Hanalei Bay
Hanalei Bay
4.5
About
This crescent-shaped bay in Kauai is the largest bay on the north shore, with stunning views and gorgeous beaches. Start at Black Pot Beach and head towards Hanalei Pier—an unmistakable landmark jetty made famous by the classic film, South Pacific—before walking towards Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park. Find a good spot along the bay to set down your towels—you can have a picnic, kayak, sunbathe, and even snorkel if the waters are calm (the waves can be rough during winter). Stay until sunset for exceptionally amazing views of Mount Makana in the distance. Hanalei Bay is a featured stop on many Kauai boat tours; some even help you to look for green sea turtles.
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57 within 10 kms
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- Timothy KChicago, Illinois297 contributionsnice rest spotThe bay makes a great beach, wrapping around a huge semicircle ringed by mountains. The wave action seemed good, but not huge when we were there, with a lot of surfers out trying it. The beach has a pier jutting out making a good spot to sit and watch the water and surfers.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 February 2024
- KevinL41872Nashua, New Hampshire583 contributionsHappy in HanaleiGorgeous ride to the bay and spectacular views all around. A protected area for yachts, surfing and generally family friendly area. The Pier is fun to walk and the kids who jump off into the clear waters below. A little too shallow for my liking jumping 20 feet down into 8-10 feet of water, but the laughter of people is pretty cool. Stumbled upon a food truck and just soaked in the area.Visited June 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 March 2024
- BrianMaryAdventuresFairbanks, Alaska360 contributionsGreat beachAfter our reservation to Hanea State Park was canceled we popped in here to check it out. The skies were overcast, but it was in the mid 70’s so jumping in the water felt great. Very sandy beach, which was great compared to some of the rockier ones we visitedVisited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten 28 May 2024
- ninjagirlCHSedona, Arizona76 contributionsRelaxing, beautiful beachAfter flying into Kauai late in the night, Hanalei Bay was a great place to relax, get some gentle waves, and soak in the beauty of Kauai’s mountains. The beach wasn’t very crowded on a Wednesday afternoon and we were able to easily park. Bathrooms worked fine and weren’t too dirty. There was enough shade for my easily sunburning husband, but plenty of sun for me. We swam across the river at the east end and explored the shady beaches on that side. We found, opened, and ate a fresh coconut and climbed huge trees. We found a floating log in the bay and hung out on it for a long time. Boogie boarding was not great because the waves were so calm, but we floated around on them . We ended the day with a family jump off the pier into the crystal clear water.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 19 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
606 reviews
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gillofonslowst
Greater Sydney, Australia33 contributions
Dec 2019
Kauai is billed as the quieter of the islands but really, you only experience that on the North Shore. The south is more touristy and frankly, not as pretty. Hanalei bay is protected from large buses by a skinny bridge over the river and that's the way locals prefer it.
The setting for a few scenes in ''The Descendants, Hanalei bay town is quaint, relaxing and fully stocked hamlet with a mountain backdrop to die for.
We stayed in Princeville, up the hill, which while the accommodation is first rate (not the Resort...didnt stay there) you miss out on the quiet beach exoerience of Hanalei. The drive from Hanalei west along the coast is just perfect.
The setting for a few scenes in ''The Descendants, Hanalei bay town is quaint, relaxing and fully stocked hamlet with a mountain backdrop to die for.
We stayed in Princeville, up the hill, which while the accommodation is first rate (not the Resort...didnt stay there) you miss out on the quiet beach exoerience of Hanalei. The drive from Hanalei west along the coast is just perfect.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
subterranean_jack
Phoenix522 contributions
May 2022
This is one of the best beaches in Hawaii. It's a really popular North Shore attraction, however, it's big enough so that you don't feel crowded by all the other visitors. If you only visit one beach in Hawaii, then this should be the one.
Written 6 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ItchyFeet
Camarillo, CA11,581 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
Really nice big beach on both side of the pier. We went here 2 evenings for sunset day an early morning to see the morning light on the mountains which was beautiful. Great family beach. Nice place for people of all ages can enjoy. Bathroom and outdoor showers. Lots of parking.
Written 12 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RainSeattleMom
Issaquah, WA521 contributions
Feb 2022
I've been to north shore Kauai a couple of times before, but this was my first time visiting in the winter. It was fun watching the surfers on the big waves. My husband and I spent a day on the beach, and were able to boogie board on the pier side of the bay. It was so much fun, and I couldn't believe how warm the water was in winter. Only surfers were allowed into the large wave areas due to riptides, but there was still good swimming and boarding for everyone else on the river side.
Written 17 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JV2006
CA484 contributions
Aug 2022
We had a great time here bodysurfing and swimming. As long as the waves aren't breaking too hard you can venture out pretty far but I wouldn't recommend going an further than anyone else. If you're lucky enough to get a parking spot in the lot like we did then it's a quick walk to the water. The water was crystal clear and just cool enough to be refreshing but warm enough to be able to stay in for hours.
Written 1 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bitsmom_tn
Lewisburg, TN194 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We took an air tour which is the best way to see Hanalei Bay (and see Puff) and also drove thru there. It was raining when we drove thru and the waves were really breaking, so the surfers were out big-time. The road is winding around thru there. We did not make it to the beach since it wasn't a beach day. Its pretty neat to see.
Written 19 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zinear
Washington DC, DC266 contributions
Jun 2022
I like this spot because, although it's crowded, it feels more like a local's spot than touristy (though I'm sure there are plenty of tourists there). Beyond that, though, the bay itself is beautiful, and you can see not just the ocean but mountains from it as well. In my most recent trip, we were there in the late afternoon and it was quite crowded but still enjoyable.
Written 4 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
john b
Valparaiso, IN831 contributions
Feb 2021
First let me start by saying that this trip to Kauai as the BEST one ever because there were so few tourist.
The north shore is very laid back even when plenty of tourist.
After leaving party time in Maui we were so happy to be here.
There is public parking. Take any right turn after town ( going west) to the inner street and drive east west until you see the lot
In addition to the beach the town is wonderful. Lots of little shops ( most closed for covid and lack of tourist) and restaurants...most open with social dining distance.
Hanalei was close to us so we are there a lot. The bridge was "out" a few times due to much rainfall.
The north shore is very laid back even when plenty of tourist.
After leaving party time in Maui we were so happy to be here.
There is public parking. Take any right turn after town ( going west) to the inner street and drive east west until you see the lot
In addition to the beach the town is wonderful. Lots of little shops ( most closed for covid and lack of tourist) and restaurants...most open with social dining distance.
Hanalei was close to us so we are there a lot. The bridge was "out" a few times due to much rainfall.
Written 1 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrianMaryAdventures
Fairbanks, AK360 contributions
May 2024 • Family
After our reservation to Hanea State Park was canceled we popped in here to check it out. The skies were overcast, but it was in the mid 70’s so jumping in the water felt great. Very sandy beach, which was great compared to some of the rockier ones we visited
Written 29 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave
Hubbardston, MA139 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
A scenic, peaceful beach that was not crowded and had calm waters for swimming. The bay is very scenic with mountains around, and Hanalei pier. Parking was good if you get there early and Pat's Taqueria food truck was near the pier. Beach was never crowded while we were there in late Sept, quiet calm water was great for swimming. A definite relaxing veach day !
Written 8 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JB
San Juan Capistrano, California
Hoping experienced surfers can weigh in on this one. I have plans to stay on north shore Kauai in mid April. Can I expect there to be decent, rideable waves during that time? I know winters are huge and summers can go flat so hoping springtime might have something fun in between (and of course manageable wind conditions). Thank you in advance for any feedback!
Written 25 January 2022
How is parking? Easy to find and close to beach?
Written 5 October 2021
Lots of parking and close to the beach....at Black Pot Beach, at Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park. Shouldn't have a problem finding parking. We parked at Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park...easy access to the beach.
Written 5 October 2021
Here now and see no shells completely sand bottom no rocks, i have been all over the beaches here and nada.
Mayne try over on the far north side directly across from the pier?
Written 10 July 2019
Any TripAdvisor members in the Hanalei area during the flood? Curious if you think things will be fairly normal in a couple of months? Restaurants, shops, etc.?
Written 22 April 2018
Currently road are OPEN!!! I'm here now renting and it's amazing here. Are rental is like 100 yards from beach. Good deal, amazing weather, the bay is perfect.
Roads open to Tunnel and Keiki.
Written 10 July 2019
What is the best part of the beach for swimming? We like a bit of surf, no rocks / coral on the bottom and at least waist deep. Any suggestions please?
Written 21 August 2017
Not much of a beach to surf at, very shallow waves that crash on the beach in some places. The best part of the absolutely stunning scenery from the end of the Jetty. You can jump off the jetty into the beautiful clear water that looks like someone has painted it aqua! Has a sandy bottom.
Written 23 October 2017
What is so special about this location?
Written 7 September 2016
Well, if you are nostalgic this is the home of "Puff the Magic Dargon. If not, then it is a beautiful, tranquil bay o the north end of Kauai. The surrounding community is eclectic and friendly. The beach is not over crowded. Good surfing.
Written 10 December 2016
There is a surf rental shop in the main shopping area next to Jojo's shave ice. I would contact them to see if they offer lessons or know who does. The rental prices are very reasonable in my option. Good luck & Enjoy! One of my favorite beaches in the world!
Written 27 July 2016
Calypso, we went there 4 times in a week it was so good!
Written 23 October 2017
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