10 Best Beaches In Kauai For Swimming

Kauai beaches for swimming Hanalei Bay Beach lie on the northern shore of Kauai. The sandy beach with gentle waves offers an immaculate view of Bali Hai. 

The oceanfront area is situated at the center of the bay and the mouth of the Hanalei River. The protected bay is a perfect place to swim, surf and bodyboard for the whole family.

Onsite amenities at Hanalei Bay Beach include the following:

• Lifeguards on designated areas
• Public restrooms
• Outdoor showers
• Kayak, Surfboard and Boogies Board rentals
• Picnic tables, Grills, and Pavilions

There are three designated parking areas near the beach. The first one is at Nualolo Raod, the second one is near the Hanalei Pier and the third is at Black Pot Beach Park.

If you are looking to explore the surroundings furthermore then here are some nearby attractions:

• Hanalei Pier - Piers & Boardwalk (0.1 miles away)
• Pali Ke Kua Beach - 1.2 miles away
• Pink's Creamery - American cuisine and dessert place (0.6 miles away)
• Jo Jo's - serves Hawaiian dishes (0.6 miles away)
• Wishing Well Shave Ice - 0.6 miles away

Kauai beach for swimming Poipu Beach boasts a shallow and protected area suitable for water sports. Even children can have fun at this lifeguarded beach.

Poipu Beach is located in Koloa, just 15 miles north of Lihue Airport. It is actually two bays divided by a sand bar extending into the Pacific.

A side of the tombola has a shallow, protected area perfect for novice swimmers. With a little stroke of luck, you may even spot Hawaiian monk seals and giant turtles in the water. 

Watersports and beach activities are popular things to do in Kauai that travelers of every age can enjoy. At Poipu Beach you can opt to:

• Swimming
• Bodyboarding
• Surfing
• Snorkeling

Take your loved ones to Poipu which will make your vacation worthwhile. You are further greeted by onsite amenities such as:

• A Parking lot
• Public Restrooms and showers
• Picnic Tables and shade structures
• Grassy areas suitable for picnicking
• Surfboard and bodyboard rentals

Best Kauai beaches for swimming Tunnels Beach is a 2-mile-long oceanfront area on the north shore of Kauai. It is a family-friendly place at Haena Point.

The beach boasts an inner and outer reef which makes it unique from the rest. The waters here are full of sea turtles and a wide variety of tropical fishes.

The larger reef experience strong currents which makes watersports quite challenging. Visitors are highly encouraged to go swimming in groups.

What to expect at Makua 'Tunnels' Beach:

• Open 24 hours daily
• Parking is available at the road off Highway 560 past mile marker 8
• A stunning view of Mount Makana on the backdrop

Furthermore, the snorkeling experience is great at Tunnels Beach. The rocky cliffs and a coral reef with an abundance of marine life are great places for thrill seekers.

Nearby attractions of Tunnels Beach are listed below:

• Opakapaka Grill and Bar - a seafood restaurant (1-mile away)
• Waioli Mission House - a Speciality Museum (within a mile)
• Ha'ena State Park - a public park (within a mile)

Best beaches Kauai for swimming Anini Beach is one of the safest beachfront areas on the island. This white sand beach stretches up to 2 miles.

Anini Beach is protected by a coral reef and experiences calm ocean conditions. The clear waters at this laid-back place make up a good place to swim, snorkel and windsurf.

There are no lifeguards posted at this beachfront area but it is not something to worry about. The summer is calm while the conditions get a little rough during winter.

Anini features the longest and widest fringing reef in Hawaii. The place has multiple campsites, picnic tables, pavilions, restrooms and showers onsite.

Apart from swimming, you can enjoy the following activities at Anini Beach:

• Snorkeling
• Beach walks
• Picnicking
• Paddle Boarding
• Windsurfing

Best swimming beaches in Kauai Kalapaki Beach is located just outside Nawiliwili Harbor. The place has excellent conditions for swimming, surfing and boogie boarding.

This gold sand crescent beach is just a short walk from the Nawiliwili Harbor in Lihue. You can visit Kalapaki throughout the year and still derive a similar fun-filled experience.

This large beach on the eastern side of Kauai boasts several resorts nearby. This includes one of the best romantic honeymoon hotel Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort Lihue.

Notable on-site amenities at Kalapaki include restrooms, outdoor showers and picnic spots. Some nearby attractions are:

• The Fish Express - offers seafood and quick bites (within a mile)
• Tip Top - offers dine-in and specializes in American and Hawaiian dishes (0.4 miles away)
• Kauai Pasta Lihue - an Italian restaurant (0.4 miles away)
• Kauai Museum - a historical site (within a mile)

Best swimming beach in Kauai Ke’e Beach is an idyllic sandy oceanfront place on the northern shore of Kauai. Summer is the best time to go swimming at Ke'e.

Ke'e is a part of Haena State Park so, you will need a parking pass. The beach provides scenic views of the sprawling Na Pali Coastline. 

Reservations need to be made at least a day before the visit. However, due to the high flow of tourists, it is wise to book a date 30 days in advance.

• Park Entrance Fee: $5 per visitor
• Parking Hours: 7 am to 6:45 pm daily 
• Parking Fee: $10 per vehicle

Some additional details about Ke'e Beach are listed below:

• Lifeguards are available on duty
• Restrooms, Showers available onsite
• Picnic Tables can be found
• Enjoy snorkeling, beach walking, and a sunset view

Best Kauai swimming beaches Anahola Beach is a hidden gem located on the northeast coast of Kauai. The calm and inviting waters offers a tranquil escape.

The waves at Anahola are gentle and the depths are relatively shallow. These all make for an ideal spot to take on some exciting water adventures.

Swimmers of all ages and all levels can take a dive into the water and have a good time. You can also explore the vibrant marine life at the reef formations offshore.

To get to this pristine and secluded getaway place, travel down Highway 56 North from Kapa'a. Watch for the sign and take a turn at Anahola Road.

Travel to this secluded oceanfront place with your family. It has plenty of fun-filled activities to offer such as:

• Swimming
• Sunbathing
• Snorkeling
• Picnicking 
• Surfing
• Camping
• Beach volleyball

Best Kauai swimming beach Haena Beach Park has excellent conditions for swimming especially in summer. The place lies on one side of Maniniholo Bay on the north shore.

Ha'ena Beach is on the opposite side of the famous Tunnels Beach. This oceanfront place also offers a breathtaking view of Mount Makana.

This small, picturesque sand beach is cut by a freshwater stream. The calm ocean conditions make for a favorable spot for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing.

Children will love the experience of walking on the white sandy beach. You can explore around and do a bit of beach-combing and shell collecting.

The Park features a lifeguard station along with other onsite amenities such as restrooms, showers and campsites. Additional details of the places are listed below.

• Address: HI-560, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
• Opening Hours: 6 am to 8 pm daily
• Tripadvisor Rating: 4/5 based on 8 reviews

Best swimming beaches Kauai Lydgate Beach is situated near the mouth of Wailua River. It is a family-friendly beach with great swimming conditions.

Lydgate features two protected lagoons which offer an ideal spot for water activities and picnicking. The Kamalani Playground and the paved coastal path are very inviting for families.

The large salt-water pool on site that is shielded by a lava rock wall provides safe conditions for children to swim. Furthermore, the place has lifeguards, and picnic areas as well.

Lydgate is one of the most famous spots on the island of Kauai and boasts a lot of tourist attractions. Explore these popular places nearby:

• Smith Family Garden Luau - Polynesian breakfast place (0.5 miles away)
• Passion Bakery Cafe - bakery shop (0.8 miles away)
• Russell's By Eat Healthy - an American cafe (within a mile)
• Hikinaakala Heiau - historical site (0.2 miles away)
• Smiths Tropical Paradise - a wildlife garden (0.5 miles away)

Best swimming beach Kauai Kiahuna Beach is a public park in Koloa located at Sheraton Kauai Resort. The place lies on the south side of Kauai.

The area is mostly protected thus, swimming is safe year-round. Summer months are the most favorable time to visit the sandy beach and cool off in the waters.

The conditions are ideal for surfers who are just starting out. Nonetheless, experts can venture out farther to catch bigger waves.

A limited parking facility is available onsite with up to seven spots. So, the first to arrive is the first one to get a spot to park their vehicle.

Children and grown-ups can entertain themselves alike at this beautiful oceanfront. Additional details about Kiahuna Beach are listed below:

• No Lifeguard stations
• Features onsite restrooms
• Limited shade areas
• Suitable for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and bodyboarding