Kauai South Shore - Poipu

Island of Kauai

Adventures on Water - Beaches

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Po`ipu Beach County Park
Two of the most popular, and safest, beaches are within the park: Brennecke’s Beach and Po`ipu Beach. The park has a huge lawn area, with many palm trees. At Po`ipu Beach the waters are clear and safe for all kinds of activities: swimming, snorkeling, surfing and body boarding. There’s a natural wading pool that’s perfect for toddlers and younger children. It does get crowded with tourists and locals alike, especially on weekends. There are facilities here such as restrooms, parking, showers and lifeguards. Restaurants and convenience stores are also nearby. The area is lined with picnic pavilions, which make it an excellent spot for lunch.

If kids don’t want to play in the water, there’s a small playground at the park for their amusement.

Snorkel equipment, body boards, surfboards and other beach equipment can be rented at nearby Nukumoi Surf Company or Brennecke’s. Plus, there’s plenty of free parking available. This is a great spot to catch the sunset. The beach park is located at Hoowili and Po`ipu Beach Roads.

Brennecke Beach
This popular beach lies at the eastern end of Po`ipu Beach Country Park. The small beach is especially popular with surfers and body boarders. Don’t let that discourage you from swimming. Surfers and body boarders are only permitted to do their thing well offshore, making the beach
safer for swimmers and snorkelers. The beach is named for Dr. Marvin Brennecke. He came to Kaua`i in 1931 and was the plantation doctor on Lihue Plantation. For years, he owned a home adjacent to the park. Over
the years, the home became a landmark and was destroyed by Hurricaine Iwa in 1982. It was never rebuilt. The county later acquired the land to expand the park. The beach itself was decimated by Hurricane Iniki 10 years later.

Shipwreck Beach was named after an unidentified ship that lay in the waters here until Hurricane Iwa destroyed its remains. It’s a very popular site for experienced surfers, body boarders and windsurfers. Swimming at Shipwreck Beach is iffy at best because of the strong currents. There’s a cliff that is a popular site with local fishermen. You’ll even see kids jumping off the cliff into the water (not recommended). The beach is in front of the Grand Hyatt Resort & Spa. There’s a public access way between the Hyatt and Po`ipu Bay Golf Course.

Mahaulepu Beach
Mahaulepu Beach is a two-mile stretch of coastline that is made up of three smaller beaches: Gillin’s Beach, Kawailoa Bay and Haula Beach. The area is pristine, as local residents have fought off development for years. A majority of the land is owned by Grove Farm Properties, which is in turn owned by former AOL/Time Warner Chairman Steve Case. The area is coveted not only for its beauty, but for its scientific and archeological significance. Geological history is preserved in the rock formations and there are fossils in the sand dunes. You can make a day out of exploring this beautiful area. It’s well worth the time spent.

Starting at the easternmost end, Haula Beach is very secluded. The swimming here is pretty dangerous, but the scenery that surrounds you and the isolation from the hustle and bustle of the resort area makes the trip out here worthwhile.

Kawailoa Bay is one of the most romantic spots on the island. It’s also another spot for windsurfers. Gillin’s Beach is named after a former engineer at Koloa Sugar Plantation who built a house there in the 1940s. The original house is long gone, but there’s a new house there that is available for vacation rentals (see Vacation Rentals later in this chapter). The area is not for swimming, but great for a romantic stroll along the beach.

Prince Kuhio Beach
This beach is located on the east side of Kuhio Shores Condominiums. It’s a small beach with a rocky bottom. Snorkeling and diving are excellent here. It’s very common to see green sea turtles. Swimming isn’t so great because the bottom is too rocky.

Lawa`i Beach
On the west side of Kuhio Shores is Lawa`i Beach. It also fronts The Beach House Restaurant. This is another fantastic spot for snorkeling and is home to three major surf spots: PK’s, Centers and Acid Drop. Surfers and body boarders frequent the area.

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