I am heading to Kauai and the Big Island in June. Does any one have recomendations for the best beaches in Kauai for swimming and secondly for sunsets/sunrises?

Polihale for sunset. Breathtaking!

Poipu Beach (south end)has been rated #1
(in the U.S. and one of the top ones in the world)by the Travel Channel on more than one occasion. It is a good swimming beach with beautiful sunsets. There's a nice restaurant there as well but I don't recall the name of it. Enjoy!!

Sunset-Kee Beach is nice also, and good snorkeling.

Same goes for Tunnels Beach- great views of sunset and "Bali Hai" peak, and good snorkeling and swimming.

I second Polihale state beach park. I used to live on the Big Island and found this spot to be one of my favorite in all of Hawaii.

For sunsets, the view from the bar or restaurant at Hanalei Bay Resort is hard to beat. I suspect the view from the Princeville next door is similar. Magic !

Polihale is fantastic, kind of a pain to get to. End of road at west end of Kauai, drive 5-6 miles down a rutted cane road. But definitely worth a visit. Not a place to go to if you are looking for a quick look at the sunset, too far out. Good for a day trip and stay for sunset. Sunsets are on the south and west shores.
Great Kauai swimming beaches:
1. Poipu Beach, south shore, nice park area, managable waves, restaurants close by.
2 Anini, northeast side, close to Princeville, kind of secluded, but great swimming. Large reef off shore and no wave action. Great place to get out that raft and float for hours. No restaurants or resorts. Bring food and drink.
3. Hanalei Bay, North shore. Swim near the pier, great sandy bottom, no large waves, town of Hanalei just up road, lots of places to eat or get lunch materials, etc...
4. Tunnels Beach and Kee' Beaches, North shore. Consistently rated as favorites by locals and visitors. Bring food and drink. Generally I visit Kauai each year, but I was on the Big Island last year and I have to say that Hapuna Beach on the Kohala Coast was absolutely beautiful for swimming. The sand was perfect, the bottom flat and sandy, no rocks or coral. The waves were just right. I spent the better part of the day just floating and swimming. It was the best!

Thanks for all your wonderful responses. Brenda Thank you. I will follow your advise on the beaches.

I go to Hanalei every year and always find a sandy bottom anywhere on the beach. I love that beach and am transended just thinking about it. Keke beach is magical along with Tunnels/Haena beaches. Rockey on Tunnels though but the surrounding landscape is beautiful. WHY IS AIRFARE SO DARN HIGH!!!

Brian, I recommend getting The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook and looking at all their beach reviews. We found them to be very accurate and helpful.

We thought Tunnels was the best snorkeling/swimming due to the coral formations, sea turtles and beautiful scenery.

just beware at tunnels in many spost you need to swim just a foot above very sharp rocks. This can be unnerving for first time snorklers. Agree surrounding landscape is unbeatable

Lydgate is terrific for first-time or beginning snorkelers. Definitely check Ke'e Beach out, as well as Poipu. I believe Brenneke's is the restaurant referenced above - great views of Poipu and pretty good food, also, though a bit pricey.

Which wold be good for snorkling, and have consistant good weather, do you think?

Polihale for sure (or as my husband says "where the hell is polihale beach?")

Go for an afternoon of swimming and stay for the sunset. Do not be put off by the drive. Granted, when driving on a rutted dirt road through tall sugarcane, five miles can feel like ten, but keep going, it is so worth it.
I don't remember the name of the road, but it's the main one going up the west coast of Kauai, you pass barking sands. It's an adventure. Don't worry about having to rent an SUV either. We rented a Chevy Cavalier and made it to and back just fine. Enjoy.