beaches

• Most beaches are on the southern coast
• Sands: White & golden
• Use caution during high surf or high tide in winter

Links:
Beach guide chart
Poipu Beach Resort Association

Anahola Beach Park
- sheltered by offshore reef, popular for water sports
- popular with locals.

Anini Beach Park
- miles of reef-protected lagoons
- beginning snorkeling and windsurfing

Baby Beach
- west of Poipu, access from Spouting Horn Road to Hoone Road
- good for kids, protected cove

Ha’ena Beach Park
- across the highway from the Maniniholo Dry Cave, a lava tube that runs several hundred feet inland
- large reefs border the bay - makes snorkeling good in the summer

Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park
- scenic centerpiece of the North Shore
- good for body boarding, surfing, windsurfing, boating and kayaking through the summer

Hanama’ulu Beach Park
- camping (by permit only)
- not good for swimming
- good for novice body boarders

Kalapaki Beach
- next to Nawiliwili Harbor
- one of most popular beaches for visitors and locals
- good for beginning surfers
- body boarding, windsurfing and sailing

Kalihiwai Beach
- white sand
- high cliffs on either side
- snorkeling and body boarding good in summer
- adjacent river good for kayaking

Kapa’a Beach Park
- white sand
- not good for swimming spot because of rip currents and deep sand pockets
- watch for locals practicing lamalama, or torch fishing, at night

Kealia Beach
- white sand
- good swimming at the north end
- watch for rip currents

Ke’e Beach
- western end of Ha’ena State Park
- swimming and snorkeling good in the summer

Kekaha Beach Park
- swimming safe only in summer or low surf

Lawai Beach
- west on Spouting Horn Road
- favorite snorkeling spot
- narrow strip of sand

Lumaha’i Beach
- featured in the movie “South Pacific” as Nurse’s Beach
- white sand
- swimming and snorkeling, but in summer only

Lydgate State Park
- protected swimming pools
- good for novice snorkelers, non-swimmers
- playground for kids

Mahaulepu Beach
- east of Shipwreck’s, 2 miles from the end of Poipu Road
- access is on private land - be prepared to stop at security station & give driver’s license info, sign liability waiver
- wind surfing, snorkeling, fishing

Poipu Beach-Poipu Beach Park
- one of the most popular beaches on Kauai
- snorkeling, surfing (all levels)
- natural wading pool (kids)
- restrooms, food service

Polihale State Park
- western end of the Na Pali Coast
- white sand
- remote: accessible by a long, muddy drive
- use caution in any water activities

Salt Pond Beach Park
- golden sand
- snorkeling, windsurfing area
- sea salt harvested by locals

Shipwreck’s Beach-Park
- east end of Poipu
- includes county park facility
- surfing (advanced)

Wailua Beach
- favorite local’s spot for body boarding and surfing
- beware of rip currents, especially in winter