Kealia Beach

190

647

9835

6 years ago

The only beach that we actually took a nice wild dip. LoL. Located on the East side of Kauai island, Kealia's long stretch of white sand beach is a great spot for beach strolling & popular beach for surfing. Known for its strong currents, this beach is not kid-friendly so better not let those lil keikis come in the ocean coz this beach even scared the hell out of me. Many times I've been dragged offshore coz the waves are just unbelievable! Though I enjoyed it so much to the point that I never wanted to get out but too bad, bandit is so weakling and he wants us to get out of the water. Hahaha. LoL. Biking along the Ke Ala Hele Makalae Path you'll pass this beach & don't forget to stop and watch those surfers playing with the waves. Fun as it is, don't forget to take some shots too! Good thing Kaelia Beach is lifeguarded! Picnic tables, restrooms & showers are available facilities in the area. Plenty of parking space makes it great too! Fond of sunset? Perfect! Not the best place to witness but it will still give you that amazing artwork from above! Mahalo & happy juandering fellow yelpers. @hello.juanderpinay www.juanderpinay.world read more

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Keandra P.

920

587

9271

4 years ago

Beautiful beach to people watch, surfer watch, or just take in the beauty. Strong current so not a swim beach unless a strong swimmer. read more

Kealia Beach - Watch the surfers as they battle the waves - Beaches Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Nyla K.

876

1021

2421

4 years ago

Huge beach just off the highway. Plenty of places to park and set up for the day. The only problem is that this is definitely a surf beach. The waves are a bit too high to go out and waddle and snorkel. You should go to tunnels for snorkeling. However, there are excellent facilities for when you are done with the beach. Also plenty of picnic tables for gatherings. There's also a nice boardwalk that passes through here with lots of people walking/running/cycling by. read more

Kealia Beach - Beach - Beaches Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Pallavi P.

53

131

73

2 years ago

It was peaceful but I didn't go in the water because when I put my feet it the water was too cold! It was very windy! Blowing lots of wind

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Donnie J.

91

6

0

2 years ago

Our favorite beach in Kauai, hands down. Look for the orange flag on the north side of the beach for the best place to swim. Poipu was too rocky, and the Lydgate pools were nice, but Kealia is less crowded and the best classic beach experience overall if you want some nice waves. read more

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Sherry D.

0

7

4

2 years ago

Excellent beach with lifeguard. Watch for undertows. We visit this beach often while on our stays in Kauai.

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K R.

5

63

213

5 years ago

This beach is my oasis..it is beautiful, family friendly...and has a beautiful vibe. I have met so many wonderful people here just hanging out and enjoying the atmosphere. When you are visiting Kapaa take the time to stop here and enjoy a picnic or a swim. It's an awesome place to share the day with everyone you meet. read more

Kealia Beach - Beautiful day - Beaches Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Kealia Beach - Aloha - Beaches Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Kealia Beach - Almost sundown - Beaches Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Kealia Beach - Great memories - Beaches Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Irysh M.

Elite 23

124

83

1164

6 years ago

Gratitude... Appreciation along with Revelations... Be still... Be quiet... Reflect... I'm telling myself. Is this the most presitine beach... No... But when you face the ocean, like my brethren and sistren do any where on the coast in any land. It transforms you... Each sunrise, brings blessings to see yet another day. Yet another start, another reset... The Artwork here, can liberate your soul, if you're still enough... If I'm still enough. Signed, Sunrise Chasing read more

Kealia Beach - Sunrise 7am ish - Beaches Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Kealia Beach - Hello Love - Beaches Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Kealia Beach - Sunrise - Beaches Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Paul N.

293

1485

4275

4 years ago

Always a great Kaua'i beach to check out. Beautiful views, plenty of parking, and a long stretch to walk across and hang out on. Also a good place to catch a sunrise. read more

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Jen S.

577

1256

590

7 years ago

I wasn't sure what to expect from this beach since some of the reviews said it was good for kids, others said it was not suitable. Like others have said, go to the northern part of the beach and set up past the orange flag. The lifeguard kindly came by and let us and others with kids know. The waves are more fierce although they break farther out. The majority of the kids were about 7+ and were boogie boarding. Not suitable for snorkeling. There is no shade unless you go to the shaded picnic tables. Bathrooms and showers are nearby. My daughter had a blast jumping with the waves. read more

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Helen H.

180

3060

7815

5 years ago

The parking lot was pretty full when we went. There are restrooms here, but I don't know how clean they are. There are also shaded picnic tables that were all occupied. We sat at the beach watching people surf and boogie board. We saw a rainbow while we were there, so I guess that was the highlight. read more

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Tyron C.

264

166

378

3 years ago

Growing up on Kauai, this was the go to beach if you lived on the east side. Waves can be dangerous during winter time. Not advised for small children. read more

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Jim L.

Elite 24

3525

722

31368

8 years ago

There are a lot of beaches some can be Very dangerous and we can be blinded by the beauty. This is a Beautiful beach that is open and lots of space. It is right off the main red easy to find. There were a few people that tried to drive on the beach/sand and ended up getting stuck. Don't be that guy. If you need emergency traction to get out use your floor mats to help your tires get traction, a Minnesota snow trick. I cannot wait to go back. Please be careful, a woman died near hear at another beach. Do you know where the best places for swimming or surfing? If you look at the shoreline, the areas that slope inward are the areas where the water comes in and is great for swimming. The Sandy spikes pointing out to the ocean is where the water goes back out, which means there is where you will find the undertone to pull you out further. Great for a surfer but not a swimmer. Beware. read more

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Ken L.

4991

1155

21058

16 years ago

Kealia Beach is located right off of the highway and is probably the most easiest to access. This beach offers a long strip of sandy areas for tanning and pavilions to picnic and grill. In addition, this is one of the few beaches you actually have a nice paved trail/sidewalk that stretches for a nice distance for your walk, run or biking. The rip currents here are high and ideal for the small to middle level surfers and swimming is highly discouraged. A lifeguard is on duty here. Perfect for a stroll along the coastline, grilling your favorite burgers and observing the surfer dudes get wiped out by the waves! read more

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Jared T.

227

10

0

7 years ago

(video link included) This beach was great! My girlfriend and I took a walk on it and checked it out on our vacation. We put together a full video review for it too! Check it out below and I hope it helps... https://youtu.be/BDPF1oMpsDw read more

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Lera F.

Elite 25

60

530

27

8 years ago

I love love loooved this beach!!! It's large, not overly crowded, and very beautiful. Has palms and trees all along, and to either side you see the shoreline and cliffs rising further ahead. Waves are great for boogie boarding or just swimming. There's also a trail and picnic tables right by the beach. The trail goes all along the east coast from Kapaa town, and I had so much fun biking on it to Kealia Beach! Even did it twice. The lay down to sunbathe under the sun here and it was so nice and peaceful I almost dozed off...very sweet meditative place for me :) read more

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Dean P.

175

983

4631

10 years ago

Stopped in to do swimming but the waves were kicking and the rip current had a red flag warning. It's beautiful but I wasn't sending my kids out at least not on this day. read more

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Alysha D.

Elite 16

2

30

26

11 years ago

This beach isn't amazing but it's great when the weather is bad on the north shore. We found we could drive 30 minutes from Hanalei and be on a beautiful sunny beach. It was fun to watch the surfers and body boarders on this beach. We also loves renting bikes and riding the board walk all the way down to Kaapa. We wouldn't want to hit up Kealia everyday but it was good when we needed sun and the north shore was rainy. read more

Kealia Beach - Riding the boardwalk just north of Kealia Beach. - Beaches Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Gabriela C.

0

25

6

7 years ago

Great beach. I appreciated the lifeguard there for telling my partner and I to go down to the left of the beach because that was the most safest. I needed back up since josh didn't want to listen!! read more

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Juan M.

Elite 22

1982

2155

30082

8 years ago

Great beach with an awesome bike/running/walking trail. Views are top notch. Friendly people also willing to take your pictures. read more

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Don T.

32

59

66

16 years ago

Danger. Sharks, jelly fish, dangerous surf, angry locals. . Just keep driving. Go to Lydgate beach park, or poipu :) read more

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Kurt C.

Elite 16

72

410

157

14 years ago

This is an awesome beach. The waves and long sloping ocean floor are perfect for boogie boarding from beginner to advanced, and the surf is great for people to hang ten beyond that. Beginners should stay to the left (North) side of the beach, closer to the rock wall. The waves are not as strong. Locals call that the "baby side." A stretch of pavilions are available for picnics, and there is a bathroom and shower to clean up after a day of playing in the waves. There is also a life guard station. This beach is susceptible to mounds of debris after storms, so be weary of that. You might want to try somewhere else if you are eerie of a lot of floating and sunken wood. Also, there are various patches of very large rocks that do not feel good when you run into them or a wave drops you onto one, so step lightly or deal with bruised shins. This is a great beach to escape the drones of tourists, but there are a ton of locals, so be respectful and try to play nicely. read more

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Lucky S.

56

1266

3912

10 years ago

Very accessible from the road and an expansive stretch of sand but the waves and tide were too strong today so we headed down the road. read more

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Nalinee P.

Elite 23

714

605

1006

16 years ago

i grew up right down the road from this beach. ever since i was a kid, my grandma brought me here to body board in the summer time. haven't been here in a while, but, this beach is good for surfing/body boarding. not that great for a relaxing swim. the water can get pretty rough, and there are a few spots with rocks. what's really nice is that they built several pavilions, so you can enjoy your lunch or have a bbq dinner with your friends!! great beach for bon fires, too. also, it's conveniently located next to the coastal walking path. very nice to take a stroll on! read more

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Hoxworth S.

0

65

11

7 years ago

Lots of waves. Great place to bring the kids to bodysurf, boogie board, and watch surfers. Sandy bottom where we were on the north end which is protected from larger waves by the rock formation. Even there, there was a mild undertow further out. read more

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Samantha C.

Elite 17

23

57

43

9 years ago

Not a very good swimming beach, but surfing would be possible here. Great to just chill out or have a picnic or something! Access to facilities nearby, usually not crowded. read more

Kealia Beach - crazy out there, but good for surfing - Beaches Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Kealia Beach - Kealia Beach - Beaches Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Janny C.

8

117

46

11 years ago

Pretty intense waves here. Nice wave breaks in between. The waters got a lot of grooves in between -- great for boogie boarding and surfing

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Mattie A.

Elite 17

92

902

98

14 years ago

This was the first beach we went to in Kauai and I was immediately impressed/excited/intimidated by the huge waves! I am used to the puny waves in DE/MD/SC so it was a shock for me. Lots of boogie boarders there and boyfriend jumped right in and bodysurfed as well and got the S kicked out of him by the powerful waves. I had a good time just standing in the waistdeep water and trying to withstand the surf. I was knocked on my ass many a time. Really fun! This beach gets crowded and there seems to be a lot of local teens that hang out here. One night we came to picnic with some burgers (beware: picnic tables have been overtaken by ants) and noticed that this seems to be a huge hangout spot for teens to park their trucks, blare their music and drink. Fun to watch and made me miss highschool. In general, I really like this beach. I am only marking it down a star because it was extremely crowded compared to the other beaches we went to. OH! And we met some cute dogs here. I like how people bring their dogs to the beach and just let them roam and make friends. We had dinner with a dog named Douglas who was sooo cute and sweet! I am a fan! read more

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Trevor H.

116

17

148

15 years ago

This is one of the best beaches for boogie boarding and all around family fun. There is a place for bigger waves for surfing and then the north end is better for small kids to play in the surf and to boogie board. Easy access and safety with a life guard read more

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Jaime W.

102

43

9

9 years ago

This was a nice beach, along the east side of Kauai that was not too crowded and seemed popular w/ the locals. A good place to boogey board as long as you stay to the left by the jetty. When we went the lifeguard warned us of jellyfish but we had no issues. There's a bathroom that and a food truck across the street. read more

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Jules E.

Elite 14

489

279

238

12 years ago

This a beautiful and easily accessible beach located on the eastern side of the island. Parking is easy and there are bathroom and shower facilities which is always helpful. The sand is pristine and the waves are great for boogie-boarding! But beware, there are quite a few rocks in the water so wear some water/surfing shoes so that you don't leave with tons of scrapes on your feet! read more

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Kim B.

Elite 12

58

80

0

15 years ago

By far my favorite beach on all the Hawaiian Islands I've been on! It's a locals spot which I love. The waves are decent and it's got a great relaxed vibe to it that is so indicative of the Aloha Spirit. It's not too touristy which makes it incredibly relaxing and just REAL. I can't wait to come back here next! read more

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Alicia C.

122

36

404

12 years ago

Loved it. Cruisin w frenz unda da shade of da pavilions. Nice breeze and view of ocean was Great! Awesome. Trash/recycle cans and bathrooms too. read more

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A S.

53

555

829

13 years ago

If you find a pair of prescription sunglasses, they belong to my teenage son. Sigh! Great beach for surfing and sunbathing.

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Kristin W.

Elite 24

116

1065

237

14 years ago

Love this beach! Lots of space on this sandy beach. Not cramped up next to people. Clean water. There is a place to shower. No weird vibes out in the water (tho it was small, so I can't imagine anyone being vibey on such a small day). Haven't surfed here since high school, so it was a nice change. Parking was okay - we got there early. There's lifeguards, so that's comforting. I should come here more when I'm at home. Idk why I don't. read more

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Chantha M.

498

33

68

12 years ago

Easy access and parking. Life guard on duty so it's safe for the kids and non-swimmers like myself. There is also a nearby bathroom which is a plus. More people here than Secret Beach but not too packed for a Saturday. read more

Kealia Beach - Saturday morning - Beaches Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Grooveisintheheart Z.

15

209

4

11 years ago

Easily accessible just north of Kapaa town. Easy parking and bathrooms make it a plus. It's not a wide beach, but it has plenty of space and you can see people setting up their tents on the far left of the beach. I stumbled upon this beach as it has been unusually cloudy in Poipu (go figure). I am glad I found it as I have already visited twice. Lots of locals and dogs which is fun to watch. if you're looking for a laid-back beach and not too many tourists (even though I am one -everyone thinks I am an island girl LOL) thne you should come here! read more

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M C.

0

43

0

15 years ago

Beware of the HUGE waves, which makes lots of fun for the surfers out here! If you want to watch some surfers, check out this beach, they will sure entertain you as they ride the waves! Pretty cool! read more

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Javier M.

42

278

42

14 years ago

Beautiful beach with soft sand and great waves.

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More info about Kealia Beach

Kuhio Hwy
Kapaa, HI 96746
Directions

Hours

What time does Kealia Beach open?

What time does Kealia Beach close?

Outdoor Amenities

Does Kealia Beach have bike parking?

Yes, Kealia Beach has bike parking.

Does Kealia Beach have parking?

Yes, Kealia Beach has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Kealia Beach Reviews in Other Languages

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Review Highlights - Kealia Beach

“I stumbled upon this beach as it has been unusually cloudy in Poipu (go figure).”

Mentioned in 3 reviews

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Fuji Beach Aka Baby Beach

4.3

(6 reviews)

2.2 mi

Beautiful stretch of sand with a little wall breaking the waves from crashing right on shore. When…read morewe went, the tide was high and the current was very strong so it wasn't much of a "baby beach". We did still enjoy rolling around and swimming. It's a perfect beach to picnic at (beware of chickens) or enjoy the water. This place attracts many locals and there are a lot of cats nearby on the trail.

We brought our 3 year old here while on vacation. There's hardly any parking spot. Parking is…read morelimited to a very small number of cars but if you try the streets in the neighborhood, you might get lucky. We enjoyed the beach. It was perfect for our daughter, who enjoys playing in the sand and just getting her feet wet. We spent all day at this beach until we were exhausted. We brought snacks and drinks since we knew we would spend the whole day here since there's no vendors or vending machines. Would definitely return when we visit again.

Good morning, Kauai!

Perfect for kids.

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Kapa'a Beach Park

3.8

(17 reviews)

1.7 mi

A small beach park in the Kapa'a town. I went to have a small picnic to myself here. There is one…read moregazebo with a bench. Nice place to watch people fish or take a walk. The parking has a bunch of spaces. I definitely recommend watching the sunrise here. There's grass and rocks to enjoy.

Nice long beach, has a nice trail for walking, running or biking. Beach is a bit grainy sand and…read morethe beach is filthy with debris of large pieces of wood, sticks, and old dry vegetation- you can tell the beach doesn't get raked or cleaned. You have to clear off an area for your beach towel or you'll be sitting on all the wood and crap.

Nice bike and walking trail

Dirty drift wood all over beach

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Lydgate Beach Park

(242 reviews)

4.4 mi

Initially coming here to kill a little time before a reserved tour, my wife and I really admired…read morethe planning and execution of the building/landscaping of this family park. Named after a pillar in the community who came to Kauai in the late 19th century, Lydgate Beach Park is 62 acres, with the Lydgate Park pathway encompassing 2.5 miles, a small part of the much larger Ke Ala Hele Makālae costal trail. There is plenty of parking, with both dedicated surface lots and street parking on the paved road. We immediately noticed surfers on electric surfboards out pretty far, even on this windy day. At the northern part of the park is where most people gather, close to modern facilities and a manned lifeguard station and a large covered event area with plenty of parking. Closer to the shore, we saw a seal just lying on the land, bathing in the sun, completely ignoring the people milling by. The very large safe man-made swimming/tide pools are great for the kekei and others, with constant refreshing of sea water over the lava rocks. There are picnic tables nearby as well with a lot of green space. My favorite feature are the man-made protected swimming pools, What I loved about it was how spread out everything was, with so many amenities. It just never felt crowded, even if a lot more people came. As we were leaving, my wife mentioned that Lydgate Beach is one of those rare parks where an ocean-loving family would intentionally live close by, just to be near this park.

Two parks on one place! What a dream!…read more There was a wooden park that was large, had many different places to explore and separated by age interests. There were a lot of swings which my kids love and slides. Although one of the slides we found does a downward dip at the end that isn't very good for getting kids to come out of the slide. There is also an accessible park right next to it for kids that may need special equipment to play. But my kids enjoyed that play area just as much. The park is located next to the beach with lots of parking. There is also public restrooms which I don't use. I also saw many picnic benches around that would be great for a picnic or birthday party.

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Protected pool to left

Kauai Path

4.7

(22 reviews)

0.4 mi

Very nice if it wasn't consistenty muddy after rain which is almost daily. There are also too many…read moremotorized vehicles like ebikes, skateboards, and even smaller motorcycles on it. Nobody enforces the no motor signs as they all speed on the path. Someone will get seriously injured eventually.

An awesome walk next to the Pacific Ocean. Enjoyed every minute of it. Path is asphalt or concrete…read moreand easy walking.

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Wailua Falls

(331 reviews)

6.5 mi

This was an easy drive straight to the end of Maalo Road, and it's free!!…read moreIf you plan on doing any driving on Kauai I highly recommend buying the Shaka App. Four self guided driving tours with colorful narration and cultural storytelling.

Located at the end of Maalo Road, this beautiful double waterfall cannot be safely or legally…read moreaccessed due to the notoriously steep, muddy, and very slick unmaintained trail down. But you can however view it safely from the designated roadside lookout. The parking lot here, although free, is very small and often filled to the brim with cars. The lot itself is also in desperate need of maintenance as it is filled with potholes, so getting in and out may be tricky. There are also vendors who fill up the front part of this lot, which further add to the chaos. Located in a sacred royal valley once known as the capital of Kauai, ancient Hawaiian chieftains and warriors use to test their bravery by leaping from the top of this nearly 200ft tall waterfall. There's not a lot to do once you get up to the top of the lookout except to snap a few photos. So it is debatable if it is worth the drive all the way out to here and dealing with the whole parking lot situation.

Wailua Falls

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Rooster on the edge!

Haena Beach Park

4.6

(23 reviews)

18.7 mi

One of the most famous/ not so secret place to park when going to both Hā'ena beach park and…read moretunnels beach. This area to park is the access you can use to get to tunnels beach! Once you get there it's super gorgeous! Definitely worth the 1 hour drive from lihue for a sunrise/sunset in Kauai!

By far our favorite beach! The colors of the water were…read moremagical and snorkeling wasn't bad. The waves were stronger in front of the lifeguard station but there is a little inlet that was pretty calm. The beach was true beauty in all directions. We wanted a family picture in front of the water but when we stood there we realized greenery on the backside was even prettier! There is a quick stop near by at a dry cave. Was a wonderful stop. Wished we had more time there Parking is limited so get there early. We went at 2pm and circled a couple times before parking on the road side

Beach vibes

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Aliomanu Beach

4.8

(4 reviews)

3.3 mi

Very nice hidden gem in Anahola on the north shore of Kauai! Pretty quiet as well and not very…read morecrowded. Aliomanu Beach is not the easiest beach to access, as you will have to park at the designated parking lot, then hike about 5 minutes through tall grass and weeds, then another 5-10 minutes boulder-hopping until you reach the sand. But it's well worth the effort and you get beautiful views of the bay!

Growing up in Anahola, Anahola Beach was always a go to for sun, surfing and fishing. Very relaxing…read morebeach!

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Lae Nani Beach

4.5

(2 reviews)

3.6 mi

I really wish Monica G had not posted this review. However,more power to her for the first…read more Scrolling through some other Kauai postings and contemplating my way overdue return,I ran across this. Why Guy H you ask would you not want this posted? Because,it's ( all things considered) my favorite place on Kauai. I'm really gonna hold back on my exhuberance here,in fear of overcrowding. You see,a big problem with all of the islands in general is things are just busy. People are looking for new,easy,remote,no crowds. So,I'll leave it at,check out my photos of Lae Nani Beach,go if you're ever there and thank me later and Shaka Brah!

Small, in between resorts, somewhat of a hidden path to get to beach from street! Not too crowded,…read moregood water to swim in.

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Donkey Beach

3.4

(18 reviews)

1.3 mi

Absolutely gorgeous beach! We rented bikes and took the trail here. We didn't walk through the tree…read moretunnel, but we saw it and snapped so pics--so cool! There's a bit of a trek from the bike path to the beach, with some overgrown vegetation, but once you're there, it's amazing. Kind of makes you feel like you're the only person on the planet because of how secluded it is. There was one other couple there already and my oldest thought she saw they were nude, so that may be allowed here. Definitely not a good place to swim since the waves are really intense. But man, what a beautiful beach!

We went here twice. One time we drove and parked in the parking lot and got to walk through the…read morecool tree tunnels and the second time we rode bikes from hele on Kauai down the path to donkey beach. Both times were amazing. The beach is super clean and both times there was only on other person there!! Great place to be!

Beach!

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Waipouli Beach Resort

3.7

(99 reviews)

2.7 mi

Enjoyed our stay. Pool was great and never too crowded. The towel exchange was simple and never had…read moreany issues. The non swimable beach was nice for sunrise and evenings. We didn't eat at the restaurant due to cost and minimal options. Staying in this area puts you mid island with access to great beaches, but, know you are still driving every day a min of 30 minutes to get to a more desirable beach if you're looking for calmer water and the ability to snorkel. The room was fantastic and slept my family of 5 well. Well stocked for cooking. My biggest complaint was the "Mountain View" is more like a parking lot and grocery store view. Also, if you're a lite sleeper, the roosters and road noise will keep you awake. I won't miss the roster crow at 4 am.

The room was clean, comfortable, and had plenty of accommodations. The pool area was great and the…read morebeach was beautiful. We also loved the location of this resort on the island.

Mold in the washing machine

Living Room

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Wailua Municipal Golf Course

3.9

(69 reviews)

5.6 mi

We had an amazing round on Monday. Sun was out, with some cloud cover and light breeze…read more Course is maintained VERY well. Greens are tricky!- be ready for none of them to break the way you think. 17th hole has the best view. Carts are in good shape. Highly recommend! Have cash in case their computer system is down! That was a little bit of a shock, but there is an ATM on site.

We played nine holes and we were impressed with the course. Great views, near the ocean. Staff…read morewas very friendly and helpful. We had a fun time golfing here and we recommend to our family and friends. We will definitely be back.

Amazing views on this 3 par...yes we both parred the hole!!!

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Sleeping Giant Trail

4.6

(103 reviews)

3.7 mi

A fantastic intermediate trail if you're looking for some good exercise and aren't scared of a…read morelittle mud. It took two hours to go up and down while stopping for lots of photos and going at a pretty leisurely pace. Mostly covered, so it felt great even on a sunny day. Highly recommend.

This was much harder than I expected. The valet at the hotel told me to try it, and I didn't…read morerealize that it was gonna be slippery with rocks and roots throughout. Once it started raining, I was slipping and sliding the whole way absolutely gorgeous, but definitely wear tennis or hiking shoes.

That's the peak behind that handsome guy

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Made it to the 1.25 mile post at 12:21p

Hoopii Falls

4.5

(82 reviews)

2.4 mi

A relatively short and easy hike. The whole thing took just over an hour for us, which includes the…read moretime we took to stop for photos and admire the views. We did read that it can get very slippery and muddy at times, but luckily we didn't run into that issue. The ground was pretty dry when we went, and I had no issues with my super old shoes that had no traction left. There are also few areas when going down to the falls where you need to navigate down some steep/rocky areas, and then back up when coming back. Shouldn't be an issue for those who are able-bodied, but just something to keep in mind if you were hoping to come with those who aren't (maybe not the best idea). The falls were a bit small when we went, but overall the hike was pretty with lots of lush greenery. We saw some people jumping into the water, but we were way too lazy for that. We also read that septic tanks from the neighborhood may leak into the water. Since the trail starts in a residential neighborhood, please be respectful and mindful when walking past homes to the trailhead, and don't be too noisy or trespass. We also parked our cars nearby at Kapahi Park. The neighborhood roads are small and I can see why residents would get annoyed with people constantly cluttering up the street to go hiking. Overall, a great option if you're looking for an easy but beautiful hike. Maybe consider hiking shoes if it has recently rained heavily since apparently it can get muddy.

Wow, this trail was something. I came to Kauai for a jungle…read moreadventure, and I definitely got one here! It is such a magical path First of all the trailhead is pretty hard to find and kind of hilarious. There is literally no official signage, except a sign that reminds people to stay quiet since they're in a neighborhood. There is a designated parking lot may be about a quarter mile away, so you're not supposed to park in front of peoples houses. As you're walking from the parking lot towards the trailhead, someone's house is labeled with a cute story between frog and toad that says that the trailhead is three houses down. There's the most narrow little entryway into the trailhead. We also thought it was funny after our hike that almost all the yelp reviews talk about how easy this hike is. We're a pretty fit family, and I'll just say that after a week of rain, this trail was quite treacherous, so part of our experience may be that we got unlucky with the weather. We had to try really hard not to slip at every step. There's areas down to the river in the waterfalls that are really really steep where we had to grab onto trees and branches to not cause a landslide. We were caked in mud from the knees down and on our hands for most of the hike . Definitely need shoes with good grip - our Keens worked well since we were able to rinse out some of the mud in the river. It rained on and off during our hike, but luckily there were so many trees that the rain itself was not too bothersome, but most of the trail was soaked in mud puddles . We only made it to the first waterfall because of the conditions but still had a blast ! We had a lot of fun but I wouldn't have brought my older parents for example so be wary depending on the rain !

10/20/22 found myself a walking stick

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Second falls

Makana Charters

4.7

(404 reviews)

25.2 mi

Locally owned & operated

20 years in business

While vacation planning for Kauai, one of the things I wanted to do was see the Na Pali Coast. I…read morewas scared to hike as I'm not physically fit for that and helicopter rides were a no for me. So I opted for a boat tour! I chose makana charters because of how detailed they were in their information as different tours tour the coast in different areas. With this tour, included lunch and snorkeling. What I didn't want was a fancy lunch because what I'm really there for is to see the Na Pali Coast and everything else was just an extra for me. The lunch was very simple which I like especially because it can get very nauseous. I wanted to do the snorkeling part, but I also wanted my husband to do it, but he's not a confident swimmer so I stayed with him and watched people snorkel which was totally fine. We did the early morning tour and it was beautiful! The weather was perfect! Our tour guides went around us as we were enjoying the way to the coast and asked us where we were from. They also showed us the forbidden island and told us some history of the island and how certain areas locals would camp but a permit would be needed. They also tried to get into caves as deep as they can go and also showed us where Mary J Blige recorded her music video for everything. We also saw some dolphins going and come back from the coast! The coast was just as magical and beautiful!

Honestly, if you've never seen the Napali Coast, then any boat tour would be considered phenomenal…read more Its a breathtaking view. This was my second excursion, over 15 years apart. Some positives about this tour includes: free parking by their main stop, an emcee that was quite hilarious, a boat captain that made the boat ride at 15 knots super fun, and some history lessons along with the tour. So what was wrong? The area where we were snorkeling was quite bland. We only saw a few fish and didnt see a turtle until after we all got on the boat. After only about 30 min of snorkeling around I was bored (they give you an hour). At the beginning of the tour we were told that if you feel sick at anytime, to let them know and they'll have some remedies. Well...when I came back on the boat after snorkeling, I started feeling woozy. It was mainly because the boat was anchored and started swaying. I did take Dramamine an hour before the trip so that helped a little. I told one of the crew members how I was feeling and her suggestion was, "I would stand in the back so noone will see you get sick. Also, I wouldn't go in the bathroom because the enclosed space will make you feel worse." Not the remedies I was expecting. haha. I did not take her advice. Instead I stayed standing in the front and looked at the horizon as everyone else was enjoying their sandwiches and chips. The captain, at least, gave me a little piece of mind by telling me he'll have us back on shore in 50 minutes. So I stood there, feeling like I was on a speed boat, jumping with every big wave, wind blowing my hair and salty water on my face. Surprisingly, I felt better after that ride back. But I felt a whole lot better being on land.

The famous open ceiling cave on the NaPali Coast

Snorkeling on our NaPali tours

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Getting up close to waterfalls on the NaPali

Na Pali Coast Hanalei

4.8

(229 reviews)

14.2 mi

Fantastic tour and crew - highly recommend - we had such a great time learning about and sight…read moreseeing the na pali coast with David & co!

The staff were excellent and very knowledgeable of everything in the tour…read more David and Zak were both standouts. A very exciting and rewarding day. They gave special attention to detail Highly recommend this for everyone young and old!

Views of the Ocean Along the Trail

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It's gonna be a great day!

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Hokulani R.

3

7

0

14 years ago

Nice beach but really crowded and not that calm for the kids, but there are bathrooms and showers which is really nice. Oh yes and right on the bike path! read more

Kealia Beach - beaches - Updated August 2026

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Kalihiwai Beach

4.9

(19 reviews)

This beach was awesome and beautiful! There are some trees for shade at the back of the beach…read more(farther from the water). The waves were a little bit gentle for bodyboarding/boogie boarding but we still made it work. When we went (on a September morning) there weren't very many people around, so it wasn't crowded at all. We didn't try to snorkel here, but it didn't seem like there was much of anything (rocks/coral etc) in the water to attract fish, so I wouldn't expect this beach to be a good snorkeling beach. At the far end of the beach, there is a large freshwater area where the water is calm, with a rope swing and shallow beach entry area, to where even babies/toddlers/young kids could sit in and play in the water. Super family friendly. There were people kayaking and doing stand-up paddleboard there, the water was calm there in the freshwater area.

One of the most beautiful and relaxing beaches I've ever visited! The Best part is it's connected…read moreto a Lagoon that is perfect for Children! It also has rocks to jump off of and ropes to swing into the warm water!!!

Lawa'i Beach

(55 reviews)

This was probably my favorite beach we visited this time around. It's not a very large beach and…read morecan get crowded with those who are wanting to snorkel. Even surfers set out here to catch some waves. There are a lot of rocks, more rocks than sand, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I highly recommend water socks to protect your feet. There's a great entrance point that's pretty smooth and easy on your feet, but the waves can be choppy. The snorkeling reminded me a lot of Two Step Beach on the Big Island because you didn't have to swim out very far to see fish. There were a ton of fish out there! There were also a couple of turtles further out, but there were quite a few people hanging out around them. Remember not to get too close to them! :) We visited this beach several times because it was right outside our condo complex. At one point we were just sunbathing and playing in the water and ended up having the whole beach to ourselves late in the afternoon! It was awesome!

This beach is perfect to watch the sunset at, & is right next to the nice restaurant The Beach…read moreHouse. There is a very small sand area, but the ground is leveled so that it's very easy to sit & watch the sunset. The water is full of rocks, which actually made it very good for snorkeling. There were lots of fish around, eating off of the rocks. It was also in a little cove, so the waves were a bit smaller & easier to snorkel around in. This was one of the best beaches to snorkel at to see fish of the ones I went to (Anini Beach, Poipu Beach, & here).

Hanalei Bay Beach

4.6

(288 reviews)

The lush mountains, gentle waves and bay breeze will just take your breath away. We loved coming…read morehere and felt a sense of peace and appreciation for the beauty of Hanalei Bay. It helps that the drive into the area already has you impressed and in aw struck wonder. It is absolutely gorgeous on the north side of the island! As far as the beach itself, it is super kid friendly. Shallow waters for yards and yards! If you're on the right side of the beach it is shallow even past the pier. With gentle yet large enough waves for you to boogie board or surf. The pier is a beautiful way to take in the scenery and if you're brave enough, jump off of. My kids loved it! There are bathrooms and outdoor shower. A taco truck on site. A great beach day!! The only downside. The time of year we came, there were a ton of gnats. It might have been because of the rain. Other than that this beach was perfect.

If you come to Kauai, you have to head up to North Shore and visit Hanalei beach. A beautiful beach…read morefull of white sand, clear waters, and an amazing backdrop scenery of lush, tropical jungles. The protected bay offers nice, calm waters for swimming and other water activities. And there are lifeguards stationed at designated areas throughout the beach. You can also walk down the pier where you'll find people diving into the deeper parts of the water, fishing, or just taking pictures of the beautiful scenery. There are the occasional bits of wood washed up onto shore. So be careful where you step when walking barefoot. A public lot is available for free parking, however it does fill up fast. You can also park along the curb in the residential areas.

Kalapaki Beach

4.0

(50 reviews)

I grew up here. It started when it was Kauai Surf. Then the Westin. I believe the area near the…read morecliff at the lighthouse was called "Donkeys". Near the wall closest to the foreground is wear I stepped on a sea urchin in the 8th grade. And the shore at the hotel was where I leisurely swam.

The public beach of Lihue in Kauai, it also serves as the easily accessible beach for the Marriott…read moreVacation Club and for cruisers coming off of ships at the nearby Port. The crescent shaped area has distinct edges/ends, and the flat sandy beach is easy for short walks on the water (the beach is about a quarter mile in length). The water is protected by the bay and its calmness and easy entry encouraged paddleboarders and swimmers. As for the beach, it has calm, clear, no-debris waters and the water was warm during our day visit. The golden sand didn't get too hot, even under the afternoon sun. It had a lot of unused loungers for the guests of the hotel, which slowly filled up as the afternoon went on.

Baby Beach

4.2

(25 reviews)

This was a fun, chill beach that we checked out during our stay. It was within walking distance of…read moreour condo. It wasn't really crowded and the waters were really calm. There were a couple families with younger kids which was understandable because it was so chill. My girls and I enjoyed our time here playing in the water, sunbathing and beach bumming. The waters are super shallow even pretty far out, so it wasn't super conducive for snorkeling. I did a small amount of snorkeling, but noticed there were a TON of aha needlefish just hanging out right below the surface of the water. They were all looking straight at me while I was swimming around and were kind of freaking me out! It was then I decided to stick closer to shore and no longer snorkel lol!

Baby beach is a really great beach next to the road with homes across the street…read more This is a great beach to bring young children where they can play and swim in shallow pools. Another beautiful beach hardly anyone there and it was easy to find parking. They had 1 picnic table, but no restroom area. On Kauai you will see the occasional Rooster or Chicken running around where ever you might go too.

Kiahuna Beach