It can be said that Kauai beaches are among the most breathtakingly beautiful beaches in the world with invitingly warm waters set against lush exotic backdrops such as waterfalls, sheer cliffs and exotic tropical vegetation. No wonder its land and beaches have been the choice of so many movie directors. Over the years dozens of movies have been filmed here including titles like South Pacific, Blue Hawaii, Jurassic Park and Pirates of the Caribbean and many more.
North Shore Beaches are most pleasant in the summer months with South Shore beaches better in winter months. Beach goers can enjoy a number of activities such as swimming, sun bathing, snorkeling, scuba diving, boogie boarding, surfing, kite sailing, kayaking, wind surfing, boating, camping and much more. Most beaches are accessible by car; others are more secluded and can easily be accessed by walking.
Although Kauai beaches are warm, beautiful and abundant, we must remind you that the ocean can be dangerous. Unlike the beaches that are located on continents, the Hawaiian Islands sit in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and are therefore exposed to stronger waves, rip currents and undertows. Rip currents can form without notice, disappear, and then reappear.
Here are a few safety tips to help keep your vacation safe and enjoyable:
Choose beaches with a lifeguard.
Before entering the water check for any warning signs indicating hazardous conditions.
Avoid swimming during high surf.
Never swim alone.
Never allow small children to swim or play in water unattended.
Never swim in murky water and never swim in river mouths.
Never turn your back on the ocean, an unexpected wave can knock you down and drag you out.
Listen to weather and surf forecasts on local radio and T.V. before heading to the beach or call for the Weather Forecast at (808) 241-1725.
WHEN IN DOUBT DON’T GO OUT!
East Side Beaches Lydgate State Park is a great beach for swimming, picnicking and snorkeling. Lydgate has life guards, two lagoons, full facilities and a grassy picnic area which make this beach great for families with small children or those who want to hang at the beach all day. Kamalani Playground is directly across from the Lydgate State Park.
Kalapaki Beach is a beach for swimming or learning how to surf, boogie boarding, and stand up paddling . Kalapaki Bay is partially protected from the open ocean by a break wall. Kalapaki is also a nice beach for relaxing, sunbathing or simply watching the outrigger canoes and the large cruise ships as they pull in and out of Nawiliwili Harbor. Pick up lunch at the nearby World famous Kalapaki Beach Hut and enjoy lunch at the beach.
Waipouli Beach lies along the highway directly across from the old Coco Palms Hotel this beautiful beach is perfect for jogging or quiet walks. Strong currents make this a dangerous beach for swimming in rough conditions.
Kealia Beach A popular surfing and boogie boarding beach has strong waves and current. Swim only on calm days.
North Shore Beaches Ke’e Beach is located at the end of the road. Ke’e is protected by a reef that makes it a safe place, when the surf is small, for snorkeling and swimming. Ke’e Beach is also the beginning of the Na Pali Coast trail that leads to Hanakapi’ia and Kalalau Beaches.
Ha’ena Beach Park is an incredibly beautiful beach but unfortunately totally exposed to the open ocean. It is a hazardous place for swimming due to strong currents so swim only when surf is at its smallest. It is also home to a popular surf spot called Cannons. Ha’ena Beach Park has full facilities and camping is allowed with county permit only.
Tunnels Beach (Makua) is the ultimate snorkeling and scuba divers beach on Kauai, as well as a favorite surfing, winds surfing and kite surfing beach. Parking is a problem with this popular spot and the earlier you arrive the better.
Hanalei Bay is not only beautiful to look at but in recent years has been chosen as the cleanest beach in America. Swim only in the summer months and only when the surf is small. It is a popular beach for surfing, kite surfing, boogie boarding and in the winter sometimes wind surfing. Visit Hanalei Bay in the summer where sailboats from around the world are anchored in the bay. There are three beaches with full facilities. Camping is allowed at the east end on weekends by county permit only.
Anini Beach Park is one of the safest beaches on the North Shore protected by reef it affords some spectacular snorkeling and safe swimming. It has full facilities and camping is by county permit only.
South Shore Beaches Shipwreck Beach is a great surfing, wind surfing, boogie boarding and body surfing beach. Swim only during calm ocean conditions. Located in front of the Hyatt Resort, there are restroom and shower facilities.
Po’ipu Beach Park on the south shore beach has been chosen as one of the world’s top beaches on many occasions. Po’ipu Beach host’s full facilities and has plenty of sand as well as grassy areas. It has a protective reef making the water here calm and great for swimming, snorkeling and one of the better beaches for small children. It also has a great playground.
Lawa’i Beach is a tiny beach located in front of the Beach House Restaurant. Lawai Beach is great for snorkeling when the surf is small.
West Side Beaches
Salt Pond Beach Park This beach lies adjacent to the only natural salt ponds on Kauai. These Salt ponds are strictly for the use of Native Hawaiians. Salt Pond it is also an excellent beach for small children due to semi protected ocean conditions. This beach park has full facilities.
Polihale State Park is another beautiful beach with large sand dunes that will test your overall fitness. This beach is the last beach on the west side and marks the beginning of the Na Pali Coast. Polihale has facilities and camping is by county permit only. Strong currents and no life guard make it is a notoriously dangerous beach for swimming. This is a great beach for shelling and enjoying the sunset.
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Beaches
North Shore Beaches are most pleasant in the summer months with South Shore beaches better in winter months. Beach goers can enjoy a number of activities such as swimming, sun bathing, snorkeling, scuba diving, boogie boarding, surfing, kite sailing, kayaking, wind surfing, boating, camping and much more. Most beaches are accessible by car; others are more secluded and can easily be accessed by walking.
Although Kauai beaches are warm, beautiful and abundant, we must remind you that the ocean can be dangerous. Unlike the beaches that are located on continents, the Hawaiian Islands sit in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and are therefore exposed to stronger waves, rip currents and undertows. Rip currents can form without notice, disappear, and then reappear.
Here are a few safety tips to help keep your vacation safe and enjoyable:
Before entering the water check for any warning signs indicating hazardous conditions.
Avoid swimming during high surf.
Never swim alone.
Never allow small children to swim or play in water unattended.
Never swim in murky water and never swim in river mouths.
Never turn your back on the ocean, an unexpected wave can knock you down and drag you out.
Listen to weather and surf forecasts on local radio and T.V. before heading to the beach or call for the Weather Forecast at (808) 241-1725.
WHEN IN DOUBT DON’T GO OUT!
East Side Beaches
Lydgate State Park is a great beach for swimming, picnicking and snorkeling. Lydgate has life guards, two lagoons, full facilities and a grassy picnic area which make this beach great for families with small children or those who want to hang at the beach all day. Kamalani Playground is directly across from the Lydgate State Park.
Kalapaki Beach is a beach for swimming or learning how to surf, boogie boarding, and stand up paddling . Kalapaki Bay is partially protected from the open ocean by a break wall. Kalapaki is also a nice beach for relaxing, sunbathing or simply watching the outrigger canoes and the large cruise ships as they pull in and out of Nawiliwili Harbor. Pick up lunch at the nearby World famous Kalapaki Beach Hut and enjoy lunch at the beach.
Waipouli Beach lies along the highway directly across from the old Coco Palms Hotel this beautiful beach is perfect for jogging or quiet walks. Strong currents make this a dangerous beach for swimming in rough conditions.
Kealia Beach A popular surfing and boogie boarding beach has strong waves and current. Swim only on calm days.
North Shore Beaches
Ke’e Beach is located at the end of the road. Ke’e is protected by a reef that makes it a safe place, when the surf is small, for snorkeling and swimming. Ke’e Beach is also the beginning of the Na Pali Coast trail that leads to Hanakapi’ia and Kalalau Beaches.
Ha’ena Beach Park is an incredibly beautiful beach but unfortunately totally exposed to the open ocean. It is a hazardous place for swimming due to strong currents so swim only when surf is at its smallest. It is also home to a popular surf spot called Cannons. Ha’ena Beach Park has full facilities and camping is allowed with county permit only.
Tunnels Beach (Makua) is the ultimate snorkeling and scuba divers beach on Kauai, as well as a favorite surfing, winds surfing and kite surfing beach. Parking is a problem with this popular spot and the earlier you arrive the better.
Hanalei Bay is not only beautiful to look at but in recent years has been chosen as the cleanest beach in America. Swim only in the summer months and only when the surf is small. It is a popular beach for surfing, kite surfing, boogie boarding and in the winter sometimes wind surfing. Visit Hanalei Bay in the summer where sailboats from around the world are anchored in the bay. There are three beaches with full facilities. Camping is allowed at the east end on weekends by county permit only.
Anini Beach Park is one of the safest beaches on the North Shore protected by reef it affords some spectacular snorkeling and safe swimming. It has full facilities and camping is by county permit only.
South Shore Beaches
Shipwreck Beach is a great surfing, wind surfing, boogie boarding and body surfing beach. Swim only during calm ocean conditions. Located in front of the Hyatt Resort, there are restroom and shower facilities.
Po’ipu Beach Park on the south shore beach has been chosen as one of the world’s top beaches on many occasions. Po’ipu Beach host’s full facilities and has plenty of sand as well as grassy areas. It has a protective reef making the water here calm and great for swimming, snorkeling and one of the better beaches for small children. It also has a great playground.
Lawa’i Beach is a tiny beach located in front of the Beach House Restaurant. Lawai Beach is great for snorkeling when the surf is small.
West Side Beaches
Salt Pond Beach Park This beach lies adjacent to the only natural salt ponds on Kauai. These Salt ponds are strictly for the use of Native Hawaiians. Salt Pond it is also an excellent beach for small children due to semi protected ocean conditions. This beach park has full facilities.
Polihale State Park is another beautiful beach with large sand dunes that will test your overall fitness. This beach is the last beach on the west side and marks the beginning of the Na Pali Coast. Polihale has facilities and camping is by county permit only. Strong currents and no life guard make it is a notoriously dangerous beach for swimming. This is a great beach for shelling and enjoying the sunset.