Kauai Beaches

1. Ke'e Beach-good for sunbathing, walking, enjoying a good book. There is a lifeguard station, but no swimming in the winter months- huge waves and strong currents. Great snorkeling in the summer (make sure to check with a lifeguard if you're unsure.) Must make reservations at gohaena.com to get to Ke'e Beach.

Watch this before you go to Ke'e Beach.

Virtual Walking Tour of Ke'e Beach.

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2. Tunnels Beach- a snorkeling mecca. This beach has a wide-fringing reef that is teeming with underwater life. Parking can be hard here, so pack patience. To get there, go 0.6 miles past mile marker 8 and you'll find a short dirt access road. The earlier you get there, the better chance you'll get a parking spot. Don't park on the highway or you'll be ticketed.

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3. Lumahai Beach- a huge, picture perfect stretch of sand! But NO swimming here, the surf and current is too dangerous. Even if it looks calm, don't be tempted. Instead, go for a marvelous walk, look for wildlife, meditate, or simply sit and enjoy the beauty. To get here, find the trail from the top of the lookout at the eastern edge of the beach before mile marker 5.

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4. Hanalei Bay- a picturesque crescent of sand, Hanalei Bay is actually made of up 4 different beaches. The water is not great for swimming, but it is great for surfing. The waves seem to go on forever, which attracts surfers from all over. The best part of Hanalei Bay is the beauty of the beach, with the mountains in the background, and the pier that stretches out over the water. It's a great place to have a picnic and watch the surfers.

Virtual Walking Tour of Hanalei Bay.

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5. Secret Beach- If you are up for a bit of a hike and want a beach that is somewhat secluded, then Secret Beach will deliver! A stunningly beautiful beach with a small island off to the right (Moku'ae'ae Island, a bird sanctuary). To get there, turn right off Kalihiwai Road, then right on the first dirt road you encounter. Take the 10-15 minute trail to the bottom (be very careful if it's wet, it's slippery). Make mental note of where it encounters the beach for your return. No swimming here, especially in winter months.

Virtual Walking Tour of Secret Beach.

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6. Lydgate Beach- Full disclosure, this is not the most beautiful beach. But Lydgate Beach is perfect for families and for people who aren't strong swimmers. If you want to try snorkeling, but you aren't sure about your stamina in the ocean, try Lydgate Beach. There is a lava rock wall right off shore that protects this area from strong surf. (You will want to avoid this beach after heavy rain due to water quality.)

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7. Maha'ulepu Beaches- if you're in to exploring and beach walking, than the rugged landscape of Maha'ulepu will delight you. Located past the Hyatt on Po'ipu Road after the road becomes dirt. Turn right when the road ends and drive past an old guard shack. Make sure you're back to your car at sundown because the access gate will close. 

Must see South side Beach on Kauai | Hawaii Vacation Tips

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8. Po'ipu Beach- A great beach for swimming and sun bathing (the Turtles and Hawaiian Monk Seals think so too)! There are lifeguards and picnic tables here, as well as surrounding restaurants to grab take out so you can enjoy on the beach. 

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9. Kiahuna Beach (in front of the Sheraton)- an offshore reef makes this beach a great place to swim. The fact that the Sheraton is on this beach makes it a nice place to have lunch and grab a drink to break up your beach day.

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10. Polihale State Park- This is the furthest you can travel up this part of the island, the end of the road. It's hot and dry, and it's hard to get to. But, I wouldn't have put it here if it wasn't one of the best. If you're wanting an adventure, and you rented a 4WD jeep, it's a great place to explore. As the Dalai Lama said, "Polihale is where souls leave for the next world." It's a spiritual and culturally important place.

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