We will be going to Kauai Dec. 11-20 and staying the first couple days on Poipu Beach at the Kihuana Plantation. Then moving up to Kappa at the Pono Kai. My husband and I love to snorkel and scuba dive. Where would you recommend the best places to be in December to do this? All of the best places seem to be on the North Shore which is apparently dangerous in the winter. Thanks for your advice.

We will be there at the same time at the Marriott. Unfortunately, I've gotten the same info = South Shore only. We plan to dive also, the dive shops I contacted said that there are good dive and snorkeling sites around Poipu, but I'm wondering if I want to reschedule for the summer - Tunnels and KEE both sound so spectacular!!! We're planning on taking the charter cruise that takes you to Niihu to snorkel - the waters and marine lif there are supposedly fabulous.

Not gonna be much help here, but why not fly a few thousand miles further south; snorkeling and diving are perfect in French Polynesia that time of year.

The dive boats will be based in south shore areas in Dec. You can see what they plan for trips when you are there. Depending on surf conditions, several spots around Poipu are pretty good; Brennekes Beach, Koloa Landing, and the area by Beach House restaraunt are good for shore access snorkeling.

We just got back, and I can see how the summertime north shore could be real nice. There were a lot of fish around the Poipu beaches, but the area of protected water seemed fairly small. The north shore reef areas seemed much larger.

Was in Kauai in Feb. and there was no problem snorkeling on the north shore....surf wasn't bad at all. K'ee, Tunnels, and the beach in front of The Princeville were all great....the reefs protected them very well.

Thanks Doug - that gives me some hope - a local did tell me that it all depends on the winds and storm systems - perhaps we'll get lucky!!!