Discover Hanalei Beach, Kauai’s iconic North Shore gem, where mountains meet ocean and life slows down amidst exquisite beauty.
- Region: North Shore
- Perhaps the best beach on Kauai, with two miles of golden sand, a sandy bottom and gently lapping waves in a postcard-perfect setting.
- Best for surfing, swimming, sunbathing, standup paddleboarding, picnicking, and hanging out.
- Lifeguards, restrooms, outdoor showers and picnic tables.
- Map: Google Maps
The centerpiece of Kauai’s North Shore, Hanalei Beach curves like a gentle smile at magnificent Hanalei Bay. Its wide expanse of soft golden sand and mellow surf is framed by emerald mountains, often crowned with mist and laced with waterfalls.
At nearly two miles long, Hanalei Beach is among the most expansive and inviting stretches of sand on the island. Its shoreline gently slopes into clear, swimmable water that shifts in personality with the seasons. Summer brings calm seas ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, and long wades into the bay. Winter, by contrast, can transform the bay into a surfer’s paradise, with seasoned wave riders carving through the swells under the watchful gaze of the mountain backdrop.
Hanalei Pier
Hanalei Beach is divided into loosely defined areas, each with its own vibe.
Jutting into the bay from the beach’s eastern end is the iconic Hanalei Pier, a favorite gathering spot for sunset watchers, local fishermen, and kids launching themselves into the water. It’s where couples stroll hand-in-hand, photographers capture golden-hour magic, and musicians sometimes strum slack-key guitar to the setting sun. With a 360-degree view of paradise, the pier is one of the most photographed and picturesque spots on Kauai.
Black Pot Beach
Between the Hanalei Pier and the mouth of the Hanalei River is the beloved Black Pot Beach Park, a perfect spot for sunbathing, swimming, paddleboarding and just hanging out. Sunsets here are their own kind of event, attracting both local residents and tourists each evening for the spectacle. As the sun dips behind Bali Hai (Makana Mountain), the sky ignites in hues of orange, rose, and violet.
Waioli Beach Park
Waioli Beach Park, a favorite destination for local surfers and residents, sits along the middle of Hanalei Bay. Towering Ironwood trees behind the beach provide plenty of shade and a cool retreat from the Kauai sun. The shaded park and green grass invites picnics, BBQs and special events, while the beach draws surfers, sand volleyball players and families seeking fun in the sand and waves. Young couples like to hang out under the trees and solitary individuals turn out for relaxing evening strolls. Mostly, this is a locals beach, though it does receive a fair share of tourists.
Also known as Pine Trees, Waioli Beach is the center of Kauai’s surf culture. It is a legendary surf spot with connections to world-class surfers such as Andy Irons, Bethany Hamilton and Alana Blanchard. Excellent surfing opportunities can be found in the winter months at Pine Trees, from about October/November to April/May. The end of the surf season is marked by the annual Pine Trees Longboard Classic, usually held towards the end of April or early May.
On the western end, away from the tourist crowds, the beach becomes more local and relaxed, with barbecue grills, local families, and kids splashing in the water.
Tips for Visiting
Hanalei Beach is accessible via Kuhio Highway (Route 560). After entering Hanalei Town, turn right at Kalypso Island Bar & Grill (Aku Road). At the end of Aku Road is celebrated Weke Road with an eclectic mix of beachfront homes. Take a right on Weke Road for the Hanalei Pier and Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park, or turn left for Waioli Beach Park.
Parking lot at Hee Road for Waioli Beach Park.
Parking
Parking can be limited during peak hours, particularly at Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park and Black Pot Beach Park (Hanalei Pier), though there is ample overflow parking across the street from Black Pot Beach Park near the Hanalei Canoe Club. More parking can be found towards the middle of Hanalei Beach at Hee Road and Anae Road (at Waioli Beach Park/Pine Trees).
Hanalei Beach Parking Locations (Google Maps)
- Black Pot Beach Park/Hanalei Pier
- Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park
- Hee Road (Waioli Beach Park)
- Anae Road (Waioli Beach Park)
Black Pot Beach Park Facilities
Restrooms and Showers
Restrooms and outdoor showers are available at Black Pot Beach Park, Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park and Waioli Beach Park.
Lifeguards
Hanalei Beach is one of a few north shore beaches with lifeguards on duty – always a plus if you’re planning to go in the water.
Sunset
Don’t miss it. Bring a beach blanket, sit back, and watch as the mountains turn purple and the sky glows orange and pink over the bay.
Mornings
As much as is said about sunsets at Hanalei Beach, early mornings are also a real treat. Visit in the morning for a peaceful walk or jog on the beach for the ultimate zen experience.
Hanalei Town
Just a short walk from the sand, the quaint surf town of Hanalei complements the beach scene with surf shops, art galleries, restaurants, food trucks, and a weekly farmers market.
Final Thoughts
Hanalei Beach is more than a postcard-perfect stretch of sand – it’s a place where the rhythm of the ocean sets the pace for the day. From early morning surfers at Waioli to families gathering near the Hanalei Pier, the beach invites a slower, more mindful way of being. Whether you stay for an hour or a lifetime, Hanalei Beach has a way of staying with you.
