Anini Beach
Kilauea, HI
Anini Beach runs almost two miles along Kauai's north shore behind the island's longest fringing reef, which keeps the water inside calm enough for young kids on days when everywhere else on this coast is churning. Windsurfers and stand up paddlers favor the shallow lagoon, and a grassy park under ironwood trees gives the whole stretch an easy, unhurried feel.
The reef protected lagoon is one of the safest swims on the north shore for small kids, though the water can turn murky after heavy rain runs off the nearby stream.
How we score beachesWalk toward the western end of the beach, past the polo field, and you'll often have the sand nearly to yourself even when the eastern parking area is full.
Free parking runs along Anini Road for most of the beach's length, with a county park lot near the boat ramp that fills first on weekends.
Flat grass and a short stretch of sand connect the roadside parking to the water, an easy walk for strollers, though the beach itself has no paved path.
The reef keeps Anini swimmable in some form nearly year round, but summer's calmer water and lighter wind make for the best conditions for kids and beginner paddlers. Winter can bring stronger trade winds, which is a plus for the windsurfers who show up specifically for it.
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