1. HANAKAPIAI BEACH
This first beach is definitely the most difficult of the 4 to get to but its worth it! It’s Located on the first leg of the infamous Kalalau trail. However, it’s not terribly strenuous if you’re in ok shape and up for an adventure. I did this trail in sneakers but would definitely recommend hiking boots. As you get closer to the beach, it can get pretty muddy and slippery.
The views on this trail are amazing so make sure you factor in plenty of time to stop and snap some pics along the way. Since you may work up an appetite, I would pack a light lunch or decent snack to enjoy at the beach. Water is definitely a must. Aside from the breathtaking ocean views, there is a cave on this beach that you can explore. A nice bonus is a fresh water pond that’s great for swimming. This beach is not particularly good for swimming as the current is extremely powerful- unless you’re a very fit experienced ocean swimmer. The pond is extremely refreshing and a nice place to cool off after the hike. There’s a lovely stream that feeds the pond thats extremely picturesque.
2. SECRET BEACH
The second beach was not necessarily difficult to get to but was the hardest to find. My friend and I were going off of bare bones directions from a friend of a friend. I would recommend you look it up on a reliable app like all trails for exact points that you can GPS. The road its on is not clearly marked and the parking is a residential neighborhood with no defined trail head.
There is a very short hike down into the beach. Its named “Secret Beach” because on the way down there is no hint of the awesomeness that awaits. It’s a short but steep hike through a wooded area that emerges onto one of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever experienced. This was by far one of the prettiest beaches I’ve seen in Hawaii.
At the time I visited, I didn’t think it was very good for swimming. Again, if you’re a strong ocean swimmer, you may be tempted to give it a try. It is an ideal place to explore and picnic. I went mid day but I’m pretty sure its also an amazing spot for sunset. There were less than 10 people at the time, which gave it a deserted vibe that was very relaxing and great for contemplation and meditation.
3. ANINI BEACH
This beautiful beach is a bit of a drive off the main highway but pretty easy to find. It has lots of places to park and unlike the others has actual restrooms. Unlike the previous 2, this beach is great for swimming and very family friendly!
At the time I visited there was a church baptism going on and the stretch of beach is endless and it didn’t feel very crowded. The water was crystal clear and I didn’t feel much of a current.
It would probably be a great place to snorkel, kayak and paddle with the family. Definitely one of my favorite swimming beaches on Kauai!
4. POLI HALE BEACH
Now, this beach is my favorite of the 4! The only caveat is that it’s located at the end of an absurdly unmaintained pothole ridden road. This is probably what keeps the beach so pristine and gives it a deserted vibe. This beach is before the actual Pole Hale state park and because of this, it does not have any rest rooms. You can actually drive onto this beach if you have a 4 x 4 vehicle. Warning: many vehicles get flat tires on the way to this beach and get stuck in the sand so navigate at your discretion!
This beach is towards the tail end of the island as the highway ends shortly after this point. If you plan to spend the day here, make sure you pack plenty of snacks and drinks as there is no food available for purchase for a good half hour away.
When I visited in March, the current was pretty light and there was an amazing sandbar that you could swim to and explore. This was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had on a beach- period! My son even learned how to swim here and we were able to snorkel and enjoy floating on the clean clear water. I would recommend this beach in the spring/summer months as the water can be pretty rough in the fall and winter months.
Aloha and happy exploring!
LOVELY HAWAII LIFE 