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Beaches of Kauai
SNORKELING
is best on the southern end of the island during the winter and
best on the northern end during the summer.
BOOGIE
BOARDING
is something no one should miss. Get the feel for it in the surf
off Kiahuna (if you rent fins, you're sure to catch twice as many
waves) or, for a bigger challenge, try Poipu Beach Park.
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The Beach at Kiahuna |
Kiahuna
Plantation fronts one of the best swimming beaches on Kauai.
Kiahuna is about a mile east of Hale Luana, a 20 minute walk or ten minute bike ride. |
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The Beach at Poipu Park |
Down Poipu Beach Road from Hale Luana
is the award winning Poipu Beach Park.
Across the
road is Brenneke's Beach Broiler & Deli.
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Excellent Snorkeling |
Lumahai Beach |
Aerial View of The North Shore: Hanalei & Haena |
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Lumahai is one of the most photographed beaches in the word. South Pacific was filmed here in the 1950's. The beach is about an hour's drive north of Hale Luana. Swimming can be quite dangerous because the beach drops off sharply
and the ocean currents are very strong. |
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The Haena lagoon is protected by a reef. Swimming is normally quite safe inside the lagoon. Haena is at the very end of the road (Highway 56) at the north end of the island, about fifteen minutes by car beyond Hanalei.
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The Beach at Hanalei |
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Baby Beach.... in front of
Hale Luana |
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Mahaulepu Beach
(past the Poipu Bay Golf Club), a gorgeous and idyllic
stretch of golden sand that feels truly remote. Mahaulepu
is a two mile car trip from the end of Poipu Road. Travel east on
the dirt cane field road to the main cane haul road intersection and
turn right. There will be a security shack posting beach opening and
closing hours. The beach usually closes by 6 p.m. in the winter and
7 p.m. in the summer. These are strictly enforced by the landowner
that allows public access at their own risk.
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Lydgate Beach Park (near the airport). |
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Enjoy a huge wading pool formed by piles of lava rock. Eating
areas are provided near the castle play structure. |
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Another
lovely beach is Shipwreck's Beach, a long stretch of golden
sand on the eastern end of Poipu. Shipwreck's Beach is
fronted by some resorts and a county park facility. During most of
the year, the waters here are best for advanced surfers due to a
short shore-break. This is a great beach however, to walk along,
wade a little, sunbathe or hook up with a spectacular shoreline
trail that goes east for a couple miles.
Further
to the west on Spouting Horn Road is Lawai Beach, a
delightful snorkeling spot fronted by a resort of the same name.
Although the strip of sand is narrow, the snorkeling is good and
in calm waters.
POLIHALE
BEACH (BARKING SANDS BEACH)
is about ten miles beyond (north) of Waimea; the last five miles
are dirt road through the cane fields. Located at the base of the
Na Pali cliffs, Polihale is a spectacular expanse of white sand
stretching about ten miles south of Kekaha. Unobstructed by
fringing reefs, the waves roll in with full force, making even
summer water conditions unsafe for swimmers. We recommend that you
take bottled drinks and a beach umbrella with you. Depending upon
the time of year, the beach can be extremely hot.
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