Beach Comparison on Kauai North Shore
 

My wife, 13 year old son and I staying at Poipu this past March and now want to try the north shore. In March, we stayed at Kiahuna Plantation on Kauai's south shore and really enjoyed Kiahuna Beach, Brenneke's Beach, and Poipu Beach Park.

My son's favorite beach activity is boogie boarding, and I also enjoy this activity. My wife and I like snorkeling and just sitting on beach chairs. Our son also likes playing in the sand.

We have found three potential accommodations on the north shore, one near Makua (Tunnels) beach, another (Hanalei Colony Resort) on Kepuhi Beach, and the third is in Hanalei with easy access to Wai’oli Beach.

The beach is a big factor for us as we spend a lot of time there. Given what our family likes, any comments on which beach we might prefer??

Many Thanks folks.

keith

The North Shore beaches are, in general, more dangerous than Poipu Beach. Conditions seem to change swiftly, also. My sister and I got caught in a very strong current at Hanalei Bay when it had been placid for most of the morning. There was no lifeguard on duty; I have never seen a lifeguard at any of the North Shore beaches. The only beach in the area where I feel safe is Anini Beach, and it is probably TOO calm for your tastes. There is an offshore reef that stops most of the wave action, so boogie boarding is pretty much out.
Others will disagree, but I think you are in for a disappointment if you are hoping to replicate your South Shore experiences on the North Shore.

It really does depend on the time of year you are planning on going. Generally summers are surgier on the south shore and calmer on the north shore, with winters being the opposite.

I have found Hanalei Bay in the summer to be very mellow and calm. My partner and I swim laps there every morning. The water conditions remind me a lot of the beaches we enjoyed in St. John. It can change day to day though regardless of the season.

Makua (Tunnels) Beach is another story. It is a great snorkeling location when it is flat, but one must be careful about the currents there. They generally move from right to left. There have been days when the current was non-existent and then there are other days when it was very strong and proved exhausting to be out in.

I much prefer the beaches on the north shore to the south shore in the summer.

According to many who post here, Kepuhi Beach is pretty, but because of winds and currents it is rarely swimmable.

People underestimate the power of the currents and wave action on the north shore beaches whatever season it is. I always sit and look at the water conditions for at least a few minutes before I decide whether I am going in. There are many drownings on this part of the island every year.

Absolutely, it depends on when you go. When went stayed at Poipu in July the water was actually not swimmable, it was so rough. On the north shore, the water was like glass.

I agree it depends on what time of the year you go...Overall we much prefer the north shore to the south....(kids as well) One beach in particular (can any locals tell me the name??) in the north shore had the ocean joining a stream so you could float on the stream and then boogie board the waves. There was also a jetty made of lava rock that some kids (not mine) were jumping off into the ocean. It was alot of fun there --mostly families...We had a blast body surfing...Parking was in a shaded area and plenty of spots...We found it after leaving Tunnels...(another place my kids really enjoyed!)

I have seen lifeguards at many "well known" north shore beaches! Kee, Tunnels both have had more than one lifeguard...

Hanalei Bay had two lifeguard stations that I saw and they both had lifeguards the last two summers we've been there.

Ke'e had lifguards.

Haena Beach had lifguards.

I have stayed at Hanalei Colony Resort several times in years past, and I really like the place. The beach is great for walking, people fish there, and I do know that strong swimmers may snorkel there. But I have not seen anyone just play in the waves or boogie board there. You might give HCR a call or email and ask if there is a time of year when it tends to be more swimmable.

Travelina, could you be thinking of the western end of Lumaha'i Beach? I have seen families there playing in the stream and ocean....but conditions are often not good there, it can be quite dangerous. There are some pictures of the beach here www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/beaches/LumahaiBeach.htm

Massiek, Good luck with planning that next trip ((r))

Thanks everyone. I should have mentioned we are planning a July trip.

keith

As a northshore resident myself, I would suggest that you opt for Hanalei Bay as your vacation destination.

You'll be at a great beach for sunning and boogey-boarding, and Hanalei town offers shopping and dining. Suggestion: take along a beach umbrella, as we have very few shade trees on Hanalei Bay.

Have a _wonderful_ visit!

auntiemaria, my daughter and her boyfriend are leaving this month for Hawaii, and their trip includes four nights at a rental property two blocks from Hanalei Bay. Her boyfriend is an avid surfer here in Florida (and also was as a teenager on Oahu), and wants to bring his surfboard. I'm trying to talk him out of it, saying there surely must be board rentals in Hanalei. Are there?

Thanks Aloha! You are right it is the western side of Lumahai Beach. Thanks for the link!

Postal,
there are plenty of board rentals, but if a surfer wants their own board, some do travel with them. I am sure he is aware of rentals in the area as he will likely be checking in with the local surf shop for conditions. He should stop by Titus Kinimakas Surf School for a talk story.

Postal,
The airlines charge about $80-$100 to bring your board. Also if they are staying at a hotel before their flight, the shuttles usually don't allow you to bring a board on. My husband decided it was easier to rent.

Postal:

There is no need for him to bring his own board and suffer all the hassles of transporting it. We have two rental places right in "downtown" Hanalei -- with long- and short-boards (plus other beach gear).

Travelina, you are welcome. I am kind of surprised I got that right! :)