Ke'e Beach Park Photos
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Ke'e Beach Park, Kauai
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 (see more photos) is one of the most popular beaches on Kauai. It has beautiful reddish-golden sand and marks the end of Highway 50 and the beginning of the enchanting Na Pali Coast. Fronting the beach is a white shoreline with coconut palms, and ironwood and guava trees make for a nice backdrop.
Backpackers and hikers often stop at the beach to take the head trail for the 11-mile (17.7 km) Kalalau Trail located near the beach’s parking lot. Another path leads to the Ke Ahu o Laka hula platform and the Kauluapaoa Heiau, a stone temple dedicated to the goddess of hula, named Laka.
But those attractions are not the biggest reason why Ke'e Beach is always overcrowded. Nor is the reason because the beach has been featured on The Thornbirds. Ke'e Beach is sought for its water that equals none in clarity: it is the most popular snorkeling spot on the northern coast of Kauai.
Protected by a reef running parallel to the shore the lagoon is always calm. Under the sea, wrasses, goatfish, convictfish, butterflyfish, damselfish, surgeonfish and other reef fish swim in abundance. Its shallow and sandy ocean bottom further makes it a beach for the whole family.
Swimmers should avoid the reef channel located east of Ke'e. The channel connects the lagoon to the ocean. When the surf breaks on the reef, dangerous rip currents form. Rips can sweep you from the lagoon to the open ocean or to the Na Pali Coast where there are plenty of undertows and sudden drops. Plus, there are no lifeguards.
Summer months are the best time to snorkel or swim at Ke'e Beach. During winter months, high surf can smash right over the reef and into the lagoon, which makes the water not only murkier, but also dangerous.
Ke'e Beach Park Overview
- White sandy beach with crystal clear water
- One of the most popular snorkeling beaches on Kauai's north shore
- Beautiful tropical scenery
- Many shady areas make the beach park perfect for a picnic
Location: Foot of the Na Pali Coast Trail, Kauai, (end of the road on the north shore), Hawaii 96722 Directions: Take Highway 56 heading to Hanalei. Drive past Hanalei all the way to the end of the road. Ke'e Beach Park is at the end of the road.
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