Now featuring: Kauai Beaches

Every beach on Kauai has it's own personality, expressed in
flowers, foliage, scenic backdrops and a personality from
stormy gray to playful, splashing blue, to tranquil warmth.
Every beach, tiny and hidden or grand and assertive deserves
a visit. All together, Kaua'i has more beach than any of
Hawaii's other islands.

In summer you can expect calm, quiet beaches on the north
shore and the same on the south beaches in winter.
For really huge surf, visit the north shore in winter.
Don't turn you back to the waves, even when you think you
know what's happening. Surprise waves have cost many lives.

The North Side
Access to beach can be a problem in some places, even though
all beaches on Kauai are public. Kalalau beach, for example
is a strenuous 11 mile hike. At Haeana you can just walk
3 minutes to a beautiful beach. One the finest, though
dangerous for swimming in Lumahai. Lumahai is close to the
road but a tricky little hike down a steep bank. Kalalau beach,
as I have mentioned is not accessible by car. You must hike,
on a often steep and always gorgeous trail for 11 miles to get
there. The only other options are Kayak or other small boat.
Kalalau beach is up agains steep, very high cliffs on its
west end. It's south end is at the mouth of magnificent
Kalalau valley. This valley is considered by many the crown
jewel of Hawaii hikes. Read more here. The Kalalau trail head
is at Ke'e beach. A breathtaking, but often crowded beach at
the very end of the road. Only the trail goes behyond this
point. Heading toward Kapaa from there, you immediately pass
Haeana beach, behind a strip of woods on your left. Beautiful.

Lumahai beach, has been called the most beautiful beach in
the world. The name has stuck. It is a dangerous swimming beach
and you must climb a short distance down steep banks to access
it, but it is well worth it. I am leaving out several wonderful
beaches here, but you will discover them on any good map.

The East Side
Let's take a trip from Polihale beach at the west end of the
road all the way around to Kalalau 11 miles PAST the end of
the road.

People in Hawaii don't use North and South very much because,
on an almost round island, it is confusing. More often we refer
to the North and Northeast side of an island as the "Windward"
side. The winds usually blow from the sea to the shore on the
windward side. The windward side of Kauai has beautiful beaches,
often open to the wind and ocean. Be careful.

OK, lets go beach hopping around Kauai. We begin with Aliomanu beach on
the north shore. Just North of the town of Kapa'a, you will come upon Kealia
Beach.It is right next to the highway. No hiking needed here. This is a wild beach
with a rather steep shore and large waves often break close in. Expert surfer work
the waves here, but it is not good for swimming or snorkeling. It is just too rough
most of time. Sunrises here are often spectacular and you can watch them across
Kealia's waves from in or near you car.

On the other end of Kapaa town, the Wailua River finds it's way to the sea.
At that point, is Wailua Beach. There is a strange little "double" bridge where t
he highway crosses the river. You will have to double back over the bridge to
get to the beach if you are coming from Kapaa. Wailua beach is much calmer
than Kealia. We're talking beaches here, but look into the hiking, boating and
water skiing on the river, too.

I'm kind of a "wild" beach guy, but if you are looking for a calm water beach;
one that is good for the kids too, you will appreciate Lydgate State Park beach.
Go a bit south of the Wailua River bridge and turn toward the mountains on
Lehu Drive, the turn left on Nalu Road.

As we continue along the same highway, it gradually follows the circular contour
of Kauai and is heading almost West when it reaches Kauai's county seat, Lihue.
You will probably have already been to the Airport. About 2 miles south of the airport
there is a big, sandy beach right at the Marriott hotel. This is Kalapaki Beach. There is
a lot going on there. It is about the beginning of what little "resort atmosphere" you will
find on Kauai. Take advantage of beach gear rentals, kayaks, Hobe Cats, sun and fun
on this calm, sheltered beach.

The south side
All right, as we continue along to the south side of the island we will find our way
to Hwy 520 going roughly west. You will notice that things get lush and green and
you go up, down and around lots of small hills. By the way, it gets sunny as you
go west. Beginning with Kalapaki and along the south side, there are several
beaches with very nice, fine sand and usually less surf than you have encountered
up until now. If you like a little social action, this is about as good as you are going
to get on quiet Kaua'i.

First, you come to Maha'ulepu Beach. Hawaiian found this a good place to live
as long as 1300 years ago. Those who look for such things, have found many relics
of that civilization here. The ocean is a bit treacherous, so beware, not only of
waves, but of currents. It can be a very long swim back to any shore.

There is about 2 miles of beautiful beach to explore here, broken up by rock
outcroppings into 3 sandy stretches. When you have had your fill of Maha'ulepu,
return to Po'ipu Road. You will pass the Hyatt Regency Hotel and come to a T in
the road. Turn right you will find a parking area for Brennecke Beach.

Body surfing is the thing here. Surf boards are only allowed away from
the shore. You will understand the "segregation" when you see that, famous as it is,
it is quite small and crowded. Bennecke Beach is last stop before reaching Po'ipu
Beach Park There's something at Po'ipu for everyone, making it a favorite with
Kauai visitors. From watch pretty girls surf to surfing, snorkeling, turtle watching
and monk seal watching this is a beautiful, if not secluded place.

The West Side
As you travel along the west side of Kauai, you will notice very red dirt
everywhere, probably on at least your shoes by now. The low rainfall along
the west side makes it dusty. It also means it is very sunny. Sheltered from
the winds, it can get really hot here. You will see fields of sugar cane reaching up
toward the mountains. Sugar cane was a major crop until recent years. At the time
I write this, there is only one operating sugar mill left on Kauai. Waves from far
off in the pacific roll up on this west facing coast. Respect them. They own these
beaches.

If the south side was too busy for you, this will be a relief for you. Towns are
small and pay little attention to tourists needs. Please enjoy it.
Enjoy Salt Pond Beach Park with the locals who go there with their children,
have picnics and swim with them in sheltered parts of the beach.

There are several miles of highway, with red dirt all around and little towns just
to either side. Many of them are just out of view behind sugar cane or trees.
In Kekaha you will come to Hawaii's longest continuous stretch of beach, 15 miles
of sand. The last 5 miles of that beach is within Polihale State Park. The beach is
very wide, but steep in places where the waves break. Sand dunes stand between
the beach itself and the land behind them. Sand is soft. Don't get you car stuck way
out here! Here is a beach big enough for everyone, even on weekends.
The solitude and the crashing waves are wonderful to behold.

By Stephen Tuell
Imagine Hawaii

All rights reserved
email: stephen@imagine-hawaii.com

Updated: October 9, 2007