Kauai Beaches ~ Beaches on Kauai

Kauai's Most Popular Beaches

North Shore Kauai Beaches:

Pali Ke Kua Beach is also known as Hideaways Beach and it is another hidden treasure of Princeville, Kauai. Tucked away at the foot of a north shore ocean bluff, this lovely beach is often overlooked by most visitors to the Island. Access is by way of a steep trail down the side of the bluff.

Anini Beach is a favorite on the north shore of Kauai. Protected from large waves by an offshore reef, Anini is a great spot for swimming, snorkeling, sail boarding, and other sports that don't require surf.

Ke'e Beach is one of the must see beaches on the north shore. Its warm, gentle waters are ideal for a casual dip or for viewing an abundance of fish and underwater wildlife. Ke'e is located at the end of the road and the beginning of the rugged Na Pali Coast cliffs.

Tunnels Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere in the world. There are no services, no public showers, no restrooms, and there's hardly any parking, but once there, you're in paradise.

Haena Beach Park also known as Maniniholo, is near the end of the road on Kauai's north shore. The five and a half acre grassy park/campground has restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables, and a large parking area.

Lumahai Beach was made famous by the 1958 movie South Pacific where Mitzi Gaynor sang the song "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" and because of its beauty, it is one of the most photographed beaches on Kauai.

Blackpot Beach Park is located between the mouth of Hanalei River and the Hanalei Pier. This west facing beach is a great spot for watching sunsets and as been a gathering spot for generations of people on Kauai's north shore.

Pu'u Poa Beach is on the northeast edge of Hanalei Bay, running northeast from the mouth of the Hanalei River and ending in front of the Princeville St. Regis Hotel. This reef protected, golden sand beach is the longest in the Princeville area.

Sealodge Beach Sealodge Beach is hidden away at the foot of a large ocean bluff just below Sealodge Condos. The hike down a jungle path can be slick and somewhat strenuous, but if you like the feel of a secluded beach, it's worth it.

Kalihiwai Bay Beach is a beautiful semi-circle beach of golden sand positioned between two high cliff ridges on either side. The slow moving Kalihiwai River enters the ocean on the west end of the beach where it forms a lagoon of fresh water just behind the beach.

Secret Beach is tucked up against high cliff walls, most people above never see the beach below and even if you're looking for it, the trailhead is unmarked and a little hard to find. Once you do, you'll want to keep it a secret.

Waiakalua Beach is a pristine, reef-protected, beach on the north shore of Kauai. The steep trail down helps keep it beautifully undisturbed. Once you make the effort to climb down, you're likely to be the only here.

Larsen's Beach this long, lovely and secluded, beach is accessed by way of a dirt road and a 5 to 10 minute walk down a gentle sloping, easy but somewhat rocky trail. This is a good beach to pretend you're on a deserted island; it still feels undiscovered. From the bottom of the trail the beach appears to go on forever and you won't see many people along its two mile stretch.

Moloa'a Beach is a good beach to spend a few hours reading, beach combing, fishing, or just taking a nap. The biggest drawback to the beach is that it has very limited parking. If Moloa'a Bay looks familiar, it's because a few episodes of the first season of Gilligan's Island were filmed here.

Hanakapiai Beach rests at the mouth of Hanakapiai Stream two miles from Ke'e Beach along the Na Pali Coast Trail. It's big and wide and book marked on each side by steep cliff walls. You get a glimpse of the beach from high above before the trail descends to the valley floor and crosses the stream.

South Shore Kauai Beaches:

Poipu Beach has been ranked as one of America's best beaches and is undoubtedly one of Hawaii's favorites. There is something for everyone here including swimming, body surfing, a shallow protected area for children, and good snorkeling.

Shipwreck Beach is one of the largest expanses of beach along Keoneloa Bay (KAY-OH-NAY-LO-AH) in the Poipu area. Wide and beautiful, this beach is right in front of the Grand Hyatt. The beach is named after an old wooden shipwreck that was partially buried in the sand above the waterline and slightly left of center on the beach. Those that remember seeing it in 1980 report it being over 100 feet long.

Brennecke Beach is very popular for boogie boarding, body surfing, and sunbathing. Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles are often spotted in the surf and seem to be having as much fun as the boogie boarders.

Kiahuna Beach is located between the Sheraton Kauai Resort and Marriott's Waiohai Beach Club in Poipu and is a good beach for sunning, swimming & snorkeling. An offshore reef protects it from big wave action. It's perfect for beginning surf and boogie boarding.

Prince Kuhio Beach is located just west of The Beach House Restaurant. It is common to hear it referred to as Lawai Beach, because of the Lawai Resort across the street, However the resort was named after the real Lawai Beach which is further to the west.

Baby Beach: Everybody loves a hidden beach and it seems like this one is hidden right beneath your nose. Located in Poipu near Prince Kuhio Park and Kuhio Shores, this is the beach to take small children (but bring a beach umbrella and apply lots of sunscreen).

East Shore Kauai Beaches:

Kealia Beach (pronounced kay-a-lee-a) is just north of the town of Kapa'a along highway 56 between mile markers 8 and 9. The beach is a broad crescent shape, over half a mile long and 150 feet wide with rocky outcroppings at each end. Parking is just off the highway and runs nearly the length of the beach so it is very easy to get to.

Lydgate Beach Park is one of the most popular beaches on the east side of Kauai and offers something for everyone, especially families. Its main attractions include two ocean beach swimming areas enclosed by man-made rock walls that ensure protected swimming and wading for children; the 16,000 square foot Kamalani Playground; grass fields to fly kites and throw Frisbees; picnic areas, a 2.5 mile bike path and more.

Kalapaki Beach is just south of Lihue airport and the Kauai Lagoons Golf Course and at the entrance of Nawiliwili Harbor, on Kauai. This lovely crescent shaped beach is popular with both locals and tourists and it is fronted by the Kauai Marriott Resort as well as several restaurants and bars. Two small shopping centers are also within walking distance.

Anahola Beach Park is a favorite of local Hawaiian families. The beach is a beautiful, wide crescent encircling Anahola Bay. The beach is purportedly a half mile wide (800 m) and the mouth of the Anahola River dissects it about the middle and forms quite a large lagoon behind it. The back of the beach near the river is shaded with a lot of Ironwood trees, cars and trucks parked under them.

West Shore Kauai Beaches:

Kekaha Beach is a very long and wide beach that is popular with the locals. The silhouette of the island of Niihau can be seen 25 to 30 miles offshore. There are no facilities on Kekaha but it's a great place for a picnic or for watching the waves - especially for sunset.

Polihale Beach is an extremely long and beautiful beach that is capped on one end by the Na Pali Cliffs. Although this is a state park with a pavilion and picnic tables, the state seems to do everything it can to discourage visitors. Roads are unimproved and not maintained while signs warn of sharks and strong currents. Still, if you manage to find it, Polihale is a beautiful beach to watch the sun set into the ocean.

Salt Pond Beach is crescent shaped around a cove that is protected from wave action by an offshore reef. There is a good place to snorkel around the rock outcropping by the salt ponds with a wide variety of marine life to see. Camping is permitted and the park has picnic tables, pavilions, restrooms, showers, drinking water and lifeguard tower.

Pictures and Comments By Doug Porter