Kauai Beaches

Kauai Beach Guide

Kauai Beaches

Find the best Kauai beaches for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, family beach days and scenic shoreline stops, from Poipu and Lydgate to Hanalei Bay, Anini, Ke'e, Tunnels and Polihale.

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Kauai Beaches Overview

The island of Kauai has a coastline of about 90 miles (145 km). Kauai beaches are known for their powdery white sand and uncrowded atmosphere – some are hardly visited at all, which means that you can easily find your tropical paradise beach on this island. Many beaches on Kauai offer great swimming, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, whale watching, surfing and kayaking conditions. Most Kauai beaches have white sand. A few others are rocky. Read more about beach sand composition.

Kauai's north shore has many popular surfing beaches, such as Tunnels Beach and Lumahai Beach. Hanalei Bay with its crystal clear waters and views to the mountains is another popular north shore beach. And if you have seen the movie South Pacific, you may recognize the nearby mountain Bali Hai, also known as Makana Peak. Poipu Beach on Kauai's south shore is a popular beach among locals and visitors alike, while Polihale Beach on the west shore doesn't know crowds and is known for its amazing sunset views and "barking sands."

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Beach directory

Kauai Beaches

Browse Kauai beaches by area and activity, from famous surf breaks and snorkeling coves to quieter local beach parks, family beaches and scenic shoreline stops.

Aliomanu Beach
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Aliomanu Beach

Aliomanu Beach is a quiet east Kauai shoreline near Anahola, known for North and South Aliomanu access, reef views, fishing traditions, limu gathering and limited calm-water swimming.

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Anahola Beach Park
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Anahola Beach Park

Anahola Beach Park is a long east Kauai beach near Anahola, known for reef-protected swimming areas, surfing, bodyboarding, fishing, camping with a permit and ironwood shade.

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Anini Beach Park
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Anini Beach Park

Anini Beach Park is a reef-protected Kauai north shore beach known for calm water, snorkeling, windsurfing, camping with a permit and long shaded beach walks.

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Brennecke Beach
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Brennecke Beach

Brennecke Beach is a small Poipu cove on Kauai's south shore, known for consistent bodyboarding waves, a surfboard-free nearshore zone and quick access to Poipu Beach Park.

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Donkey Beach
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Donkey Beach

Donkey Beach, officially Paliku Beach, is a rugged east Kauai shoreline near Kealia, known for its paved access trail, wide sandy setting and rough ocean conditions.

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Glass Beach
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Glass Beach

Glass Beach in Ele'ele is a small Kauai shoreline near Port Allen, known for smooth sea glass, black rocks, beachcombing and an unusual industrial coastal setting.

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Ha'ena Beach Park
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Ha'ena Beach Park

Ha'ena Beach Park, also known as Maniniholo Beach, is a scenic Kauai north shore beach near Maniniholo Dry Cave, Tunnels Beach and Kee Beach.

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Hanakapi'ai Beach
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Hanakapi'ai Beach

Hanakapi'ai Beach is a remote Na Pali Coast beach reached by the Kalalau Trail, known for dramatic scenery, dangerous currents and hiking-only access.

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Hanalei Bay
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Hanalei Bay

Hanalei Bay is Kauai's largest bay, a scenic north shore crescent known for summer swimming, winter surf, mountain views, beach parks and the Hanalei Pier.

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Hanama'ulu Bay
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Hanama'ulu Bay

Hanama'ulu Bay is a quiet east Kauai beach park near Lihue Airport, known for picnics, fishing, shade, stream runoff and murky nearshore water.

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Hideaways Beach (Pali Ke Kua)
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Hideaways Beach (Pali Ke Kua)

Hideaways Beach, also known as Pali Ke Kua Beach, is a small Princeville cove reached by a steep trail, with calm-day snorkeling, shade and no lifeguards.

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Honopu Beach
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Honopu Beach

Honopu Beach is a remote Na Pali Coast landmark known for two hidden coves, Honopu Arch, towering cliffs, sacred history and swim-only access.

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Kahili Quarry Beach
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Kahili Quarry Beach

Kahili Quarry Beach, also called Rock Quarry Beach, is a quiet north shore beach near Kilauea where the stream meets the ocean.

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Kalalau Beach
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Kalalau Beach

Kalalau Beach is a remote Na Pali Coast beach reached by the 11-mile Kalalau Trail, known for permit camping, dramatic cliffs and hazardous ocean conditions.

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Kalapaki Beach
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Kalapaki Beach

Kalapaki Beach is a convenient Lihue beach near Nawiliwili Harbor, known for calm-condition swimming, beginner surf, paddling and easy shoreline access.

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Kalihiwai Beach
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Kalihiwai Beach

Kalihiwai Beach is a scenic north Kauai bay near Kilauea, known for white sand, ironwood shade, summer swimming, river kayaking and powerful winter surf.

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Kapa'a Beach Park
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Kapa'a Beach Park

This Kapa'a east shore beach is a convenient town park with basic facilities, calm-condition swimming, northern-end snorkeling and kite surfing on windy days.

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Ke'e Beach
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Ke'e Beach

Ke'e Beach is a famous north Kauai beach at the end of Highway 560, known for summer snorkeling, reef-protected water and Kalalau Trail access.

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Kealia Beach
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Kealia Beach

Kealia Beach is a wide Coconut Coast beach near Kapa'a, known for surfing, bodyboarding, fishing, lifeguards, easy parking and a paved coastal path.

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Kekaha Beach Park
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Kekaha Beach Park

Kekaha Beach Park is a long west Kauai shoreline known for open sand, sunset views, fishing, powerful surf, lifeguards and hazardous swimming conditions.

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Kepuhi Beach
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Kepuhi Beach

Kepuhi Beach is a quiet north Kauai shoreline near Ha'ena, known for beach walks, secluded picnics, calm-day snorkeling and no facilities.

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Kiahuna Beach
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Kiahuna Beach

Kiahuna Beach is a popular Poipu beach near the resort area, known for golden sand, calm-condition swimming, snorkeling, bodyboarding and surfing.

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Lawai Beach
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Lawai Beach

Lawa'i Beach is a small south Kauai snorkeling beach near Poipu, known for reef-protected calm water, snuba, surfing and no facilities.

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Lucy Wright Beach Park
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Lucy Wright Beach Park

Lucy Wright Beach Park is a historic Waimea beach park near the Waimea River mouth, known for Captain Cook history, colorful sand, picnics, playground space and limited swimming.

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Lumaha'i Beach
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Lumaha'i Beach

Lumaha'i Beach is a scenic north Kauai beach near Hanalei, known for South Pacific movie history, wide white sand, dramatic surf and dangerous swimming conditions.

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Lydgate Beach Park
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Lydgate Beach Park

Lydgate Beach Park is a family-friendly east Kauai beach park in Wailua, known for protected swimming pools, snorkeling, lifeguards, playgrounds and picnic areas.

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Maha'ulepu Beach
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Maha'ulepu Beach

Maha'ulepu Beach is a rugged southeast Kauai shoreline east of Poipu, known for Gillin's Beach, Kawailoa Bay, Ha'ula Beach, coastal hiking and limited swimming.

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Moloa'a Bay
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Moloa'a Bay

Moloa'a Bay is a quiet northeast Kauai beach near Kilauea, known for curved sand, green dunes, calm-condition swimming, snorkeling, bodyboarding and limited parking.

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Nukoli'i Beach Park
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Nukoli'i Beach Park

Nukoli'i Beach Park is a long east Kauai shoreline near Lihue, known for quiet walks, fishing, beachcombing, limited facilities and poor swimming conditions.

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Papa'a Bay
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Papa'a Bay

Papa'a Bay is a secluded northeast Kauai beach known for white sand, shallow reef scenery, movie history, public trail access and calm-condition swimming.

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Pila'a Beach
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Pila'a Beach

Pila'a Beach is a remote north Kauai shoreline near Kilauea, known for solitude, green cliffs, rocky access, beachcombing and unsafe swimming conditions.

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Poipu Beach Park
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Poipu Beach Park

Po'ipu Beach Park is a family-friendly Kauai south shore beach known for protected swimming areas, snorkeling, surfing, lifeguards, monk seals and full park facilities.

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Polihale State Beach Park
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Polihale State Beach Park

Polihale State Beach Park is a remote west Kauai beach known for long sand, high dunes, sunset views, camping, fishing and hazardous swimming conditions.

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Pu'u Poa Beach
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Pu'u Poa Beach

Pu'u Poa Beach is a scenic Princeville shoreline below 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, known for reef-protected summer water, snorkeling, surfing and limited public parking.

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Queen's Bath
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Queen's Bath

Queen's Bath is a dramatic Princeville lava-rock tide pool known for ocean views, slippery trail access, seasonal closures and serious wave hazards.

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Salt Pond Beach Park
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Salt Pond Beach Park

Salt Pond Beach Park is a family-friendly Kauai south shore beach known for protected swimming, snorkeling, lifeguards, picnic pavilions, camping and traditional salt ponds.

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SeaLodge Beach
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SeaLodge Beach

SeaLodge Beach is a secluded Princeville cove reached by a short trail, known for quiet scenery, shade, calm-condition snorkeling and no public parking nearby.

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Secret Beach
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Secret Beach

Secret Beach, also known as Kauapea Beach, is a remote north Kauai shoreline near Kilauea with dramatic cliffs, lighthouse views, steep trail access and dangerous currents.

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Shipwreck Beach
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Shipwreck Beach

Shipwreck Beach, also called Keoneloa Beach, is a scenic Poipu shoreline known for golden sand, Makawehi Point, bodyboarding, surfing and strong shorebreak.

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Tunnels Beach
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Tunnels Beach

Tunnels Beach, also known as Makua Beach, is a scenic north Kauai shoreline near Ha'ena, known for reef snorkeling, mountain views, surfing and limited parking.

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Waiakalua Beach
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Waiakalua Beach

Waiakalua Beach is a secluded north Kauai shoreline reached by a steep trail, known for quiet scenery, shade, reef views and limited calm-condition snorkeling.

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Waikoko Beach
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Waikoko Beach

Waikoko Beach is a quiet shaded shoreline at the western end of Hanalei Bay, known for picnic spots, bay views, limited swimming and surfing.

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Wailua Beach
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Wailua Beach

Wailua Beach is an east Kauai shoreline at the Wailua River mouth, known for surf, fishing, kayaking access, river views and poor swimming conditions.

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Wainiha Beach Park
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Wainiha Beach Park

Wainiha Beach Park is a rugged Kauai north shore beach near the Wainiha River mouth, known for fishing, surfing, wild scenery and unsafe swimming conditions.

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Waipouli Beach
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Waipouli Beach

Waipouli Beach is an east Kauai shoreline near Kapa'a, known for hotel-front scenery, shoreline paths, turtle cove views and calm-condition swimming pockets.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best beaches on Kauai?

Popular Kauai beaches include Poipu Beach Park, Lydgate Beach Park, Hanalei Bay, Anini Beach Park, Ke'e Beach, Tunnels Beach and Polihale State Beach Park.

Which Kauai beaches are best for families?

Poipu Beach Park, Lydgate Beach Park, Salt Pond Beach Park and Anini Beach Park are popular family choices when ocean conditions are calm.

What are the best snorkeling beaches on Kauai?

Anini Beach Park, Tunnels Beach, Ke'e Beach, Lawai Beach and Poipu Beach Park are known for snorkeling during calm ocean conditions.

Are all Kauai beaches safe for swimming?

No. Kauai beaches can have strong currents, high surf, slippery rocks and sudden changes in conditions. Choose lifeguarded beaches when possible and follow posted signs.

Which Kauai beaches are on the north shore?

North shore beaches include Hanalei Bay, Anini Beach Park, Ke'e Beach, Tunnels Beach, Haena Beach Park, Hideaways Beach and several remote Na Pali Coast beaches.