Secret Beach (Kauapea Beach)
Kilauea, HI
Secret Beach, marked on maps as Kauapea Beach, is a long stretch of sand below the bluffs near Kilauea Point, reached by a red dirt trail that keeps the crowds thinner than the name would suggest at this point. Kilauea Lighthouse is visible down the coast, and spinner dolphins show up in the bay often enough that locals watch for them on the walk down.
The dolphin sightings and the sense of space keep locals coming back, but the unmarked trailhead and total lack of facilities mean it's genuinely not for a casual first visit.
How we score beachesThe trail splits partway down. Stay right for the easier, more direct route to the main stretch of sand rather than the steeper left fork.
A dirt pullout on Kalihiwai Road near the trailhead holds a limited number of cars and fills by mid morning on weekends and holidays.
The trail down is unpaved, uneven, and moderately steep in spots, roughly ten minutes each way, not manageable for strollers or anyone with limited mobility.
Winter swells bring strong currents and dangerous shorebreak that make this a walking and sunbathing beach more than a swimming one. Summer calms the water somewhat, though a lifeguard is never present, so caution still applies.
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