Kauai BeachesFind Your BeachOcean safety

Find your place by the sea

Explore Kauai Beaches By Shore & Activity

Which beach is calling you?

Discover 30 Kauai beaches, explore visitor facilities, filter by shore and activity, and plan your visit with access information and ocean safety resources.

Narrow your search

Find your beach

Shore
What would you like to do?

Select one or more. Beaches matching any selected activity are shown.

More Activities

Explore the island

30 beaches found

Activity tags are informational only. Check current conditions before entering the ocean.

Shaded sandy shoreline and calm ocean at Poipu Beach Park in Kauai

● South Shore

Poipu Beach Park

A celebrated crescent on Kauai’s south coast, with golden sand and a relaxed park setting.

SwimmingSnorkelingFamily-friendlyPicnicking
Lifeguard information
Nukumoi Tower and Poipu Tower; daily 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Amenity noticeDated 2026-09-30; see details.
Sandy beach, protected water and palm trees at Lydgate Beach Park in Kauai

● East Shore

Lydgate Beach Park

A broad east-side beach near the Wailua coast, popular for easygoing days by the water.

SwimmingSnorkelingFamily-friendlyPicnicking
Lifeguard information
Lydgate Tower; daily 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Hanalei Bay shoreline backed by palm trees and green mountains in Kauai

● North Shore

Hanalei Bay

A sweeping, mountain-framed bay with a long ribbon of sand and an iconic north shore view.

SwimmingSurfingFamily-friendlyPicnicking
Lifeguard information
Hanalei Pavilion and Pinetrees towers; daily 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Sandy shoreline, rocks and blue ocean at Salt Pond Beach Park in Kauai

● South Shore

Salt Pond Beach Park

A southwest Kauai shoreline named for the traditional Hawaiian salt ponds found nearby.

SwimmingSnorkelingFamily-friendlyPicnicking
Lifeguard information
Lifeguarded beach; daily 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Reported closureReported closed in the County of Kauai October 16, 2026 update. Verify the latest status before visiting.
Wide sandy shoreline bordered by dense trees at Haena Beach Park in Kauai

● North Shore

Haena Beach Park

A dramatic north shore beach beneath lush green peaks. This listing is for Haena Beach Park, not Haena State Park or Kee Beach.

SwimmingSnorkelingSurfingPicnicking
Lifeguard information
Lifeguarded beach; daily 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Broad sandy shore and shallow ocean water at Anini Beach Park in Kauai

● North Shore

Anini Beach Park

A long North Shore beach protected by an extensive coral reef. Ocean conditions still require caution and current-condition checks.

Snorkeling
Lifeguard information
GoHawaii explicitly reports no lifeguards
Clear ocean water meeting the long sandy shoreline at Kee Beach in Kauai

● North Shore

Kee Beach

A beach at the end of Highway 560 with views toward the Napali Coast and access to the Kalalau Trailhead.

Snorkeling
Lifeguard information
Kee Beach Park; daily 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Access noticeAdvance reservations are required for non-Hawaii residents entering Haena State Park. Entry is required for each visitor; parking also requires a reservation. Hawaii residents with valid state ID are exempt from entry reservations, subject to parking availability.
Aerial view of surf and the sandy shoreline at Kealia Beach Park in Kauai

● East Shore

Kealia Beach Park

A half-mile stretch of golden coast along Highway 56 with a breakwater near its north end.

SwimmingSurfing
Lifeguard information
Lifeguarded beach; daily 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Sandy cove, calm water and a lifeguard tower at Anahola Beach Park in Kauai

● East Shore

Anahola Beach Park

An East Shore beach park. Additional descriptive details have not yet been verified from the selected official sources.

PicnickingCoastal WalksFishing
Lifeguard information
Lifeguarded beach; daily 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Aerial view of Kalapaki Beach shoreline with palm trees and beachfront buildings in Kauai

● East Shore

Kalapaki Beach

A Lihue-area beach fronting the Kauai Beach Club, where GoHawaii notes visitors can watch surfers.

SurfingPicnicking
Lifeguard information
No lifeguard service reported by local beach guides
Access noticePublic shoreline access reported from the eastern end of the beach; follow posted access and parking signs
Curving sandy shore and tree-covered hillside at Kekaha Beach Park in Kauai

● West Shore

Kekaha Beach Park

A long sandy stretch on far west Kauai known for sunset views; GoHawaii specifically cautions that winds and currents can make swimming dangerous at times.

Surfing
Lifeguard information
Lifeguarded beach; daily 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Ocean waves beyond a sandy path and coastal plants at Tunnels Beach in Kauai

● North Shore

Tunnels Beach (Makua)

A North Shore beach also known as Makua, with a wide reef area identified by GoHawaii as a shoreline snorkeling location.

Snorkeling
Lifeguard information
No dedicated tower at Tunnels; nearest published coverage is at Hāʻena Beach Park
Access noticePublic access via designated paths or shoreline walk from Hāʻena Beach Park; respect private property and parking restrictions
Sandy shoreline with ocean waves and palm trees at Polihale Beach in Kauai

● West Shore

Polihale Beach

A broad, dune-backed beach in Polihale State Park on Kauai’s west side, with views toward the Napali Coast.

Scenic ViewsSunset ViewingPicnicking
Lifeguard information
Kauai Visitors Bureau reports no lifeguard on duty
Reported closureThe Hawaii State Parks October 19, 2026 update stated that other Kauai state parks remained closed. Verify Polihale’s latest status before visiting.
Access noticeThe official park page describes an unimproved dirt access road that may flood or become impassable. Four-wheel drive is recommended, and rental car agreements may prohibit this road. Check current State Parks notices before travel.
Open sandy shoreline and breaking waves at Lumahai Beach in Kauai

● North Shore

Lumahai Beach

A North Shore beach recognized by GoHawaii and associated with the filming of South Pacific.

PhotographyScenic ViewsCoastal Walks
Lifeguard information
No lifeguard service reported
Access noticeEastern access involves a steeper walking path; western access near Lumahaʻi River has a comparatively flatter approach. Kauai Visitors Bureau guidance advises against swimming and other recreational water activities here because of dangerous offshore currents.
Long golden shoreline, blue ocean and green headland at Secret Beach in Kauai

● North Shore

Secret Beach (Kauapea)

A North Shore beach identified by the Kauai Visitors Bureau as Kauapea Beach, also known as Secret Beach.

PhotographyScenic Views
Lifeguard information
Not a lifeguarded beach, as confirmed by Kauai County
Access noticeAccess is via a steep dirt trail that may become slippery following rainfall. Kauai Visitors Bureau guidance advises against swimming and other recreational water activities here because of dangerous offshore conditions.
Elevated view across the curved shoreline and clear water at Shipwreck Beach in Kauai

● South Shore

Shipwreck Beach (Keoneloa)

A South Shore beach at Keoneloa Bay, one of the stops along the Koloa Heritage Trail.

Coastal WalksScenic ViewsSunset Viewing
Lifeguard information
No lifeguard service reported
Access noticePublic beach access beside Grand Hyatt Kauai; nearby resort facilities are not automatically public amenities. Kauai Visitors Bureau guidance advises against ocean jumping from the nearby cliffs because of cliff height and unpredictable ocean conditions.
Small sandy shoreline with rocks, palms and beachfront homes at Fuji Beach in Kapaʻa, Kauai

● East Shore

Fuji Beach (Baby Beach Kapaa)

An East Shore beach along Moanakai Road in Kapaa, identified in County planning documents as Baby Beach or Fuji Beach.

PicnickingSunrise ViewingCoastal Walks
Lifeguard information
No lifeguards reported
Access noticeShoreline access along Moanakai Road; northern end connects to the coastal pedestrian/bicycle path
Brennecke's Beach on Kauai's South Shore

● South Shore

Brennecke's Beach

A small South Shore beach known for powerful shorebreak and bodyboarding. It is also a lively place to watch the waves, photograph the coast and relax near Poipu.

BodyboardingBodysurfingSunbathingPhotographyScenic Views
Lifeguard information
No dedicated lifeguard station at Brennecke’s Beach.
Access noticeUse established public access near Poipu and follow posted signs; nearby parking availability varies.
Hideaway Beach below the Princeville coastline on Kauai

● North Shore

Hideaway Beach (Pali Ke Kua)

A secluded cove below Princeville’s coastal cliffs, valued for striking scenery, sunsets and snorkeling opportunities only when the ocean is exceptionally calm.

Scenic ViewsPhotographySunset ViewingCoastal WalksSnorkeling
Lifeguard information
No lifeguards.
Access noticeAccess is by a steep trail that can be slippery. This is not an easy-access beach.
Kalihiwai Beach and bay on the North Shore of Kauai

● North Shore

Kalihiwai Beach

A quiet, scenic North Shore bay near the Kalihiwai River, framed by tropical vegetation and suited to leisurely shoreline exploration.

Coastal WalksPhotographySunbathingScenic Views
Lifeguard information
No lifeguards.
Access noticeUse legal public access and do not rely on parking being available.
Kiahuna Beach on the South Shore of Kauai

● South Shore

Kiahuna Beach

A golden-sand South Shore beach popular for relaxing, sunset watching and ocean recreation when conditions permit.

SunbathingCoastal WalksSunset ViewingSwimmingSurfingSnorkeling
Lifeguard information
No lifeguards.
Access noticeUse legitimate public beach access and follow posted parking signs; resort parking is not automatically public.
Lawai Beach along the Poipu coastline of Kauai

● South Shore

Lawai Beach

A small South Shore beach known for reef scenery, marine-life viewing and snorkeling only during genuinely calm ocean conditions.

SnorkelingPhotographySunset ViewingScenic Views
Lifeguard information
No lifeguards.
Access noticeApproach via the established public access. Parking and space on the small, rocky shoreline are limited; follow posted restrictions.
Gillin's Beach on Kauai's remote Mahaulepu coast

● South Shore

Mahaulepu Beach (Gillin's)

A rugged, relatively undeveloped South Shore destination with sand dunes, coastal scenery and walking routes. This profile focuses on the Gillin’s Beach section.

Coastal WalksHikingPhotographyBeachcombingScenic Views
Lifeguard information
No lifeguards.
Access noticeFollow current legal access routes and restrictions. Road conditions and access can change, and no route should be assumed permanently open.
Wailua Beach beside Wailua Bay on Kauai

● East Shore

Wailua Beach

An exposed East Shore beach known for windswept scenery, sunrise views and ocean sports undertaken by experienced water users.

Coastal WalksPhotographySunrise ViewingFishingSurfing
Lifeguard information
No lifeguards.
Access noticeUse established public shoreline access. Roadside parking can be difficult; use only legal spaces.
Waimea Beach near the pier on the West Side of Kauai

● West Shore

Waimea Beach

A distinctive dark-sand beach on Kauai’s West Side, offering sunset views, coastal photography and fishing opportunities near Waimea Pier.

Sunset ViewingPhotographyFishingCoastal WalksScenic Views
Lifeguard information
No lifeguards.
Access noticeAccess is near Waimea Pier. Distinguish pier recreation-area facilities from amenities directly on the sand.
Waipouli Beach along the East Shore of Kauai

● East Shore

Waipouli Beach

A relatively quiet East Shore beach offering sunrise viewing, coastal walks and convenient shoreline scenery near Kapaa.

Sunrise ViewingPhotographyCoastal WalksScenic ViewsRelaxing
Lifeguard information
No lifeguards.
Access noticeUse legally permitted, signed coastal access and do not assume resort parking or amenities are available to the public.
Moloaʻa Bay Beach on the northeast coast of Kauai

● East Shore

Moloaʻa Bay Beach

A quiet crescent-shaped bay backed by tropical greenery, suited to sightseeing, photography and relaxing away from busier visitor beaches.

Scenic ViewsPhotographyCoastal WalksRelaxing
Lifeguard information
No lifeguards.
Access noticeUse established neighborhood access near Moloaʻa Road. Parking is limited; respect residential driveways, private property and posted rules.
Donkey Beach, also known as Paliku, on Kauai

● East Shore

Donkey Beach (Paliku)

A broad, scenic stretch of East Shore sand popular for coastal walks, photography, sunrise views and watching the surf.

Coastal WalksPhotographyScenic ViewsSunrise ViewingBodyboarding
Lifeguard information
No lifeguards.
Access noticeApproach from the designated Kealia Kai access area on a paved path. Facilities or routes can temporarily close for maintenance, so access is never guaranteed.
Larsen's Beach on the northeast coast of Kauai

● North Shore

Larsen's Beach (Kaʻakaʻaniu)

A long, undeveloped and secluded beach known for dramatic natural scenery, shoreline walks and peaceful coastal exploration.

Coastal WalksPhotographyScenic ViewsWildlife Viewing
Lifeguard information
No lifeguards.
Access noticeAn unpaved access road is followed by a steep or slippery trail. Respect current legal routes and private-property boundaries.
Glass Beach shoreline near Port Allen and ʻEleʻele, Kauai

● West Shore

Glass Beach (ʻEleʻele)

A small, distinctive shoreline known historically for weathered sea glass, darker sand and rocky coastal scenery near Port Allen.

BeachcombingPhotographyScenic Views
Lifeguard information
No lifeguards.
Access noticeA short approach leads from permitted dirt or roadside parking; respect posted restrictions. Historic sea-glass deposits have diminished, so finding or collecting glass is not guaranteed.

Explore Kauai Beaches on the Map

Discover all 30 Kauai beaches by location, explore different shores and find your next beach destination.

Know before you go

Ocean conditions are always changing

Published lifeguard schedules do not confirm real-time staffing or conditions. Review current alerts before entering the water.

Visit Hawaii Ocean Safety ↗

Made with aloha for thoughtful island days.

Unverified information is clearly labeled.