10 of the Best Beaches in Kauai, HI
Known as “The Garden Isle” , Kauai is often considered the most mesmerizing of the Hawaiian Islands due to its tropical flora and striking beach experiences. Located just northwest of the Hawaiian archipelago, Kauai is one of the eight main Hawaiian Islands, and is the fourth largest of them all.
The best part of visiting Kauai is its many beaches and diverse experiences. Enjoying a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, a trip to the beach is always a must to make the most of your time in Kauai.
With a variety of beaches to choose from and an even larger list of activities to enjoy, here are 10 of the best Kauai beaches to visit and explore!
Sandy Shores & Family Fun
Spending time with those you love the most is easy in Kauai when you visit these incredible beaches. Offering the perfect space for you to reconnect, relax, and explore!
1. Poipu Beach
Located on the southern coast of Kauai in the Poipu area, Poipu Beach is renowned as one of the island’s most popular beaches. Protected by a natural rock barrier, Poipu Beach is considered very family-friendly as the barrier creates a calm, shallow lagoon perfect for children and novice swimmers. However, swimming is not the only fun to be had!
Visitors can also enjoy activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking, tidepooling, snorkeling. With Popiu being a known haven for the endangered animal, there may even be a chance to see a monk seal during your visit!
Convenient and easy to access, Poipu Beach has no entrance or parking fees and has a public lot directly across from the beach with ample parking! This and the safety of a lifeguard on duty year-round makes Poipu extremely popular with both locals and travelers alike. Whether enjoying the beach itself or the Poipu Shopping Village and many delicious restaurants nearby, this beach is a must-see when visiting Kauai.
2. Lydgate Beach Park
In the Wailua area on the east coast of Kauai, Lydgate Beach Park is the perfect place for families of all types! Equipped with key features such as a large, enclosed playground for children, shaded picnic areas, and shallow tidepools perfect for little ones to explore, Lydgate Beach Park is the place to be.
Guests will feel welcome and safe with no entrance fees, a large public parking lot, and lifeguards on duty year-round. Public restrooms and outdoor showers are also available for visitor convenience. When you are hungry or in need of a little shopping, Shops at Wailua Kai is located nearby along with shops and eats that your family will love. Lydgate Beach is the perfect place for you and your family to create perfect memories.
3. Keiki Cove Beach
With “Keiki” meaning “child” in Hawaiian, it is very fitting that this beach is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and calm waters. Located on the south shore of Kauai, Keiki Beach is a true hidden gem, providing the opportunity for sea turtle spotting, tidepooling. Snorkeling and so much more.
Although the beach is free for all to access, parking is very limited and no restrooms are available. With no lifeguard on duty, visitors must also be very careful when in the water. Although this may make this beach seem less intriguing, the less developed area provides an intimate and peaceful environment that every visitor will love.
Diving into Paradise
Discover the paradise that lies beneath the surface of the waves. From beginners to experts, these beaches offer the best view of Kauai's marine life!
4. Ke’e Beach
Often referred to as the “end of the road” due to its location at the farthest point along Kuhio Highway, Ke’e Beach is one of the best snorkeling spots in all of Kauai! With the reef located close to shore and the waters so clear and shallow, Ke’e Beach is a great place to explore marine life.
Although the waves tend to be a bit rougher during the winter, the water is typically calm, allowing for swimming, paddleboarding, and other fun water activities. Ke’e Beach also serves as the gateway to the Kalalau Trail, one of Kauai’s most famous and challenging hikes along the Na Pali Coast.
Even though there is a lifeguard on duty, this Kauai beach is not as family friendly as other beaches. Thankfully, the waters are still calm enough during the summer for families to enjoy. Just be mindful of small children and novice swimmers. Free for all and with a small parking lot, Ke’e Beach often fills up quickly so it is important to arrive early and secure your spot!
5. Tunnels (Makua) Beach
Named after the cave-like tunnels that exist in the reef, Tunnels Beach is known for its large coral reef system and thriving marine life. Featuring clear waters, the underwater visibility is incredible, allowing snorkelers to enjoy a variety of tropical fish, sea turtles, and even the occasional monk seal.
When conditions are calm, Makua Beach is also a great place for swimming, along with scuba diving for those with more advanced skills. Sitting at the base of Na Pali Coast, this Kauai beach is perfect for those hoping to experience a true underwater adventure.
Although this is not a great place for families with small families, those with older children comfortable with ocean activities will enjoy all that Tunnels Beach has to offer. It is important to know that there are no lifeguards on duty, so caution is needed, especially during the winter months when the water can be more unpredictable. There are no entrance or parking fees required for access, but the parking lot is small and fills up quickly so it is important to arrive early.
6. Anini Beach
Protected by the largest barrier reef in Hawaii, Anini Beach is the most family-friendly of all the beaches known for snorkeling. Located on the north shore of Kauai, Anini Beach has an offshore reef system that provides a diverse ecosystem with a large variety of marine life to admire. Anini Beach also features opportunities to kayak, paddleboard, windsurfing, fish, swim, and more. Although no lifeguard is on duty, due to the barrier reef the waters are relatively calm all year round, making it ideal for less experienced swimmers.
Often described as less touristy, Anini Beach is the perfect place to visit with a large parking lot and no entrance fees. Stop at Princeville Center for food, drinks, and last minute beach pickups before heading to Anini Beach for the ultimate beach day!
Wild Shores & Majestic Views
Combine beach time with adrenaline while enjoying jaw-dropping views! A thrilling adventure awaits at these beaches in Kauai…
7. Hanalei Bay
Hanalei Bay meaning “Crescent Bay” is located on the north shore of Kauai, framed by the stunning Na Pali coast. Equipped with calm to moderate waters, Hanalei Bay is perfect for a variety of ocean activities such as swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, paddleboarding, kayaking, and much more.
Apart from the incredible activities, this beach is renowned for its captivating scenery. Visitors can bask in views of mountains, waterfalls, and radiant ocean views from the mouth of the Hanalei River. The Hanalei Pier, located at the end of the beach, is one of Kauai’s most photographed landmarks for its natural beauty.
Hanalei Beach is ideal for families with a lifeguard on duty, along with public restrooms and outdoor showers. Visitors can also enjoy a large, free parking lot and no entrance fees to the beach. Hanalei is a charming town just a short walk from the beach where visitors can enjoy local boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and more.
Hanalei Bay is the beloved and iconic Kauai destination you don’t want to miss out on!
8. Shipwreck Beach - Keoneloa Bay
Shipwreck Beach, also known as Keoneloa Bay, is located on the south shore of Kauai and is named for the views of a remnant of a vessel that ran aground off the coast in the 1940s. Apart from this exciting piece of history, Shipwreck Beach is also located near the beginning of the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail, a scenic coast trail that runs along the southern edge of the island.
Visitors can also enjoy activities such as bodyboarding, beachcombing, and surfing! Due to the strong currents and big waves, it is not typically ideal for casual swimming, especially with there being no lifeguard on duty.
Although not a very family-friendly space for those with small children, Shipwreck Beach is amazing for those with older children and teens who are familiar with the water and love an adrenaline rush. Due to the secluded nature of the beach, the free public parking lot is typically not too crowded, and the lack of entrance fees makes the area easily accessible. Shipwreck Beach offers a rugged, scenic experience that those who love a bit of exploration and adventure will love!
9. Haena Beach Park
Nestled beneath towering mountains and surrounded by flourishing foliage, Haena Beach Park is located on the north shore of Kauai and is known as the ultimate photographer’s paradise. Boasting a dramatic backdrop of the Na Pali Coast, along with crystal clear waters and a sandy shore, this is a prime spot to bask in the beauty of Kauai. The perfect spot to relax, sunbathe, or stargazing due to the remote location and lack of light pollution.
Haena Beach is perfect for families and accessible to individuals of all ages due to its calm and shallow waters. There are lifeguards at this beach, but luckily the gentle shoreline also makes it a safe place for all although caution is always recommended. The beach offers a small, free parking lot as well as street parking for visitors to take advantage of, although due to its beauty and lack of entrance fees, peak times can get quite busy.
Located directly across the street, Haena State Park may require some fees or reservations to access its facilities. Peaceful and picturesque, Haena Beach is an unmatched stop for a truly tranquil beach experience.
10. Kauai’s Under the Radar Oasis: Glass Beach
For a unique gem unlike anything ever before seen, Glass Beach is perfect for those looking to experience a rare beach adventure. Located on the south shore of Kauai, Glass Beach is one-of-a-kind for its abundance of sea glass all along the shoreline. Originating from a variety of random items, the glass has been polished by the waves over the years and is now shown as vibrant, colorful pieces all over the beach.
Due to sea glass no longer being as abundant as it once was, Glass Beach serves as a fascinating destination.
Although not ideal for families with smaller children due to the rocky terrain, Glass Beach can be a quiet escape for families who enjoy uncommon phenomena and exploration. Visitors can enjoy beachcombing, photography, and basking in the scenic views. In light of being slightly off the beaten path, Glass Beach is generally less crowded than other areas, not even having their own designated parking lot, allowing for a more intimate atmosphere that visitors will love.
Your Personal Sanctuary - The Parrish Collection
Representing the allure and radiance of The Garden Isle, The Parrish Collection provides specially curated vacation rentals that will elevate every aspect of your beach vacation. Each rental awards guests with a space where attention to detail, security, warmth, and accessibility stand at the forefront to provide an experience of true ease. Guests have the option to choose from a variety of different rentals and locations, from beachfront villas, to tropical escapes, and luxurious condos, allowing space for each guest to experience the best vacation rental for their needs.
Inside each property, amenities and additional details have been included to enhance the experience of paradise. Enjoy vacation rentals with private pools, private lava-rock outdoor showers, and private hot tubs! When visiting Kauai, The Parrish Collection is the only home away from home that guarantees memories you will cherish forever.
Kauai beaches are a space of natural beauty, exploration, and tranquility, with each beach offering their own form of unique charm. The Parrish Collection adds to the island’s pleasure and appeal by providing dream accommodations nestled in the perfect setting. From the gentle waters of Poipu Beach to the rugged shore of Glass Beach, the island and its vacation rentals provide ample opportunities for a truly exceptional experience.
