Beyond Anini Beach is a tranquil stretch of golden sand, shady trees and gentle water perfect for wading and relaxing.
- Region: North Shore (Princeville)
- Best for swimming, wading and relaxing.
- Access: Requires 8-10-minute hike to reach from Princeville, or drive to the end of the road at Anini Beach.
- No lifeguards or restrooms.
- Map: Google Maps
Tucked away at the end of Anini Beach, sequestered past shaded Anini Stream, is a final stretch of golden serenity perfect for lazy days in the sun.
Situated under the high ground of Princeville, Wyllie’s Beach offers about 200 feet of golden sand backed by dense tropical greenery. Though narrow, the beach extends into a calm shallow lagoon: a reef offshore shields the water, creating a broad sandbar where families often relax in waist-deep water. The beach is mostly shaded by trees, with sunny spots scattered along the shoreline. There’s no lifeguard, no restrooms, no food vendors—just pure coastal tranquility.
Due to the protective reef, the waters here stay remarkably calm year-round, making Wyllie’s ideal for swimming, wading, or beginner snorkeling. Visitors have spotted octopus and tropical fish in the clear shallows during dry periods. However, after rains, Anini Stream can carry silt, resulting in murky water and stronger currents at the river mouth—so caution is advised.
Wyllie’s Beach is named after Robert Crichton Wyllie, a Scottish-born physician and diplomat who left a lasting imprint on Kauai in the mid-1800s. After serving as the Hawaiian Kingdom’s Minister of Foreign Affairs for over two decades, Wyllie purchased a large tract of land overlooking Hanalei Valley in 1853. This land would later become the foundation for what is now Princeville, a name Wyllie himself chose in 1860 to honor a visit by Queen Emma and her young son, Prince Albert Kamehameha. Wyllie Road in Princeville, which leads to the Westin Princeville resort, still bears his name. Just below that road lies Wyllie’s Beach.
The trail to Wyllie’s Beach.
Wyllie’s Beach Access
From Princeville: At the end of Wyllie Road, next to the Westin Princeville, is a trail that leads to the beach. The shaded trail drops about 225 feet over slick terrain for about a third of a mile before reaching the sandy cove. The trail takes about 8-10 minutes to hike. (Not recommended in flip-flops; safe footwear is wise.)
Anini Stream
From Anini Beach: To reach Wyllie’s Beach from Anini, just drive to the far end of Anini Beach until you can’t drive any farther (at Anini Stream). Wade across the stream (when safe) to reach Wyllie’s Beach on the opposite bank. Depending on stream conditions, the crossing can range from ankle deep to chest-high water. Caution is advised.
