Kauai Snorkel Report Today

USA · Updated Sat 04:42 (HST) · Source: Snapshot

The skinny

Marginal Data updated Sat 04:42 (HST)

Kauai looks marginal today. The least-bad daylight window is around Sat 11:00, but waves is limiting the forecast.

Right now (forecast)

Fair · 3.6/10

Sat 08:00 (HST)

Later today

Fair · 4.2/10

Sat 11:00 (HST)

Next three days

Fair · 4.6/10

Mon 12:00 (HST)

Model estimates using Open-Meteo; not observations or safety guarantees. Check official advisories and conditions at the beach.

Score: 4.2/10

Best time: Sat 11:00

Main risk: Waves

Best morning signal: Sat 11:00 (Fair).

Best afternoon signal: Sat 13:00 (Fair). Peak afternoon wind is about 3.3 m/s.

Email me when it is good Compare nearby spots Tours & water activities

Best nearby spots later today

Anini Beach 3.6/10 Fair · Sat 11:00 Tunnels Beach 3.5/10 Poor · Sat 11:00 Poipu Beach 3.3/10 Poor · Sat 09:00

Weakest nearby later today

Tunnels Beach Poipu Beach Lydgate Beach

Read the Hawaii snorkeling guide for coast, access and best-month guidance. Also: Maui vs Big Island, Maui vs Oahu

How Kauai's coasts look today

Saturday, September 26, 2026 · HST · Data updated Sat 04:42

Compare the coasts by forecast period. These are model estimates, not beach observations. Open each beach report and check official advisories before leaving.

North Shore Kauai

Anini Beach has the best forecast in North Shore Kauai later today.

Right now (forecast)

Anini Beach · Fair

Forecast for the hour starting Sat 08:00: 2.8 m waves and 6.1 m/s wind.

Later today

Anini Beach · Fair

Its best forecast hour is Sat 11:00, with 2.9 m waves and 6.2 m/s wind.

Next three days

Anini Beach · Fair

Its best forecast hour is Mon 10:00, with 2.5 m waves and 5.3 m/s wind.

East Kauai

Lydgate Beach has the best forecast in East Kauai later today.

Right now (forecast)

Lydgate Beach · Poor

Forecast for the hour starting Sat 08:00: 3.3 m waves and 7.5 m/s wind.

Later today

Lydgate Beach · Poor

Its best forecast hour is Sat 09:00, with 3.3 m waves and 7.8 m/s wind.

Next three days

Lydgate Beach · Poor

Its best forecast hour is Mon 07:00, with 3.3 m waves and 4.5 m/s wind.

South Shore Kauai

Poipu Beach has the best forecast in South Shore Kauai later today.

Right now (forecast)

Poipu Beach · Poor

Forecast for the hour starting Sat 08:00: 2.7 m waves and 8.2 m/s wind.

Later today

Poipu Beach · Poor

Its best forecast hour is Sat 09:00, with 2.8 m waves and 8.9 m/s wind.

Next three days

Poipu Beach · Fair

Its best forecast hour is Mon 08:00, with 3.2 m waves and 6.3 m/s wind.

No recommendation for later today

No beach in this Kauai report reaches our good model threshold later today. Check the hourly beach forecasts and official alerts before entering the water.

Weakest beach in the forecast for later today

Lydgate Beach · 2.8/10

Its best forecast hour is Sat 09:00, with 3.3 m waves and 7.8 m/s wind.

Check the beach before you leave

A camera shows one stretch of coast. Check its time stamp and the official alerts too.

Check these official alerts

Kauai sea temperature · Compare Hawaii islands · Read the Hawaii snorkeling guide

How we work out the score

The score uses the hourly wave, wind, water temperature, tide and current forecast. A beach can differ from the wider forecast grid. Check beach signs, lifeguards and official alerts before you enter.

Local beach intelligence

AreaKauai

DifficultyVaries by beach

Best timeMorning

ExposureNorth and south shore seasons differ strongly

ShoreIsland hub

Sunrise

06:27

Sunset

18:30

Water

26.6°C

Max air

20.7°C

Sky

Cloudy

100% cloud

No good model window in the next 72 hours

Use the best-available section for the least-bad times.

3-day planner Best available Show data

3-day planner

Saturday

⚠️ Fair conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Sunday

⚠️ Fair conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Monday

⚠️ Fair conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Best available hours

  • Mon 12:00: Fair (0.46) · still limited by waves, tide/current
  • Sat 11:00: Fair (0.42) · still limited by waves
  • Mon 10:00: Fair (0.41) · still limited by waves, tide/current

Why this verdict

Main blockers across the next 72 hours:

  • Waves (67 hours)
  • Tide/current (64 hours)
  • Darkness (48 hours)

Jellyfish drift risk

Drift estimate from wind, swell, current and warm water.

Low · 34/100

Low drift risk now.

warm water supports seasonal jellyfish activity; surface drift/current is noticeable; local shoreline exposure is not mapped yet.

Sightings override the model: if you see small purple jellyfish with long trailing tentacles, treat them as sting-capable and give them space.

Upcoming high tides

Next early morning high tide: Sun 03:00

Sat 14:00, Sun 03:00, Mon 15:00

Bookable snorkel tours near Kauai

Prices and availability from Viator. Check conditions before you book.

We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Kauai: NaPali Boat Tour on the Amelia K

Kauai: NaPali Boat Tour on the Amelia K

4.9/5 2050 reviews 5h
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Kauai: Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Expedition and Snorkeling

Kauai: Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Expedition and Snorkeling

4.9/5 956 reviews 4h
From USD 255.00 Check availability

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Kauai: Na Pali Coast Super Raft Snorkel Adventure

Kauai: Na Pali Coast Super Raft Snorkel Adventure

4.8/5 1724 reviews 4h 30m
From USD 215.00 Check availability

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Our Deluxe Power Catamaran outside the famous Kalalau Cathedral.

Kauai: Na Pali Coast Power Catamaran

5.0/5 810 reviews 4h 30m
From USD 274.93 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Beach landing for snorkeling

Hanalei Bay Morning Kayak and Snorkel Tour

4.9/5 626 reviews 5h
From USD 160.49 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Kauai dolphin tours

Kauai: Deluxe Na Pali Snorkel Cruise aboard Lucky Lady

4.7/5 1640 reviews 5h 30m
From USD 233.73 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Nearby snorkel spot map

Compare nearby spot forecasts for later today before choosing a beach.

Anini Beach Fair · Sat 11:00 3.6/10 Tunnels Beach Poor · Sat 11:00 3.5/10 Poipu Beach Poor · Sat 09:00 3.3/10 Lydgate Beach Poor · Sat 09:00 2.8/10

Forecast spot map

Use the map to see where the compared spots sit. Open a card for the hourly forecast.

Anini Beach Tunnels Beach Poipu Beach Lydgate Beach
  1. Anini Beach
  2. Tunnels Beach
  3. Poipu Beach
  4. Lydgate Beach

This is a location diagram, not a marine chart. Check the shore and local signs in person.

Nearby alternatives in USA

Tunnels Beach

15 km away

❌ Poor

Anini Beach

16 km away

❌ Poor

Lydgate Beach

21 km away

❌ Poor

Poipu Beach

26 km away

❌ Poor

Advanced forecast data

Viewing historical data

Thu 08:00 – Sun 08:00 (HST)

Previous day Yesterday Next day Live

Snorkel Score (selected 24h)

Best snorkel score is 0.45 around Thu 10:00; 7 of 24 hours are good, fair, or excellent.

Score trend, higher is better. Excellent ≥ 0.72, good 0.55–0.72, fair 0.35–0.55.

Conditions (24h trends)

Tap a chart to load just that series.

0/24 sampled hours stay at or below 0.36m (range 1.28m to 1.5m).

Wind is at or below 5.4m/s in 24/24 sampled hours (range 1.29 to 2.72m/s).

Tides range from 0.42m to 0.86m; 2 of 24 hours are in or near peak slack windows.

72-hour historical overview
Fair ⚠️ Fair
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Poor ❌ Limited
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Fair ⚠️ Fair
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Fair ⚠️ Fair
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Scoring methodology (for technical users)

We score each hour from 0 to 1 using daylight and these weighted components:

  • Wave height (35%): best below 0.36m, then decreases as it rises.
  • Wind speed (25%): best below 5.4m/s, lower is better.
  • Sea surface temperature (15%): best within 20.6°C to 30.4°C.
  • Tide and currents (15%): best around slack/high-tide windows.
  • Daylight (10%): visibility is better in daylight, so night hours score lower.
Detailed hourly data table
Time Wave (m) Wind (m/s) Sea temp (°C) Status
Thu 08:00 1.28 · high 2.16 · good 27.00 · good Fair
Thu 09:00 1.28 · high 1.97 · good 27.00 · good Fair
Thu 10:00 1.28 · high 2.05 · good 27.10 · good Fair
Thu 11:00 1.28 · high 2.04 · good 27.10 · good Fair
Thu 12:00 1.30 · high 2.26 · good 27.10 · good Fair
Thu 13:00 1.30 · high 2.08 · good 27.10 · good Fair
Thu 14:00 1.48 · high 2.72 · good 27.10 · good Poor
Thu 15:00 1.48 · high 1.98 · good 27.10 · good Poor
Thu 16:00 1.48 · high 2.12 · good 27.10 · good Poor
Thu 17:00 1.48 · high 2.18 · good 27.10 · good Poor
Thu 18:00 1.48 · high 2.25 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Thu 19:00 1.48 · high 1.41 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Thu 20:00 1.48 · high 1.92 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Thu 21:00 1.48 · high 2.02 · good 26.90 · good Poor
Thu 22:00 1.50 · high 1.82 · good 26.90 · good Poor
Thu 23:00 1.50 · high 1.62 · good 26.90 · good Poor
Fri 00:00 1.50 · high 1.90 · good 26.90 · good Poor
Fri 01:00 1.36 · high 1.29 · good 26.70 · good Poor
Fri 02:00 1.36 · high 2.02 · good 26.60 · good Poor
Fri 03:00 1.38 · high 2.28 · good 26.60 · good Poor
Fri 04:00 1.40 · high 1.85 · good 26.60 · good Poor
Fri 05:00 1.40 · high 2.27 · good 26.60 · good Poor
Fri 06:00 1.42 · high 2.25 · good 26.60 · good Poor
Fri 07:00 1.42 · high 1.98 · good 26.60 · good Fair
Fri 08:00 1.44 · high 2.42 · good 26.60 · good Fair
Fri 09:00 1.46 · high 2.58 · good 26.60 · good Fair
Fri 10:00 1.48 · high 2.88 · good 26.60 · good Fair
Fri 11:00 1.50 · high 2.73 · good 26.60 · good Fair
Fri 12:00 1.52 · high 3.29 · good 26.60 · good Fair
Fri 13:00 1.54 · high 3.58 · good 26.60 · good Fair
Fri 14:00 1.56 · high 1.84 · good 26.60 · good Poor
Fri 15:00 1.56 · high 2.02 · good 26.60 · good Poor
Fri 16:00 1.58 · high 1.64 · good 26.60 · good Poor
Fri 17:00 1.58 · high 2.15 · good 26.60 · good Poor
Fri 18:00 1.60 · high 2.21 · good 26.60 · good Poor
Fri 19:00 1.60 · high 2.29 · good 26.60 · good Poor
Fri 20:00 1.62 · high 2.36 · good 26.60 · good Poor
Fri 21:00 1.64 · high 2.01 · good 26.60 · good Poor
Fri 22:00 1.66 · high 2.18 · good 26.60 · good Poor
Fri 23:00 1.68 · high 2.32 · good 26.50 · good Poor
Sat 00:00 1.72 · high 2.49 · good 26.50 · good Poor
Sat 01:00 1.74 · high 2.21 · good 26.50 · good Poor
Sat 02:00 1.78 · high 2.10 · good 26.50 · good Poor
Sat 03:00 1.86 · high 2.35 · good 26.50 · good Poor
Sat 04:00 1.88 · high 2.40 · good 26.50 · good Poor
Sat 05:00 1.90 · high 2.26 · good 26.50 · good Poor
Sat 06:00 1.92 · high 2.62 · good 26.50 · good Poor
Sat 07:00 1.94 · high 2.57 · good 26.40 · good Fair
Sat 08:00 1.96 · high 2.90 · good 26.40 · good Fair
Sat 09:00 1.98 · high 2.94 · good 26.40 · good Poor
Sat 10:00 2.02 · high 3.47 · good 26.40 · good Poor
Sat 11:00 2.04 · high 3.49 · good 26.40 · good Poor
Sat 12:00 2.04 · high 3.51 · good 26.40 · good Poor
Sat 13:00 2.06 · high 3.60 · good 26.30 · good Poor
Sat 14:00 2.06 · high 3.54 · good 26.30 · good Poor
Sat 15:00 2.08 · high 3.47 · good 26.30 · good Poor
Sat 16:00 2.12 · high 3.22 · good 26.30 · good Poor
Sat 17:00 2.14 · high 3.18 · good 26.30 · good Poor
Sat 18:00 2.20 · high 3.43 · good 26.30 · good Poor
Sat 19:00 2.26 · high 3.36 · good 26.20 · good Poor
Sat 20:00 2.32 · high 3.21 · good 26.20 · good Poor
Sat 21:00 2.34 · high 3.47 · good 26.20 · good Poor
Sat 22:00 2.38 · high 3.51 · good 26.20 · good Poor
Sat 23:00 2.40 · high 3.18 · good 26.20 · good Poor
Sun 00:00 2.44 · high 3.26 · good 26.10 · good Poor
Sun 01:00 2.58 · high 2.77 · good 26.20 · good Poor
Sun 02:00 2.38 · high 3.25 · good 26.20 · good Poor
Sun 03:00 2.36 · high 3.50 · good 26.20 · good Poor
Sun 04:00 2.36 · high 3.31 · good 26.20 · good Poor
Sun 05:00 2.34 · high 3.18 · good 26.20 · good Poor
Sun 06:00 2.34 · high 3.12 · good 26.20 · good Poor
Sun 07:00 2.32 · high 3.16 · good 26.20 · good Poor