Ocean SafeKauaʻi Beach Safety
North Shore

Tunnels (Mākua) today: live conditions and our beach score

The best north-shore snorkeling on the island in summer, over a wide, maze-like reef.

Live conditions North Shore
Reading today's ocean conditions…

Ocean Safe scores conditions from public NOAA and Open-Meteo data. We don't certify any beach as safe or unsafe, and this is a modeled estimate, not an official forecast. Always check posted signs, county lifeguards, and weather.gov, and decide for yourself. How we score beaches.

Open Tunnels in Ocean Safe: live map & beach score →Live conditions, our beach score, lifeguard info and what to do today. Free, no signup

The one thing to know

There's no lifeguard, and in winter the reef channels become powerful exit rips. This is a calm-summer-only spot.

Beach facts

ShoreNorth Shore
LifeguardNo lifeguard (nearest at Hāʻena)
Best forWalking, scenery, and swimming on calm days
Good timeMorning, before the trade winds build and while visibility is best.
Calmer beach nearbyʻAnini Beach →Lifeguarded seasonally · The largest reef in the islands shelters a long, shallow lagoon, usually the calmest swim on the north shore in summer.

Questions visitors ask

Is it safe to swim at Tunnels Beach today?
In calm summer conditions Tunnels has the island's best north-shore snorkeling. There's no lifeguard, and in winter the channels become exit rips. Stay out then. Check today's live surf above and the full beach score in the app.
Is there a lifeguard at Tunnels?
No. The nearest lifeguard is at Hāʻena Beach Park. Treat Tunnels as fully unguarded and only snorkel it on calm summer days with a buddy.
When is Tunnels safe to snorkel?
Summer, on flat days. Winter north swells turn the reef channels into dangerous rips.
More North Shore beaches today
AniniHanaleiKe'eQueen's BathLumahaiSecret