Hanamaulu Beach Park
Hanamaulu, HI
Hanamaulu Beach Park sits at the back of a shallow bay near the mouth of Hanamaulu Stream, sheltered enough by the surrounding cliffs that the water stays calm most days. It draws far fewer people than the beaches around Lihue and Kapaa, mostly local families using the shaded pavilion and the stream mouth for an easy afternoon.
A quiet, shaded spot for a local family picnic, but murky water and a stream mouth prone to runoff keep it from being anyone's go to swimming beach.
How we score beachesCheck the stream mouth before swimming there after rain. Runoff can cloud the water and raise bacteria levels for a day or two following a storm.
A small lot at the park entrance off Hanamaulu Road usually has space, even on weekends.
A short, flat path leads from the lot through the park to the sand, an easy walk manageable for strollers.
Dogs are not permitted at Hanamaulu Beach Park, per Kauai County park rules.
Summer's lighter rain keeps the stream mouth clearer and the bay calmer, while winter's heavier rain can bring runoff and rougher water into the bay.
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