SNORKELING AT ELECTRIC BEACH ON OAHU (KAHE POINT)
Electric Beach or “Electrics” is a 40 minute drive from Waikiki. The official name of this location is Kahe Point but locals know this spot by its nickname first. It is called Electric Beach because right next to the beach is the power station. It doesn’t have postcard palms or a mile-long stretch of sand, but you don’t come here for landscapes. The real action is under the water.
WHY IS IT CALLED ELECTRIC BEACH?
The beach is next to the Hawaiian Electric Plant, which outflows clean warm water through two large cooling pipes. The pipes run out into the ocean and at the opening the water temperature is several degrees warmer than normal, which attracts a variety of sea life.
Not only is there an abundance of sea life, the water clarity is as good as it gets on Oahu. This beach provides a perfect combination of clear water and tons to see.
There is a small channel that you need to swim out of before you reach the open ocean. This can be a little turbulent so keep your eyes open until you get through the channel. Turtles are sometimes in the channel but it isn’t the best place to stop and look as the current is strong.
WHAT WILL YOU SEE?
Once you are through the channel, keep your eyes open as you are now in Hawaiian Sea Turtle territory. I have snorkeled here more than 15 times and have seen at least one turtle on every swim.
Schools of Angelfish will float by as well as Butterfly fish, Parrot fish, Damsel fish, Surgeon fish. An abundance of coral on the sea floor is home to the vast array of fish, eels, and hundreds of different species of sea creatures.
Before you know it, you will be in depths of more than 40 feet. There is old machinery and other cool things to dive down to and check out. In water this deep, the atmosphere is truly amazing, it feels like you are on another planet, it’s truly beautiful.
DID YOU SAY DOLPHINS?
In the distance you will see a lot of charter boats. They are doing dolphin excursions and turtle excursions. Basically, people are paying $140 per person to have a similar experience to you.
Put your head under water and if you hear the squealing noises of dolphins you can swim out further and hopefully swim with a pod of Spinner Dolphins. Sometimes you can see them from the beach too.
I swam with dolphins at this beach and was less than 400 yards from shore, which isn’t a huge swim with fins on. I have also heard whale noises while underwater at this beach but am yet to swim with a whale.
REMEMBER
Respect the sea life by not touching, chasing, or harassing them. Turtles will often hang around you if you are calm, but they won’t hesitate to swim away if you get too close to them. It is a privilege to witness wildlife in their natural habitat, be sure to respect all of the creatures you encounter and the nature that surrounds you.
For more great snorkel spots, check out 11 Reasons Why Waimea Bay is our Favorite Beach on Oahu!
I lived on Oahu for two years and loved adventuring from the beaches to the mountains to the waterfalls! These are my most popular blog post and guides from the beautiful island of Oahu to help you plan your trip!
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[…] got up early to depart before 8am for our 9am dive at Electric Beach with ECO Divers. A very small group (Pattie, me, and a young woman from Seattle, Celeste, who […]
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[…] Electric Beach – verdankt seinen Namen dem nahegelegenen Elektrizitätswerk und ist damit absolut kein Postkartenstrand. Ein Besuch lohnt sich vor allem wegen der Unterwasserwelt, denn hier haben gute Schwimmer die Gelegenheit mit Schildkröten und Delfinen zu schnorcheln. […]
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Jackson, amazing blog. I’ve got so much insights than I have anywhere else.
You talked a lot about swimming out to meet these amazing creatures. I wonder if you were doing that alone or with a group. Or if you would suggest anyone swim out for the dolphins/turtles at Electric Beach alone. Are there sharks? Any potential hazards? Would love to know what you think.
Thanks again! And have fun in Asia. ( I follow you on insta too:)
[…] find it hard to miss them during your stay. My favorite spots to hang out with a turtle are Electric Beach and Waimea Bay. Just remember to keep your distance, never touch and be sure and respect […]
[…] Electric Beach — A snorkeling hotspot with plenty dolphin spotting stories! […]
[…] humans. Lastly, if you are going to go snorkeling on the West Side of Oahu, as is the case with Electric Beach, be cautious not to leave valuables on shore or in your car, as theft is a common […]
[…] Electric Beach – Go early in the morning, right after sunrise, warm water from the power plant across the street attracts dolphins! Bring something to float on because the swim to the pipes can be long and taxing […]
[…] you want to see some sea life make sure you go to Electric beach. It is easy to find with GPS and painless to do on your own. We went in the morning, which I would […]