Kalihiwai Beach
Kilauea, HI
Kalihiwai Beach sits at the mouth of the Kalihiwai River on Kauai's north shore, a half mile crescent of sand split by the river into a calmer east side and a surf break to the west. Locals fish the river mouth, bodyboard the shorebreak, and treat the wide sand as one of the less crowded stretches on this side of the island.
A real local beach with good bodysurfing and almost none of the tourist traffic that clogs Hanalei ten minutes away, though the river crossing to reach the better surf isn't for everyone.
How we score beachesCross the river at the sandbar near its mouth to reach the west side surf break. It's usually only knee deep except after heavy rain, when locals skip the crossing entirely.
A small dirt lot sits off Kalihiwai Road just past the bridge, with some extra shoulder parking nearby. It rarely fills outside of a good south swell weekend.
A short sandy path leads from the lot straight onto the beach, flat but soft underfoot, not practical for a wheelchair or a stroller with small wheels.
Winter brings the bigger, more consistent surf that draws local bodyboarders to the west side break, along with the heavier rain typical of the north shore. Summer flattens the swell and calms the river mouth enough for easier swimming.
More Hawaii beaches
Waikiki Beach
Honolulu, HI · Hawaii
4 access points
The beach that put Hawaii surfing on the map, with gentle, forgiving waves for beginners, Diamond Head crater as a backdrop, and a reef that keeps the water calm most of the year.
Lanikai Beach
Kailua, HI · Hawaii
A quiet, residential-neighborhood beach on Oahu's windward side, with powder-soft sand, turquoise water, and two small offshore islets (the Mokulua) as a paddling destination.
Poipu Beach
Koloa, HI · Hawaii
A sheltered, sunny south-shore beach on Kauai split into a calm swimming lagoon and a livelier surf side, with a good chance of spotting Hawaiian monk seals resting on the sand.