If you would like the opportunity to observe underwater sea life without all the complicated equipment needed for scuba diving, then snorkeling might be your sport. Snorkeling is a fun recreational sport that does not require any special certification. The Hawaiian Islands are ideal for snorkeling, and Kauai in particular has some great snorkeling spots throughout the island. This is a guide to snorkeling on the island of Kauai. 

There are a number or snorkel rental shops throughout the island if you decided to leave your own gear at home. If you are not into renting gear, you can buy gear relatively inexpensively at some of the big box stores on Kauai. 

If you have never snorkeled before, there are two outfits that offer guided snorkeling tours. Aloha Kauai Tours offers their SeaFun Guided Snorkel tour for about $80. They pick you up and take you to a safe snorkeling location and provide drinks and snacks. Seafun Snorkel tours are one of the best on the island; they can help anyone enjoy snorkeling. At the Princeville Hotel, Hanalei Watersports also offers guided snorkel tours for $45. 

The north shore of Kauai has some great snorkeling beaches, but the snorkeling here is seasonal. The best times to snorkel on the north shore of Kauai is from May till September. Ke’e Beach is great for snorkeling, tons of fish, clear waters and turtles. Tunnels is another beach on the north shore that is great for snorkeling. The ocean is a rainbow of colors and truly amazing. Make sure you bring your waterproof camera. 

The east shore also has some great beaches for snorkeling, as long as the seas are calm. Lydgate State Park is one of the best snorkeling parks on the island. The beach features bolder protected pools that allow for relatively calm water perfect for snorkeling. Nukoli’i Beach Park can also be a good place for snorkeling, but only when the waters are calm. 

On the south shore of Kauai Po’ipu Beach Park is a great place for snorkeling, especially when the north shore is swelling with waves, Po’ipu is calm like a swimming pool. Kiahuna Beach, which is right in front of the Sheraton Hotel, is one of the most user-friendly beaches on the island and is nice for snorkeling. Lawa’i Beach is calm and good place for beginner snorkelers, except when the tide is high.

The seas on the west side of Kauai are a little less predictable and there are few protected swimming areas, and therefore know known safe snorkeling beaches. 

If you want to swim with the fishes, get your mask, snorkel and fins, and get in the water. Kauai has some of the most beautiful fish in the entire world. This guide to snorkeling on Kauai will help get you started. 

In conclusion, snorkeling is a fun sport that can be enjoyed by one and all and is one that every swimmer in existence has tried it out atleast once in his/her lifetime because they all have found it to be far more adventurous than scuba diving, which can be considered its parent organization and what better place than Kauai to unleash the swimmer inside you. So grab onto some of the best full-face snorkeling masks and take the plunge into the deep waters of the sea. 

An outdoor kitchen is a great way to add space to your home without having to actually build more on the home. Outdoor kitchens are a great place to spend warm summer nights entertaining or afternoons with your friends and family. Outdoor kitchen designs and styles have evolved over the years to include televisions, refrigerators, cabinetry and running water as well as granite coutertops and many more elaborate features. Here are some tips for designing an outdoor kitchen that will suit your style and remain within your budget making your outdoor kitchen dreams just a few steps away from becoming reality!

Outdoor Kitchen Design Tips: Determine Your Budget: The first step to designing and outdoor kitchen is to determine your budget. Depending on the budget that you have and the money that you can afford to spend on your outdoor kitchen you will have many options to choose from when furnishing the outdoor kitchen.

Outdoor Kitchen Design Tips: Flexibility: The flexibility of your outdoor kitchen will have much to do with the cost of the outdoor kitchen. A portable or movable outdoor kitchen will typically cost less than a permanent kitchen but it will also usually lack some of the features that are present in a permanent outdoor kitchen setting. Determine whether you will plan on moving your outdoor kitchen or if you wish to have a permanent structure to your outdoor kitchen before designing the final area.

Outdoor Kitchen Design Tips: Style: There are three very common styles of outdoor kitchens in terms of the island. There is the standard island style outdoor kitchen that can be purchased in a prefabricated form or created from scratch, there is a U shaped outdoor kitchen which offers areas for seating and entertaining, and there is also the L shaped outdoor kitchen which usually offers a bench seating area or bar area along side the grilling area. Choose a style of outdoor kitchen that is going to coordinate with the area that you have to place the kitchen in.

Outdoor Kitchen Design Tips: Furnishings: Outdoor kitchens can feature a variety of furnishing options from a simple grill and sink area for washing and cooking food to an entire entertainment unit that includes televisions and a bar. Determine the furnishings that are most important to you in your outdoor kitchen before planning a design. Take into consideration the amount of time that you plan on using the outdoor kitchen as well as the activities that you perform the most. An outdoor furniture daybeds can be used in the kitchens. It will provide comfort to the owner while working in the kitchen.

Outdoor Kitchen Design Tips: Plumbing: Outdoor kitchens can feature a permanent plumbing area or you can opt not to have water available in the outdoor kitchen. It is usually preferred that plumbing be installed with the outdoor kitchen as this affords full outdoor cooking ability. Take into consideration the amount of time that will be lost going into the house for water if you opt out of permanent plumbing for the outdoor kitchen!