Polihale Beach State Park Photos
You might also consider
More like Polihale Beach State Park
Recommended Reviews - Polihale Beach State Park
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
You'll definitely feel like you are in heaven if you are able to reach this 2-1/2 mile long beach state park! First, you need a 4x4 vehicle like a Jeep or Pick-Up Truck and have to drive along a rough 5-mile road with lots of bumps and ruts along the way. But totally worth the time and effort! Make sure you have all the supplies you need and have a full tank of gas prior to coming. As for the beach itself, there are lots of great and spectacular views of the scenery! The Napali Coast, Pacific Ocean, Polihale Beach State Park itself, and so much more. I did a beach stroll from end to end and took me about 2 hours overall. Just seeing this in videos and photos does not do it enough justice; you have to be there in-person to experience the serenity of nature.
This place is amazing. One with nature for sure. But getting there was a little trek. Of course, totally recommend by a local. It's off the main road, then there's about 3 miles of unpaved roads. Highly recommend off roading car, jeeps and so on. Took us about half an hour to go that 3 miles as road was rough on the tires and rather be safe. Driving through it felt like we were lost and honestly didn't know where we were going. Once we started to see cars coming the other directions, that was a good sign. Once there, there's a little parking area that cars were line along. A little picnic area, restrooms and showers. But once on the beach, it just takes your breath away. This is what Hawaii is all about. The miles of stretch of white sands, blue water and the lush green mountains behind. It was beautiful. And only a handful of people on the beach. If you want peace and quite, look no further. This will definitely be on the list of must visit again. One of the most beautiful beaches on Kauai.
If I have to pick a place to get married now, I'd be super happy if it were to be here on Polihale beach. Pictures could not do justice. The bumpy road to the beach, the white soft sand, the waves, the air, the miles and miles of dramatic cliffs known as the napali coast. It feels like you are at the end of the world We came on an SUV and it took a good 20-30 mins one way on the dirt road, but totally worth the drive. Got to spend almost half a day chili, relaxing, reading books and walk/run on the beach. The sea was choppy so not sure if there is a good time to swim around other time of the year. If you get there early, the whole beach/paradise is all yours.
5 stars for the beach! 3 stars for the State Park. Let's count the ways: The facilities: FOR SHAME. Toilets barely work. There were two stalls, one was out of order. The urinal was filled with mud. The showers are a literal horror show. There are massive cobwebs and spiders filling the entire area. The road: is laughably bad. How is it that there is a smooth paved road on Kaua'i, going up into the misty mountains, attaining nearly 4,000 ft of elevation but yet this flat road on the driest part of the island is a non-stop washboarded, teeth-chatting, vibratron? Seriously, the road is 5 miles of steep speed bumps. It's not difficult 4X4ing, just annoying and slow. In fact, you don't even need 4WD. You just need some high clearance. If you're low to the ground, you will scrape your car. It took us probably 20-30 minutes to go 5 miles, in a Jeep Wrangler. But the beach is marvelous. It has great weather, it has stunning views of the stars over head. It has glorious sunsets! Camp sites aren't really assigned, so get there early if you want the best ones. Camping permits don't seem to be enforced. Maybe if they did that, they could raise enough money to fix the road, or at leas remove the spider nests from the showers.
Poli'Hole State Beach is located on the west end of the island and it's just south of the Na'poli Coast. For the best sunset in Kauai on a clear day, Poli'Hale Beach is hands down the best beach for it. There are very few people who venture out to this remote beach. On a weekday, there were a total of 12 people at the beach spanning several miles long. You felt like you were there all alone with the crashing waves and sea breeze on a deserted island. There are fresh water showers available when you get out of the sand. There are also bathrooms at the beach and the end parking lot. Simply take the sugarcane road until it dead ends at the Poli'Hale Beach parking lot. The only draw backs for the beach is: 1. It's far from the rest of the island being on the far west end. Also, you must drive down 4 miles of an old, bumpy sugarcane plantation road to get to the beach. A rental car can make the journey slowly, but if you have a Jeep Wrangler - it becomes an exciting, fun off road adventure. We drove 20-30 mph on the bumpy road while cars had to slow down to 5-10 mph. If you are going to come here, get a Jeep. The waves are strong here and the on steep shore break could be dangerous for inexperienced swimmers. I would not recommend this swimming area for little kids. However, there is an incredible view, as you wade in the warm water, you look north and see the Na'Poli Coast. It's simply magical.
A gorgeous stretch of beach. Cars can drive on this stretch of beach and there is camping in the state park as well. The amenities are very limited and the road in and out is very rough to say the least. The road signs say 4-wheel vehicles only, but lots of vehicles going to and fro were not 4-wheel capable. You should also be sure to check the bottom of the area you choose to swim/surf, lots of rocks so be prepared! I'd love to spend the day/night, I just am not prepared. You can be. And that includes being prepared to haul your garbage out if need be. It's a big beach, but parking is limited; you can choose another location with similar beach access. It is beautiful!!
Wow! Paradise! Forget the 20 minute drive on unpaved road to get here because all of that bumpy ride is worth it. It's a long a stretch of beach with mountain views to one side. You can easily think you have it all to yourself because there's almost no one there. It's so peaceful! The sound of waves crashing, fine sand on your feet, and the wind blowing on your face...imagine that. This is the place to be one with nature. And the sunset? Breathtakingly beautiful. I saw several tents when we got there and upon leaving, I was so jealous they get to stay overnight. Yes, they have facilities. I would love to camp out here next time!
The road is definitely no cake walk, but being from a place where every other road is a dirt road filled with potholes it was nothing impossible. Having a jeep or vehicle with 4WD is recommended but this is doable in a car if need be! The long drive is so worth it!
This place was a hidden gem.. if you follow the directions on gps, you'll go down this road that looks a little sketchy. The road isn't paved. It's rocks the whole two miles from leaving the main road. If you don't have a truck just drive very carefully. You can drive your car on the beach if you have all week drive. My boyfriend and I didn't feel like taking Chances but plenty people drove up. The waves were too strong to swim in. Even the smaller waves were aggressive. No lifeguards on duty. So just be careful. Totally worth it!
You'll need a good four wheel drive, lots of patience, some nerves of steel and you will experience what Kauai was, not what it's become. You can and will get stuck in the sand if you are not experienced with off road once you reach the beach.. just saying, it's worth the drive if you want solitude a bit of eeriness in being vulnerable -- it's the end of the road here- cell service works but that's not saying help arrives quickly , it's 4 miles in to the beach once there it's easy to find your private spot- stay overnight though waves can get loud. No services so bring everything you'll need. Stock up in Waimea- have gas full- bathroom at end of road- basic-
A few weeks ago, I celebrated my 35th birthday by camping on a gorgeous beach, in the shade of the majestic Na Pali Coast by the Pacific Ocean, witnessing the most beautiful of sunsets and sunrises, counting uncountable stars that flooded the darkest of skies, falling asleep and waking up to the sound of roaring waves, exploring the beautiful Hawaiian island of Kauai after 3 years, all of it with the love of my life by my side. When researching for our camping trip to the Garden Island, we checked out all the possible options. Polihale State Park stood out from the lot for many reasons, the main ones being that it is beautiful, is at one tip of the majestic Na Pali Coast, is hands down the best sunset viewing spot on the island, and is at a remote location (read, not easily accessible, hence fewer people). The only caveat was the road to get to the camping area is a terror and warrants a 4WD (though we came across many sedans making their way slowly yet not steadily in and out - hats and tires off to those bravehearts!), plus it can cost you a fortune if your rental car breaks down in there or you get it stuck in the sand. But luckily we got a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited from Alamo, and covering the few bumpy miles took hardly 20-25 minutes each time! Polihale State Park Campground served as our base camp for a couple of nights on the island, and we loved every moment of our stay there. We reached just in time to catch the sun setting right over the crescent-shaped Hawaiian island of Lehua (adjacent to the island of Niihau, the north shore strip of which was also in view), and it was a sight to behold! Be it the sunrise on the next 2 days or the sunsets, each light show put on by the sun was spectacular! Since it's an undesignated campground, we pitched our tent on a dune not too far from the restrooms with an unobstructed view of the ocean. The breeze was cool and pleasant in the mornings and in the evenings. The towering cliffs behind the campground ensure that the scorching hot sun doesn't hit the tents until late in the morning, so it felt good to sleep in a bit after catching the sunrise. In the night, the millions of sparkling stars lit up the darkest of skies looming over Polihale State Park, and we got to see the arc of the Milky Way oh so clearly with our naked eyes! The relentless roaring of the Pacific Ocean drowned out the deafening silence, but felt like music to our ears and it lulled us to sleep. The restrooms are adjacent to the parking area at the end of the unpaved road, right at the starting of the campground. So, the further you head in to camp, the farther away you are from the restroom. The restrooms (both, Hers and His) were clean and had running water. The beach shower was great and it was fun to bathe under the stars! The ocean out here is pretty rough throughout the day, and there are no lifeguards, so it's better too admire the ocean from a distance. We enjoyed walking in the shadows of the mighty cliffs of the Na Pali Coast and picking up many colorful shells scattered hither and thither on the beach. Enough of my rambling! To summarize, if you're in Kauai and plan on camping or simply catching the sunset, there's no better spot than Polihale State Park. I rest my review (and my weary fingers *ouch*)
Polihale Beach State Park encompasses a state park with a remote beach on the western side of Kaua'i. It is framed by the Na' Pali' mountains and is located a few miles away from the town of Kekaha. Called the "golden-sand" beach, it is considered a 'wild' beach because the shore is unprotected from the open ocean. Also, the beach drops off rather rapidly to deep water and strong rip currents, making snorkeling and surfing unsafe activities, so stick to sunning and viewing. The path to the beach is poorly marked on a dirt sugarcane road, making a four-wheel drive vehicle necessary, unless you want to get stuck in the sand and have to call a tow truck. It is about a 30 minute drive on the unpaved access road to the actual beach. The road was completely closed in 2008, due to heavy rains washing out the path. Most of the year, especially during the Hawaiian Summer (March--October), the sun is extremely intense and there is little to no shade. There are bathroom facilities and showers, but no lifeguard or medical help nearby. Still, well worth the trek if you are beach-hopping along the Kaua'i coast. Breathtakingly gorgeous sunsets every evening are guaranteed! *****FIVE FABULOUS STARS!!!!!***** 21/100
As far west you can go to hit the beach, 4x4 is better but you can do the dirt road in a car if you take it easy.
I thought it would be an easy drive, but having a jeep would have been better. We were only able to get to the dirt road entering the beach, but were not able to actually hit the beach. If you want to visit this beach, it is strongly recommended to have a truck or jeep to make the ride in more feasible... read more
1 year ago
The 5 mile off road drive is NOT for the faint of heart but man oh man is it FUN! After a longer off road experience you get to a tree and if you turn left it opens to one beach entrance with no bathrooms from what I could see and if you went right at the tree there are multiple bathrooms with showers and picnic tables. There is no shade on the beach so def bring cover and enjoy what ends up being virtually a private beach with a beautiful view!!! Well worth the drive if you can make it :) bring shoes to walk onto the beach! The sand will be HOT read more
You'll definitely feel like you are in heaven if you are able to reach this 2-1/2 mile long beach state park! First, you need a 4x4 vehicle like a Jeep or Pick-Up Truck and have to drive along a rough 5-mile road with lots of bumps and ruts along the way. But totally worth the time and effort! Make sure you have all the supplies you need and have a full tank of gas prior to coming. As for the beach itself, there are lots of great and spectacular views of the scenery! The Napali Coast, Pacific Ocean, Polihale Beach State Park itself, and so much more. I did a beach stroll from end to end and took me about 2 hours overall. Just seeing this in videos and photos does not do it enough justice; you have to be there in-person to experience the serenity of nature. read more
This place is amazing. One with nature for sure. But getting there was a little trek. Of course, totally recommend by a local. It's off the main road, then there's about 3 miles of unpaved roads. Highly recommend off roading car, jeeps and so on. Took us about half an hour to go that 3 miles as road was rough on the tires and rather be safe. Driving through it felt like we were lost and honestly didn't know where we were going. Once we started to see cars coming the other directions, that was a good sign. Once there, there's a little parking area that cars were line along. A little picnic area, restrooms and showers. But once on the beach, it just takes your breath away. This is what Hawaii is all about. The miles of stretch of white sands, blue water and the lush green mountains behind. It was beautiful. And only a handful of people on the beach. If you want peace and quite, look no further. This will definitely be on the list of must visit again. One of the most beautiful beaches on Kauai. read more
If I have to pick a place to get married now, I'd be super happy if it were to be here on Polihale beach. Pictures could not do justice. The bumpy road to the beach, the white soft sand, the waves, the air, the miles and miles of dramatic cliffs known as the napali coast. It feels like you are at the end of the world We came on an SUV and it took a good 20-30 mins one way on the dirt road, but totally worth the drive. Got to spend almost half a day chili, relaxing, reading books and walk/run on the beach. The sea was choppy so not sure if there is a good time to swim around other time of the year. If you get there early, the whole beach/paradise is all yours. read more
5 stars for the beach! 3 stars for the State Park. Let's count the ways: The facilities: FOR SHAME. Toilets barely work. There were two stalls, one was out of order. The urinal was filled with mud. The showers are a literal horror show. There are massive cobwebs and spiders filling the entire area. The road: is laughably bad. How is it that there is a smooth paved road on Kaua'i, going up into the misty mountains, attaining nearly 4,000 ft of elevation but yet this flat road on the driest part of the island is a non-stop washboarded, teeth-chatting, vibratron? Seriously, the road is 5 miles of steep speed bumps. It's not difficult 4X4ing, just annoying and slow. In fact, you don't even need 4WD. You just need some high clearance. If you're low to the ground, you will scrape your car. It took us probably 20-30 minutes to go 5 miles, in a Jeep Wrangler. But the beach is marvelous. It has great weather, it has stunning views of the stars over head. It has glorious sunsets! Camp sites aren't really assigned, so get there early if you want the best ones. Camping permits don't seem to be enforced. Maybe if they did that, they could raise enough money to fix the road, or at leas remove the spider nests from the showers. read more
Poli'Hole State Beach is located on the west end of the island and it's just south of the Na'poli Coast. For the best sunset in Kauai on a clear day, Poli'Hale Beach is hands down the best beach for it. There are very few people who venture out to this remote beach. On a weekday, there were a total of 12 people at the beach spanning several miles long. You felt like you were there all alone with the crashing waves and sea breeze on a deserted island. There are fresh water showers available when you get out of the sand. There are also bathrooms at the beach and the end parking lot. Simply take the sugarcane road until it dead ends at the Poli'Hale Beach parking lot. The only draw backs for the beach is: 1. It's far from the rest of the island being on the far west end. Also, you must drive down 4 miles of an old, bumpy sugarcane plantation road to get to the beach. A rental car can make the journey slowly, but if you have a Jeep Wrangler - it becomes an exciting, fun off road adventure. We drove 20-30 mph on the bumpy road while cars had to slow down to 5-10 mph. If you are going to come here, get a Jeep. The waves are strong here and the on steep shore break could be dangerous for inexperienced swimmers. I would not recommend this swimming area for little kids. However, there is an incredible view, as you wade in the warm water, you look north and see the Na'Poli Coast. It's simply magical. read more
A gorgeous stretch of beach. Cars can drive on this stretch of beach and there is camping in the state park as well. The amenities are very limited and the road in and out is very rough to say the least. The road signs say 4-wheel vehicles only, but lots of vehicles going to and fro were not 4-wheel capable. You should also be sure to check the bottom of the area you choose to swim/surf, lots of rocks so be prepared! I'd love to spend the day/night, I just am not prepared. You can be. And that includes being prepared to haul your garbage out if need be. It's a big beach, but parking is limited; you can choose another location with similar beach access. It is beautiful!! read more
8 years ago
Wow! Paradise! Forget the 20 minute drive on unpaved road to get here because all of that bumpy ride is worth it. It's a long a stretch of beach with mountain views to one side. You can easily think you have it all to yourself because there's almost no one there. It's so peaceful! The sound of waves crashing, fine sand on your feet, and the wind blowing on your face...imagine that. This is the place to be one with nature. And the sunset? Breathtakingly beautiful. I saw several tents when we got there and upon leaving, I was so jealous they get to stay overnight. Yes, they have facilities. I would love to camp out here next time! read more
4 years ago
The road is definitely no cake walk, but being from a place where every other road is a dirt road filled with potholes it was nothing impossible. Having a jeep or vehicle with 4WD is recommended but this is doable in a car if need be! The long drive is so worth it! read more
This place was a hidden gem.. if you follow the directions on gps, you'll go down this road that looks a little sketchy. The road isn't paved. It's rocks the whole two miles from leaving the main road. If you don't have a truck just drive very carefully. You can drive your car on the beach if you have all week drive. My boyfriend and I didn't feel like taking Chances but plenty people drove up. The waves were too strong to swim in. Even the smaller waves were aggressive. No lifeguards on duty. So just be careful. Totally worth it! read more
4 years ago
You'll need a good four wheel drive, lots of patience, some nerves of steel and you will experience what Kauai was, not what it's become. You can and will get stuck in the sand if you are not experienced with off road once you reach the beach.. just saying, it's worth the drive if you want solitude a bit of eeriness in being vulnerable -- it's the end of the road here- cell service works but that's not saying help arrives quickly , it's 4 miles in to the beach once there it's easy to find your private spot- stay overnight though waves can get loud. No services so bring everything you'll need. Stock up in Waimea- have gas full- bathroom at end of road- basic- read more
A few weeks ago, I celebrated my 35th birthday by camping on a gorgeous beach, in the shade of the majestic Na Pali Coast by the Pacific Ocean, witnessing the most beautiful of sunsets and sunrises, counting uncountable stars that flooded the darkest of skies, falling asleep and waking up to the sound of roaring waves, exploring the beautiful Hawaiian island of Kauai after 3 years, all of it with the love of my life by my side. When researching for our camping trip to the Garden Island, we checked out all the possible options. Polihale State Park stood out from the lot for many reasons, the main ones being that it is beautiful, is at one tip of the majestic Na Pali Coast, is hands down the best sunset viewing spot on the island, and is at a remote location (read, not easily accessible, hence fewer people). The only caveat was the road to get to the camping area is a terror and warrants a 4WD (though we came across many sedans making their way slowly yet not steadily in and out - hats and tires off to those bravehearts!), plus it can cost you a fortune if your rental car breaks down in there or you get it stuck in the sand. But luckily we got a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited from Alamo, and covering the few bumpy miles took hardly 20-25 minutes each time! Polihale State Park Campground served as our base camp for a couple of nights on the island, and we loved every moment of our stay there. We reached just in time to catch the sun setting right over the crescent-shaped Hawaiian island of Lehua (adjacent to the island of Niihau, the north shore strip of which was also in view), and it was a sight to behold! Be it the sunrise on the next 2 days or the sunsets, each light show put on by the sun was spectacular! Since it's an undesignated campground, we pitched our tent on a dune not too far from the restrooms with an unobstructed view of the ocean. The breeze was cool and pleasant in the mornings and in the evenings. The towering cliffs behind the campground ensure that the scorching hot sun doesn't hit the tents until late in the morning, so it felt good to sleep in a bit after catching the sunrise. In the night, the millions of sparkling stars lit up the darkest of skies looming over Polihale State Park, and we got to see the arc of the Milky Way oh so clearly with our naked eyes! The relentless roaring of the Pacific Ocean drowned out the deafening silence, but felt like music to our ears and it lulled us to sleep. The restrooms are adjacent to the parking area at the end of the unpaved road, right at the starting of the campground. So, the further you head in to camp, the farther away you are from the restroom. The restrooms (both, Hers and His) were clean and had running water. The beach shower was great and it was fun to bathe under the stars! The ocean out here is pretty rough throughout the day, and there are no lifeguards, so it's better too admire the ocean from a distance. We enjoyed walking in the shadows of the mighty cliffs of the Na Pali Coast and picking up many colorful shells scattered hither and thither on the beach. Enough of my rambling! To summarize, if you're in Kauai and plan on camping or simply catching the sunset, there's no better spot than Polihale State Park. I rest my review (and my weary fingers *ouch*) read more
4 years ago
Polihale Beach State Park encompasses a state park with a remote beach on the western side of Kaua'i. It is framed by the Na' Pali' mountains and is located a few miles away from the town of Kekaha. Called the "golden-sand" beach, it is considered a 'wild' beach because the shore is unprotected from the open ocean. Also, the beach drops off rather rapidly to deep water and strong rip currents, making snorkeling and surfing unsafe activities, so stick to sunning and viewing. The path to the beach is poorly marked on a dirt sugarcane road, making a four-wheel drive vehicle necessary, unless you want to get stuck in the sand and have to call a tow truck. It is about a 30 minute drive on the unpaved access road to the actual beach. The road was completely closed in 2008, due to heavy rains washing out the path. Most of the year, especially during the Hawaiian Summer (March--October), the sun is extremely intense and there is little to no shade. There are bathroom facilities and showers, but no lifeguard or medical help nearby. Still, well worth the trek if you are beach-hopping along the Kaua'i coast. Breathtakingly gorgeous sunsets every evening are guaranteed! *****FIVE FABULOUS STARS!!!!!***** 21/100 read more
5 years ago
As far west you can go to hit the beach, 4x4 is better but you can do the dirt road in a car if you take it easy. read more
As far as beaches go, it doesn't get much better than Polihale. If you're looking for a nice, large, clean, secluded beach...this is it. I'm used to the crowded beaches on Oahu and frequent Waikiki and the North Shore and it was definitely a treat to visit Polihale. Polihale is known as one of the world's best secluded beaches (Travel & Leisure Magazine). Polihale is located on the west side of Kauai and is way out in the boonies. Once you reach the end of the paved road, keep going. We drove on a dirt road for miles and miles and then drove through bushes and trees until we passed camp sites and finally reached the beach's parking lot. I was elated when I got there and didn't see a full parking lot. You can actually drive onto the sand close to the water; a lot of people with all-wheel drive SUV's were on the sand. The water was rough the day I went but I still had a really nice time enjoying the hot Kauai sun and the peace and quiet. The family closest to us on the sand must have been a several hundred yards away from us which is unheard of at Oahu beaches. There was a ton of room around us and I definitely got the peace and quiet I was looking for. I enjoyed the waves and the nice view of the mountains. There are restrooms and showers here. The camp sites are another awesome thing that Polihale has to offer. They're large and very secluded. There are several camp sites available and each of them is enclosed with trees and bushes for more privacy. This beach is my absolute favorite on Kauai and possibly all of Hawaii and cannot stress how much of a difference a secluded beach makes if you're looking for a relaxing and enjoyable time. I would love to visit Kauai frequently just to be on this beach. read more
7 years ago
Is this heaven? Because it sure feels like it. Seven miles of pristine white-sand beach and dunes overlooking the western wall of the Na Pali coast and the island of Niihau. It's one of the few western-facing beaches on Kauai that is accessible by car, making it an ideal sunset spot. Although I prefer to set up a campsite nestled in the dunes (anything less than 24 hours here is too short). Head to Poli if you're looking to relax, reset and soak in some solitude. This place is pure Aloha. read more
An amazing beach. So long so pretty. We camped here, saw the sunset, ate poke on the beach, walked on the beach, meaning great time! One thing I didn't like was that the local young people (high school or undergrads) turn on music and chat loud until midnight or 1, which disturbed my sleep. Another headup is that the way to this beach is dirt road. We got a flat. read more
Was planning on watching the sunset from Barking Sands Beach nearby but ended up here after seeing the Pacific Missile Range creates an impasse Good thing I rented the official vehicle of Hawaii (a Wrangler) because you do a couple miles of driving paths that are unpaved and very soft at places! The sunset here is majestic, definitely a beautiful one for summer (if winter has the same effect on sunsets in Kauai as it does in California then yikes that'll be a true jaw-dropper) Also you can see the Forbidden Island of Niihau good from here. Overall, it's definitely worth the drive to this side of Kauai, I'll let the pictures say the rest (although it truly looked better to the naked eye)! read more
7 years ago
7 years ago
8 years ago
Parked on the beach! Pls note, you need to drive on unpaved road to get to this beach. And it's HOT! Great place to swim. Others bring their tents (definitely a local spot). Update: we drove our SUV 4WD onto the beach and got STUCK! Pls research before you decide to do this! A big Jeep pulled our car while we pushed it (sand is soft and deep!) We were lucky locals were nice to help us get out of that mess! Whew! read more
7 years ago
8 years ago
Beautiful beach! Hardly anyone around which is great if you don't like big crowds. Couple of reasons why. Long drive on a gravel road, depending on your ride, i would think about it! Baby Bertha was struggling aka Hyundai Elantra... Second reason unless you're Aquaman i would not recommend swimming in the ocean the waves are monstrous. But it is such a beautiful scenery i would make the trip again well worth it! read more
10 years ago
It is a good location for sunset on the beach with strong waves hitting the sand, cliffs to your back, and Nihau in the distance. The violent clash of the waves contrasts with the peacefulness of the moment and all the other natural beauty around you. Nevertheless, it was not an overwhelming experience. My pictures are actually better than seeing it with my own eyes. In addition, it requires about 30 minutes of off-roading on a rocky dirt road, Lower Saki Mana Road. At the end of Highway 50, you take a right on Kiko Road and then a quick left on Lower Saki Mana Road. You will see a clear entrance. I have experienced plenty of potholes in New York City. They have nothing on how the depth and quantity of holes on the dirt road leading to the beach at Polihale State Park. It is actually better to drive faster than slow down and feel every bump and crevice. If you are visiting Kauai and looking for recommendations, feel free to message me through Yelp and I can share my itinerary, which includes my Yelp reviews. The information for an electronic copy can also be found in the link via my Yelp profile. read more
12 years ago
This is by far the absolute best beach I have ever been to in my life. The drive in was not the best part of the beach, but it is completely manageable. Make sure you have 4-wheel drive, and consider lowering the air in your tires a little if it's too rough, so they glide over the sand easier. If you can get your car through the sand ok, it's easier to get to a spot where you can feel like you have the whole beach to yourself. Bring your own water, bring a few gallons, if you want to be able to rinse off all the sand and ocean water after. Bring a tent to protect you from the sun and you just might be out there for hours like we were. The water is choppy and feels kind of dangerous in some spots, but safe to swim for most in other areas. It's incredibly refeshing and gorgeous! Not sure if I saw any kids at this beach, nor would I bring any... No offense to other people's munchkins, but this is one of the perks about this particular beach. It's more adult-friendly than kid... and if you get in a good enough spot, you can get away with being topless (or perhaps completely in the nude). Have fun and enjoy! read more
10 years ago
Oh shiz damn straight bumpy ass road to paradise on first day JOJ(just of the jet)This is the last road that stops at the beginning of the Napali Coast. Seriously a bumpy long drive along a rutted dirt road for a good thirty minutes, AND you are seriously in the middle you park before the deep sand (be careful you could get stuck) Pretty desolate beach, but the view of parts of the Napali Coast are pretty legit in late afternoon. read more
This is probably the most beautiful beach with the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen. You must come if you ever find yourself in Kauai! It is secluded, with miles and miles of beach for you to enjoy. Word of caution: the road that leads to this beach is rough and rocky. A 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended. I didn't have one, but I did have an SUV. It was still super bumpy on the way in. You can still make it in there but it will be a very uncomfortable ride. But the sunset will totally be worth your while. Head west towards Polihale State Park. Don't go absolutely to the end or you'll end up on some government property. As you head near the end of the road, there will be a dirt road with an open cattle gate to your left with a dirt road. Go there. Follow that road all the way in. If you don't have proper vehicle, I would park on the dirt portion of the road. Go any further and you'll get stuck in the sand. We don't want that. Also, no streetlights in that area when you leave after sundown - make sure you're comfortable driving in total darkness with just your car's headlights. Occasionally, there will be other cars. Just be safe! And ENJOY :) read more
Find yourself at the end of the road facing a dirt path. You have two choices, take the bumpy beaten up road to the mysterious beach your friend told you about or the easy path, turn around stay on the paved road. This was my 4 time down to this beach. It's been over 10 years and the 4 miles dirt road was longer and worse then I remember it being. Maybe it was the car we were in? (Chevy sonic) Jeeps were blowing past us. Either way, if I had known how much time it would eat up, I'd skip it. Not to mention, it voids your rental agreement with the rental car company. Wait, seriously? Yes, unfortunately but I even asked the lady while getting the car and she told me all roads are paved. Except this one! However, there was a bunch of rental cars all going down this road to the beach. Take it slow if your in a little car and you will be fine. Almost an hour later....we reached the beach. The beach it's self is amazing. Pristine waters with waves crashing on the beach. Beautiful sand and no one around. This beach seemed untouched and free from trash and litter. I felt transported back in time. As I remembered, it's always super windy here. That day it was so windy the sand was hitting us and felt like little razor blades. There are limited facilities, bathroom (no soap) and a shower. But it's everything you need. I'm glad we made it to the end of the road but if short on time, skip it. Especially, if your in the worlds smallest rental car. read more
19 years ago
If you are going to break your car rental agreement and drive off-road, why not do it for this beautiful beach? You will only find a handful of other people here, and most will be locals. At the end of the road, go a little further, driving down a dirt road until you reach a "parking lot" of sorts. The Na Pali Coast is on the other side of the beautiful cliffs at the end of the beach. A perfect spot to enjoy watching the sun go down. The sunset is not to be missed. In fact, it may be the main reason to visit. The ocean here is monstrous. Although gorgeous, this is not a beach for swimming. There are facilities like bathrooms, picnic tables and drinking water. If you are here during the summer, chances are the road will be dry- but it will be HOT at the beach. If it is raining, the road can get pretty treacherous but the beach will still be pleasant for gazing and sunset watching. Make sure you are with someone who has a keen sense of direction... driving the dirt roads after sunset can be a nerve racking experience for some! read more
The furthest beach on one side of the island, this was a great find for us when we were here! It was totally by accident that we found the place - we were driving around, doing the tourist thing, and just couldn't resist taking a dirt road to wherever it led. Well, thanks to our trusty iPhones, we saw on the map that the end was a beach - and a big one at that! Thanks to our Yelp app, we realized that the road takes you ON to the sand, and decided to try the less sandy (shorter) road instead. A bathroom, some camp sites, and a parking lot was all that separated the road from this expanse of gorgeous, and mostly deserted beach. Ahhhhh......a lovely sunset, a walk on the beach, and a little getting lost finding our way back all made for super cool memories of this beach. Definitely the place to go to get away from the crowded beaches - although I don't know if the water is too safe to get in. There's apparently a steep and fast dropoff. This is definitely a place to take your truck or Jeep, if you have one - you can drive all the way onto the sand! Truck or no, come to this beach and check it out. You won't be sorry! read more
10 years ago
It's nice here at Polihale, but someone seriously needs to do something about the road between the highway and the state park. It's impossible not to cuss when driving on this road. The road is worst now than years ago. This beach is located at the far west of the island. Nice place to relax and enjoy the sun and ocean, when the tide is low. Bring food and H2O. And SPF of at least 30. And footwear because walking down the beach is very hot. read more
Page 1 of 5
More info about Polihale Beach State Park
Kaumuali'i Hwy
Waimea, HI 96796
Directions
(808) 587-0400
Call Now
Hours
Outdoor Amenities
Ask the Community - Polihale Beach State Park
Review Highlights - Polihale Beach State Park
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
11 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
16 years ago
15 years ago
14 years ago
8 years ago
8 years ago
15 years ago
18 years ago
18 years ago
16 years ago
15 years ago
