Lumahai Beach Park Photos
|
Lumahai Beach Park, Kauai
Lumahai Beach Park's claim to fame is in the 1957 film South Pacific. The beach is where Mitzi Gaynor “washed that man right out of her hair.” Partly because of this history and partly because of the beach's picturesque beauty, Lumahai Beach Park has become one of the most photographed beaches on Kauai. Located around the bend of Hanalei Bay, this crescent-shaped beach with a white-sand shoreline is nearly a mile (1.6 km) long and several hundred feet wide. Vegetated lava cliffs provide a vibrant green backdrop.
While Lumahai Beach appears serene on the outset, there are dangers that lurk in its depths. The beach has no protective reef, making the coast totally exposed to the open ocean. Rip currents, powerful backwash, hard shore breaks and huge powerful waves make it one of the most dangerous beaches on Kauai. On summer days though, the Hanalei (eastern) end of the beach is calm enough to allow swimming. Throughout the year, the western end attracts surfers and bodyboarders, but if you're not an expert at riding Hawaiian waves, the waves are certainly not friendly. Drownings and near-drownings have occurred here in the past.
Lumahai Beach Park is approximately 4.8 miles (7.7 km) west from Princeville on the north shore. There are two ways to access the beach park. One is to hike around the cliffs from a roadside parking lot. The second access is located at the Lumahai Bridge a few more miles up the highway. Because of the difficulty involved in accessing the beach and because of the limited activities offered by the beach, it is almost always empty. If you want miles of quiet and sheer beauty all to yourself, this is the place to visit. The beach is great for picnicking or beachwalking.
Lumahai Beach Park Overview
- Beautiful tropical scenery
- Sandy beach and shady areas
- Challenging waves good for expert surfers only
- Swimming is not safe here on most days of the year
Location: Highway 56, Kauai, Hawaii 96714 Directions: Take Highway 560 (Kuhio Highway). Halfway between Mile Marker 5 and 6 is Lumahai. Park at the lookout at Mile Marker 5, then hike to the beach following the trail. You can also park at the western of the beach a little past Mile Marker 5 and just before you get to Lumahai River.
|
