Hawaiian Marketplace

Kauai beaches entice both residents and visitors with their beauty. Here are a few of them

Salt Pond Beach State Park – Named for the ponds used by Hawaiians for centuries to collect salt, this Kauai beach located on the island’s west shore has a large swimming area about 10 feet deep which is excellent for lap swimming. Protected by a rocky ridge, the beach also has good swimming for children in the shallower edges. When “surf’s up,” Salt Pond is also a good place for surfing and windsurfing. Swimming, Snorkeling, Body Boarding, Scuba Diving, Wind Surfing

Poipu Beach – Here’s one south coast beach that has something for the entire family, from safe swimming for kids in calm, shallow waters to snorkeling and scuba diving on a nearby lava reef populated with exciting, colorful fish. Monk seals that come to rest on the sands sometimes visit beach–goers. Extending from the Sheraton Kauai Resort to Poipu Beach Park, this popular beach on its eastern side has lifeguards on duty, showers, and picnic tables. Swimming, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Body Boarding, Surfing

Kalapaki Beach – The white sands and gentle waters of Kauai’s Kalapaki Beach on the island’s east shore are ideal for sunning, swimming, and sailing. With firm sands protected by dramatic green cliffs, this destination is great for everything from building sandcastles to boogie boarding. Kalapaki Beach also is the home of the Kauai Lagoons–40 acres of freshwater tropical lagoons that serve as a sanctuary for exotic wildlife. Swimming, Body Boarding, Wind Surfing

Hanalei Bay Beach – A perfect semi–circle of white sand on shimmering tropical waters with a backdrop of 4,000–foot waterfalls that reach into the clouds is the setting for Hanalei Bay Beach–often described as not only the most beautiful Kauai beach, but also the most beautiful in Hawaii. The beach is about 125 feet wide and framed by the Waipa River to the west and the Hanalei River to the east, on Kauai’s north shore. The bottom slopes gradually down, making it a wonderful beach for youngsters, and there are large coral reefs at both ends of the bay. Swimming, Wind Surfing, Kayaking, Sailing, Surfing, Snorkeling, Skin Diving

Ke’e Beach – With a picture postcard tropical setting of coconut palms, guava, ti and ironwood trees, Ke’e Beach is located at the western end of the Na Pali Coast State Park on the north shore of Kauai. It offers what is probably the most dramatic snorkeling on the island, with multi-colored reef fish and turtles visible through the clear waters. Try this Kauai beach, with its shallow lagoon it provides great swimming, especially for families with children. Snorkeling, Swimming

Haena Beach – With its grainy yellow sand and limpid waters set off by emerald cliffs, this serpentine North Shore Kauai beach has appeared as the stereotypical tropical strand in many Hollywood films. Summer months offer excellent swimming and snorkeling. However,winter produces big waves that are fun for surfers but dangerous for everyone else. There are lots facilities available, including picnic tables, restrooms, and showers. Swimming, Surfing, Snorkeling

Secret Beach – Once known only to islanders as a “secret” nude beach for sunbathing, Secret Beach was opened to the public in 1974 although it can only be seen on land from Kilauea Point on the North Shore. This pristine and dramatic beach is accessible a half-mile west of Kilauea. There are no public facilities or lifeguards, only the bracing effects of unfettered nature. Well worth the effort to find, for those with an adventuresome spirit! Swimming, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling

Tunnels Beach – Tunnels is the superb snorkeling spot on the North Shore. The two-mile-long Kauai beach runs from Hanalei Colony Resort to Ha’ena Beach Park. The center portion has a huge half-moon shaped reef just offshore where snorkelers can encounter eels, turtles, and other colorful sea creatures. Excellent in summer, Tunnels Beach has large waves in winter that can make it dangerous to swim. No lifeguards are on duty. Swimming, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving

Shipwreck Beach – Although less than ideal for swimming because of low-lying rocks, Shipwreck Beach on the South Shore is a body surfer’s heaven. This Kauai beach on Keoneloa Bay is one of the largest expanses of beach in the Poipu area. During much of the year, Shipwreck Beach is better suited for strong swimmers and surfers. This is due to the powerful and potentially dangerous waves, which break close to shore.

However, it is a great beach any time of the year to walk along, for beach combing and sunbathing. Shipwreck Beach has a Kauai County park facility at its eastern end and just beyond that is a spectacular wilderness shoreline trail that continues for miles. Swimming, Surfing, Body Surfing