Best Beaches on the North Shore
The North Shore has the most beautiful beaches on Kauai, so it’s hard to choose just a couple for this list. But here are our top picks for beach days on the North Shore.
Most Beautiful Beach – Tunnels
In addition to being a great snorkel spot, Tunnels is, in our opinion, the most beautiful beach on Kauai. Makana (aka Bali Hai) sits at the end of the crescent shaped beach giving you a beautiful spot to spend the day. Ha’ena beach adjoins Tunnels and has some good waves for boogie boarding in the summer.
Parking
Parking near Tunnels is a big challenge. If you arrive early, you may find a spot on the dirt road just past the 8 mile marker. Or try the parking lot at Ha’ena Beach Park. If you don’t get there early (before 10am), you could try after 2pm and may get lucky with someone leaving.
Facilities
There are bathrooms at Ha’ena beach park. It can be a long walk on hot sand, so we recommend wearing good shoes (not flip flops). There are also showers for rinsing off. If you park on the side road, note there are no facilities nearby. See our “What to Pack for the Beach” post for tips.
Runner Up for Most Beautiful Beach – Ke’e
At the end of the road on the north shore, Ke’e beach is another gem. The beach offers views of Napali, decent snorkeling, and a sandy-bottomed lagoon for swimming. Plus, the beach has plenty of shade, so you can leave the beach umbrella at home. The only downside is the hassle to get there. Just like hiking Kalalau, you need a timed entry reservation booked 30 days before your visit, or pay for expensive $40 shuttle tickets to get there. Note also that the chickens are numerous at Ke’e. We rarely see them at Hanalei or Tunnels, but you’ll definitely have them lurking at Ke’e, especially if you have food.
Parking
If you get a reservation, there is a nice parking lot near Ke’e. You’ll need to walk about a quarter mile across a boardwalk through taro fields and a wooded area to get to the beach. Visit GoHaena.com for more information about reservations and shuttle tickets.
Facilities
There is a restroom at the beach with one stall for women and one for men, so expect a short wait. There are also showers for rinsing off.
Best Overall Beach Day – Hanalei
Hanalei Bay is a two-mile crescent-shaped stretch of sand that offers the perfect beach day in Hawai’i. There are actually three beaches: Wai’oli Beach Park (aka Pine Trees), Hanalei Beach Park, and Black Pot Beach, near the pier. In the summer, the surf is calm, making the beach the perfect place for families who want to swim. There is no reef or rocks near shore; just a sandy-bottomed bay made for beaching. Around Pine Trees, you’ll find decent surf for beginning surfers or boogie boarders. In the winter, the surf is much higher, making it more dangerous. But we’ve been able to enjoy the water in winter during smaller swells.
Parking
There is a large parking lot by Black Pot Beach and the pier at the end of Weke Road. There is also decent parking available at Pine Trees off He’e Road. And there is a smaller lot by Hanalei Beach Park (turn right onto Weke Road from Aku Rd.
Facilities
There are restrooms and showers at each beach. Hanalei Beach Park also has changing rooms. Note: if you park at Hanalei Beach Park, you can walk into town easily. The walk from Pine Trees is a bit longer but also doable.
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