Glass Beach

Glass Beach in Ele'ele is a small south Kauai shoreline near Port Allen, known for smooth sea glass, black rocks and an unusual industrial coast setting.

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Glass Beach, Kauai

Sea glass is glass (e.g. from bottles, flasks, windshields and windows) that has been broken up and smoothed by moving ocean water and time. It takes the ocean about 10 to 30 years to create it, and the resulting fragment is a frosted, jelly bean-like pebble.

Sea glass is found all over the world. Kauai's Glass Beach is located in the middle of an industrial area near Port Allen Harbor in Ele'ele. The shoreline at Glass Beach is covered with millions of sea glass pieces - brown, aqua-colored, clear and blue.

The glass originates from broken bottles and auto glass dumped here years ago. It's amazing to see what the ocean did to all this junk. The one thing that could mar the ethereal effect of Glass Beach is the gas tanks overlooking one side of the beach.

Glass Beach is best for beachcombing only. Swimming is not recommended because the beach is rocky.

Key Features

Small south Kauai shoreline near Port Allen
Smooth sea glass is mixed with sand and black rocks
Glass pieces were rounded by years of wave action
Industrial buildings and tanks are part of the unusual backdrop
Short dirt-road walk leads toward the shoreline
Rocky waterline makes ocean entry a poor choice
Sea glass should be left in place
Daylight helps bring out the glass colors
Nearby Port Allen area gives the beach its working-harbor feel
Quick stop for visitors already passing through Eleele

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much time should visitors allow?

Most visitors allow 15 to 45 minutes for a quick look at the sea glass, black rocks and Port Allen shoreline.

Should visitors take sea glass from the beach?

No. Leave the sea glass where it is so the shoreline keeps the character that makes this small beach special.

What is the shoreline like?

The beach is small and rocky, with sea glass mixed into the sand and black rock along the water.

Why does the beach have sea glass?

Discarded glass from years past was broken down and smoothed by waves, turning sharp pieces into frosted pebbles.

When is Glass Beach easiest to visit?

Daylight hours are best for seeing the glass colors and walking the uneven dirt and rock areas near the shore.