Nawiliwili Harbor is a south Kauai harbor fishery bounded by breakwaters and backed by protected inner water, reef edges, and nearby coastal structure. Giant trevally, yellowfin tuna, and mahi-mahi are the principal supported targets.
Active coastal or marine alerts
Small Craft Advisory
Severity: Minor
Small Craft Advisory issued October 19 at 8:37PM HST until October 20 at 6:00PM HST by NWS Honolulu HI
Begins Oct 19, 2026, 8:37 PM · Ends Oct 20, 2026, 6:00 PM
Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in these conditions.
Tidal-current predictions are not available for this destination.
Tidal-current timing can differ from high and low tide timing.
Fishery Profile
Fishery Overview
Nawiliwili Harbor inner-harbor fishery
A Kauai southeast inner-harbor fishery bounded to Nawiliwili inside-breakwater waters. Primary targets are harbor jacks. Pelagic species are a nearby charter overlay. NDBC 51208 Hanalei is not local wave height.
Fishery type
Inner harbor
Fishing modes
Shore
Inshore boat
Habitat and structure
Nawiliwili inner harbor and inside-breakwater waters · Harbor bulkheads and sheltered edges · Not Hanalei and not exposed south-Kauai outside-harbor water
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Sep 3, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Fishery Targets
Harbor jacks are year-round DAR-managed targets.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
Ulua / papio
Primary
Caranx ignobilis
Also called Ulua
No seasonal pulse known
Inner-harbor and inside-breakwater jack fishery. DAR size/bag apply.
Yellowfin tuna (ahi)
Secondary
Thunnus albacares
Also called Ahi
No seasonal pulse known
Kauai charter overlay.
Mahi-mahi
Seasonal
Coryphaena hippurus
Also called Dorado
No seasonal pulse known
This is a Kauai charter fishery. The note is not the legal season.
Seasonal timing is not defined for every target.
Access, Safety and Regulations
Access
Public harbor access. Confirm DAR marine license and harbor rules. This covers inner harbor only.
Primary hazards
Harbor traffic and heat. Outside-harbor water is not this destination and is
Fishery considerations
Tide is NOAA 1611400 at Nawiliwili, at this location. A south Kauai wave observation is not available. This profile covers the inner harbor.
Harbor wind is not an outside-breakwater sea-state substitute.
Regulations
Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
