I think it’s important to have a good list of beaches to visit when you’re on Kauai. There are so many on all sides of the island, but not all of them are great for swimming or relaxing the way Poipu Beach is. Also, when it comes to getting to have a fun day, good food and see wildlife all within walking distance Poipu Beach is a great option when you’re in the Koloa area of Kauai.
It’s tough to say what I like most about Poipu Beach: is it the easy swimming and sand or is it the Hawaiian hot dogs? When you’re on Kauai, you’ll come to Poipu at some point and it really is a fun spot. Of all the beaches throughout the Hawaiian Islands, Poiput Beach feels the most like a California beach town. If you have questions about planning some time on the South Shore of Kauai or visiting Poipu specifically, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and love to see people plan wonderful Aloha trips.
Highlights of Visiting Poipu Beach on Kauai
Poipu Beach, aka Brennecke’s Beach, is a consistent swimming spot. Something interesting about visiting Kauai is how few beaches are swimmable. Yes, there are wonderful beaches for relaxing on the sand or seeing beautiful waves come in, but there are few that a good for getting fully in the water. Hanalei Bay on the North Shore and the Lydgate Beach Park in Kapaa are good for swimming, but then it gets iffy, especially if you’re not a regular ocean-going swimmer. Visiting Poipu Beach you actually have access to calm waters with a nice jetty to block the waves. It’s great for swimming or just relaxing. This is a better swimming beach than Glass Beach or Barking Sands Beach.
And the sea turtles love it too. Each time we’re at Poipu Beach we usually see at least one honu hauled out either directly at the beach with the picnic tables or on the tiny peninsula at the edge of the cove. I love getting to see the honu here, as they’re always taking advantage of the warm sand and easy swim in for getting some rest.
There are lifeguards here at Poipu Beach who are actively watching out for swimmers and for wildlife. While the primary function of lifeguards is to ensure safety of swimmers in the water, at Poipu Beach they’re also actively monitoring wildlife. Between the honu and the Hawaiian monk seals that sometimes show up, the lifeguards are always making sure anyone coming to Poipu Beach, human or not, remains safe.
Tips for a Great Day at Poipu
Since visiting Poipu Beach is such a good beach day, plan to have a half day here. Bring your beach towels, your reef-safe sunblock and your snorkel gear to enjoy your time here. On calmer days you can really have some nice snorkeling around the jetty, and if it’s a bit more rough you can still enjoy a swim or just hangout in the calm part of the cove.
I think what I love about when we visit Poipu Beach is that we plan for equal parts fun and relaxation. We NEVER bring a picnic to Poipu for two reasons: we LOVE Puka Dogs and we LOVE Brennecke’s Broiler. Yes, Poipu Beach has good beach park facilities including picnic tables, showers and parking, but we really enjoy the dining options directly across from the beach. I like when we arrive at Poipu Beach in the morning, enjoy our swimming and hanging out, then have lunch and finish off with a walk through the neighborhood.
Something unique about the Poipu neighborhood is actually the historic area just up from the beach. Mano’Okalanipo Park is set just off the beach and it actually an historic site with the ruins of a heiau and other structures. There were tiki (kii) carvings here, but they’ve been removed. Maybe they’ll be replaced… Either way, this is a great park to walk around and it’s actually some wonderful birdwatching.
Being Prepared for Poipu Beach
When you plan your day at Poipu Beach, treat it like any other beach day. Bring your reef-safe sunblock, your beach towels, water and snacks, and just enjoy it. Even when we’re staying at one of the nearby resorts, like the Sheraton Kauai Resort, we still come here for a full on beach day. Pack to be here for several hours, and if you’re not interested in Puka Dogs or Brennecke’s then bring your lunch as well.
For a beach day I don’t often bring my big camera, but because every time we come to Poipu Beach there are honu hauled out and often there are monk seals, I do like to have my big camera. The only other places that we’ve seen honu so consistently are at the Punaluu Black Sand Beach and Kaloko Honokohau National Historic Park on the Big Island. If you haven’t seen many sea turtles, this may be your chance.
Parking for Poipu Beach
There is a lot across the street from Poipu Beach, as well as street parking. It’s best to get here early in the day or just after the lunch hours. If you show up at 10:00 am you’ll likely struggle for a parking spot. Remember, you’re in Hawaii, and specifically on Kauai which is the most chill of the islands. Be patient and kind as you look for parking. And be mindful of where you’re parking so that you don’t park in a spot dedicated for one of the business here in Poipu.
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 – Kapaa, 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!
Here are some of the places we’ve enjoyed around Kauai:
I hope you’ll consider spending the day at Poipu Beach. It’s one of our favorite places on the South Shore of Kauai and one of the best places for swimming. If you have any other questions about Koloa or Kauai, 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!
