Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on February 4, 2024
Kahe Point, also known as “Electric Beach” because of the electric power plant nearby, is a popular snorkeling spot in Oahu. Two large cooling pipes from the plant discharges warm water into the ocean. This warm water attracts vibrant sea life including reef fish, sea turtles, eagle rays and occasional pods of spinner dolphins to the area. Snorkeling in this area needs to be done with extreme caution as dangerous currents can occur in some parts of the snorkeling area. This spot is not recommended for beginners.
Electric Beach is located on the west coast of Oahu, about a 40-minute drive from Honolulu and Waikiki Beach. Once you’ve reached the coast, watch for Kahe Beach Park signs. The parking lot is just before the electric plant, on the left side of the road. Park and walk to the tiny Electric Beach.
A water entrance can be quite challenging at this location, due to the waves and currents that frequently occur along this part of the coast. Get into the water from the Electric Beach, staying close to the wall, and swim out to the reef. Wear swim fins, and do not enter the water if there is surf or a strong current.
The Electric Beach snorkeling area comprises a large water pipe (↕6-20ft/2-6m) and its surroundings, including the reef areas extending south of the pipe. The warm water released by the electric plant and the structure has created an artificial reef, attracting abundant sea life.
Around the pipe and the other underwater structures which are covered by coral, you will spot a great diversity of reef fish, including butterflyfish, pinktail triggerfish, parrotfish, scrawled filefish, and moray eels. Large schools of snappers shelter along the pipeline.
Green sea turtles are very common on this spot, usually swimming peacefully near the water outflow. If you are lucky, you might encounter a pod of spinner dolphins, who frequently visit the location. You might even see a whitetip shark, which like to rest on the sand in the deepest areas.
The top of the structure is approximately 10ft under the surface of the ocean. Do not snorkel the pipe discharge area, as the flowing water can create strong and unpredictable currents.
Did you recently snorkel Electric Beach? Share your pics in the gallery below!
There are no restaurants or supermarkets available near the beach.
These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
