Kauai Snorkeling :: Snorkel in Kauai on Na Pali Coast!

Oh the things we see when we’re out there on a Kauai snorkeling tour.

Puffer fish, one of the world’s most deadly… In Japan, this fish is referred to as fugu. Sushi chefs who are licensed to prepare the exotic fugu sushi must be extremely careful, cause it can cause instantaneous death to the eater. That’s right, don’t be fooled by this cute little guy. Actually, this puffer fish is half eaten in the photo, by a nearby monk seal who already ate its little butterfly fins and even its delicious eyes. I hope that monk seal doesn’t experience the infamous “fugu fate.”

A giant green sea turtle swimming up to us on this Kauai Snorkeling Tour. The Hawaiian green sea turtle (Honu) are a threatened species in Hawaii. And unlike other parts of the world, especially Southeast Asia, you cannot make turtle soup in Hawaii.

All photos by Erik Van Embden

Hawaiian Monk Seal Kauai

This monk seal pup was born on 17 April 2010. Here it is on Miloli’i Beach with it’s mother, along the Napali Coast in Kauai

Resting on the beach

We had a huge sea turtle swim right up to the boat and surprise us. (COOL!)

Not a lot of dolphin action today. We did spot a small pod between Hanakapi’ai and Kalalau Valley. Very unusual location to see them. They were very skittish. We were able to see them leap out and spin a few times. Most likely a birthing going on.

Waves were beginning to build and create a mysterious spooky mist along the shoreline extending 100′s of feet into the air and valleys.

Several monk seals were spotted on Nualolo Kai.