Anini Beach

While snorkeling is a big draw here, Anini Beach is an equally great spot for beachcombing, sunbathing, and stand-up paddleboarding. It doesn’t get the same level of crowds as some of the nearby, better-known beaches, such as Hanalei Beach. While most people come to Anini Beach for the day—either independently or on an island tour or a guided snorkeling excursion— you can spend the night at the campground.

• There are no lifeguards at the beach, and swells can be dangerous, particularly in winter.

• Facilities at the beach include restrooms, showers, and picnic tables.

• Camping is allowed at Anini Beach, but you must obtain permits through Kauai's Department of Parks and Recreation.

Anini Beach is on Kaui's North Shore, about a 10-minute drive from Princeville or a 20-minute drive from Hanalei Beach. Lihue is a 45-minute drive. Public transportation in the area is limited, so the best way to get to the beach is by car or on a guided tour.

If you want to swim and snorkel, the ideal time to visit Anini Beach is in summer, when the waters are calmer. Winter swells attract surfers, but they can make swimming offshore dangerous. Note that summer is one of the busier seasons on Kauiai, so be prepared for crowds—and come early in the day to avoid them.

Makua Beach, also known as Tunnels Beach, is another excellent place for snorkeling and diving. It's about a 30-minute drive west of Anini Beach. The reef here has serpentine lava tunnels that draw in plenty of tropical fish, and it’s a great place to see sea turtles, whales, and Hawaiian monk seals.