Pristine North Shore beach with turquoise water

An Expert's Take on North Shore Beaches

From world-class snorkeling to family-friendly shores, discover the most beautiful beaches in the world

Written by a Local Expert

An Expert's Take on North Shore Beaches

The North Shore is lined with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. But as we've discussed, their personalities change dramatically with the seasons. Here's my breakdown of the best beaches, categorized by what you love to do, with the practical details you need to know.

For Snorkelers (Summer Only)

Tunnels (Makua) Beach

The undisputed king of North Shore snorkeling. A massive, crescent-shaped outer reef creates a calm inner lagoon filled with coral formations, lava tubes, and an incredible diversity of marine life.

🅿️ Parking

Biggest challenge. No official lot. Arrive before 8 AM for limited spots along dirt roads past mile marker 8 on Highway 560. Best option: park at Ha'ena Beach Park and walk 10 minutes east along sand.

🚿 Amenities

None at Tunnels. No restrooms, showers, or lifeguards. Must use facilities at Ha'ena Beach Park nearby.

⚠️ Seasonal Safety

Summer paradise. Winter is exposed to massive surf and dangerous currents - completely unsafe for any water activities.

Ke'e Beach

Located inside Ha'ena State Park, this beach offers fantastic and easily accessible snorkeling within its protected lagoon. (See the Ha'ena State Park section for full details).

For Families & Calm Waters

'Anini Beach

This is the safest, most family-friendly beach on the North Shore, thanks to the largest fringing reef in Hawaii protecting its two-mile shoreline. The water is shallow and almost always calm, like a giant swimming pool.

🅿️ Parking

Ample roadside parking along the length of the beach, though it can get crowded on weekends. Arriving early is always a good idea.

🚿 Amenities

Excellent facilities including restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and large grassy areas perfect for a family day out.

✅ Seasonal Safety

Go-to spot when winter swells make other beaches unsafe. No lifeguard. Be aware of channels in reef where currents can be present.

Hanalei Bay (near the Pier)

The two-mile crescent of Hanalei Bay is vast, but the area closest to the Hanalei Pier, known as Black Pot Beach Park, offers the most protected waters.

🅿️ Parking

Several paved and grassy parking lots at Black Pot Beach Park and along the bay, but they fill up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays.

🚿 Amenities

Full-service beach park with lifeguards, restrooms, showers, picnic pavilions, and water sport rentals available nearby.

🌊 Seasonal Safety

Perfect for swimming and learning to surf in summer. Winter brings massive expert-level waves on outer reefs. Area near pier often calm enough for wading. Check with lifeguards.

Beach Safety Reminder

Always check with lifeguards about current conditions before entering the water. Ocean conditions can change rapidly, and local knowledge is invaluable for staying safe. If in doubt, stay out.

For Jaw-Dropping Beauty (and Caution)

Lumaha'i Beach

Made famous in the movie "South Pacific," this is arguably one of the most beautiful and wild beaches on Kauai. It's a stunning expanse of golden sand flanked by lush greenery and black lava rock.

🅿️ Parking

Very limited. A few small, unofficial pullouts on the highway for the eastern section, and a small dirt lot near the Lumaha'i River for the western section.

🚫 Amenities

None. This is a completely undeveloped beach.

⛔ Seasonal Safety

Extremely dangerous for swimming year-round. No protective reef, exposed to full force of open ocean. Powerful shorebreak and treacherous rip currents have led to many drownings.

CRITICAL WARNING: Lumaha'i Beach

Please, come to take photos, walk on the sand, and admire the raw beauty from a safe distance, but do not go in the water. This beach has no protective reef and is exposed to the full force of the open ocean. The powerful shorebreak and treacherous rip currents have led to many drownings over the years.