Kauai Beaches
The Beaches on Kauai are lost treasures, you
just have to know where they are, hopefully this guide helps you
on your vacation. |
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Mahaulepu Beach |
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On the south of Kauai very few visitors ever hear about or get to
one of the most pristine white sand beaches on Kauai: Maheulepu
Beach at the east end of Poipu. Drive past the Hyatt Hotel continue
east on the dirt road until the T junction where you turn right
and then head toward the ocean until you encounter a guard booth
staffed by the sugar plantation company, who will ask you to sign
in and sign a waiver. This beach is favored by locals, wind surfers
as well as sunbathing and relaxing visitors. Besides having pristine
sand and blue water Mahaulepu Beach has a legendary history
of where King Kamehameha from Oahu landed to try to capture Kauai
in 1976. |
Poipu Beach |
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Is the most popular beach on the south side of Kauai. Calm water
surrounds a sandy promontory as an offshore reef causes the waves
to break before they reach the beach. These breaking waves provide
an opportunity for surfing while closer in there are calm waters
that are safe for children. Poipu beach is popular because
it offers safe swimming, wading as well as surfing opportunities.
The offshore reef attracts fish between the reef and the coast so
this is also a good beach for snorkeling and many varieties of fish
can be seen here especially Triggerfish, Pufferfish and Angelfish.
Snorkelers have fed food to these fish so they are often extremely
tame and attracted to Snorkelers - expecting to be fed. You should
be aware that there is a local debate as to exactly what food is
harmful and what is healthy for the fish! Surfing lessons can be
had from a former world surfing champion Margo Oberg and her staff
who advertise their business of surfing classes around Poipu. |
Shipwreck Beach |
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By the Hyatt Hotel is usually signed as unsuitable for swimming
and is usually used by only advanced swimmers, surfers and wind
surfers. However it is worthwhile a visit to walk along as the thunder
of the waves as they break on the beach is primal in a way that
invigorates the spirit. |
Polihale Beach |
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At the far west side of Kauai is also unrecommended for swimming
but nonetheless is highly recommended to visit as this beach usually
has the largest and most powerful waves of any beach on Kauai. Enormous
energy can be felt as the waves boom and crash as they roll in and
break on the beach. Remote from the rest of the island Polihale
Beach is huge and offers quiet solitude. Take your own supplies
and water as there are no stores for miles. The advantage is the
peace that induces introspection, especially as the sun sets. At
the end of the beach can be seen the jagged cliffs at the beginning
of the Na Pali Coast. |
Baby Beach |
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(OR "HOONA" BEACH) is ideal for very children who are just learning
how to swim, since it is tranquil water in a small cove behind off
shore lava rocks. The beach itself has sand and is accessed via
a walkway on Hoona Road which is a small road of residences off
Spouting Horn road in Poipu. |
Lawai Beach |
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Is further down Spouting Horn road and is popular with snorklers
since an offshore reef attracts a host of fish. The same off shore
reef causes the waves to break offshore and this is one of the most
popular places for surfing on Kauai. Surf is highest here from late
spring until the fall when the effect of storms south of the equator
can be felt. Surfing competitions are held here on many Saturday's
during the summer and the three popular surf breaks are known as
"Center's, "PK's" and "Acid Drop". The LAWAI Beach is overlooked
by the Beach House restaurant and behind the restaurant are the
Kuhio Shores oceanfront condominiums. |
Hoai Beach |
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Is on the east side of the Kuhio Shores Vacation Rentals and this
site is frequently used by snorklers and scuba divers who venture
out to inspect the many fish attracted to this area which is protected
by the offshore reef. Many turtles, (at least nine), inhabit this
area and can usually be seen in the morning or evening right by
the waters edge as they venture in to feed off the algae on the
rocks. Snorkelers here can often see the turtles resting on the
ocean floor and swimming near a turtle is a joy but a warning: Sea
Turtles are designated an endangered species so they must not be
harassed or interfered with |
Other Info |
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Scuba diving excursions are run by many of the dive shops on Kauai
and these operators will provide detailed maps showing directions
to the many other Beaches on Kauai. If you are looking for scuba
diving instruction or boat dives we can personally recommend Linda
Bales of Bubbles Below Scuba Charters 808-822-3483. About once a
month they organize a trip over to the neighboring island of Niihau.
If you scuba dive and on Kauai when they operate such an excursion
this is especially recommended |