Wainiha Beach
Hanalei, HI
Wainiha Beach runs along a quiet stretch of highway between Lumahai and Haena, a long, straight shore that most people driving the north shore road pass without stopping. The water here can turn rough fast, so it's better suited to a walk along the sand and a look up at Wainiha Valley than a swim.
The scenery toward Wainiha Valley is real, but strong currents and a lack of any facilities mean locals mostly pass through rather than stop.
How we score beachesWatch the roadside parking carefully. The shoulder narrows in spots, and it's easy to leave a car somewhere that blocks a resident's driveway without realizing it.
Informal roadside parking along Kuhio Highway is the only option, limited and unmarked.
Sand starts close to the roadside, a short and flat walk, though there's no defined path or facilities of any kind.
Winter's north swells bring dangerous currents and a shorebreak strong enough to keep almost everyone out of the water. Summer calms things down, though this still isn't a beach known for reliable swimming.
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