Kekaha Beach Park
Kekaha, HI
Kekaha Beach Park opens onto the start of a long, wide sand strand that eventually runs all the way to Polihale, wild enough on the Kekaha end that sunset here rivals any beach on the island. Bodyboarders work the shorebreak on a good swell, while most locals come simply to watch the sun drop into the ocean without another island in the way.
The sunsets and the sheer length of open sand are unmatched on this side of the island, though the shorebreak has a real punch that catches casual swimmers off guard.
How we score beachesBring a chair and stay for sunset. On a clear evening this is one of the few unobstructed ocean horizon views left on Kauai's west side.
A paved lot with restrooms sits right off Kaumualii Highway at the park, with additional roadside parking along the strand.
A short paved path leads from the lot to the sand, with the beach itself soft and open beyond that point.
Dogs are not permitted at Kekaha Beach Park, per Kauai County park rules.
Winter's stronger surf brings a more powerful shorebreak that draws experienced bodyboarders, while summer's calmer water is the easier season for casual 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.