You hear about all sorts of beaches and secret spots all around the Hawaiian Islands, and some are very much worth seeing and visitors are welcome, while others are very special to the Hawaiian people. Glass Beach on Kauai is the first of those, where it’s very unique but it’s open to all and you’re welcome to visit. Located on the South Shore of Kauai, Glass Beach is an easy addition to a day of exploring Hanapepe and Waimea. We’ve got tips for visiting Glass Beach, ideas for exploring the area, and more suggestions for great beaches on Kauai.
Kauai is so much fun to explore. Whether you pop down to Glass Beach or not, you’ll love your time here. If you have any questions about planning your Kauai itinerary or need some specific recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help more.
Highlights of Visiting Glass Beach on Kauai
There are lots of beaches you could visit all around Kauai, and the South Shore really does have some great ones. Glass Beach near Hanapepe isn’t a huge beach and it’s not in the most picturesque spot, but it’s a really fun spot to visit. What makes it so interesting is actually the really unique sand. Due to the coastline and there being a shipping facility and other industrial sites (you can see them from above if you do a helicopter tour of Kauai), there is a lot of glass and ceramic matter that’s gone into the sea right here. All of it has spent years being shattered, tumbled and smoothed.
There are also some wonderful rocks and reef areas here as well. The snorkeling is pretty good on more calm days, particularly for smaller fish, but the odd big species shows up too. I think visiting Glass Beach on Kauai is much more for the novelty of the sand than the swimming experience.
So is Glass Beach on Kauai worth the visit?
I’ll be honest, the setting of Glass Beach is probably not what you’re looking for when it comes to a Kauai beach day. To get to Glass Beach, you have to drive through the industrial area of Port Allen, and then the parking area is small and not very clean. The water is great and the rocky peninsula that protects it is pretty, but it’s still very much set in an unusual landscape. I think Barking Sands Beach or Poipu are both better options… but they don’t have colorful glass-filled sand.
Planning a Visit to Glass Beach
Be sure that you bring your beach chairs, and if it’s a calm day have your snorkel gear at the ready. There isn’t a ton of sandy space for relaxing on the beach, but there’s some. I think planning a visit to Glass Beach between your other Kauai stops is a good idea, and you won’t need to set aside a ton of time for it.
More Things to do on Kauai
Kauai is my second favorite island so I always have ideas for fun and beautiful things to do on Kauai. Because the island isn’t huge and there’s just the one road going around it (not even all the way), you can plan adventures on both the north and south shore in the same day as long as you allow yourself time to get between destinations. Here are our top picks for some of the best things to do on Kauai.
- Beach days at Poipu (south shore), Lydgate (east) or Hanalei (north)
- Smith’s Hawaii Wailua River Cruise – Lihue, east
- Kauai Coffee Co tour – near Hanapepe, south
- Waimea Canyon State Park – Waimea, south
- Na Pali Coast hiking at Haena State Park – Waineha, north
- Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge – Kilauea, north
There are, of course, many more things to do and so many beautiful hikes and beaches, but these are just our top picks that you can easily add to your Kauai itinerary to ensure you have an amazing experience here on the Garden Island.
Where to Stay on Kauai
There are three main areas to choose from when you’re planning your trip to Kauai. You can be on the east side (Lihue or Kapaa), the South Shore (Poipu, Koloa or Waimea) or on the North Shore (Princeville or Hanalei). I actually prefer to stay in Kapaa because it’s directly in the center. We’ve stayed all over though and it’s always easy to get around. The south shore is the most interesting with towns and epic sights, and then the east is most convenient with easy tourist activities and beaches, and then the north is much more rugged and is the start of the Na Pali Coast. Take your pick!
I hope you’ll consider making the short visit to Glass Beach. It is pretty and the sand truly is unique. It’s one of the things that makes Kauai special. If you have any other questions about Glass Beach, Hanapepe nearby or planning your Kauai visit, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a beautiful Hawaii trip. Aloha!
