Waikanaloa Wet Cave, Kauai

Highway 560, Ha'ena, North Kauai

This is the easiest of the two wet caves to access as it is located just off the road. Sea caves are formed by thousands of years of ocean waves pounding against the lava and eventually etching out a cavern. At one time, the ocean was up to this point. The water in these wet caves is fed by springs seeping through the porous lava and is extremely cold. No swimming is allowed. Scuba divers have reported no fresh or salt water life exisits in these caves. Legend states that these caves were built by Pele, the volcano goddess, for her lover. But when they filled with water, she abandoned them. The second wet sea cave is located up the hill and is called Waikapala'e Cave. A dry sea cave, Manin-holo Dry Cave, is just down the road.

Directions:

From Ha'ena, take Highway 560 west. Both wet caves are located on the left just before Mile Marker #10, past the Ha'ena Beach Park. This cave is on the right of the parking lot and closer to the road.

Useful Information:

No swimming, wading, or diving allowed due to possible leptospirosis, a nasty bacteria often found in Hawaii's freshwater and may be present here

Easy access, parking located just in front of the cave entrance