Beaches · Kauaʻi · United States
The best beaches in and near Kauaʻi
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout, Kauaʻi · Photo: Gh5046 at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Poʻipū Beach Park (About 30 minutes from Līhuʻe). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C/70°F or more) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 6
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 27°C (81°F)
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The beaches
About 30 minutes from Līhuʻe · Families
1.Poʻipū Beach Park
Lifeguarded South Shore beach with a sheltered pool, snorkelling and resting monk seals.
About 50 minutes from Līhuʻe · Scenery and summer swims
2.Hanalei Bay
Long crescent of sand with mountains behind; calm in summer, big surf in winter.
About 1 hour from Līhuʻe · Snorkelling
3.Tunnels (Makua) Beach
North Shore reef with some of the island's best snorkelling in calm summer conditions.
About 45 minutes from Līhuʻe · Calm water
4.Anini Beach
Long, shallow reef-protected lagoon on the North Shore, calm most of the year.
About 1.5 hours from Līhuʻe · Sunsets and solitude
5.Polihale Beach
A remote West Side beach of wide sand below the start of the Nā Pali cliffs, reached by a rough dirt road.
About 40 minutes from Līhuʻe · Calm swims and sunsets
6.Salt Pond Beach Park
A sheltered West Side beach near Hanapēpē with a natural rock-protected swimming area.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 24°C (75°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| February | 24°C (75°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| March | 24°C (75°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| April | 25°C (77°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| June | 26°C (79°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| July | 26°C (79°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| August | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| September | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| October | 27°C (81°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| November | 26°C (79°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| December | 25°C (77°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, families, beach and luxury
Poʻipū and Kōloa
Poʻipū has the island's biggest cluster of resorts, condos and holiday rentals, set along a coast of small sandy coves, lava points and calm swimming areas. Old Kōloa Town, a few minutes inland, has wooden plantation-era storefronts with shops and restaurants. It is the driest, sunniest place to stay and about 30 minutes from Waimea Canyon's lower end.
- Good
- Most reliable sunshine; Good swimming and snorkelling beaches; Closer to Waimea Canyon
- Watch out
- Over an hour from Hanalei; Resort areas can feel suburban
- Nearby
- Poʻipū Beach Park, Spouting Horn, Old Kōloa Town, Māhāʻulepū Heritage Trail
Getting to the beaches
- Car — Hire cars are available at Līhuʻe Airport.
- Bus — The Kauaʻi Bus runs a limited service along the main highway between towns; it is cheap but not practical for most sights.
- Boat — Boat tours to the Nā Pali Coast leave from Port Allen and Kikiaola on the West Side.
Beach-weather months
Air temperatures rarely reach classic beach weather here: the warmest month, August, averages 30°C (86°F).
Beach safety
The main risks are the ocean and the trails: strong currents and shorebreak, especially on the North Shore in winter, slippery muddy paths, and streams that rise fast in heavy rain. Swim at lifeguarded beaches, heed warning signs and do not leave valuables in parked cars. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Kauaʻi have beaches?
Yes: Poʻipū Beach Park, Hanalei Bay, Tunnels (Makua) Beach, Anini Beach, Polihale Beach and Salt Pond Beach Park.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Kauaʻi?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C (70°F) or more.
+What is the best beach near Kauaʻi?
Poʻipū Beach Park: Lifeguarded South Shore beach with a sheltered pool, snorkelling and resting monk seals.