Donkey Beach Photos
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Donkey Beach, Kauai
Some years back, Donkey Beach on Kauai's east shore was considered one of the best nudist or topless or clothing optional beaches. But even then, the beach wasn’t great for swimming, but it was popular among sunbathers who wanted it au naturel. The beach’s secluded location made it a perfect spot for nudist or clothing optional visitors. To get to the beach, one had to take a hike across a sugarcane field. Earlier owners permitted people to cut through the field to the beach.
As Donkey Beach’s fame went far and wide and the sugarcane field got new owners (who happened to be land developers) who did not want to displease high-end clients, anti-nudity laws were upped. The new owners also hired security guards to prevent trespassers.
Today, Donkey Beach continues to be visited as a good beach for sunbathing. It is not excellent for swimming or snorkeling since the water is choppy and rough, but where conditions are good, surfers and bodyboarders can be seen at the beach. Because of its popularity, Donkey Beach is no longer as secluded as it had been years ago.
The beach has been referred to as Donkey Beach for a long time. Most people don’t know that its official name is Paliku. It was nicknamed Donkey Beach after the donkeys and mules that were herded in a pasture located next to the beach. The donkeys were owned by the Lihue Plantation Company and were used to tow bundles of seed cane.
Donkey Beach Overview
- Used to be a nudist beach
- Best for sunbathing
- Official name is Paliku
- Water conditions are not so good for swimming or snorkeling
Location: Kuhio Highway, Mile Marker 11 Kauai, Hawaii Directions: Coming from Kapa'a, take Highway 56. Park at about a half mile away from Mile Marker 11. Donkey Beach is approximately 10 minutes away.
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