Polihale State Beach Park Photos
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Polihale State Beach Park, Kauai
Polihale Beach is one of the longest continuous sand beaches in all of Hawaii, stretching 15 miles (24 km) along Kauai's western shoreline. The beach is also one of the widest in Hawaii, averaging 300 feet (91 m) during the summer months. It is backed by sand dunes, some of them are 100 feet (30 m) above sea level.
Polihale State Park encompasses 140 acres (0.5 sq. km) and borders the first 2.25 miles (3.6 km) at the northwestern end of the beach. Next to the state park to the south is the Pacific Missile Range Facility. The shoreline fronting the Pacific Missile Range Facility has been off-limits to the public as part of security policy since the 9/11 tragedy. To the north of the beach are the mountain ridges of the Na Pali Coast.
Because of its remoteness and because of the eerie quality of its beauty, this beach has been named Polihale, which literally means “the home of the underworld (Po)” in Hawaiian. It is believed that it is here where the souls of the dead depart for Po, the underworld.
To reach the beach, one has to drive through a 5-mile (8 km) long cane road filled with ruts and potholes. Though using 4WD is recommended, it is not a requirement. However, if you don’t come with a 4WD, you miss the fun of driving down the beach’s sand dunes, which is a popular activity here.
Polihale Beach Park is a wild beach characterized by rough waves, rapid drops and rip currents even along the shore. There is no reef barrier that protects the waves from the open ocean. The only safe place for a swim is at Queen’s Pond, a shallow pond with a sandy bottom surrounded by a protecting reef. It is located about midway along the shoreline fronting the beach park.
Right in the middle of these extensive sand dunes are the Barking Sands, also known as Keonekani o Nohili (The Sounding Sands of Nohili) in the Hawaiian language. If one walks over the sand here or takes two handfuls of sand in each hand and slaps it together, a sound is produced. This phenomenon occurs due to the formation of the individual sand grains. Each of them has small holes in it and the sound is produced within these small cavities through the vibrations that occur when the sand is pushed together.
This beach is more popular as a camping and picnicking beach. There are no food shops around so remember to pack snacks and lunch before going to the beach.
Polihale State Beach Park Overview
- 15 miles long, and 300-foot wide white-sand beach
- Backed by tall sand dunes
- Located on west shore of Kauai
- Beach is accessible with a vehicle driving along a dirt road
- Very remote and away from civilization
- Great scenic views – Niihau and Na Pali cliffs
- Beautiful sunset views
- Poor swimming conditions, except at Queen's Pond
- Unprotected beach with very dangerous currents and surf
- Driving on the beach allowed
Location: Off Kaumualii Highway, Hwy 50, Waimea, Kauai, Hawaii 96796 Directions: From Lihue, take Highway 50. Drive past the towns of Waimea and Kekaha. Turn on Kekaha Road, then take a right on Old Mana Road. Continue driving for approximately 13 miles (the last 6 miles is a dirt road). Polihale Beach Park is at the end of the road.
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