Kauai Beach – Lumahai
Lumaha’i Beach is located on the North Shore of Kauai just around the bend from Hanalei Bay. This beach is nearly a mile long with a nice sandy shoreline for beach walking, and can be accessed from either end.
The eastern end requires a short 100 yard walk through the jungle. The trail drops you right out onto a beautiful tropical scene who’s stardom came when Mitzi Gaynor “washed that man right out of her hair” in the musical South Pacific. Lava rocks and green vegetation are scattered around the beach turning this area into its own little crescent-shaped cove called Kahalahala, and separating it from the rest of the beach.
One mile down the road there is dirt parking under ironwood trees with Lumaha’i Stream on the left and several hundred feet of sand down to the ocean. But, the serenity stops at the ocean. Since there are no protective reefs off shore, the beach is totally exposed to the open ocean. Powerful rip currents, hard shore breaks, and strong waves make it one of the most dangerous beaches on Kauai.
This beautiful beach is great for beachcombing, sunbathing, or picnicking. The Lumaha’i Stream is calm, and the eastern end of the beach is sometimes calm in the summer, but make no mistake about it, the surf conditions are dangerous here. Even small waves that look relatively harmless can be incredibly powerful and carry you out to sea. There are no lifeguards, and Rescue Tubes have been placed at either end of the beach.
- Sandy beach
- Shady areas
- Swimming is usually dangerous (especially in winter)
- Swimming is calm in the Lumahai Stream
- No facilities
- No lifeguards
- Rescue Tube at either end
Directions:
Take Highway 560 (Kuhio Highway) north past Princeville and Hanalei. Approximately .75 miles past mile marker 4 is a sharp bend in the road with dirt parking on the right and a trail down to the eastern end. One mile further just before you get to Lumahai River you can park on the right underneath the ironwood trees at the western end of the beach.
Please remember: When in doubt, don’t go out.
Check our Kauai Surf Report.
