Our Favorite Kauai Beaches

Kauai beaches are most noted for their beauty, serenity and powerful ocean. Popular Kauai beaches include Ke’e beach, Hanalei Bay, Anini beach, Lydgate beach park, and Poipu beach park. Kauai has many reefs and so snorkeling can be very good when the ocean is calm and the water isn’t too murky from sand and plankton. Kauai’s best snorkeling can be found at Tunnels beach, Ke’e beach, Lawai beach, and Lydgate park with Lydgate being well suited for beginner snorkelers. For surfing, Hanalei Bay, Kalapaki beach, and Kiahuna beach are sure to please. Polihale beach park on Kauai’s west coast marks the end of a stretch of 12 miles of sand that begins at Kekaha beach. Secret beach, Lumahai beach, and Nukolii beach usually don’t have favorable swimming conditions but are also majestic and great for long walks and exploring.

Kealia Beach

North of Kapaa Beach is Kealia. The beach has easy parking and great waves for body or boogie boarding. Park close to the rocks/jetty on the left side of the beach. This 150-foot wide, 1/2 mile long beach is popular with surfers and boogie boarders. In the summer months the surf is usually perfect and the riptide is not as fierce. However, always check on ocean conditions yourself before entering the water.

Kalapaki Bay

This is a great beach about 10 minutes from your hotel.  We like to valet park at Duke’s, “beach it” for a bit, have lunch at Duke’s and then walk back out to our towels to sun some more. The water is not as crystal clear as other beaches but the ocean conditions are usually mild because of the bay configuration.

Ke’e Beach

This is where the road past Princeville ends – right into the parking lot for Ke’e.  Awesome snorkeling and you will usually see a turtle or two. It’s about a 40 minute drive.

Poipu Beach

A popular beach that often offers good swimming and snorkeling, with a section well suited for children. Usually quite crowded but fun.

Secret Beach

This is the long picturesque beach that is seen from the lighthouse. Rough ocean conditions in the winter, but often swimmable in the summer. The beach is just at the entrance by the parking lot to the Princeville Resort. Parking is near the tennis courts (only 8 spots or so). It is a steep 7 minute walk (no boogie boarding) but worth it. Great for snorkeling and sunning but there is also plenty of shade.

Polihale State Park

If you want to have a small adventure, go here. Going towards Waimea you take the road until it dead ends and then you take a dirt road for about 5 miles and you end at a beautiful beach on the Napali Coast.  When you are on the boat ride to the Napali Coast, they will probably point out Barking Sands Beach, Polihale State park is 5 miles further and it’s beautiful.  Preparations are required for a day trip to this hot region. Pack plenty of food and a huge beach umbrella if possible. There are bathrooms there as well.