Lydgate Beach Park Photos
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Lydgate Beach Park, Kauai
Lydgate Beach Park (see more photos) is one of the most popular beach parks on Kauai's east coast. The beach park's main attraction is the large, double-sectioned pool on the northern end of the beach that is protected from ocean swells by an artificial rock barrier, which was built in 1964 using huge boulders (see history of the Lydgate pools below). The pool is divided into an inner and an outer section by two man-made rock walls. The inner pool is shallow and ideal for children, while the outer pool is deeper and ideal for swimming and snorkeling. A lifeguard tower overlooks both pools.
Lydgate Beach Park is a beach for the whole family. It also attracts nearly every type of beachgoer including campers, surfers, picnickers, snorkelers, windsurfers (when wind conditions are favorable) and beachcombers. However, Lydgate doesn’t make great surfing and bodyboarding as sandbars are not consistent. The artificial barriers also ensure that the beach maintains tame, small waves.
While water activities inside the pools are generally safe, any activity outside of this protected swimming area is not. The ocean is unpredictable, so venturing outside the breakwater might lead you to becoming one of the statistics of people who drowned here. Swimmers are also advised to stay far from the slippery boulders especially during high wave season.
Lydgate Beach Park has a grass field where locals are often seen flying kites or playing frisbee. South of the pools is the 16,000-foot (1,486 sq. m) Kalamani Playground, which was built by 7000 local volunteers in 1994. Further south is a second playground called Kalamani Kai Bridge. The bridge was designed by local keikis (children) themselves. To reach the playground, you can bike or walk down the 2.5 mile (4 km) pedestrian and bicycle path running along the coast.
North of the pools are several religious and historical sites including the remains of the Hikina Akala Heiau, a Hawaiian temple that dates as far back as 800 A.D. Next to the heiau are the remains of Hauola, a sanctuary (place of refuge) for Hawaiians who broke a taboo (who did something that was forbidden).
Lydgate Beach Park was named after Rev. John Lydgate, a civic leader and former church pastor of Lihue Union Church and Koloa Church. It is located near the mouth of Wailua River on Leho Drive. This long and wide beach has been used as the setting for a number of films such as Diamond Head and Blue Hawaii.
A plaque has been placed at the Lydgate pools, which is a tribute to Mr. Morgan, who had the idea to build the sheltered swimming area. Here is what the plaque says:
Albert S. Morgan Sr.'s Lydgate Pools
Albert Smith Morgan Sr.
March 9, 1908 - May 22, 2001
In 1942, Albert S. Morgan, Sr. a native Hawaiian, married Helen Farias and raised five children. The family lived in the community of Wailua where Mr. Morgan served a term as president of the Wailua House Lots Community Association.
As the children grew outdoor recreation became increasingly important. Mrs. Morgan frequently took the children to Lydgate Park. There was no sheltered swimming area there, but they enjoyed the beach.
On a 1958 European trip Albert & Helen visited Sorrento, a town on the southwestern Italian coast. In Sorrento while viewing a beautiful bay with protected swimming areas for the people, Mr. Morgan got in inspiration.
Returning to Kauai with pictures he contacted Senator Billy Fernandes. Together they prepared and presented to the State of Hawaii a proposal to create a 2.6 acre rock barrier and impoundment along Lydgate beach.
In 1964, $18,000 was appropriated to build the children's wading pool and the adult's swimming pool. A crane was floated into Lydgate beach to lift and place the boulders donated by Lihu'e Plantation. The entire project was completed in nine months.
Mahalo Mr. Morgan
Lydgate Beach Park Overview
- Large family beach
- Northern end of beach has two double-sectioned pools, one ideal for children and one for adults
- Adult pool offers good snorkeling conditions when the ocean is calm (a sign near the beach explains what types of reef fish live in the pool)
- Has a 16,000 square-foot (1,486 sq. m) playground
- Has a pedestrian and bicycle path
Location: Nalu Road, Uninc Kauai County, Hawaii 96746 Directions: Take Kuhio Highway from Lihue. Take a right on Leho Road at Mile Marker 5. When you reach Nalu Road, take a right, then take another right to the parking area. There are several parking lots on this long beach. To get to the Lydgate pools (protected swimming area), drive all the way to the northern end of the beach.
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