Shipwreck Beach (Keoneloa Beach), Kauai
Shipwreck Beach on Kauai's south shore got its name from the small wooden boat that used to lie at the water's edge for many years. It deteriorated badly over the years, was hit by storms and people stripped it for firewood. When hurricane ‘Iwa hit Kauai in November 1982, it completely destroyed what little remained of the already dismantled boat.
The Hawaiian name of this beach is Keoneloa, meaning "the long sands." There are some ancient petroglyphs that have been carved into the beachrock shelves here. However, they are covered under sand and are only exposed during very strong southwesterly winter storms, which strip away enough sand to uncover these carvings.
The most prominent feature of Shipwreck Beach is Makawehi Point, a sandstone cliff at the eastern end of the beach. Shipwreck Beach is about 0.5 miles (800 m) long and known for its good bodyboarding and windsurfing conditions. Surfers and windsurfers enter the water at the eastern end of the beach near the cliff. During times of high surf, strong rip currents and a powerful shorebreak make swimming dangerous.
Key Features
Beach Activities
Activities
Beach Facilities
Facilities
Reviews
Reviews and Ratings
Visitor Reviews
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Sparky
Wed May 23, 2012
Luis E. Pagano Colon
Tue Jan 03, 2012
Map
Location, Parking and Directions
Shipwreck Beach is located at the end of Ainakoa Street in Poipu, HI 96756, on Kauai's south shore. Public beach access is at the end of Ainakoa Street, where a beach parking lot is available. Ainakoa Street is between the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course.
Photos
Shipwreck Beach Photos
Browse Shipwreck Beach photos featuring the long sandy shoreline, black lava rocks, Naupaka greenery, rugged coastal scenery and dramatic cliffside views on Kauai's south shore.
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