Beaches of Kauai
Kauai’s beaches are stunningly beautiful and some of the best in Hawaii. Some have incredible mountain backdrops. There are great beaches for snorkeling or seeing wildlife like monk seals and sea turtles. There are several kid friendly beaches with calm waters. There are some great for surfing. No matter what you are seeking you will be able to find your perfect beach on Kauai. Check out some of the top beaches below and get exploring!
Top beaches North Shore
Hanalei Bay
Hanalei Bay is on the north shore. It is surrounded by lush mountains. It is perfect beach for swimming, paddleboarding and family-friendly beach days. It is also a great place for beginner surfing lessons. There is a great pier that you can walk on with a covered end with picnic tables. Hanalei town has several shops and a farmers market on Saturdays.
Tunnels Beach
Tunnels Beach, also Makua Beach, is one of the most northern beaches you can reach without a permit. There are apparently places you can park on side streets closer but almost every road we passed had a no parking signs so we parked at Haena Beach and walked to Tunnels. I recommend arriving early to snag a parking spot. Tunnels is known for its incredible snorkeling. It offers incredible views of Bali Hai. The middle picture below is Tunnels Beach from our scenic flight and you can really get a perspective of the reef!
Haena Beach
This beach is where we parked to get to Tunnels Beach but is nice on its own. There are bathrooms and a lifeguard. Across the street there is a cave which is pretty cool to check out called Maniniholo Dry Cave. There is a parking lot but it is fairly small so I recommend getting here early to snag a spot.
Anini Beach
Anini Beach is a great beach for families. It has very calm waters. It is a great place to snorkel. I found the waters much calmer here than at Tunnels and I saw so many sea turtles I was blown away! On google maps Anini Beach is located in two places. One is more isolated down a dirt road and absolutely beautiful but the main snorkeling is to the right of the boat launch. There are showers and bathrooms.
East Side
Lydgate Beach Park
We spent a huge portion of our trip at this beach park. It was a great place for sunrise (we were up early every day) and perfect for our toddler due to the amazing Kamalani Playground. They have sheltered/protected swimming areas. There are picnic tables, bathrooms, lifeguards and plenty of parking.
Waipouli Beach
Waipouli Beach was located right in front of our accommodation on the eastern side of the island. It was great for catching a sunrise and taking a stroll but otherwise if looking for a beach to spend time on while on the east side, I would recommend Lydgate Beach Park
South Shore
Poipu Beach
This is a very popular beach destination in Kauai and for good reason. It is a great location for seeing sea turtles sunbathing and you can also see monk seals. There are calm swimming areas and it is great for snorkeling as well. There is a playground for children and lifeguards on duty. It is a must visit!
Shipwreck Beach
Shipwreck Beach is right near the Grand Hyatt. It has strong surf so a great place for catching waves or watching others do it. It has cliffs and is the starting point for the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail. I hiked up the small cliff at sunrise one morning and it was beautiful.
My Favorites
My personal favorites during our trip were Anini Beach and Lydgate Beach Park. Anini was perfect calm waters for families and had such incredible snorkeling. Lydgate Beach Park was a fan favorite for its incredible playground. No matter where you go trust me you’ll love it!
