Showing 1-22 of 22 results
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'Aliomanu Beach
Secluded 'Aliomanu Beach is another spot frequented primarily by locals, who pole- and throw-net fish and gather limu (seaweed). It's a mile-long stretch of beach; you can get to the prettier north end by turning onto 'Aliomanu Rd (second), just past the 15-mile marker on Kuhio Hwy. Turn left onto Kalalea View Dr, go 0.5 miles and turn right at the beach access sign.
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'Anini Beach Park
You can't ask for a gentler stretch of beach than this one at 'Anini Beach Park. The water is flat as glass within the lagoon, which is protected by one of the longest and widest fringing reefs in the Hawaiian Islands. At its widest point, the reef extends over 1600ft offshore. The park is unofficially divided into day-use, camping and windsurfing areas. While weekends might draw crowds, weekdays are low key. Facilities include rest rooms, showers, changing rooms, drinking water, picnic pavilions and barbecue grills.
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Anahola Beach Park
A county park on Hawaiian Home Lands, Anahola Beach Park sits at the south side of Anahola Bay. The wide bay fringed with lovely sandy beach was an ancient surfing site and the break is still popular with local surfers. To get here, turn off Kuhio Hwy onto Kukuihale Rd at the 13-mile marker, drive a mile down and then turn onto the dirt beach road.
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Glass Beach
Colorful bits of sea glass decorate the sand at Glass Beach, just east of Port Allen. The smooth glass 'pebbles' originated from a long-abandoned dumpsite nearby, worn and weathered after decades of wave action. Sometimes the glass is plentiful, other times most is washed out to sea.
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Hanalei Bay
Captured in countless photographs, the perfectly curved Hanalei Bay is always scenic, but not always swimmable. The wave action here is changeable: flat in summer and pounding in winter, when surfers arrive in droves. The best beaches are at Hanalei (Black Pot) Beach Park and Wai'oli (Pine Trees) Beach Park, which both have rest rooms, showers, drinking water, picnic tables and grills.
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Hanalei Beach Park
Often dubbed simply 'Hanalei Pier,' due to its unmistakable landmark, the stretch of sand shaded by ironwood trees at Hanalei Beach Park is popular mainly with surfers. The sandy-bottom beach slopes gently, making it very safe for beginners. Lessons are typically taught here, just west of the pier, where you find surf schools lining up big ol' softboards and rashguards daily.
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Kalapaki Beach
Hidden behind Kaua'i Marriott Resort, Kalapaki Beach, Lihu'e's best beach, is often overlooked by tourists. But local surfers and bodyboarders trot toward the swells, while resort guests bask on golden sand lined with coconut trees. Sheltered by points and breakwaters at Nawiliwili Bay, waters are quite hospitable to swimmers.
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Kalihiwai Beach
With a wide, deep bay, Kalihiwai Beach is popular for many activities, such as swimming and, when the winter northwest swells roll in, daredevil bodyboarding and surfing along the cliff at the east end of the bay.
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Kapa'a Beach Park
Low-key and local, Kapa'a Beach Park is a mile-long ribbon of beach beginning at Kapa'a's north end, where there's a ball field, picnic tables and a public pool. At the south end of the beach, near Pono Kai Resort, there's a nice sandy area.
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Ke'e Beach
Picturesque Ke'e Beach can't be beat for colorful snorkeling and easy access. A reef protects the right side of the cove and, except on high surf days, waters are calm and pleasantly swimmable. The left side is open and can have a powerful current, particularly in winter.
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Kealia Beach
Mainly a locals' surf and bodyboarding spot, Kealia Beach, at the 10-mile marker, is recommended mainly for experts. The powerful waves are mesmerizing but treacherous. A breakwater protects the north end, so swimming and snorkeling are occasionally possible there - but not recommended. After rainstorms, the sand may be heavily littered with tree limbs carried down Kealia Stream, which empties at the beach's south side.
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Kekaha Beach Park
Just west of Kekaha town, the vast Kekaha Beach Park is ideal for solitary walking. Without any shade, however, the sun is brutal. Before you jump in, watch the tide carefully. This is unprotected open ocean and when the surf is high currents are extremely dangerous; under the right conditions it can be good for surfing and bodyboarding.
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Larsen's Beach
The long, golden sands of Larsen's Beach, named after L David Larsen (former manager of C Brewer's Kilauea Sugar Company), is good for solitary strolls and beachcombing. Although shallow, snorkeling can be good when the waters are very calm, usually only in the summer. Beware of a vicious current that runs westward along the beach and out through a channel in the reef.
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Lumaha'i Beach
If Lumaha'i Beach looks familiar, it's where Mitzi Gaynor promised to wash that man right out of her hair in the 1958 musical South Pacific . It's just as spectacular in real life. Plan to stroll this mile-long sandy beach, with jungle growth looming on one side and tempestuous open sea on the other.
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Lydgate Beach Park
Families flock to the clean, safe, conveniently located Lydgate Beach Park, with calm waters in a large seawater pool protected by a stone breakwater. It's ideal for shallow swimming and beginning snorkeling. Beware of the open ocean beyond the pool, where currents are strong. Amenities include changing rooms, rest rooms, showers, drinking water, picnic pavilions, lifeguard and ample parking. The Eastside paved coastal path runs through the park.
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Po'ipu Beach
The Sheraton Kaua'i Resort scored big-time with its location at Po'ipu Beach, which runs east to Po'ipu Beach Park . An offshore reef tames the waves enough for swimming, snorkeling and moderate windsurfing, bodyboarding and surfing.
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Rock Quarry Beach
Broad and sandy, with a pretty fringe of ironwood trees, Rock Quarry Beach (also called Kalihi Beach) is a river mouth for Kilauea Stream, so the water can be murky. Nevertheless, it offers rich fishing and, on occasion, surfing. If the waves are big enough to ride, swimmers should take extreme caution with strong near-shore currents.
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Salt Pond Beach Park
Salt Pond Beach Park is one of Kaua'i's best family beaches - and even better because it remains untouristy. Beyond the long stretch of sand, the water in the cove reaches up to 10ft deep and works well for swimming laps (four times across equals 0.5 miles) and also for windsurfing. Both ends of the cove are shallow and good for kids. Along with a lifeguard, amenities include picnic tables, barbecue grills, showers and campsites.
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Secret Beach
While no longer a secret, the gorgeous, golden-sand Secret Beach backed by sea cliffs and jungly foliage is still frequented mainly by Kaua'i's alternative community - perhaps because it's accessible only by a steep (and slippery) 10- to 15-minute hike. Also known as Kauapea Beach, its waters are swimmable only during summer.
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Shipwreck Beach
Expert surfers, bodyboarders and bodysurfers flock to the half-mile-long sandy Shipwreck Beach at Keoneloa Bay, which fronts the Grand Hyatt Kaua'i Resort & Spa. The pounding shorebreak and high surf are ideal for advanced riders but novices and swimmers should go elsewhere. A couple of near-shore breaks attract local board surfers as well. Toward the left of the bay, daredevils leap off Makawehi Point, the gigantic rock cliff.
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Tunnels Beach
A hot spot for snorkeling and diving, Tunnels Beach is a wide, horseshoe-shaped fringing reef with fantastic underwater life viewable during calm summer seas. During such conditions, you can start snorkeling near the east point and let the current carry you westward. It's more adventurous (and less crowded) than Ke'e Beach.
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Wailua Bay
At the mouth of the Wailua River, the sweeping Wailua Bay of golden sand is rather too visible from the highway. But swimming is possible along the edges. As always, avoid the river's mouth because currents and water depth here is unpredictable. Toward the south, a summer surf break draws locals and also surf students.
Showing 1-22 of 22 results
