them safe, heres what you need to know: The best time of day to see turtles in Kauai is around sundown. The ocean water is absolutely gorgeous there and youll find plenty of sea creatures as well as sea turtles beneath these waters. Jordan Tan/Shutterstock. Poipu Beach Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Encountering a Green Sea Turtle in its natural environment is an exciting and memorable experience. 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. When you spot honus, stay at least 10 feet away, and never harass, feed, chase, ride, handle, injure, or hunt them. You can feel your goosebumps even underwater. Less than 1,500 monk seals are alive today. Kipu Kai Beach This beautiful crescent-shaped beach boasts clear waters ideal for seeing and swimming near sea turtles. Its almost like they know its a turtle-viewing season and are posing for the occasion. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. If catching glimpses of this ancient animal is on your Hawaii vacation to-do list, there are specific rules to keep in mind due to their rarity. Here are some guidelines to help keep them safe for future generations to love on: While its possible to see honus sleeping soundly along the coastline, theyre unlikely to venture out to shore when there are crowds. 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. Her flippers have a leopard-like pattern and her green back looks as mottled as the mossy rocks beneath her. The rocky coastline provides a great vantage point where you can simply stand and watch these majestic creatures crawl along or take a nap in the sun. Paradise. Turtle Cove A bit of a hike gets you to this hidden gem near Queens Bath. And if youre patient and lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of one of Kauais friendly monk seals snoozing away on the beach. When only visiting for the 8 hours of the cruise ship being in port. Visited: January 2023. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The sand and water are great and its such a nice beach to visit. Good Luck. The Poipu Beach Park is a great place to see turtles because it is a protected area and the turtles are often seen basking in the sun on the sandy beach. During the summer, the sea is calmer, and they come ashore to bask during the day. Humpback whales are believed to be the embodiment of Kanaloa, who was the god of the oceans. Experience the beauty of Kauai and encounter marine life! Have you ever dreamed of seeing dolphins flip and spin over the surface of the water? There are so many stunning varieties of tropical fish for you to encounter on your vacation to Kauai. Guests can even grab snorkel gear from the resort or get hooked up with a local guide. But the following are a few other beaches and destinations that you possibly might witness sea turtles if youre there at the right time. To report a marine mammal in trouble, call the NOAA Marine Mammal Hotline: 1-888-256-9840. 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. The mid-day munchies kick in for these sea creatures too, so late afternoon also works. Always stay at least 10 to 15 feet away from a sea turtle. This is a heritage hike in Kauai which leads to a viewpoint of a remote beach. Still a great place if you have kids. 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! Best Place to Snorkel on Kauais South Shore. We have open schedule This breathtaking resort is located on Keauhou Bay (a perfect spot to view manta rays!) 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. All are protected, however, and care should be taken not only to not disturb the sea turtles in their natural environment, but also to report incidents of injured, sick or stranded turtles so they can be assisted by professionals. 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. This is one of the coolest ways to snorkel with sea turtles in Oahu. To truly get away from the hustle and bustle, take this path and gaze upon the iconic green honu munching on ocean snacks and sunning themselves in the rays. 5. Not worth it not to mention cruel. 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. Honu love to eat and lounge in the sand here. For a great chance of being able to see turtles on the Big Island without snorkeling or stepping foot into the ocean, Punaluu Black Sand Beach is the Big Island beach that you want to go to! We arrived about 6:30pm (in Feb) to come see the turtles and would highly recommend this. 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. Have fun!! Starting at around a half hour before sunset, leatherback and green sea turtles, known in Hawaiian as "honu" swim to the shores to rest at night on Poip Beach. The water in the bay only goes to your kneesif that far. The scenery here is amazing and youre sure to spot many sea turtles from a distance. Not only will you be able to see these creatures up close and personal (but from a safe distance), but you might even get the chance to swim with them if youre lucky! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The best time to see these majestic creatures is December through March. 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. Violators can be fined up to $100,000 and possibly imprisoned. The best way to see the whales is on acatamaran whale touraround the south shore. . When it comes to Oahu snorkeling with turtles, it doesnt get much better than paying a visit to Haleiwa Beach thats located in the northern part of the island. Tunnels Beach is a prime spot to make friends with countless fish and the occasional wandering honus. These waters are generally pretty shallow, so swimmers of all shapes and sizes can take it easy here. The best time to visit Kauai. For more info about snorkeling at Lawai Beach, check out the Best Place to Snorkel on Kauais South Shore. Snorkellers are also likely to encounter honus while swimming in clear depths. This particular access point is located on private property, so you should . The northwestern-most Hawaiian island is a turtle nesting destination so they arrive to lay their eggs here from May through September, but they can be seen in water and on land pretty much year round if you know where to see turtles in Kauai. So where is the best place to see sea turtles in Kauai? 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. For over 20 years we have been offering tours of the Na Pali coast on custom-built touring catamarans that were designed to provide the ultimate touring experience. Show the. Are you visiting the island and are wondering where Oahu sea turtles can be found? Long considered symbols of good luck, the creatures kind faces and trudging gait are endearing, and watching them swim is a joy. Show the animals your respect by watching them from afar. A perfect beach for barefoot walking, Keawakapu Beach happens to be a popular turtle-strolling spot, too. Bring your snorkel gear and come see the turtles! . [] Dolphins which are indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands. Well, you wont have to journey too far, especially if youre staying at the Koloa Landing Resort. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Then just like that, she pushes off the rocks and swims toward the depths, her flippers waving like wings. Our Concierge Teams Top Ten Must-Do Activities, 2015 coffee and chocolate festival in Kauai. If a sea turtle does beat the odds, however, they can live up to 80-plus years! So go ahead and stake your claim at the beach, theres sure to be a few turtles on the shores whenever you arrive! green sea turtle. My husband and I will be in Kauai until the end of December. We saw one dog outside of the beach area. So if standing around doesnt sound like your ideal afternoon activity, pull out your board and catch some waves. Dont be too friendly; the turtles may look cute, but that doesnt mean that they want anything more than peace and quiet. Alternatively, you may use, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. Although its real name is called Laniakea Beach, its the most reliable and best place to see turtles in Oahu. The best time to see turtles on Laniakea Beach is from May to September. Many of the Turo owners dont. Always give a sea turtle a clear path, taking care not to block their access to land or sea. 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