Kauai Snorkel Report Today

USA · Updated Wed 17:01 (HST) · Source: Snapshot

The skinny

Marginal Report Wed 07:27

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

Score: 4.7/10

Best time: Wed 11:00

Main risk: Waves

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

Best afternoon signal: Wed 13:00 (Fair). Peak afternoon wind is about 2.7 m/s.

Local beach intelligence

AreaKauai

DifficultyVaries by beach

Best timeMorning

ExposureNorth and south shore seasons differ strongly

ShoreIsland hub

Sunrise

06:14

Sunset

19:11

Water

26.9°C

Max air

24.8°C

Sky

Cloudy

92% cloud

No good model window in the next 72 hours

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

3-day planner

Wednesday

⚠️ Fair conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Thursday

⚠️ Fair conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Friday

⚠️ Fair conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Best available hours

  • Wed 21:00: Fair (0.47) · still limited by waves, tide/current
  • Thu 22:00: Fair (0.46) · still limited by waves, tide/current
  • Thu 19:00: Fair (0.44) · still limited by waves, tide/current

Why this verdict

Main blockers across the next 72 hours:

  • Waves (71 hours)
  • Tide/current (71 hours)
  • Darkness (51 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: Fri 13:00

Thu 01:00, Fri 13:00, Sat 02:00, Sat 14:00

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 1780 reviews 5h
From USD 227.13 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Kauai: Na Pali Coast Super Raft Snorkel Adventure

Kauai: Na Pali Coast Super Raft Snorkel Adventure

4.8/5 1692 reviews 4h 30m
From USD 235.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Kauai: Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Expedition and Snorkeling

Kauai: Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Expedition and Snorkeling

4.9/5 934 reviews 4h
From USD 255.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Ultimate Na Pali Coast Zodiac Boat Snorkeling and Sea Cave Tour

Ultimate Na Pali Coast Zodiac Boat Snorkeling and Sea Cave Tour

4.7/5 106 reviews 5h
From USD 257.28 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Beach landing for snorkeling

Hanalei Bay Morning Kayak and Snorkel Tour

4.9/5 618 reviews 5h
From USD 160.49 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Our Deluxe Power Catamaran outside the famous Kalalau Cathedral.

Kauai: Na Pali Coast Power Catamaran

4.9/5 705 reviews 4h 30m
From USD 274.93 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Nearby snorkel spot map

Compare nearby spots by score, forecast window and exposure before choosing a beach.

Forecast spot map

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

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

Nearby alternatives in USA

Advanced forecast data

Viewing historical data

Sun 17:00 – Wed 17:00 (HST)

Snorkel Score (selected 24h)

Best snorkel score is 0.52 around Sun 13:00; 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 1.24m to 1.36m).

Wind is at or below 5.4m/s in 24/24 sampled hours (range 0.36 to 2.75m/s).

Tides range from 0.27m to 1.04m; 1 of 24 hours are in or near peak slack windows.

72-hour historical overview
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
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Poor ❌ Limited
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Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
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Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
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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
Sun 17:00 1.24 · high 1.07 · good 27.10 · good Fair
Sun 18:00 1.24 · high 1.43 · good 27.10 · good Fair
Sun 19:00 1.24 · high 2.14 · good 27.10 · good Fair
Sun 20:00 1.28 · high 2.34 · good 27.10 · good Fair
Sun 21:00 1.28 · high 2.71 · good 27.20 · good Fair
Sun 22:00 1.30 · high 2.75 · good 27.20 · good Fair
Sun 23:00 1.30 · high 2.58 · good 27.30 · good Fair
Mon 00:00 1.32 · high 2.50 · good 27.30 · good Poor
Mon 01:00 1.34 · high 2.53 · good 27.30 · good Poor
Mon 02:00 1.34 · high 2.47 · good 27.30 · good Poor
Mon 03:00 1.36 · high 2.39 · good 27.30 · good Poor
Mon 04:00 1.36 · high 2.20 · good 27.30 · good Poor
Mon 05:00 1.34 · high 1.42 · good 27.20 · good Poor
Mon 06:00 1.34 · high 0.50 · good 27.20 · good Poor
Mon 07:00 1.34 · high 0.56 · good 27.20 · good Poor
Mon 08:00 1.32 · high 0.39 · good 27.20 · good Poor
Mon 09:00 1.32 · high 0.43 · good 27.20 · good Poor
Mon 10:00 1.32 · high 0.36 · good 27.20 · good Poor
Mon 11:00 1.30 · high 0.47 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Mon 12:00 1.30 · high 0.52 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Mon 13:00 1.30 · high 0.76 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Mon 14:00 1.32 · high 0.83 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Mon 15:00 1.32 · high 0.65 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Mon 16:00 1.32 · high 0.45 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Mon 17:00 1.34 · high 0.51 · good 27.00 · good Fair
Mon 18:00 1.34 · high 1.07 · good 27.00 · good Fair
Mon 19:00 1.34 · high 1.30 · good 27.00 · good Fair
Mon 20:00 1.32 · high 1.50 · good 27.10 · good Fair
Mon 21:00 1.32 · high 1.76 · good 27.10 · good Fair
Mon 22:00 1.34 · high 1.89 · good 27.10 · good Fair
Mon 23:00 1.34 · high 1.68 · good 27.20 · good Fair
Tue 00:00 1.36 · high 1.64 · good 27.20 · good Poor
Tue 01:00 1.38 · high 1.57 · good 27.20 · good Poor
Tue 02:00 1.38 · high 1.58 · good 27.20 · good Poor
Tue 03:00 1.40 · high 1.55 · good 27.20 · good Poor
Tue 04:00 1.40 · high 1.61 · good 27.20 · good Poor
Tue 05:00 1.40 · high 1.26 · good 27.20 · good Poor
Tue 06:00 1.40 · high 1.15 · good 27.20 · good Poor
Tue 07:00 1.40 · high 1.08 · good 27.20 · good Poor
Tue 08:00 1.40 · high 1.42 · good 27.10 · good Poor
Tue 09:00 1.40 · high 1.30 · good 27.10 · good Poor
Tue 10:00 1.40 · high 1.24 · good 27.10 · good Poor
Tue 11:00 1.38 · high 0.62 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Tue 12:00 1.38 · high 0.83 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Tue 13:00 1.38 · high 1.01 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Tue 14:00 1.38 · high 1.11 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Tue 15:00 1.38 · high 1.07 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Tue 16:00 1.38 · high 0.99 · good 26.90 · good Poor
Tue 17:00 1.36 · high 0.92 · good 26.90 · good Fair
Tue 18:00 1.36 · high 1.55 · good 26.90 · good Fair
Tue 19:00 1.38 · high 1.80 · good 26.90 · good Fair
Tue 20:00 1.38 · high 2.05 · good 27.00 · good Fair
Tue 21:00 1.38 · high 2.55 · good 27.00 · good Fair
Tue 22:00 1.38 · high 2.50 · good 27.10 · good Fair
Tue 23:00 1.40 · high 2.55 · good 27.10 · good Fair
Wed 00:00 1.40 · high 2.55 · good 27.10 · good Poor
Wed 01:00 1.40 · high 2.51 · good 27.10 · good Poor
Wed 02:00 1.38 · high 2.46 · good 27.10 · good Poor
Wed 03:00 1.38 · high 2.21 · good 27.10 · good Poor
Wed 04:00 1.38 · high 1.78 · good 27.10 · good Poor
Wed 05:00 1.40 · high 1.23 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Wed 06:00 1.40 · high 0.55 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Wed 07:00 1.40 · high 0.54 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Wed 08:00 1.42 · high 0.36 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Wed 09:00 1.42 · high 0.68 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Wed 10:00 1.42 · high 0.35 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Wed 11:00 1.44 · high 0.45 · good 26.90 · good Poor
Wed 12:00 1.46 · high 0.41 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Wed 13:00 1.46 · high 0.54 · good 27.00 · good Poor
Wed 14:00 1.44 · high 0.59 · good 26.90 · good Poor
Wed 15:00 1.44 · high 0.57 · good 26.90 · good Poor
Wed 16:00 1.44 · high 0.56 · good 26.90 · good Poor