12 Best Beaches in Kauai for Sunsets, Snorkeling, and Swimming

Find your just-right beach on the Garden Isle.

Nicknamed the Garden Isle, Kauai is known for its dramatic tropical landscape, which includes breathtaking mountain ranges, waterfalls, and lush greenery around every turn. It is also home to some of Hawaii's best beaches, with more than 50 miles of white-sand coastlines and shimmering oceans for tourists and locals to explore year-round. With so many to choose from, it can be difficult to settle on what beach to include in your itinerary for this gorgeous island. To that end, we’ve narrowed down the list — here are the 12 best beaches in Kauai, great for any stretch of time you'd like to be on the sand and near (or in) the sea.

Related: Maui vs. Kauai: Which Hawaiian Island is Better For You?

Hanalei Bay

Curving two miles and in the crescent shape it is named for, Hanalei Bay actually offers three beaches: Black Pot Beach, Wai‘oli Beach, and Hanalei Beach. They all feature white sandy shores that stretch into sparkling waters, plus a spectacular tropical mountain backdrop. In the summer months, visitors can go swimming, bodyboarding, paddling, and more, while winter is the best season for incredible surfing.

Tunnels Beach

Tunnels Beach, or Makua, as the locals call it, is a favorite destination for surfers, divers, and snorkelers looking for adventure on Kauai. Framed by a lush and verdant mountainscape, this picturesque beach is named for the lava tubes that form underwater caverns along the reef. Tourists head here to soak up the sun on the golden sand or search for sea turtles and other marine life while snorkeling through the striking turquoise lagoons.

Poipu Beach

Located on the South coast of Kauai, Poipu Beach is one of the island’s most popular beaches, and for good reason. Tourists and locals enjoy the impressive surfing and snorkeling here, as well as the chance to admire the endangered Hawaiian monk seals that frequent the shore.

Ke’e Beach

Ke’e Beach is the paradise at the end of the road you’ve been seeking, both figuratively and literally. Set on the North Shore, this seaside utopia is found at the end of the last road in Kauai, and it marks the beginning of the scenic Nāpali Coast. During long summer days, visitors love snorkeling in the crystalline waters, but a pro-tip is to stay through the day in order to catch the mesmerizing sunsets Ke’e is famous for.

Anini Beach

Anini Beach is an oasis on the North Shore of Kauai. Long stretches of sand are excellent for picnicking and sunbathing on warm summer days, and since it is a bit tucked away, there are less crowds here than on other nearby beaches. Known for its snorkeling and swimming, the calm waters and shallow lagoons at this beach make it an ideal location for a family beach day.

Secret Beach

Also known as Kauapea, Secret Beach is an incredibly special slice of Kauai. Set along the North Shore, it's 3,000 foot long and only accessible by a semi-steep and unmarked trail that leads you to a sweeping sandy shore and glistening ocean waves. The waters here can be rough, so it’s best to lounge on the pillowy sand and take in the unbeatable views from there. And while it’s not a complete secret nowadays, it is still much less crowded here than on most other beaches in Kauai, and the serene nature of the secluded beach will make you feel as if you're on your own private island.

Lydgate Beach

Situated at the mouth of the Wailua River on the East Shore, Lydgate Beach is an alluring getaway for locals and tourists looking for a relaxing day of sun and sea. There are multiple sheltered and shallow pools here that make Lydgate ideal for children or beginners wanting to dip their feet into water sports like snorkeling and swimming. Meanwhile, those on land can make use of the 2.5-mile paved path for walking and cycling with friends and family.

Kalapaki Beach

Kalapaki Beach is south of downtown Lihue, making it a top spot for a beach day on the West side of the island. Fronted by Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club, tourists usually head to Kalapaki to swim or paddle board in the tranquil waters. If you opt to stay on the shore, you can join a volleyball game, start your own Spikeball match, or simply bask in the sun while watching cruise ships sail out of Nawiliwili Harbor.

Salt Pond Beach Park

Situated on the West Shore near Hanapēpē, Salt Pond (named for the traditional Hawaiian sea salt that's produced in nearby salt flats) is a relaxing sanctuary for families, couples, and groups looking for a care-free beach day. A natural rock barrier in the ocean creates the perfect conditions for swimming, snorkeling, and windsurfing, but if you’d rather take it easy in the shade, there are plenty of leafy palms to sit under and enjoy the views from shore.

Baby Beach

As its name implies, Baby Beach is possibly the best beach on the island for kids, a hidden gem on the South coast of Kauai. Escape the crowds of Poipu Beach and head here for shallow tide pools, blonde beaches, and beautiful waters. A reef protects the beach from big waves, making it one of the best spots on the entire island for little ones to splash around.

Polihale Beach

Stretching more than 15 miles along the west shore of Kauai, Polihale is the longest beach in Hawaii and a favorite hang out amongst locals and tourists. It's typical to see locals driving around the beach on ATVs while island visitors set up camp to soak in a surreal view of the sun setting over the wild waters. The strong ocean currents are not ideal for swimming or snorkeling, so visitors lean toward picnicking, camping, and relaxing on the shore instead.

Haena Beach

Located on the North Shore of the island, Haena Beach is stunning from top to bottom. Mount Makana (Bali Hai) majestically looms above Haena, creating a dramatic backdrop of rich vegetation and tropical flowers over the brilliant blue waters and white sandy shores. The gentle waves of Haena are bursting with marine life for snorkelers or scuba divers to discover, and breezy coconut palms offer shade for beach bums lingering on the shore.

Vanessa Wilkins is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure, currently based in Los Angeles. Follow her adventures on Twitter or Instagram.

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