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Riptides Shave Ice & Snacks

4.7 (183 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Updated 3 months ago

Riptides Shave Ice & Snacks Photos

RIPTIDES SHAVE ICE & SNACKS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Good for kids
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Riptides Shave Ice & Snacks

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What the shave ice stand looks like.
Holly D.

This was the best shave I've we had on the island. We're tried Jo Jo's, Wishing Well (which was my 2nd favorite) and Riptides. Major negative to some of the other places is consistency, as we went many times! And they would melt so fast and basically become soup halfway through. Riptides did not. It wasn't overly sweet, it was just right. It stayed frozen up until the very end of the bowl. Friendly staff; fast service;

Pina colada and lychee with snow cap
Josephine F.

Really good shave ice! The ice was light and fluffy. Soo many flavors of syrup-- I had such a hard time choosing. I ended up picking pina colada and lychee -- pina colada didn't taste how I expected but lychee was light and refreshing. But there was also guava, li hing mui, mango, passion fruit, etc etc. They had fresh fruit syrup too, which I've never seen and also wanted to try. I got my shave ice with the coconut snow cap which was also surprisingly light. I had a hard time choosing between that and the condensed milk snow cap. I think what this all means is that I have to go back and try some more flavors! They also have some savory food that looked good, but I didn't get any because I was still stuffed from our lunch. I'm impressed by how much they offer out of such a small space! Bit of a wait, but it's okay because you get quality shave ice! And the worker was really friendly.

Shaved ice
Luis A.

The best shaved ice on the island. We tried several spots and I just kept wanting to come back to Riptides. Service was exceptional and the location was fantastic. Lots of selections for flavors, get the ube or cherry. Two thumbs up. Would try again. Cheers.

Danielle P.

We really enjoyed this place and it was so convenient having it just steps from our condo complex. I think we went here 3 times, and would have gone more if we could have! The owner, Mindy, and staff are super friendly and cool. I was impressed Mindy remembered our faces from a couple days previously. We enjoyed talking with her during our visit. First time there I got the pineapple and coconut. I think my youngest got strawberry and guava and my oldest got lychee and pog. It was so refreshing and delicious! The second time, just my oldest ordered and she got lychee, mango and li hing mui. She even had them sprinkle some of the li hing mui powder on top and got an ice cream scoop. It was wonderful! Final time there I got the lychee and li hing mui with the powder sprinkled on top. My kids repeated what they'd ordered previously. They have all natural syrups as well as others. They also offer a lot more than just shave ice, although we didn't order anything else. It's a great little stop when you've spent the day snorkeling across the street! Love the painted Locals slippahs on the stand! Aloha!

April B.

Riptides serves my favorite shave ice on Kauai, and my favorite anywhere really. The staff is friendly, the location is perfect and the food is delicious. I love to load up my shave ice with a ton of add ons and chat it up with Mindy or enjoy the views of Lawai Beach while I wait. My son also loves the hot dogs and we enjoy chowing down on their delicious Kalua pork nachos. We always stay at the Lawai Beach Resort, so I tend to make daily visits to Riptides :-) It's a must when on island!

Classic rainbow shave ice
Megan B.

Somehow, this is the last shave ice place we tried. And it was one of the best! And closest to us which we really couldn't believe. Riptides does shave ice right, and has both classic syrups and organic syrup options in great flavors. Dragonfruit easily became on of our favorites here which we had not found anywhere else (and we eat a lot of shave ice). For being just a small food truck across from Beach House, we couldn't believe all the other options they had aside from shave ice. All kinds of food and beach items for sale. We'll run and super friendly no matter who helps you. There is one table to sit at, but we always just went and sat on the grass in the shade. We went here twice during our 13 days and will return on our next trip!

Menu with Current Options and Pricing
Aaron C.

The reason I am writing this review is because the person behind the counter watched my young son accidentally drop his fresh made shaved Ice swatting at something. Obviously he's crushed and about to cry. Without skipping a beat she got his attention and told him not to worry. I offered to pay again as it was his fault and I definitely needed to get a new one for him but her compassion bled through the job and she just took care of the little guy so he wouldn't be sad. God bless.

Didn't get a pic this year; here's last year's.  Still awesome, and the best on the island.
Tracey A.

As if to make up for my prior review of a completely different shave ice experience I will tell you what I find to be the most stellar shave ice on Kauai: It's here at Riptides. In a little portable shack across from a popular snorkeling spot, Riptides has been stellar over the course of several visits over the last two years. It has never once failed to deliver wonderful flavors of quality syrups (they also offer natural flavors, if you prefer), quality ice cream, perfectly shaved ice, and service from the owner and staff that is always warm and an exemplar of the aloha spirit. You might think falsely that shave ice is shave ice and that there's little variation between spots. You would be wrong and once you try a bad spot you'll understand just how wrong. But Riptides? They're the best of the best. Enjoy.

Mango passion with vanilla ice cream and macadamia nuts

The shave ice toppings? Next level. Handcrafted tropical flavors that taste like the fruit! Mango and passion fruit was the perfect balance of sweet and tangy but never too much. Coconut and strawberry was creamy and mellow and just sweet enough. A must have while you're visiting!! Go see Mindy! No judgement if you make it a daily treat!

Cindy L.

The best shaved ice in Kauai just happened to be right next to our condo. Cute little shack across from a great snorkeling beach. I had the organic homemade syrup with pieces of fresh fruit coconut cream and cherry with macadamia nut ice cream in the middle and topped with sugar cream. Decadent and yummy!

Unassuming food truck. Friendly staff. Great view.
Erika D.

Highly recommend the fresh fruit dragon fruit shaved ice with cream on top or ice cream in the bottom.

Lilikoi and Guava
Rosette T.

One of if not the best shave ice on the south side of the island! While driving to Spouting Horn we saw a small blue shack on the side of the road and were curious about what they had so we pulled over. The workers were super friendly and helpful and recommend that we try their organic shave ice. I was a little hesitant as the organic shave ice place we had earlier in the week at Old Kōloa Town lacked flavor but decided but to give organic shave ice another try. Their flavors did not disappoint! We really liked the Lilikoi and the dragonfruit flavor with the snow cap. You can taste the flavors and they do not skimp on the syrup! I wish I had found this place earlier on our trip because it would have definitely been a frequented spot.

Gecko!
Shana W.

Strawberry/Mango with macadamia nut ice cream at the bottom with an ocean view. So good we went back twice!! Kids always ordered "rainbow", and loved it. We even saw a little green gecko hang out with us! Customer service was great too. Love this place, tried a few shaved ice places and this was my favorite on Kauai.

Phenomenal shaved Ice.

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Very good good flavoring service is quick has many toppings all natural available and normal flavoring

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Ask the Community - Riptides Shave Ice & Snacks

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Riptides Shave Ice & Snacks - shavedice - Updated May 2026

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