Beaches on Kauai, Hawaii

• Where is Anahola Beach Park located?
  • Anahola Beach Park is a stunning white sand waterfront along Kauai's eastern shoreline, located adjacent to Anahola Bay.
• Is Anahola Beach Park family-friendly?
  • Yes, the beach is a local favorite and is widely considered to be Kauai's windward coast's safest beach, making it a popular spot for families to relax and enjoy the day.
• How are the swimming and snorkeling conditions?
  • The beach has a protective barrier reef that creates safe swimming and snorkeling conditions year-round.
• Are lifeguards on duty at Anahola Beach Park?
  • Yes, County of Kauai lifeguards are staffed on duty during peak months to ensure visitor safety.

Good to know: A stronger break creates good bodyboarding conditions where the beach meets the Anahola River, with surfing permitted on the beach's northern end.

Pro tip: The beach is one of the eastern shore's only overnight beachfront camping sites, with spaces available for tents with permits.

Anahola, HI 96703

• Where is Anini Beach located?
  • Anini Beach is a lovely beachfront along Kauai's northern shore, offering a less crowded alternative to popular spots such as Hanalei Pavilion and Po'ipu Beach Park.
• What makes Anini Beach famous?
  • The beach is best known as the site of the beachfront mansion that served as the backdrop for the 1992 feature film "Honeymoon in Vegas".
• What does the name "Anini" mean?
  • The beach is named after the Hawaiian word for "dwarfish".
• What activities is Anini Beach known for?
  • Anini Beach is renowned throughout Hawai'i for its prime windsurfing conditions within its outer waters.

Good to know: Despite a lack of lifeguard staff, the beach is considered to be one of Kauai's safest beaches due to calm water conditions within its barrier reef, making for great swimming, paddleboarding, and snorkeling conditions.

Pro tip: Beachgoers can catch glimpses of its stunning coral reef from the shore, the longest and widest-fringing reef of its kind in the state. Camping is allowed with permits, with amenities such as picnic tables, restrooms, and showers offered for beachgoers.

Kalihiwai, HI 96754

• Where is Baby Beach Po'ipu located?
  • Baby Beach Po'ipu, also known as Ho'ona Beach, is a small but charming beach along Po'ipu's eastern coastline, accessible via Lawai and Ho'ona Roads.
• Is Baby Beach Po'ipu family-friendly?
  • Yes, the beach is an excellent choice for travelers with young children, offering calm, shallow waters that are safe for infants and toddlers to wade in.
• Are there tide pools at Baby Beach Po'ipu?
  • Yes, tide pools are exposed at the beach during low tide conditions, providing great opportunities for splashing and beachcombing.

Pro tip: Visitors can typically catch glimpses of monk seals and sea turtles at the beach, though beachgoers should exercise caution not to come in contact with protected species. Outside the beach's protected rock pool, expert bodyboarders can enjoy strong wave conditions.

Good to know: Though the beach offers no public facilities, beachgoers can use restrooms and showers at nearby Lawai Beach.

Poipu East Side, Kauai, HI 96746

• Where is Brennecke's Beach located?
  • Brennecke's Beach is the best spot for body surfing and boogie boarding at Po'ipu Beach Park. It is located adjacent to the main beach area along Kauai's southern shore.
• What makes Brennecke's Beach a good place for body surfing?
  • The cove-shaped beach is home to smaller currents and less undertow than other area beaches, making it an ideal place for young children to learn to surf.
• Is Brennecke's Beach completely safe for beginners?
  • While it is a great spot for beginners, beachgoers should still exercise caution due to the injury risk from the beach's rocky coastline.

Good to know: Lifeguards are staffed on duty throughout peak months, offering information on daily water conditions and safety.

Local travel tip: Sea turtles can be spotted outside the beach's breakers, though beachgoers should exercise caution not to come in contact with the protected animals. Public amenities include restrooms, showers, and picnic sites.

Koloa, HI 96756

• Where is Fuji Beach located?
  • Fuji Beach, commonly referred to as Baby Beach Kapaa, is a charming beach located in Kapaa on Kauai's eastern shoreline, at the start of the Kauai Coastal Path.
• Why is it called Fuji Beach?
  • The beach is said to be named in honor of a regional obstetrician who delivered more than 2,000 children in the area throughout the 1950s.
• Is Fuji Beach family-friendly?
  • Yes, it is considered one of the best family-friendly beaches near Kapaa due to its calm, protected waters within its barrier reef area.

Local travel tip: Tide pools exposed at low tide offer opportunities for splashing and beachcombing, with Hawai'ian monk seals frequently visible from the shoreline. Visitors should take care not to disrupt protected animal habitats and keep their distance from seals.

Good to know: Shoreline and torch fishing are also popular activities at the beach, with picnic tables, restrooms, showers, and drinking fountains available for visitor use.

Moanakai Rd, Kapaa, HI 96746

• Where is Ha'ena Beach Park located?
  • Ha'ena Beach Park, also referred to as Maniniholo Beach, is a popular northern shoreline beach that stands in the shadow of the stunning Mount Makana, immortalized as Bali Ha'i in the 1949 musical South Pacific.
• Why is Ha'ena Beach Park named Maniniholo Beach?
  • The beach is named in honor of its large populations of convict fish.
• What activities are popular at Ha'ena Beach Park?
  • The beach is a prime North Shore spot for swimming and snorkeling during calm water conditions.
• Is Ha'ena Beach Park safe for swimming year-round?
  • No, visitors should be advised that high winter surfs make water conditions dangerous for entry.

Good to know: On dry land, beachgoers can relax on pristine golden sands or explore the unique terrain of Maniholo Dry Cave.

What's nearby? Nearby, the 5.5-acre Ha'ena Beach Park offers permit campsites, day-use picnic sites, and launching-off points for backpackers exploring the natural wonders of the nearby Kalalau Valley.

HI-560, Kapaa, HI 96746

• Where is Hanalei Pavilion located?
  • Hanalei Pavilion is a two-mile public beach park along the gorgeous crescent-shaped Hanalei Bay, located on Kauai's northern shoreline.
• What happens at Hanalei Bay during the summer?
  • Throughout the summer months, the bay serves as a bustling harbor for sailboats and ships from around the world.
• What activities can visitors enjoy at Hanalei Pavilion?
  • The beach features gently-sloping sands and ample beachfront space for boat watching, sunbathing, and beach running.

Pro tip: Steady and consistent waves make the beach a great place for surfers to practice wave riding, though visitors should watch out for hazardous water conditions at high tide.

Honeymoon idea: Stunning panoramic views of nearby Makahoa and Pu'u Points are offered from all points on the beach, with views of inland mountain ranges and waterfalls possible on clear days.

Must know: Lifeguards are staffed on duty seven days a week during peak months, with restrooms and showers available for visitor day use.

Hanalei, HI 96714

• Where is Hanalei Pier located?
  • Hanalei Pier is a historic landmark pier located near Black Pot Beach Park at the mouth of the Hanalei River.
• When was Hanalei Pier originally constructed?
  • The pier was originally constructed in 1892 as a working pier for the transportation of sugar and other goods.
• Has Hanalei Pier been renovated?
  • Yes, the pier was reconstructed in 1921 and fully renovated in 2013.
• What makes Hanalei Pier a popular spot?
  • Today, the pier remains a popular spot for watching spectacular sunsets in the shadow of the imposing Bali Ha'i mountain.

What is this beach famous for? It has been used as a filming site in a number of major feature films, including 1954's Beachhead and 1957's South Pacific, and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.

Good to know: Visitors can enjoy excellent calm surf conditions at the nearby beach park for swimming, surfing, and bodyboarding or can utilize the pier for launching kayaks within the Hanalei River.

Pro tip: Beachgoers looking for more privacy at the pier should avoid weekends and holidays, as the region can become extremely crowded with tourists.

Hanalei, HI 96714

• What is Hideaway Beach?
  • Hideaway Beach, also known as Kenomene Beach or Pali Ke Kua Beach, is a gorgeous spot for snorkeling along Kauai's northern shoreline.
• Where is Hideaway Beach located?
  • The beach is located near Princeville and is accessible via the Pali Ke Kua condominium complex.

Must know: The secluded beach is only accessible via a steep entrance path, but the trek is worth it to relax on its secluded 300-foot golden sand crescent shoreline, which is an excellent spot for observing sea turtles in their natural habitats.

Explore by kayak: Those wishing to avoid the steep entrance path can also access the beach via kayak from nearby Hanalei Bay or swim from nearby Pu'u Poa at low tide conditions.

Advice from locals: Visitors are advised to bring mosquito repellent on their trips to the beach, as mosquitos can be very prevalent during summer months.

Princeville, HI 96722

• What is Kalapaki Beach known for?
  • Kalapaki Beach is a great choice for beginner swimmers, surfers, and water sport enthusiasts.
• Where is Kalapaki Beach located?
  • The beach is located in front of the Kauai Marriott Beach Resort along Kalapaki Bay on Kauai's eastern shoreline.

Who is it for? The beach is partially protected by a large break wall, creating generally calm and safe water conditions for boogie boarders, stand-up paddleboarders, and canoeists, with surfing lessons offered year-round by a number of beach vendors.

Good to know: Ample shoreline space is offered for sunbathers, with frequent pick-up beach volleyball games started throughout the summer months.

What's nearby? Nearby at the Kalapaki Beach Hut, visitors can grab to-go picnic lunches and shaved ice for enjoying as they watch cruise ships come in and out of port at nearby Nawiliwili Harbor.

Lihue, HI 96766