Kauai Beaches
The island of Kauai has a coastline of about 90 miles (145 km). Kauai beaches are known for their powdery white sand and uncrowded atmosphere – some are hardly visited at all, which means that you can easily find your tropical paradise beach on this island. Many beaches on Kauai offer great swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing and kayaking conditions.
Kauai's north shore has many popular surfing beaches, such as Tunnels Beach and Lumahai Beach. Hanalei Bay with its crystal clear waters and views to the mountains is another popular north shore beach. And if you have seen the movie South Pacific, you may recognize the nearby mountain Bali Hai, also known as Makana Peak.
Poipu Beach on Kauai's south shore is a popular beach among locals and visitors alike, while Polihale Beach on the west shore doesn't know crowds and is known for its amazing sunset views and "barking sands."
Beach sand in Hawaii comes in all kinds of shapes and colors. Read more about Hawaiian beach sand composition.
Aliomanu Beach
Composed of two sections of beach, Aliomanu is a beautiful stretch of sand. The south beach is more popular and is used by locals for pole-, torch- and throw-net fishing, octopus hunting and limu (seaweed) harvesting. Read More
Anahola Beach Park
This local favorite has something suitable for everyone. The white-sand beach is protected from high surf by a reef. The nearshore ocean bottom has a few pockets of sand, so even kids can swim here. Read More
Anini Beach Park
Sheltered by one of the longest and widest reefs in Hawaii, Anini's calm blue lagoon is a snorkeler's delight. There are numerous humuhumunukunukuapuaa (triggerfish), uhu (parrot fish), kala (unicorn fish) and other tropical fish. Read More
Brennecke Beach
Brennecke Beach in Poipu on Kauai's south shore is a popular bodyboarding location. The waves are consistent here and provide good conditions for both beginning and advanced bodyboarders. Read More
Donkey Beach
Even though it's called Donkey Beach, no donkeys can be seen on this beach. It got this nickname after the donkeys and mules that were herded in a pasture next to the beach. Read More
Glass Beach
Sea glass is found all over the world, but it's found in unusual numbers on a beach located in the middle of an industrial part in Hanapepe. The shoreline here is covered with colorful sea glass - brown, aqua-colored, clear and blue. Read More
Ha'ena Beach Park
This beach is also known as Maniniholo Beach, named after the large schools of convict fish (manini fish) that feed on the coral here. Vegetated sand dunes make up the backshore. Offshore are two large reefs. Read More
Hanakapi'ai Beach
Hanakapi'ai Beach is the first main destination on the Kalalau Trail on Kauai's Na Pali Coast. The beach is about 2 miles (3.2 km) into the hike and looks beautiful, offering great photo opportunities. Read More
Hanalei Bay
Hanalei Bay is the largest bay on Kauai and considered one of the best beaches in all of Hawaii. It is a long half moon of golden sand. The beach is located at the base of cliffs, which reflect into the glass-like water of the bay. Read More
Hanama'ulu Bay
The nearshore waters of this bay are usually murky thanks to silt that enters the bay from the Hanama'ulu Stream. The beach park is therefore mainly visited by picnickers and campers. Read More
Hideaways Beach
Kauai has a number of secret gems and the appropriately named Hideaways Beach is one of them. It can be accessed only after a difficult climb down a steep path. Shady trees ring the beach and provide an intimate and secret feel. Read More
Honopu Beach
It doesn’t get anymore secluded and remote than Honopu Beach on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. No road or even a hiking trail leads to it. In fact, the only legal way to access it is to swim to it. Read More
Kahili Quarry Beach
This small beach is bordered by a densely vegetated hill and a rock quarry, which is why it is also referred to as Rock Quarry Beach. It has a large pool, which is created when the Kilauea River strikes the sandbar. Read More
Kalalau Beach
Kalalau Beach lies at the end of the 11-mile (17.7 km) Kalalau Trail on Kauai's north shore. The trail is one of the most difficult in the Hawaiian Islands, which limits visitors to the beach. Read More
Kalapaki Beach
Kalapaki is one of Kauai's most popular beaches, offering great swimming conditions as the ocean bottom is sandy and gently sloping. The beach is also home of a 40-acre lagoon area called Kauai Lagoons. Read More
Kalihiwai Beach
The only time you can safely swim here is in summer when the waves are small and the ocean is calm. An alternative option is to take a dip instead in the shallow tide pools, which are also good for fishing or raft-floating. Read More
Kapa'a Beach Park
This beach park is located in Kapa'a on Kauai's east shore. The scenery here is not as picturesque as on many other Kauai beaches. The beach park is mainly used by local residents as well as guests who stay at the nearby condo hotels. Read More
Kealia Beach
Kealia means “salt bed” or “salt-encrusted area,” a name referring to the traditional Hawaiian method of collecting and drying salt. This beach has been a site of salt mining for centuries and is located on Kauai's Coconut Coast (east shore). Read More
Ke'e Beach Park
Ke'e (pronounced Keh-eh) means “avoidance” in Hawaiian. However, the beach is far from being avoided by people. In fact, Ke'e Beach Park is one of the most popular and scenic beaches on Kauai. Read More
Kekaha Beach Park
Encompassing 15 miles (24 km) of gorgeous white sand, local residents love running 4-wheels down the expanse of the beach. This is also one of the best places for beachcombing, sunset walking and for anyone seeking solitude. Read More
Kepuhi Beach
Kepuhi Beach is a lesser-known beach on Kauai's north shore. On most days you will hardly find any people here. The reason is that the beach doesn't offer good swimming conditions, and snorkeling is only possible when the ocean is calm. Read More
Kiahuna Beach
This beach is one of the most popular beaches in the Poipu hotel and resort area, fronting the Kiahuna Plantation Resort and the Sheraton Kauai Resort. The swimming and snorkeling conditions are usually good. Read More
Larsen's Beach (Ka'aka'aniu Beach)
Larsen's Beach is secluded and not accessible by road. It has a nice long stretch of sand and is backed by brush and trees. Near the middle of the beach is a lava rock that protrudes into the ocean, known as Pakala Point. Read More
Lawai Beach
Lawai Beach Park is a tiny strip of land that sometimes disappears during high surf conditions. The beach is a top snorkeling destination on Kauai's south shore, sheltered by a fringing reef barrier. Read More
Lucy Wright Beach Park
It was here where Captain James Cook first set foot in the Hawaiian Islands in 1778. Curiously enough, the beach isn't called Captain Cook beach, but named after Lucy Wright, who was an active member in the Waimea community. Read More
Lumaha'i Beach Park
Lumaha'i Beach Park’s claim to fame is in the 1957 film South Pacific. It is where Mitzi Gaynor "washed that man right out of her hair." Today, Lumaha'i is one of the most photographed beaches on Kauai. Read More
Lydgate Beach Park
This beach park's main attraction is the large, double-sectioned pool that is protected from ocean swells by an artificial rock barrier. The inner pool is shallow and ideal for children, while the outer pool is deeper and ideal for snorkeling. Read More
Maha'ulepu Beach
Even though it is just about 10 minutes from popular Poipu, the Maha'ulepu area on Kauai's south shore is pristine, beautiful and undeveloped. Few visitors come here because its remoteness. Read More
Moloa'a Bay
Moloa'a Bay is one of the lesser-known beaches on Kauai. It is a pretty beach, framed by hilly dunes and green vegetation. When the ocean is calm, swimming is best on the southeastern side of the bay.Read More
Nukoli'i Beach Park
Two mile (3.2 km) long Nukoli'i Beach Park is the longest beach on Kauai's east shore. However, it offers only fair swimming conditions because the ocean bottom is rocky and shallow. It's a better spot to fish and scuba dive. Read More
Papa'a Bay
If you have seen the action movie Six Days, Seven Nights, starring Harrison Ford and Anne Heche, then you are already familiar with this beach, since it was the setting for the plane crash scene. Read More
Pila'a Beach
Pila'a Beach is a very sparsely visited place on Kauai's north shore. It is difficult to access and since the nearshore ocean bottom is rocky, it is not a good beach for swimming. Read More
Po'ipu Beach Park
In 2001, the renowned beachologist Dr. Stephen “Dr. Beach” Leatherman named Poipu Beach Park one of America's and the world's best beaches. It is a family beach accommodating nearly every type of beach activity.Read More
Polihale State Beach Park
Polihale Beach is one of the longest continuous sand beaches in all of Hawaii, stretching 15 miles (24 km) along Kauai's western shoreline. It is backed by sand dunes, some of them are 100 feet (30 m) above sea level. Read More
Pu'u Poa Beach
Pu'u Poa Beach has reddish-golden sand and is framed by lush green mountains. An offshore reef protects the beach, making it generally safe for swimming. The beach is mainly used by guests of the St. Regis Princeville and Hanalei Bay Resort. Read More
Queen's Bath
Due to unpredictable and dangerous conditions at this remote location on Kauai's north shore and the fact that many visitors have gotten hurt or killed at the Queen's Bath area, visitors are discouraged from visiting Queen's Bath. Read More
Salt Pond Beach Park
Salt Pond Beach Park is the only place in Hawaii where salt is still gathered in the traditional Hawaiian way. It is a wide, reddish-golden sand pocket beach that is generally safe for swimming all year round.Read More
SeaLodge Beach
This small pocket of sand, surrounded by lush vegetation, is a hidden gem. Most of the time, the beach is empty because not many people know it's there. The best activity here is snorkeling, especially when the ocean is calm.Read More
Secret Beach (Kauapea Beach)
Also known as Kauapea Beach, Secret Beach is backed by red and black sea cliffs and lush vegetation, stretches for 3,000 feet (915 m) and to the east offers nice views of Kilauea Lighthouse and Moku'ae'ae Island, a bird sanctuary.Read More
Shipwreck Beach
This beach got its name from the small wooden boat that used to lie at the water's edge for many years. It deteriorated badly over the years, was hit by storms and people stripped it for firewood.Read More
Tunnels Beach
Tunnels Beach is a postcard-perfect, two-mile (3.2 km) stretch of golden sand fringed with ironwood trees and tropical palms. It is unique for having an inner and an outer reef, providing excellent snorkeling conditions.Read More
Waiakalua Beach
Waiakalua Beach doesn't see all too many visitors, mainly because it is accessible only via a very steep dirt trail. However, those who make it here can enjoy a peaceful day on a remote beach.Read More
Waikoko Beach
Located within Hanalei Bay, Waikoko Beach is easily accessible from the highway, but never crowded. The beach has plenty of shade and is a nice spot for a picnic. The swimming conditions are usually poor. Read More
Wailua Beach
This wind-swept, white-sand beach at the mouth of the Wailua River has no reef to protect it from high surf, so the swells are always large – all the reason why surfers and bodyboarders love it, even though the water here tends to be murky.Read More
Wainiha Beach Park
This is one of the very few Kauai beaches that is off limits to swimming at all times of the year. It has no reef to block big waves coming from the center. Also, the beach tends to be murky most of the time from the silt deposited by the Wainiha River. Read More
Waipouli Beach
Waipouli Beach is located near the Coconut Marketplace in Kapa'a on Kauai's east shore. Further north is Waipouli Beach Park, which has a boat ramp and a natural breakwater offshore. Read More
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