Here’s our list of the Top 5 Best Beaches on Kauai.
#1: Hanalei Bay
Location: North Shore
Hanalei Bay is our favorite beach to spend the day. There are actually three beaches long the 2-mile stretch of sand, including Wai’oli Beach Park (aka Pine Trees), Hanalei Beach Park, and Black Pot Beach, near the pier. The sandy-bottomed bay has no reef, so this is not a spot for snorkeling. Instead, it offers great surf for boogie boarding and surfing – more advanced in the winter and beginner level in the summer. The surf is calm enough in the summer so even little kiddies can swim. You’ll find calmer waves around Hanalei Beach Park, with more surf – and surfers – near Pine Trees.
Each individual beach has parking and facilities, with Pine Trees and Black Pot offering the most parking. And because of its size, it never feels crowded. When you need a break, a short walk to town offers shopping, shave ice, food trucks, bars, and restaurants. For more details, check out the North Shore page.
#2: Tunnels Beach
Location: North Shore
Tunnels tops our list for most beautiful beaches and best places to snorkel, so it’s a very close 2nd for best beaches on Kauai. If you don’t snorkel, you will likely only spend the day on the beach and not in the water, which is why we put Hanalei first. Still, Tunnels is a beautiful stretch of sand that like Hanalei, never feels crowded. There are numerous trees that offer ample shade, so you likely don’t need an umbrella or canopy. Parking is a real issue, and facilities require a walk through hot sand. For all the details, check out the North Shore page.
#3: Kalapaki Beach
Location: East Shore
Kalapaki Bay is another great beach to spend the day. Like Hanalei, it rarely feels crowded and offers plenty of water activities, from beachside SUP rentals, boogie boarding, and beginning surfing. The waves are usually calm, so swimming is easy as well. And with a nice grassy area to set up your chairs, you don’t have to be on sand. Plus, there are several bars and restaurants you can easily walk to along the beach. Parking can be hard, and facilities require a bit of a walk. For more details, check out our East Shore page.
#4: Shipwreck Beach
Location: South Shore
Shipwreck Beach is another gem, especially for adventure seekers or those who like a less crowded beach. It’s a beautiful spot, but the surf can be high for beginning boogie boarders, surfers or young swimmers. It does offer a great way to watch advanced surfers and cliff jumpers. And its location next to the Grand Hyatt offers access to the restaurants at that resort. Parking is fairly easy and facilities are nearby. For more details, check out our South Shore page.
#5: Poi’pu Beach
Location: South Shore
Poi’pu offers something for everyone. There’s a sandy-bottom cove for young swimmers, a large, shallow reef for snorkelers, and nearby Brennecke Beach for surfers and boogie boarders. The park next to the beach also offers a playground for little ones. Plus, there’s a beachside bar and deli for lunch, happy hour, or dinner. And parking and facilities are easier here than at any other beach on the island, except maybe Lydgate on the east shore. For more details, check out our South Shore page.
Honorable Mention: Ke’e Beach
Location: North Shore
Ke’e Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on Kaua’i. It offers views of the Napali coast, access to the Kalalau Trail, a small reef for snorkeling, and a sandy-bottom cove for protected swimming. Plus, there are plenty of shade trees so you can leave the umbrella or canopy at home. The big downside is the hassle to get there – either by booking 30-days in advance, or paying for expensive shuttle tickets. For all the details, check out our North Shore page.
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