Kauai North Shore - Hanalei & Princeville

Island of Kauai

Adventures on Water - Beaches

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

If there’s anything that the north shore of Kaua`i is known for, it’s the beaches. From Ke`e Beach in Ha`ena, there are miles upon miles of world-class beaches for you to enjoy. Hanalei Bay has been named one of North America’s best beaches for the last two years by Dr. Beach, Stepehn Leatherman. The area has produced some of the finest surfers around today, including Andy and Bruce Irons and Bethany Hamilton.

Tip: While the beaches on the north shore are beautiful, it’s important to note that they can be dangerous in the winter. The winter storms can wreak havoc on the shorelines, making swimming and snorkeling very dangerous. During the summer, the water’s calm and clear.

Queen’s Bath
This once little known area is literally a pool formed by a lava shelf. During the summer, it is a fantastic place for swimming, snorkeling or sunbathing. Sometimes the ocean is too calm, causing the waters to be slightly murky.

To get there from Princeville take Ka Haku Road to Kapiolani and follow till you see the small parking lot and trail head. The trail to Queen’s Bath is slightly muddy and heads down 120 feet to the shore. It may look intimidating at first, but on a dry day, it’s actually a short and manageable hike. Make sure you wear good reef shoes or tennis shoes. The County of Kaua`i has closed the trail in the winter months.

Larsen’s Beach
Larsen’s is a great beach for sunbathing. Swimming isn’t so good because the bottom is rather rocky and there are strong currents. In the winter, the surf pounds the beach. It’s a secluded beach that’s a bit of a challenge to reach. Drive on Kuhio Highway past Anahola and turn on Koolau Road.
There’s an access road that will take you to the beach.

Pila`a Beach
This tract of land is owned by the Mary Lucas Trust. It’s been in the Lucas family since the early 1900s and is managed by co-trustee James Pfluger, one of Mary Lucas’ grandsons and better known throughout the islands as the owner of the Pflueger auto dealership. You won’t find direct public access to the beach. It can be reached if you follow the trail along the shore from Waiakalua Iki.

Rock Quarry Beach (Kahili Beach)
Rock Quarry Beach is located in Kilauea Bay at the mouth of Kilauea Stream. It’s named after an abandoned rock quarry. You’ll probably come across ironwood, naupaka and hala growing in the sand dunes. Rock Quarry is one of the more popular surfing spots on the island.When the surf is incredibly high on the north shore to the point where it can’t be surfed, surfers will come to Kahili Beach for some wraparound action. This site is also good for boogie boarding.

Kauapea Beach (Secret Beach)
This long, sandy beach is between Kalihiwai Bay and Kilauea Point. Most folks know it now as Secret Beach, but the secret’s out. It was so secluded that it became a popular place for nudists. There aren’t that many nudists around anymore because of the beach’s popularity and because it’s illegal to get nekkid in Hawai`i. Don’t be shocked if you see a few.

Regardless, it’s a great place for swimming, surfing, body boarding and sunbathing during the summer. During the winter, months, it’s not safe. The best way to get there is to take Kalihiwai Road near mile marker 24 of Kuhio Highway. Then take the first right onto a dirt road and stay on the road for a few hundred yards to the parking area at the top of the trail. There’s a long trail that is steep and can be very slippery and treacherous, especially if it’s been raining. You’ll hike for about 15 minutes and, at the end, pure paradise awaits.
Photo Kauapea Beach (Secret Beach)

Kalihiwai Beach
Home to one of the North Shore’s most popular surf breaks – Kalihiwai. It’s best during the big winter swells of the winter and spring, but only get in the water if you know what you’re doing. You don’t realize how powerful the ocean is until it’s too late. The surf break is really close to the cliff and it’s for experts only. Closer to the beach, there’s a break that’s good for bodyboarding and bodysurfing. Smaller rips do form near near the mouth of the stream as well. Inland, there’s a large grove of ironwood trees. That’s where folks tend to park. To get there, take Kuhio Hwy and turn off at Kalihiwai Road.
Photo Kalihiwai Beach

Anini Beach Park
There’s a twomile- long reef that starts at Kalihiwai Bay and ends at the cliffs in Princeville. This is the longest fringing reef in the Hawaiian Islands. To the east you can see Mokuaeae Island; the Kilauea Lighthouse stands watch on the hill above. During calm waters, Anini Reef is great for windsurfing, snorkeling, camping and picnics. It’s also a place for spearfishing, You might be able to see someone coming out of the water with an octopus in hand or a handful of fish.
Photo Anini Beach Park

Pali Ke Kua Beach (Hideaways Beach)
This is actually two beaches separated by a rocky point. During the large winter swells, Hideaways’ surf break is often compared to the famous break called Sunset Beach on O`ahu’s North Shore. Like any winter swell, it is for experts only. In big swells, however, the water will envelop the beaches and hit the base of the cliffs. This is obviously not a good time to try to take a stroll along the beach. In the summer, though, the beach provides great opportunities for snorkeling and swimming. The sea bottom is somewhat rocky, but there are more pockets of sand to take advantage of the wimming and snorkeling. There are no facilities or lifeguards here. To get here, head toward the Princeville Hotel. Just before the gate house, there’s a path that leads down to the beach. The first half of the trail is paved, so it’s not that bad; the second half is a dirt trail that can be tricky to navigate, especially after a rainstorm. Parking can be a challenge as there are only 10 or so stalls assigned for public beach parking. Directly behind the Princeville Hotel is Pu`u Poa Beach. It named after the hill where the hotel sits. It also sits at the mouth of the Hanalei River. It’s good for swimming, surfing and occasionally for snorkeling. During the winter, the beach gets dangerous.
Photo Pali Ke Kua Beach (Hideaways Beach)

Black Pot Beach Park
On the other side of the Hanalei River from Pu`u Poa beach is Black Pot Beach Park. It got its name from the big black pot locals used to cook fish and stew. The land was purchased by the county in the 1970s, which saved it from becoming condominiums. Today, the area is a place to come for kayaking, surfing, swimming, windsurfing, paddling and fishing. There are pavilions for picnics, restrooms and showers.

Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park
This is on Weke Road between Pilikoa and Aku Roads. There’s a beach break that’s great for beginning surfers and bodyboarders. Swimming is alright during the summer, but not great. There are shower and restroom facilities at the park and a lifeguard stand.

Waioli Beach Park (Pine Trees)
This is the place where the pro surfers come during the winter. It’s the home break of Bruce Irons and his brother Andy, who’s the three-time ASP world surfing champion. The surfing break here is popular and it’s the home of several surfing contests. It’s called Pine Trees because the area is lined with ironwood trees that can be mistaken for pine trees. Rest rooms and showers are available. You can get here from either Hee or Ama`ama Roads.

Waikoko Beach
It’s at the western end of Hanalei Bay. There’s a reef that’s shallow and wide, which protects the beach for the most part. Since it’s protected by the reef, the beach is popular for families throughout the year. When the water’s calm, this can be a good spot for snorkeling. Surfers head out to Waikoko surf break.

Lumaha`i Beach
This is one of the most scenic beaches. It might look vaguely familiar to you if you’ve seen South Pacific. This is where The North Shore Mitzi Gaynor sang about washing that man right out of her hair. While it’s stunning to look at, it’s not safe for swimming. The beach doesn’t have a reef to protect it, creating dangerous conditions, even during the summer. The beach is seldom safe for swimmers.

Kepuhi Beach
This beach has some of the best fishing on the north shore. There are a number of reefs that are flat and shallow. It’s not a good spot for swimming, but great for fishing. You can get there from Kuhio Highway and Alealea Roads.

Tunnels is one of the most popular beaches on the island, and for good reason. This two-mile beach gives you plenty of room. Tunnels is the best spot on the North Shore for snorkeling. It’s also great for sailing, surfing and windsurfing. The beach is lined with rocks, so it’s not a good spot for swimming.
Photo Tunnels Beach

Ha`ena State Park
This is the end of the road. Literally, this is where Kuhio Highway ends. It also marks the beginning of the Na Pali Coast. The area is home to Ke`e Beach, an incredibly scenic beach. You have the ocean in front of you and towering mountains behind you, it makes for quite a postcard picture. Ke`e is a popular swimming and snorkeling spot when the seas are calm. If you do go swimming here, be aware that strong currents do form, even in the calm summer months.
Photo Ke`e Beach (shorediving.com)

Taylor Camp
Right before Ke`e beach is where Taylor Camp used to be. The camp is named for Howard Taylor, who owned the land. Yes, this Howard Taylor just happened to have a very famous sister named Elizabeth. Taylor Camp was, for all intents and purposes, a hippy commune in the late 1960s and early 1970s. During this time, many of the hippies heard that you could be in paradise and live off the land and they went to Hawai`i in droves. The state eventually condemned the property in 1977. Taylor Camp is actually where the puka shell fad began. The story goes that a girl at the camp strung together shells to make an anklet. Howard then gave one to his sister, who then wore it in public and created the puka shell craze to the point where puka shells were selling for $6 a pound in 1974.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

ADDITIONAL KAUAI RESOURCES

Kauai Vacation Planner Map

Book your Hawaiian Vacation Package Today!
Call us Toll Free: 1-888-83 HAWAII (42924)

Stories of Hawaii provided courtesy of the Hawaiian Tourism Authority.