Tunnels Beach(Ilfracombe)

Located in the small town of Wainiha, Tunnels Beach is a long, narrow, and very popular crescent-shaped that has beautiful beige-colored sand beach. The beach is situated in front of Ha’ena Point on the north shore of the island of Kauai. Also known as Makua Beach, Tunnels Beach is backed by ironwood trees, tropical palms, and lush mountains. 

Tunnels Beach offers many amenities including lifeguards, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, barbecues, arches, and tunnels. 

Tunnels Beach is a well-known destination for many water activities such as surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, and kitesurfing because of its large reef shore that is home to many animals including turtles, Hawaiian monk seal, and colorful fish. There are many fun activities at Tunnels Beach including swimming, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and beach walking. Please note that swimming here during winter months can be dangerous due to strong rip currents and high surf. 

Getting to Tunnels Beach is very easy – you can use the paid parking lot at Haena Beach Park that costs $5/vehicle and $1/visitor. After parking, you will need to walk 10 minutes northeast to the beach.

If you are looking for attractions near Tunnels Beach, there are many attractions within a 30-minute drive.  Princeville Botanical Gardens is an awesome botanica garden with collections of many plants including lantana, hibiscus, plumeria, fruit trees, cacao orchards, and chocolate tastings.  Kilauea Lighthouse is a part of the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and has been the setting for Disney’s animated film Lilo & Stitch. The 173-foot-tall Wailua Falls are featured on the opening credits of the television series Fantasy Island and are an incredible destination for swimming, photography, and hiking. Another great attraction near Tunnels Beach is Makai Golf Course, an 18-hole golf course featuring a disc golf, music & art festival, pool, fitness center, and golf tournaments.

If you get hungry, you can drive 20 minutes to many restaurants near Tunnels Beach. The Barbecue restaurant Chicken in a Barrel BBQ has a nice menu that includes barrel-smoked chicken, beef, ribs, kielbasa sausage, and also has an outdoor seating.  B’s Kitchen is an American eclectic restaurant that offers salads, pizza, pasta, sandwiches, burgers, desserts, and drinks.  The Hanalei Gourmet features many Hawaiian food items, live music, and a gourmet deli. Another good restaurant near Tunnels Beach is Nanea Restaurant and Barthat serves seafood options, vegetarian-friendly dishes, and cocktails in a patio seating – and has a nice bar.

If you are looking for a hotel near Tunnels Beach, there are many options within a 30-minute drive of the beach. The upscale 5-Star hotel Princeville Resort Kauai features a pool, poolside bar, stylish cocktail lounge, casual café, restaurant, spa, gym, and an 18-hole golf course.  The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas is a 4-Star hotel with a poolside bar, restaurant, spa, gym, and four pools. If you are looking for affordable hotels near Tunnels Beach, The ISO is a 3-star hotel offering a restaurant and oceanside rooms – and the 2-Star Plantation Hale Suites has three pools.