Kauai is my favorite Hawaiian island because of its lush landscape, laid back vibes, and gorgeous beaches that are often less crowded than on other islands.

My favorite area for calm and quiet beaches is the north shore. This area has some of the absolute best beaches on the island, as well as amazing restaurants and food trucks that you can get takeout from and bring to the beach for a picnic.

There are incredible beaches around most of the island, except the west side which is mostly remote and really only visited if you’re going to Waimea Canyon.

The beaches range from extremely touristy to extremely local, with a bit of everything in between! There is really something for everyone, whether you love to surf, want to swim in calmer waters, or if you have kids and want to swim or snorkel in a protected area.

We’ll cover it all in this post!

This post contains affiliate links that earn me a commission. For more information, read my disclaimer.

North Shore Kauai Beaches

Ke’e Beach

In Ha’ena State Park you’ll find Ke’e Beach. You are required to book tickets in advance and ride the shuttle into the state park, which is how you access the beach.

This beach is supposedly where hula was invented!

The water is crystal clear and perfect temperature. There is a medium-sized cove area that then extends down the coast into a longer beach. We even saw a sea turtle here! Many people were snorkeling and enjoying the gentle waves.

There are bathrooms here, but there are not any food areas nearby — pack a lunch and lots of water!

Bathrooms: Yes
Food/restaurant: No
Good for snorkeling: Yes
Family-friendly: Yes
Easy access: Somewhat — reservations and shuttle required.
Parking: Small lot, but shuttle required.
Address: Shuttle park and ride lot

10 Best Beaches in Kauai, Hawaii - Ke'e Beach

Tunnels Beach (Makua)

According to Kauai.com, this is the most-photographed beach in Hawaii! Tunnels is a popular spot because of its great snorkeling, warm and shallow bay, and gorgeous views.

Parking is extremely limited and most people recommend arriving early morning to snag a spot, or you may have to wait for one to open up.

Bathrooms: Yes
Food/restaurant: No
Good for snorkeling: Yes
Family-friendly: Yes
Easy access: Yes
Parking: Very small lot — difficult to get parking.
Address: 5-7710 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714

What to Bring to the Beach

Lumahai Beach/Kahalala Beach

If you’re looking for a quieter and less crowded beach, Kahalala (next to Lumahai) is a great spot!

Park along the side of the road and walk through the shaded jungle to reach the beach. The waves here can be massive and unsafe, but the water is great to swim in when it’s calmer! I wouldn’t recommend coming here with small kids due to the large and powerful waves.

This is a no-frills beach, meaning there is no lifeguard, restrooms, or food. It’s just a nice place to enjoy the natural beach and waves.

TIP: I recommend grabbing some food to-go from a food truck in Hanalei and driving here for a beach picnic! Just remember to pack out all your trash with you and do not feed any wildlife.

Bathrooms: No
Food/restaurant: No
Good for snorkeling: No
Family-friendly: No
Easy access: Somewhat
Parking: Yes, side of the road
Address: Hawaii 560, Lumahai, Kapaʻa, HI 96746

10 Best Beaches in Kauai, Hawaii — Kahalala Beach

Hanalei Beach

The famous Hanalei Pier and calm waves make this one of the most popular beaches in Kauai’s north shore. It has a large beach that can accommodate many people and the water is warm and calm, which makes it a great beach for kids or people who aren’t strong swimmers.

You’ll see many kids jumping off the pier into the somewhat-shallow water in the afternoons and fishermen fishing off the pier in the mornings. The water here is a bit hazy due to the fine sand, so it isn’t the best beach for snorkeling.

The parking lot is large and there is a beach park area with picnic tables, restrooms, and outdoor showers. A food truck is often parked here serving tacos, too!

Fun fact: The music video for Jason Mraz and Colby Calliat’s song “Lucky” was filmed here!

Bathrooms: Yes
Food/restaurant: Sometimes
Good for snorkeling: No
Family-friendly: Yes
Easy access: Yes
Parking: Yes
Address: Hanalei Pavillion Beach Parking Lot

10 Best Beaches in Kauai, Hawaii — Hanalei Bay Pier

Hideaways Beach (Pali Ke Kua)

Another gem in Princeville is Hideaways Beach. The parking here is extremely limited (about 9 spots) and seems to be full in the early morning and around sunset. You may have the best luck coming midday (be careful of high UV during those hours though)!

To get to the beach from the parking area, there is a steep trail down with ropes to hold onto. The trail can be very muddy and slippery if it has rained recently. This is really only reachable if you are an able-bodied adult.

The small beach is stunning and great for snorkeling and swimming. Despite the tough trek down, everyone says it is worth it once you get to the beach!

There is a nearby pizza place that is within walking distance from the beach parking lot. I’d recommend eating here before or after the beach instead of taking it to go since most people recommend having both hands free on the way down to the beach.

Bathrooms: No
Food/restaurant: yes
Good for snorkeling: Yes
Family-friendly: No
Easy access: No
Parking: Yes, limited parking in the lot at 5526 Ka Haku Rd, Princeville, HI 96722
Address: 5526 Ka Haku Rd, Princeville, HI 96722

East Side Kauai Beaches

Moloa’a Beach

This beach is famously known for being in the pilot of Gilligan’s Island! It’s a really pretty beach with turquoise water.

We went on a more overcast day, but the ocean looked bright greenish-blue when the sun peeked out!

To access, you park about half a mile away on roadside parking. You then walk down the street through a quiet neighborhood until you see a sign for public beach access.

The beach is not often crowded and is popular with locals. There are rocks in the shallows, so it isn’t an ideal swimming beach — better for laying out, playing, or walking/running along the curve of the shore.

Bathrooms: No
Food/restaurant: No
Good for snorkeling: No
Family-friendly: Yes
Easy access: Yes
Parking: Limited; side of the road
Address: Moloa'a Beach, Hawaii 96754

10 Best Beaches in Kauai, Hawaii — Moloa'a Beach

Lydgate Beach

This is the most popular family-friendly beach on the island! There is an area that is protected from the rest of the ocean by rocks, which makes it a nice, shallow pool free from larger sea animals (but fish still make it through/over the rocks!).

There are picnic tables here under shady trees, a decent-sized beach area, bathrooms, and tons of parking.

Next to the Lydgate Beach Pools is an actual beach with a lifeguard on duty. The waves here can be treacherous and we actually witnessed a rescue on this side while we were there — stick to the pools if you are not a strong swimmer or familiar with ocean swimming.

There is even a rope swing on the beach side!

Bathrooms: Yes
Food/restaurant: No
Good for snorkeling: Yes
Family-friendly: Yes
Easy access: Yes
Parking: Yes
Address: 2MR8+H6, Lihue, HI 96766

10 Best Beaches in Kauai, Hawaii — Lydgate Beach

South Shore Kauai Beaches

Poipu Beach

If you’re staying in Poipu, this is likely one of the main beaches you’ll visit! It has dual bays and is protected by a reef, which makes it great for snorkeling without the worry of sharks or large waves.

It is a more popular beach so it can get crowded with tourists. Try nearby Baby Beach for a less touristy spot.

There are many sea turtles and monk seals here too! Follow Hawaiian law and stay a far distance away from the animals to not disturb them. There is a lifeguard on duty who will ask you to stay away if you get too close.

Bathrooms: Yes
Food/restaurant: Yes, nearby restaurants and bars
Good for snorkeling: Yes
Family-friendly: Yes
Easy access: Yes
Parking: Yes
Address: Poipu Beach, Koloa, HI 96756

Glass Beach (Eleele)

This is a small beach in an industrial area in Hanapepe Bay. Glass Beach is one of the black sand beaches in Kauai and has beautiful pieces of sea glass scattered throughout.

Park along the side of Aka Ula St. and walk down the dirt road to reach the beach. You can drive down the dirt part of the road, but I would not recommend it unless you have AWD.

Glass Beach is not ideal for swimming or snorkeling. This is really just a cool beach to visit to check out the unique sand!

DO NOT take any sea glass with you! Follow Leave No Trace principles by leaving the beach better than you found it — take all your belongings and trash, and if other people left trash, pick that up and take it with you as well!

Bathrooms: No
Food/restaurant: No
Good for snorkeling: No
Family-friendly: Yes
Easy access: Somewhat
Parking: Limited; side of the road.
Address: 171 Aka Ula St, Eleele, HI 96705 (park in this area)

10 Best Beaches in Kauai, Hawaii — Glass Beach in Kauai

West Side Kauai Beaches

Salt Pond Beach

For a more local beach, visit Salt Pond Beach in Hanapepe! There are lined, diagonal parking spots along the side of the road. The people here were all locals aside from us, so be respectful (as always)!

The waves were gentle and warm. This beach has a large, grassy area with some picnic benches, covered pavilions with concrete ground and tables, a bathroom with showers, and a large beach area. Similar to Lydgate, this beach has a semi-protected pool, making it ideal for kids or people who are not comfortable with the open ocean or waves.

According to Kauai.com, “Salt Pond is named for the natural wetlands that Hawaiians use to produce salt used for cooking and medicinal purposes.”