He was 58, and an experienced swimmer from California. The waters off a scenic beach on Kauai appeared calm. But within minutes of snorkeling, he lost consciousness. Lifeguards weren’t nearby. CPR didn’t help. Another Hawaii vacation ended in tragedy—one of dozens each year.
Many visitors still assume Hawaii’s biggest risks come from lava or sharks. In reality, drowning is the number one cause of injury-related death for tourists. And now, state officials say it’s time to treat this like the crisis it is.
The newly released 2025 Hawaii Water Safety Plan, developed by the Hawaii Water Safety Coalition in partnership with the Department of Health, lays out a sobering picture: the water may be warm, but it’s far from safe.
The deadliest tourist danger in Hawaii.
Snorkeling, swimming, and boating are part of what makes a Hawaii vacation feel truly magical. But ocean conditions here can shift in seconds, and most travelers arrive with woefully little local water experience. That’s a dangerous mix.
Drowning is the leading cause of death for Hawaii visitors from the mainland and abroad. Even strong swimmers fall victim to shallow reef drop-offs, rip currents, and disorientation while snorkeling. Snorkeling deaths remain especially common because signs of distress often go unnoticed until it’s too late.
According to the plan, many visitors underestimate Hawaii’s ocean hazards or don’t know what to look for. Others simply don’t realize how fast things can go wrong—even in knee-deep water.
88% of child drowning deaths happen to Hawaii residents.
While most fatal drownings in Hawaii involve visitors—by a reported margin of nearly 10 to 1—the picture changes when you look at children. The report doesn’t just highlight the obvious risks to tourists. It also shows how deeply this issue impacts Hawaii families.
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children in Hawaii ages 1 to 15. And nearly nine out of ten of those who drown are residents. Most die in pools, not the ocean. Less than 2% of second graders statewide have even the most basic swim survival skills.
These numbers point to a larger issue: Hawaii’s water safety systems are inadequate, underfunded, and undercommunicated. If children growing up surrounded by water aren’t learning to swim safely, what chance do Hawaii visitors have to judge danger in real time?
Why Hawaii’s ocean is so unpredictable.
Unlike lakes or calmer seas elsewhere, Hawaii’s beaches often feature complex and shifting currents, steep shorelines, and deceptively clear water that hides real danger.
What looks calm may have a deadly undertow. Some snorkeling spots become hazardous in the afternoon as wind picks up and visibility drops. And many beaches lack lifeguards altogether, especially those promoted online as “hidden gems.”
Tourists also may be dealing with jet lag, sun exposure, and sometimes alcohol—all factors that increase the risk of drowning or fatigue in the water. If you think you’re a strong swimmer, Hawaii’s waters will definitely test you.
To improve safety at unguarded beaches, community organizations have installed hundreds of bright yellow rescue tubes across the islands. These flotation devices can be thrown to swimmers in distress, offering a lifeline until help arrives. They’ve already been credited with saving lives—but many visitors walk right past without ever noticing them.
Hawaii’s new campaign: Phones down, eyes up.
To reduce drownings, state health officials and the YMCA of Honolulu are now promoting a safety push called Phones Down, Eyes Up. The campaign calls for adults to assign a “water watcher” anytime children are near water—ocean, pool, or otherwise.
A water watcher must keep constant, undistracted visual contact with swimmers. They should avoid using phones, reading, or drinking alcohol. Most importantly, they need to be ready to intervene in seconds if something goes wrong.
The goal is simple: one person, always watching. Not “checking in” now and then. Not multitasking. Just watching.
It sounds basic, but it can save lives. And it’s just one part of a broader set of tips the state urges travelers to follow.
Top 5 Hawaii water safety tips.
- Choose lifeguarded beaches. These locations have trained professionals and posted warnings. Beaches without lifeguards account for a disproportionate share of drowning deaths.
- Always wear flotation gear while snorkeling. Many drownings involve confident “free snorkelers” who lose orientation in the water. Float vests or belts can help keep your head above water and buy critical time.
- Check conditions before entering. Visit Hawaii Beach Safety for daily surf, currents, and hazards updates. Don’t assume it’s safe just because others are in the water.
- Supervise kids near any water source. Pools in vacation rentals often lack proper fencing or alarms. Never assume children will follow safety rules without close supervision.
- Take a water safety course. The Red Cross offers online classes for parents and travelers and CPR training for those who want to be fully prepared.
What’s still missing?
Ocean safety messaging exists at airports, in-flight, on TV, and in hotel rooms. But like airplane safety instructions, it’s often overlooked. The information is there only if we stop, read, listen, and take it seriously. That includes following beach signage about potential dangers.
Hawaii also has rescue tubes at most beaches that we mentioned earlier. Everyone, including locals, need to take the time to read how to use them before there is an emergency.
Instagram and other social media may lure tourists to secluded spots with no lifeguards and no warnings. Remember, if in doubt, don’t go out.
Rescue workers and first responders continue to call for stronger lifeguard staffing, but shortages persist.
Reader experiences tell the story.
When we covered the tragic drowning at a beach on Kauai that has claimed over 20 lives, the reader response was overwhelming. Dozens of travelers shared their own near-misses, rescues, and sobering realizations.
From one reader: “I snorkeled in relatively calm water at a public beach. Suddenly, I could not breathe… I was within feet of others but could not speak. To them, I just looked like someone relaxing in the water.”
Another said: “I know the danger of Kauai beaches firsthand. Almost drowned at Anini Beach because I didn’t pay attention to warning signs. The water looked calm. Big mistake.”
And from a longtime visitor: “Even though I was a college swimmer and lifeguard, I now check in with lifeguards and ask if it’s a good day. Sometimes they say no—and I listen.”
These aren’t rare stories. They’re common. And preventable.
Your next trip could be different.
The 2025 Hawaii Water Safety Plan offers a path forward—but it’s not enough on its own. Real change depends on what each traveler chooses to do before ever stepping into the water.
Too often, ocean safety comes after the fact—after the photo, after the first swim, after someone is already in trouble. But it shouldn’t take a tragedy to remind us how fast conditions can change.
Respecting the ocean isn’t about fear. It’s about awareness. Knowing when not to go in, asking questions, wearing gear, and reading the conditions—all of it matters.
That’s why we’re sharing these recommendations now—before summer hits full swing. The most important part of your trip might be the decision you make before putting on your fins.
Help make Hawaii safer.
Have you ever had a close call in the ocean during a Hawaii trip? Did anyone warn you about conditions—or did you head in without knowing what to expect?
We want to hear your story. Share your experience in the comments, and if this article helped you, consider sending it to someone planning a trip.
One conversation, one extra moment of caution, could save a life.
Hawaii-Water-Safety-Plan_Final_25-0115Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
I was taken aback when a lifeguard tower at one of the Kama’ole Beaches on Maui, all the lifeguards, there were four, were gabbing away and had all their backs turned to the ocean. And there were people in the ocean. This went on for quite a long time. I did email the appropriate department to do so, and I never heard back.
I’d start with banning those stupid, single piece mask/snorkels. That is a horrible design and I saw a woman choke up on water in the Bahamas wearing one last week.
But some people think they know how to read the water & currents and are remarkably wrong. Sometimes its ego. Lack of knowledge. Or just plain stupidity. Can’t regulate or fix that, sadly.
The deadliest tourist danger in Hawaii is caused by: 1: social media, People did not use to travel unless they were informed educated reasons to discover a new place. Its now a social media dumbing down of the world brains! 2: Upbringing: Education,ie, self awareness, common sense all starts in the home 3: people do not have children out of love anymore, they use them for pawns, romp in the hay, and manipulation to get a spouse. Therefore, no one is loving and raising their children. The children are raising the adults. 4. None of this will end well. We can’t keep changing the rules, making the establishments responsible for the lack of child rearing. Don’t blame it on Hawaii!
Mahalo nui for this great article. I always thought that local kids know the ocean better than tourists, but forgot that most don’t know who to swim …so sad! That is definitely something that the counties need to emphasize on. Regarding tourist drowning, the big resorts like Hilton, Sheraton, Marriott and Hyatt should be required to have a lifeguard! Don’t they make enough money with the nightly rates they charge? Also need more enforcement on not taking alcohol to the beach or in the pool. Hope to see those changes happening soon!
Twenty years ago at Brenneke’s Beach on Kauai, known for big waves, I got caught in the crunch zone in a series of 10′ waves. The immense power, tumbling action and inability to escape was life-changing.
I was at ʻAnaehoʻomalu Beach on the Big Island and met a woman exiting the water completely drained of energy and traumatized, who swam there daily. She was unable to swim back to shore due to the strong off-shore winds. Her husband swam to a boat (1 of 3 anchored that had a person onboard) and they were able to rescue her. No lifeguards. If not for the boat, she would’ve been gone; but a tiny dot in the sea of sizable white-caps.
Any human tragedy at home, abroad or on the islands (residents or not) is bad. But we all need to understand that making decisions to swim in the ocean has risks. Here in San Diego, we understand this. But when I used to go to Hawaii (but don’t because I won’t endure taxes/user fees to death), I didn’t take unnecessary risks.
Just like calunicornia, where I live, elected government reps and the 40 fold bureaucrats they employ all seem to think they can legislate intelligence or common sense.
Post signs and make sure people understand the risks. Then let them be held accountable for their decisions.
That won’t happen in Hawaii because they think more laws, restrictions, control, and limits are the answer.
Eisenhower said “ If you want total security, go to prison. There you’re fed, clothed, given medical care and so on. The only thing lacking… is freedom”.
I love your post. It is true and to the point! Well stated! Now, wish someone would listen! I’m tired of seeing everything changed because a person doesn’t have to think anymore.
I’d be interested in knowing more about these yellow rescue tubes. We could use them in our snorkeling cove (not a beach). What are the organizations on Maui providing them?
I was recently on Kauai and was taking a dinner cruise. As I was wondering around before we boarded I noticed one of the companies had a list of precautions, one of which was no full face masks on there snorkel cruises. It’s not the entire answer, but it’s a start.
I’ve snorkeled often on trips to the islands, and except for being stung by jellyfish once, uncomfortable but not deadly, I’ve had no problems. But as I have now entered into the beginning of my 8th decade, I might have to think about it a little more before proceeding.
I can’t believe the Governor’s office hasn’t come up with their standard fix for everything……just tax those people who drown, but only visitors, that should fix this issue….it works, seemingly, for every other issue in Hawaii, at least in their eyes.
We winter on Kaanapali beach in Maui. Its one of the most dangerous beaches on Maui especially near Black Rock.
If Hawaii is serious about reducing drownings, they should put lifeguards on the beaches.
There are none on Kaanapali or Airport beaches. There is huge tax revenue coming in from the resorts on these beaches and I fail to understand why this hasn’t been addressed.
With the number of Snorkle Related drownings seen in previous postings of BOH, I think a greater emphasis needs to be repeated here as to time between Flight and Snorkle/Mask usage, as well as product quality and compatibility.
Nailed it Randy. You are referring to a condition called ROPE. Rapid Onset Pulmonary Edema. Your lungs can suddenly fill with liquid regardless of your swimming skill and experience. Hawaii needs to explain this as part of the arrival process instead of covering it up.