Kealia Beach Photos
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Kealia Beach, Kauai
Kealia Beach (see more photos) is a 150-foot (46 m) wide and 0.5-mile (805 m) long sandy beach located on Kauai’s Coconut Coast (east shore). Kealia means “salt bed” or “salt-encrusted area,” a name referring to the traditional Hawaiian method of collecting and drying salt. Kealia Beach has been a site of salt mining for centuries. It is a former plantation town with a sugar mill and a train depot.
While Kealia Beach offers limited swimming because there’s no reef to protect the beach from swells coming from the middle, this means plenty of waves to ride. Additionally, the beach’s long sand bar constantly provides surf breaks that surfers and bodyboarders love.
The nearshore ocean bottom is a long sand bar with varying depths, creating a steady shore break year-round. Surfers and bodyboarders usually gather at the north end of the beach where the waves are better. However, during times of high surf during the winter and spring the conditions are dangerous due to strong rip currents. In the past, drownings and near-drownings have occurred here.
The northern part of the beach was once used by interisland steam ships that brought supplies for plantations. The remains of the jetty, formerly called Kealia Landing, is still visible from the shoreline. This is area is also best for swimming because the jetty makes for slightly more protected waters.
As with most Kauai beaches, Kealia Beach is subject to changing seasons. During winter months, dangerous waves and strong currents characterize the beach.
Kealia Beach Overview
- Good bodyboarding and surfing conditions
- Limited swimming, especially during times of high surf
- Former plantation town and salt mining location
Location: Kuhio Highway 56, North of Kapaa, Kealia, Kauai, Hawaii 96751 Directions: From Kapaa, take Highway 560. Take a right a little past Mile Marker 10. Kealia Beach is north of Kapaa.
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