Kauai is one of the oldest Islands in the Hawaiian chain and therefore hosts more sandy beaches per shoreline mile than any of the other major Hawaiian Islands. The time of year you visit will determine which beaches will be the best choices for your activities. Basically the beaches on the North Shore are most pleasant in the summer months and beaches on the South Shore in the 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.

Kauai Beaches East Shore

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. Kee 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, wind 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 when sailboats from around the world are anchored in the bay. There are three beaches with full facilities and camping is allowed at the east end on weekends by county permit only.

Queens Bath was once a well-kept secret by locals. Queens Bath is now found on most maps and is not rot really a beach but a large crack of an old lava flow that created the perfect pool for swimming. Queens Bath is a great spot for watching sea turtles and line fishing. It is accessible by hiking and is open only during summer months when the surf is low.

Anini Beach Parkis one of the safest beaches on the North Shore protected by reef it affords some spectacular snorkeling and safe swimming. It is an excellent spot for wind surfing. It has full facilities and camping is by county permit only.

Kalihiwai Bay is another local favorite for swimming with perfect surfing and boogie boarding waves. The Kalihiwai River is a fun spot to Kayak and explore the wildlife and nature.

Secret Beach ( Kauaapea Beach ) is accessible via a ten to fifteen minute walk. Secret Beach is famous for its scenic beauty, good summer swimming and snorkeling. During the early morning hours pods of dolphins can be seen swimming close into shore.

Anahola Beach Park is located midway between Kapaa and Hanalei is a quiet beach offering great swimming on the far east end of the beach. Anahola is designated Hawaiian Homelands for the Hawaiian People.

Kauai Beaches South Shore

Shipwreck Beach (Keoneloa Beach) Shipwrecks 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 facilities.

Po’ipu Beach Park The mega beach of the south shore has recently chosen the cleanest beach in America. 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 for children.

Koloa Landing is used almost exclusively for scuba diving. Many boat tours take off from here during the summer months. See the activities section for more information.

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. Plan on spending most of your time in the water snorkeling because there is not much beach.

Kauai Beaches West Shore (West Side) Salt Pond Beach Park is just as the name says. 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.

Pakala Beach host incredible surf breaks referred to as Infinities. The surf break is named so because the rides seem to last forever. This beach is not safe for swimmers and should be used by expert surfers only.

Polihale/Kekaha Beach stretches for fifteen miles of uninterrupted sandy beaches. Kekaha Beach Park has an incredibly strong rip current and is not good for swimming unless the ocean is very calm.

Polihale/Barking Sands is named for the sound the sand makes, when it is extremely dry, while walking across it. Again swim only when the ocean is calm.

Polihale /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 full facilities and camping is by county permit only.

Polihale/Queen’s Pondis the safest beach for swimming at Polihale, except during high surf, due to a semi protective reef beach.

Any of these West side Beaches are good choices for shell collecting, long strolls and romantic sunsets.

Kauai Beach Hazards/Safety/Weather/Surf Forecast

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, with continental shelves, the Hawaiian Islands sit in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and are therefore exposed to stronger waves. Rip currents can form without notice, disappear, and then reappear. Waves can appear out of nowhere even on totally flat days (days with no surf). Here are a few safety tips to help keep your vacation safe and enjoyable.