Best Beach for Families: Salt Ponds Beach Park

Salt Ponds Beach Park is our pick for the best beach on the South Shore for families. The beach is located in Hanapepe. Since it’s about a 25 minute drive from Po’ipu, it’s a much less crowded beach than Po’ipu Beach Park or other beaches in the Po’ipu resort area. The beach is protect, much like Lydgate, offering safe swimming conditions for little ones. There’s okay snorkeling along the rock wall and surrounding reef, though it can be quite shallow during low tide. The beach itself is about a quarter mile in length, offering a wide stretch of sand that is rarely crowded.

Parking

There are two parking lots. The less crowded lot is located next to the salt ponds off Kaalani Rd. If you park here, you’ll be further from the facilities so keep that in mind. The beach park, life guard station, and facilities are located by the parking lot off Lolokai Rd.

Facilities

There are facilities next to the parking lot at Lolokai Rd.

Best Overall Beach Day: Shipwreck

Shipwreck Beach is our favorite on the South Shore when we want to avoid crowds. The beach is located at the next to the Grand Hyatt resort. It’s much larger and more scenic than Poipu, with some shady spots under trees. If you’re seeking adventure, there’s a cliff at the eastern end where you’ll find fellow cliff-jumpers. And because the shore is unprotected, it also offers good surf for experienced boogie boarders and surfers. (They’re fun to watch, too.)

Parking

There is a small paved parking lot next to the beach, and a fair amount of street parking nearby when that is full.

Facilities

There is a bathroom next to the parking lot. Secret tip: If you need to refill a water bottle, head toward the Grand Hyatt pool. If you follow the walkway on the right (as you’re facing the pool), you’ll find a water-bottle filling station.

Poipu Beach Park is is by far the most popular beach on the south shore. It offers something for everyone – a sandy-bottom cove for swimming, a reef for (not great) snorkeling, and nearby Brennecke Beach for wave seekers. The park includes a playground, plenty of picnic tables, and a large grassy area if you want to stay off the sand. The beach itself is narrow and often very crowded, so we recommend you arrive fairly early if you have a large group. Brennecke’s Beach Broiler and Puka Dogs offers beachside dining and take-out sandwiches and ($20!) hot dogs. We recommend the sandwiches. The line for the hot dogs is way too long and not worth it.

Parking

There are a couple of large parking lots across Hoone Road from the beach, so parking is usually easy. You’re more likely to find a spot the earlier you arrive if you plan to spend the day.

Facilities

There are multiple bathrooms in the park, including near the parking lots.