Swimming on North Shore in early November

We are staying our entire trip on the north shore during our visit in late October/Early November. We%26#39;ve been lucky on previous visits with fairly calm surf that allowed us to swim and snorkel all north shore beaches. We are bringing relatives on this visit and i%26#39;m concerned that, if surf is higher, there will be nowhere to swim/snorkel on the north shore. All of us are comfortable in the water and average swimmers. Is there any north shore beaches one would recommend for high surf conditions? Is Tunnels or Hanalei Beach Park swimmable during this time?

Swimming on North Shore in early November

About november the boats anchored in hanalei bay haul anchor and generally head down south to winter in Nawiliwili harbor until about may.

The north shore swells can be building at that time, which makes the bay untenable.

Also, the higher the surf , the more water running into the lagoons between the reefs and shore, thus more current as the water tries to escape back into the ocean.

These huge swells, when they do come, are not necessary locally generated, they come from storms far to the north. Those seas continue on until they reach a shore.

long shore currents at tunnels actually look like rapids, and are flowing very quickly and are dangerous.

That condition, which is highly visible, is lost on the tourists, as they are not aware of what they are looking at.

Large waves crashing on the the reef, and visitors walk out onto the reef at Ke%26#39;e with 25 foot seas crashing. Then they have to be rescued, and others put their lives on the line.

Hideaways is also subject to large surf, and huge seas, so please investigate the surf and ocean reports.

Now, this is to make you aware of what you ';Might'; be encountering in november.

It is winter. Usually the south shore is recommeded for ocean activities at that time of year.

So, just be sure to visually check out the conditions, and use good sense, and pay attention to the warnings should they be posted.

Read the surf reports, watch them on TV, and and hear them on the radio, and spend some time looking at the actual situation before entering the water.

Denny

Swimming on North Shore in early November

freeny,

The conditions do change that time of year and when I was there last week I noticed them changing already. Hanalei Bay was still calm, but Tunnels was not. When I was there last December we could still go to Hanalei Pier but anything north of there was too rough for us. Anini is another option to visit. Just keep your eyes and ears open for the surf reports and take Denny%26#39;s suggestions.

I will be there late October so we%26#39;ll probably bump into each other looking for snorkeling spots.

http://www.hawaiiweathertoday.com/kauai.php

http://aloha2hawaii.com/kauai_beaches.html

Aloha from Princeville...

We are blessed on this island, to have this website -- on which the lifeguards give daily ocean reports each morning, and inform residents and visitors of hazardous conditions:

kauaiexplorer.com/guides/…beach_safety.php

* Swim at lifeguarded beaches – ask lifeguards for safety and swimming tips.

* Lifeguards post warning signs – Don’t ignore them! Read them and heed them!

* Conditions constantly change – daily and seasonal changes must be monitored closely

* Waves come in sets – it can look calm for up to 20 minutes between dangerous sets of huge waves.

* Hazards can exist in ANY coastal area - not just in the water. Be careful on wet sand and rocks.

* Do not fight a rip current – if caught in a current keep calm, float, breathe, don’t panic, and wave for help. Go WITH the current and conserve energy.

* Use the buddy system – never swim alone %26amp; know your limits.

* When in doubt – don%26#39;t go out!

* Learn More – Check out The Explorer%26#39;s Guide to Kauai, our Ebook travel guide with lots more safety tips, as well as maps and highlights to island towns, parks and restaurants.

When looking at surf reports, what wave height at Ke%26#39;e, Hanalei, and Tunnels should raise a red flag? Today it shows 4-8 foot surf at Ke%26#39;e and Hanalei Bay. Can you snorkel and swim inside the reef with those waves?

4-8%26#39; surf is BIG. Stay away, even on reef-protected beaches. That said, Anini was beautiful and very calm yesterday, even on the reef. We%26#39;ve certainly been able to swim at Ke`e in November, but we check out the situation carefully.

Aloha from Princeville...

to freeny -- and all other Kaua`i visitors:

Even those who are familiar with our waters, know to ask lifeguards for up-to-the-minute conditions.

Our local radio stations do their best to give daily surf/ocean reports, but its the lifeguards who really know what%26#39;s happening minute-to-minute.

Winter surf throughout the islands of Hawai`i, can truly be deadly for those who take foolish chances.