Kauai Beaches and Salt Pond
Salt Pond Beach Park is a golden sand beach on the South Shore of Kauai that is generally safe for swimming all year round. The beach lies between two rocky points connected by a natural ridge of rock in the ocean, creating a lagoon good for families with children. Snorkeling is good at either end of the pond near the lava rock outcrops. Stable trade winds provide plenty of entertainment for windsurfers.
Salt Pond Beach Park is the only place in Hawaii where sea salt is still gathered following native Hawaiian traditions. Salt is produced during hot and dry summer months by filling the ponds with ocean water and then leaving it to evaporate. After several days, crystallized salt lines the pond and is raked into a mound and collected, and the process is repeated throughout the summer. This traditional method of making salt has been practiced here for many years and is an important part of Hawaiian culture.
Lifeguards
Showers
Restrooms
Picnic pavilions
Swimming
Snorkeling
Windsurfing
Surfing
Camping
Picnicking
Directions: Take Hwy 50 south past the Hanapepe Bridge, and turn left on Lele Road. In one half a mile take a right at Lokokai Road and continue driving for another half a mile.
Please remember: When in doubt, don’t go out.
Check our Kauai Surf Report.
Kauai Beaches and Ke’e
Ke’e Beach is located at the end of the road on the North Shore of Kauai. Due to its tropical setting, sandy lagoon, good snorkeling, and the beginning of the Kalalau Trail, it is one of the most visited beaches on Kauai. Ke’e (pronounced Kay-ay) has a beautiful golden sand lagoon with a reef running parallel to the shore protecting it from big ocean swells. Along the reef colorful fish (wrasses, butterflyfish, damselfish, goatfish, convictfish, and surgeonfish) swim in abundance to make for good snorkeling. The shallow, sandy lagoon also provides an excellent swimming area for families.
The beach marks the end of Highway 560 and the beginning of the enchanting Na Pali Coast. Several movies and min-series have been filmed here because of the tropical setting, with high mountains, lush vegetation, coconut palms, and golden sand. The trailhead to the famed 11 mile Kalalau Trail begins at the western end of the beach, and another path leads to the Ke Ahu o Laka hula platform and the Kauluapaoa Heiau, a stone temple dedicated to the goddess of hula.
Summer months are generally the best time to snorkel or swim at Ke’e Beach. During winter months, high surf can make the conditions more dangerous. The reef channel that connects the lagoon to the ocean should also be avoided, as dangerous rip currents can sweep you from the lagoon to the open ocean.
Restrooms
Picnic facilities
Drinking water
Showers
Shaded parking
Sandy lagoon
Swimming
Snorkeling, scuba
Fishing
Trailhead for the Kalalau Trail
Directions: Take Kuhio Highway north (Hwy 56 which changes to 560). Drive past Hanalei all the way to the end of the road. Ke’e Beach Park is at the end of the road.
Please remember: When in doubt, don’t go out.
Check our Kauai Surf Report.
Kauai Beach – Poipu
Poipu Beach Park is a family beach that accommodates every type of beach activity from sunbathing to swimming to snorkeling to boogie boarding to surfing and stand-up paddling. Located on the South Shore of Kauai, it is blessed with constant warm weather, cool trade winds, and unspoiled beauty. Because of the publicity it has received as one of America’s best beaches it attracts many visitors.
There are two beaches separated by a strip of sand called a tombolo. This sandbar is a natural phenomena that occurs when ocean currents rush toward the beach from opposite directions and deposit sand between the shore and an island. This one is called Nukumoi Point, and is a favorite spot for endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals to haul out and bask in the afternoon sun.
The eastern side of Poipu Beach provides shallow, safe swimming for children because it is protected from big waves and strong currents by a jetty on one side and the tombolo on the other. On the western side of the beach, the waves break on a reef, and provide good surfing, snorkeling, and windsurfing. To the far eastern end of the park is Brennecke’s Beach which will entertain body boarders with plenty of nice waves.
Lifeguards
Restrooms
Showers
Picnic tables
Grass and shade areas
Children’s playground
Swimming
Snorkeling
Surfing
Bodyboarding
Windsurfing
Directions: Driving south past Lihue, take a left onto Maluhia Rd (520) through the Tree Tunnel. After about 3 miles follow the signs to Poipu taking a left on Ala Kinoikito. Follow for about 3 miles until you reach a stop sign at Poipu Road. Take a right on Poipu Rd for a half mile and turn left on Ho’owili Road. Poipu Beach Park is at the end of Ho’owili Road.
Please remember: When in doubt, don’t go out.
Check our Kauai Surf Report.
Kauai Beach – Anahola
Anahola Beach Park on the East Side of Kauai has good swimming and snorkeling year-round due to a protective reef offshore. The sandy beach is backed by shade trees and is considered one of the safest beaches on Kauai, making it perfect for children. And, this half mile long shoreline offers a stunning view of the Kalalea Mountains.
The south end is tucked behind Kala Point, protecting it from high surf. Ironwood trees fringe the back of the shallow water shoreline, providing beachgoers and picnickers plenty of shade. At the north end of the beach, near the mouth of the Anahola River, it is less protected and there is a shorebreak that’s ideal for bodyboarding, surfing, and stand-up paddle boards. In the summer, this beach park can be scattered with tents and campers.
Lifeguard
Sandy beach
Shade trees
Restrooms
Showers
Swimming, snorkeling, bodyboarding
Picnic tables
Camping
Directions: Traveling north on Kuhio Highway (56) about 3 miles north of Kealia Beach, turn right on Anahola Road just after Mile Mark #13. Anahola Beach Park is approximately one half mile down the road.
Please remember: When in doubt, don’t go out.
Check our Kauai Surf Report.
Kauai Beach – Lydgate
Lydgate Beach Park provides fun for the whole family, including safe ocean swimming for young children. One of its major attractions is a large, double-sectioned salt-water lagoon constructed with huge lava rocks in a semicircle facing the beach. The interior of the boulder breakwater is divided into two pools – a large, deep pool for swimming and snorkeling, and a small, shallow pool ideal for children. These sandy pools are one of Kauai’s safest year-round swimming sites, offering good protection from surf and currents, and with a lifeguard tower overlooking both pools.
Lydgate Beach Park was named after Reverend John Lydgate, a civic leader, church pastor, and noted authority on Hawaiian literature, folklore, legends, and land titles. There are grass fields where you can fly kites, play frisbee, or volleyball, as well as three full-sized sports fields. There is an outside pavilion for special outings and concerts. There is a playground built by local volunteers complete with volcano slide and lava tube slide. Further south is a second playground called Kalamani Kai Bridge, which can be reached by car, or along the bicycle path (Ke Ala Hele Makalae) running parallel to the coast. This isn’t just an ordinary bridge, but one that was designed by kids with nature art work, and all kinds of cool ways of exploration.
Sandy beach
Lava rock enclosed lagoon
Shade trees and grassy areas
Showers and restrooms
Lifeguards
Playground
Picnic tables
Swimming
Snorkeling
Picnicking
Camping
Directions: Driving north from Lihue on Kuhio Highway (56), take a right at mile marker 5 on Leho Road. The first right is Nehe Road and leads to restrooms, camping, and the Kalamani Kai Bridge. The second right is Nalu Road, leading to all other facilities and life-guarded lagoons.
Please remember: When in doubt, don’t go out.
Check our Kauai Surf Report.
Kauai Beach – Anini
Anini Beach is one of the safest and most protected places to swim on the North Shore of Kauai. A fringed reef runs the entire length of the beach and creates a beautiful and calm blue lagoon. This reef is one of the longest and widest reefs in Hawaii measuring 1,600 feet at its widest point. The beach itself stretches for about two miles.
The flat waves and shallow, sandy shore make Anini the ideal beach to visit if you have children. The reef ensures Anini beach has calm ocean conditions, and is one of the few beaches that can offer swimming during large winter waves. Anini’s consistent breeze also allows great windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Because of its calm waves and rich underwater life, many consider Anini Beach Park one of the best snorkeling spots on Kauai. The lagoon is home to numerous trigger fish (humuhumunukunukuapuaa), parrot fish (uhu), unicorn fish (kala), boxer fish, damsel fish and other tropical fish. On the northwestern part of the beach near the reef, there is also a sudden 60-foot drop diving spot.
Great swimming
Snorkeling
Windsurfing and Kitesurfing
Sandy bottom near shore
Shade Trees
No lifeguard
Restrooms
Showers
Picnic pavilions
Campsites
Boat ramp
Directions: Driving North on Kuhio Hwy 56, pass the town of Kilauea, then down into Kalihiwai Valley, over the bridge at mile marker 25, and up the other side. Turn right on to Kalihiwai Road, and then left on Anini Road. It is 1 mile to Anini Beach Park, and more of the beach continues further down the road.
Please remember: When in doubt, don’t go out.
Check our Kauai Surf Report.
