Kalihiwai Bay Beach, Kauai

Kalihiwai Beach is a wide, white-sand beach and is located at the head of Kalihiwai Bay about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the town of Kilauea on Kauai’s north shore. The beach is fed by the Kalihiwai River and enclosed by lava cliffs on each side. It is fringed by grassy spots and shady ironwood trees standing in the backshore. Some days, spinner dolphins can also be spotted from the shoreline. Another way to enjoy your visit to the beach is rent a kayak and paddle up the Kalihiwai River to the waterfalls.

The only time you can safely swim on the beach is in summer when the waves are smaller and the ocean is calm. An alternative option is to take a dip instead in the shallow tide pools. More often, however, the tide pools are used by locals for fishing or raft-floating. If you want to snorkel, try the far eastern end of the bay. However, don’t expect to see as many corals and fish as you would in premier snorkeling spots such as Tunnels and Kee Beach.

There is a shallow, underwater rock shelf that extends from the cliffs, which provides one of the north shore’s most popular surf breaks. Surfers gather along the rocky base of Kapukaamoi Point, the eastern point of the bay and ride to shore very close to the sea cliff. The waves in the winter months are very steep and break fast and are only something for experts. This is also when the water conditions are very dangerous due to the pounding shorebreak, powerful backwash and strong rip currents. During the calmer summer months, the beach is a good spot for bodyboarding, wave jumping, beginner surfing and shoreline fishing.

Kalihiwai Bay Beach in Bullet Points

• Good for bodyboarding and beginning surfers in the summer
• Has shallow tide pools for shoreline fishing and floating on a raft
• Popular surfing spot in the winter (high and dangerous waves)

• No facilities
• No lifeguards
• Limited roadside parking

• Swimming
• Bodyboarding
• Surfing
• Kayaking
• Fishing

Address: Kalihiwai Road, Kauai, Hawaii

Kalihiwai Bay Beach Map (top)

Kalihiwai Bay Beach Weather (top)

Now 71°F Windchill: 71°F Mostly Cloudy

Location: Kilauea, HI, US Wind: 18 mph N Humidity: 61% Visibility: 0.1 mi Pressure: 30.12 in steady Sunrise: 6:43 am Sunset: 6:47 pm

Thu Hi: 77°F Low: 58°F Partly Cloudy

Fri Hi: 77°F Low: 59°F Showers

Kalihiwai Bay Beach Photos (click to enlarge) (top)

Kalihiwai Bay Beach Reviews and Comments (top)

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Safety Tip
Whatever beach in Hawaii you visit, please have in mind that the ocean can be very dangerous. Never turn your back against the waves and watch out for underwater currents and always check the surf conditions. Pay attention to signs posted on the beach. If you are not sure about the conditions, ask the lifeguards (if any on the beach). Please click here to read more about ocean safety in Hawaii.