Kauai Locations
South Shore
Shipwreck Beach, Koloa
Breathtaking Cliffsides | Koloa, Kauai
One of my most favorite beaches in the area! Located in front of the Grand Hyatt Hotel, this beach offers breathtaking cliffside views, wooded areas, lava rocks and more. This white sandy beach has it all and is super romantic for proposals! If you are adventurous, just to the left of the beach, you can to hike a short hillside which offers views atop stunning 50 ft cliff faces. This is the start of the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail, a great hike to explore the otherwise inaccessible coastline.
2200–2202 Ainako St. Koloa, HI 96756
Kiahuna Beach, Poipu
Popular Beach | Koloa, Kauai
One of the most popular Kauai beaches on the South Shore. Fronts many Kauai vacation rentals. Wonderful white sand beach, with the far right of the beach offering rocky shoreline and palm trees. There's also a wonderful boardwalk along the hotel that boasts ocean views and green grassy knolls, perfect for sunset.
Ho'ona "Baby Beach"
Hidden Gem | Poipu, Kauai
Baby Beach, a sweet little protected cove, often called Poipu's hidden gem. This small crescent shaped beach has very calm and shallow waters. Take Lawai Road, a.k.a Spouting Horn Road, to Hoona Road. Public beach access is located between the homes at #5142 and #5152.
5152 Hoona Rd. Poipu, HI 96756
Nukoili'i Beach, Lihue
Quaint Beach | Lihue, Kauai
Nukoli'i Beach Park, with its 2 miles (3.2 km) of white-sand shoreline, is the longest beach on Kauai's east shore. Banyan trees overlook a white sandy shoreline, with a large section of flat shoreline rocks and tidepools to explore. Fronting the Wailua Golf Course and the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort. This is one of those Kauai beaches that never gets crowded.
- Kauai Beach Rd, Lihue, HI 96766
East Shore
Anahola Beach
Locals Beach | Kilauea, Kauai
Located on the “Coconut Coast” of Kauai, turn towards the ocean on Anahola Road which is 3 miles north of Kealia Beach and just after Mile Marker 13. You will find the main section of this Kauai beach a half mile from the highway. Anahola is a sprawling romantic beach fronting incredible views of the Kalelea Mountains. Tall ironwoods provide a natural shade canopy, along white crescent shorelines and an area where an old pier lies. This beautiful half mile stretch of sand lies hidden from the highway and is surrounded by one of the most Hawaiian communities on the island. Depending on when you visit you may see dancers from a hula halau (school), smell the cooking of a tailgate barbecue or watch local families gather for a luau.
Mana I Rd. Kilauea, HI 96754
North Shore
Hanalei Bay, Kauai
One of the Best Beaches in America
This sweeping two mile crescent-shaped bay has captured the imagination of both locals and tourists alike as the perfect swimming spot, a favorite surfing location and an amazing ocean playground. Hanalei is easily the largest bay on the Garden Isle of Kauai, set between two large rivers – Hanalei River to the east and Wai’oli River to the west. The largest of the two rivers, the Hanalei River, also serves as a popular venue for recreational paddling, kayaking and fishing. It has also been a popular Hollywood movie location and featured in South Pacific and The Descendants.
Tunnels Beach, Kauai
Tunnels is my top choice for photos on Kauai. Hands down. The only complaint is the lack of parking. It’s a gorgeous place to fulfill all your Kauai dreams with the lush tropical green majestic mountains as the back drop, clear waters and pristine sand for a picture perfect day on the beach.
To get to Tunnels Beach, make your way to Highway 560 until you reach the 8 mile marker for beach access. You can enter at one of two access points: one 0.4 miles past the mile marker and one a bit further down the road at 0.6 miles past the marker. You’ll pass the Bali Hai sign, and look for the entrance and parking just after it on the right where it says “beach parking 1 mile” “private road”
Pu’u Poa Beach (1 Hotel)
Stunning, Quiet Beach | Princeville, Kauai
The view is exceptional looking across Hanalei Bay to legendary Bali Hai. You can also walk to the left and scramble over rocks to reach the second beach which is often deserted. From Highway 56, take the main Princeville Resort entrance which is Ka Haku Road. You will find the public access lot just before you reach the 1 Hotel. Guests staying at 1 Hotel or Hanalei Bay Resort can walk or be shuttled down the paved path to the shore.
