Kauai West Shore - Waimea

Island of Kauai

Adventures on Water - Beaches

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Westside Sporting Goods at 9681 Highway 50, 808-338-1411, Waimea, rents everything you’ll need for your day at the beach. Beach umbrella ($2.50 a day), beach chair ($2.50 a day), cooler ($2.50 a day), bodyboards, surfboards ($15 a day), snorkel gear ($5 a day), fishing gear such as crab nets ($7.50 a day), even a rod and reel for fishing ($7.50 a day). They’re open Monday-Friday 9 am-6 pm. The store is open from 9-5 on Saturdays. Beaches on the west side are spectacular. They’re gorgeous to look at but, as far as swimming goes, they’re not as gentle as those on the North Shore or in Po`ipu.

Port Allen is the island’s second major commercial port after Nawiliwili. It’s also where cruise ships generally dock on the island. Port Allen Boat Harbor is used by commercial boat tours, recreational boaters and the Coast Guard. There are slips, a launch ramp and plenty of parking. This isn’t a great place for swimming because the waters are murky from all of the boat activity. Just past the Chevron station there is a little beach where the sand is covered in glass. In fact, this beach is known as Glass Beach. Some locals believe that the ocean currents transport the glass from the shoreline nearby.

Hanapepe Beach Park is on the western end of Hanapepe Bay. The Hanapepe stream deposits sediment into the waters, causing the water to be murky. Surfers ride a small break near the beach. The bay is a breeding site for hammerhead sharks and the fishermen net younger hammerheads. Facilities include pavilions, restrooms, showers, parking.

Salt Pond Beach Park is the only place in Hawai`i where people still practice the ancient methods of salt making. The process of creating rock salt involves evaporating sea water in pans and large ponds. It’s not too hard to figure out how this place got its name. The shore is protected from the pummeling surf by offshore rocks. The beach is generally safe for swimming and you can feel pretty comfortable bringing the whole family here. Of course, it’s advisable to stay out of the water during large swells, as strong rip currents form. It’s also popular with windsurfers and surfers, who can take on the breaks offshore. There is a lifeguard stand, picnic pavilions, restrooms, showers, parking and a camping area.

Pakala Beach is the surf spot on the west side of the island. It’s known as Infinities because you can ride a wave forever. The reason is that the reef is perfectly shaped and has a slope that creates the wave that just won’t end. You’ll find Infinities two miles east of the Waimea River. There are a number of other breaks along the beach, but the ride’s not as long. The area’s not a good swim spot, but it is fantastic for sunbathing.

Lucy Wright Beach Park is just outside of Waimea. The park is where Captain Cook first came ashore in 1778. The park is named after the first native Hawaiian schoolteacher atWaimea, Lucy Kapahu AukaiWright. The beach isn’t great for swimming due to river runoff, but it is good for kayaking up the Waimea River and there are a couple of off-shore surf
breaks. There are planty of facilities, including bathrooms, showers, and campsites. It’s on the western side of the mouth of the Waimea River,
across from Ft. Elizabeth. To get to the park, head west on Highway 50, cross theWaimea River Bridge and take the first left onto Ala Wai Road. You’ll find the parking lot on the makai side of the camp ground.

Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor is notable because this is where the longest stretch of beach in the state begins (or ends, depending on how you look at it). The 15-mile stretch of beach goes on and on. The beach adjoining the harbor is shallow and sandy. It’s not used for swimming because of the amount of silt in the sand, but it is used by local boaters, fishermen, beachcombers and picnickers.

Kekaha Beach Park has a number of surf spots for experts only. The beach is totally exposed to the ocean, bringing strong currents that aren’t suitable for swimming. It’s a great place to catch the sunset. To get there, drive west on Highway 50 past Waimea and it’s between mile markers 26 and 27. There are bathrooms at the park and sometimes there are lifeguards on duty.

Pacific Missile Range Facility does have two well known beaches and surf spots that are worth mentioning, but they’re not readily accessible. Barking Sands is used for swimming ans surfing, while Major’s Bay was used primarily for surfing. However, be aware that access to PMRF has been restricted solely to military personnel since September 11, 2001. If you want to get on the base and you’re a resident, you’ll have to go through an extensive background check. If you’re a visitor, it would be virtually impossible to get on the base. As these things do change pretty frequently, you can call 808-335-4229 for information regarding visitor access and offshore boating.

Polihale State Park is by far my favorite beach on the island. It’s vast, wide and long. Even if there are a lot of people there, it sure doesn’t feel like it. The beach begins in the shadow of the Na Pali Cliffs, which create majestic scenery. In the summertime, the beach is about 300 feet wide but, once the winter swells hit the area, the beach erodes a great deal. It is the westernmost point of the US, with the exception of Ni`ihau, and it’s the end of the 15-mile stretch of beach that begins in Kekaha. It is a highly recommended place to watch a sunset, where you can see the various shades of pink, purple and red as they fade into the horizon.

The best swimming here is at Queen’s Pond about halfway down the beach. Not to be confused with Queen’s Bath on the north shore, Queen’s Pond is considered to be the safest swimming area around. To get there, turn south on the mainpark access road at the fork marked by two monkeypod trees and proceed 2/10th of a mile. An access road leads up on to the dunes and overlooks the pond. You can get to the beach, follow Highway 50 until you reach the end of the road past the Pacific Missile Range Facility. Turn off onto a dirt road that goes on for about five miles. Facilities include restrooms, showers, picnic pavilions and camping areas. There are no lifeguards here.

Tip: Driving at Polihale can be treacherous. You’re in the middle of nowhere, so the last thing you want to do is get stuck. On a dry day, most cars can handle the dirt road leading to the beach. Once you get past the beach parking, the sand gets very soft and it’s deep enough to get your car stuck. Someone may be around to pull you out, but that’s only if you’re lucky. When in doubt, stay on harder ground.

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