Kauai Beaches

There are four main islands in Hawaii: Oahu Island, the Big Island, Maui Island, and Kauai Island. Each of these islands has assets and weaknesses, but if you're looking for uncrowded, unspoiled beaches with good surfboarding and snorkelling, Kauai Island will deliver more than what you will get on any other island.

Kauai is relatively preserved, including 2 highly volcanic mountains that incline steeply down to dreamlike sandy beaches. Mount Waialeale, the 2nd highest peak, is the rainiest spot on the globe, and the year-round rainfalls on the peak are the sources not only for the jungle but also for the cool breezes and the hundreds of waterfalls that populate the island. Every beach is backed by mountains and the jungle while almost every hike leads to a waterfall.

Kauai is of course also known for its sunny beaches. Like most Hawaiian islands, Kauai Island is divided into 4 parts: North Shore, South Shore, windward (the east side) and leeward (the west side).

The east shore is dominated by Lihue. The best beach on the island is probably Kalapaki, near the town of Lihue. This beautiful beach is located beneath the Marriott Hotel, and its waters are protected by a seawall, which makes swimming very safe. Kauai's other assets are the mountains and you'll find here a wonderful view of the green Haupu Range that rises to embrace the nearby Nawawili Harbor. Another advantage is that bathrooms, showers, food and free parking are available here.

Ninini Beach is located at the north end of Nawawili harbor. This short beach is known for body surfing, snorkeling and its crystal-clear waters. Niumalu Beach Park is great for picnics and is located close to the Huleia River and Menehune Fish Pond, an area where protected waterbirds gather; you can also find here some great Hawaiian history. Though you can't go to the pond, you can have a great day here, getting some sun while watching boats and waterbirds. All this is within a short drive - or walk - from Lihue.

Almost all the best beaches in Kauai are on the north shore. Anini Beach is great for swimming, the 3-mile long beach being bordered with a reef, which protects it from strong waves. Its 5-foot-deep waters are particularly ideal for beginning snorkelers. You'll find full amenities here and several vacation rentals are located near the beach.

North Shore beaches are so beautiful that they have been used for years in movies. Lumahai Beach was used in South Pacific, starring Mitzi Gaynor and while it is not that safe for swimming, it is stunning. Kee Beach State Park was featured in The Thornbirds. As for Tunnels Beach, it looks like a postcard with its ironwood trees framing a crescent-shaped pebbly beach, which makes it a perfect romantic spot for watching the sunset. You can also listen to the waves crashing against adjacent Haena Beach Park, which in summer is great for snorkeling among tropical fishes. If you're looking for breathtaking beauty, spend a day at Hanalei Beach, 2 miles of sand fringing the interior of an extinct volcano. Snorkelers love diving to the shipwreck in the middle of the bay.

The leeward side of Kauai hosts Waimea Canyon, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. This part of of the island is rough and beautiful, more appropriate for hikers and waterfall-lovers than for beachgoers; it still has some magnificent beaches though. The most spectacular is unquestionably Polihale, the largest beach in Hawaii with 17 miles of sand. Polihale overlooks the forbidden island of Niihau and includes the famous Barking Sands Beach. Within the state park where the beach is located, you will also find several sacred sites, burial grounds and temples.

Finally, the south shore's best beach is Poipu Beach. This area is surrounded by resorts, but every beach is open to the public. Also, don't forget to visit the Spouting Horn, a famous vent-hole, but make sure to not get too close! Several curious visitors have fallen into the ocean or been sucked into the hole. Also in this area is located the gorgeous Mahaulepu Beach, 2 miles of red-gold sand edged by sand dunes, casuarina trees and sugarcane fields. While this beach is safe for swimming, there is no lifeguard on duty here; it's also the site of another movie shoot, Islands in the Stream, in which George C. Scott. played Ernest Hemingway.

There are a a couple things you should know before hitting the beach in Kauai. First, by state law all beaches are public and owners of properties located between beaches and roads must not only provide public access to the beach but also allow public parking. While it is officially not legal to go bare on the beach, there are however plenty of nude beaches in Kauai - just ask locals; In the winter (September to March), the north and west shore beaches have very high surf and might be dangerous; in summer, south and east beaches have higher surf, though not so pronounced as winter waves on the other side. In general, it is wiser to swim only when there are life guards on duty. Hawaiian waters can be treacherous to those who don't know them well and even seasoned surfers have been stranded or have drowned as a result of getting caught up in undertows or strong currents.

You might also notice that beaches can get very crowded sometime. If you're there during summer, it is recommended to get to the beach early in the morning to make sure you find parking and a spot on the beach.