Kaʻaʻawa Beach Park
Kaaawa, HI
Kaʻaʻawa Beach Park is a narrow roadside strip across from the small town of the same name, with a reef close enough to shore that it breaks up most incoming swell before it reaches the sand. It's a common stop for people driving the windward coast rather than a destination in its own right.
A pleasant, quick stop with real tide pools at low tide, but it's a narrow strip without much room to settle in for the day.
How we score beachesThe reef flat makes this a better tide pool and snorkel stop at low tide than a place to swim laps.
Roadside parking along Kamehameha Highway serves the park directly, limited but rarely full.
A flat grass strip leads to the sand with no stairs, though entry into the water crosses exposed reef.
Calmest in summer, when the reef flat is easiest to explore safely at low tide.
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