Hanalei Beach Reviews

This is a beautiful crescent shaped beach large enough to spread far apart from the people who were there. We waited an hour to get past the landslide delay on the main and only road to Hanalei. But it was worth it. I couldn’t believe we found parking and that the beach am was not busy at all. The waves were a bit big for my young children, but they enjoyed the sand. There was an area to shower off and a few bathrooms. There was also a lifeguard on duty.

Very nice beach with clear blue water.
You can see the mountains and the waterfall from there, and there are trees if you want get away from the sun.

We loved going up here twice from Kappa. The food trucks have the most fresh food you could hope for and it is wonderful. Literally melt in your mouth - anything you can think of. The beach is so cool. From one end to the other it is just cool. Our pics from the pier to the other end are just great. So many interesting people around. You feel safe and comfortable. If you want to do a bit of shopping, you can do that too.

We loved this beach. Beautiful, easy waves, plenty of space for everyone to sun bathe, play in the sand and swim. First time I've ever enjoyed the views from EVERY angle - while swimming don't forget to look back toward the shore and take in the stunning mountains and waterfalls. Such a special place.

The beach has changed since the big storm in 2018 but it is still nice! The pier has been repaired and reopened. The long sandy beach is perfect for a long walk. The waves are safe for beginners trying to surf. Many young children try to learn surfing near the pier. More experienced surfers can go to a break much further out.

Easy beach to get to from Princeville. Parking was free and easy to find. Loved watching the surfers.

Beautiful beach great for scenic views and swimming with your family. excellent beach to walk along and capture amazing sites.

As my husband and I were walking this beach, we were just in awe of the amazing mountain views that you get as well. It was absolutely beautiful. The beach wasn't crowded the day we went but there were several people walking/run along the beach or in the water playing. We saw a lot of helicopters flying around as well wishing we'd have planned a helicopter tour as well. There are several parking areas near the beach as well. I also believe I saw one parking area had restrooms too. We parked in a gravel lot that had plenty of space. When we arrived that morning, there were only two other cars parked there. By the time we left, there were quite a bit more. I would definitely recommend this beach when on the island of Kauai. A visit to the north shore is a must. Don't forget to check out Hanalei Pier as well.

Great views. Popular both for young and real adults. Limited parking with another option on Weke Road.

Love this beach!!! We happened to drive up there on a beautiful day. I want to stay up there next time. Easy swim beach with a gorgeous backdrop.

Nothing specifically wrong with the beach, but it just wasn't as spectacular as I thought. The waves were cool to watch!

This beach is arguably the most beautiful beach in the world. The mountain views you see when sitting on the sand is like you’re in a movie. We went here for sunrises and sunsets. The beach is calm with not a lot of people, and the views are picturesque. You won’t be disappointed! It’s so peaceful. Get dinner at Kalypso’s and then swing by the beach and enjoy the views!

We came back here again and again during our trip. The beach is beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing. It was never very crowded, and the water is perfect. You also can't beat the views. It was fun to head to the western portion and watch the surfers as well.

We stay in Princeville but love Hanalei and their beach. Great to walk and watch the surfers. Parking can be difficult but worth a try. Cliffs all around the cove are a great backdrop.

Kid friendly soft sand beach! Small manageable waves. Uncrowded. Paddle and surfboard rentals with lifeguard as well

Visited this beach twice. Once in the evening with clouds ,fog and a rainbow. Stunning! Prepare to park several blocks away but is worth the short walk. Our next visit was early in the morning with very few other people. No clouds, water is an amazing blue color. The mountains so green. Like a postcard!

It's hard to argue this isn't the most picturesque spot on Kauai that's also easily accessible - an azure colored cove dotted by small boats, and surrounded by mountains dripping with water falls. The water is calm and very swimmable; we saw children jumping off the pier via a rope swing. Most people seemed to be sitting right at the entry to the beach, which was strange because further near the pier it was empty.

just so happened that while we visited the beach, a huge swell moved in to the area. The waves were 40 ft high and of course the surfers taking on these monsters made for quite the show. not to mention the beautiful beach, awesome shops and places with great food.

A lovely shady grassed area at the top of this beach makes the perfect picnic spot. A long.golden curve of beach has plenty of room for swimmers, body-boarders and surfers - if the waves are right. It can be difficult to find a good swimming beach on Kauai, but Hanalei Beach makes the grade.

This looks like a lovely and popular beach. Parking is extremely limited, so I guess you will need to arrive VERY EARLY to snag a spot. If you are staying in Hanalei no problem as you can walk or bike. Next visit we will drive up early.

Fun beach to people watch and hang out even if you don’t surf. Lots of surfers there the day we were there. Waves were substantial and lifegaurds were good about remining folks of the rip currents. Some people were swimming further down the beach but most were either playing in the waves or surfing. Some shade available and parking is tight so we parked on the street and walked in.

After the flooding earlier this year several beaches are closed including the pier . Surf and current to much for swimmimg

This is one of the finest beaches you’ll ever come across. Perfect 2 mile crescent of sand, with moderate to mild surf conditions. Not good for snorkeling, perfect for boogie boarding and surfing. Just be careful when picking your spots and don’t go boogie boarding out amongst the surfers. We went 2 weeks in a row because we found this beach to be the best on the North Coast - and we like to boogie board. Parking is tight at the Pavilion, though you can usually find a spot along the road on the shoulder. The pier has a larger lot, but that’s where the river comes in and there were reports of bacteria. No shade, so bring an umbrella. Downtown Hanalei is a few blocks away, so once you’ve secured a parking spot, you are good to go. Did not experience any creepy people, or drugs. Very clean beach, great fun. It’s also real wide, so you’ll have a lot of space to yourself.

Stayed in the North Shore, so we frequented this beach often. We loved this beach! Water is amazing, good for swimming, and in my opinion one of the best beaches for boogie boarding, but go in the mid-mornings, we went during the afternoon once and the waves were too close to shore. Love that the town of Hanalei is so close (bring some poke and eat it with this view)

Take a walk to the pier for sunset, wont be disappointed. We saw a sea turtle swimming around there.

Stopped by here on Father's Day to walk the pier and enjoy the beautiful scenery!!! It was so gorgeous and relaxing!

THis is what you think of when the words "Hawaiian beach" come to mind. I've been to all the islands, and this is probably the most scenic beach. We had one day with waves, just right for boogie boards and easy surfing. The next day was flat enough fro everyone to lounge in the water on floats. Parking can be tough, especially with part of the beach road closed for storm repairs. Overall delightful.

Beautiful beach, great place to surf on certain days you gotta watch the current. Amazing views one of the prettiest beaches I’ve ever seen

We stopped by here to view the ocean. it remains one of the mst beutiful natural beaches in Hawaii. Parking can be an issue. Not far thres an inteesting cave to visit as well.

A beautiful area and beach. Good for a walk. Town of Hanalei is a good place to get something to eat, drink or grab a shaved ice.

NIce beach, great waves, were there on a Saturday. Crowded, but seemed very family friendly atmosphere. Great time.

Crescent cove. Sunsets. Soft sand. Great body surfing, boogie boarding, and regular surfing. Nearby restaurants and rental shops.

Surfers, swimmers, families, you'll see it all here. It's a great place to kick back and enjoy the natural beauty.

The pier looks great with the new canopy, replaced after Hurricane Iniki damaged the old one. Walked out to see old-timers fishing off the end. The beach is popular with locals, plenty of parking. Got some good photos of surfers, and kayakers. Lots of activities to enjoy, if you're so inclined. It was a beautiful day, and nice drive out from Lihue. You should use navigation driving directions, as the turn off street is not well signed, and easy to miss.

This is a great walk. Jump off the pier or head up to the pavilion in the middle of the beach.
Change rooms in the middle of the walk at the pavilion and a big grass area for sitting on for lunch 😁
A must do for the evening sunset.

Great beach, still had spectacular views, but the beach was completely closed due to the surf conditions, couldn’t even sit on the beach.

Unbelievably beautiful beach. This is my most favorite place on earth. The best beach on the island and safe as the Life Guards keep a close eye ensuring everyone is safe.
My hats off to them.
Make sure this becomes a stop during your visit to the island.

Pretty beach, but didn't stay long because there were no swimming signs due to rip tides. There were surfers going in though. Quite a lot of waves, we sat at a picnic table and watched for a little while. Visited in the morning and it was very quiet.

This is my hubby's favorite beach and town in Kauai. He loves the backdrop of the mountains and the pier he jumps off! This visit he didn't enjoy it as much b/c of all the wood that washed on shore, but its still his favorite! Maybe next time we'll take some surf lessons here.

If you've seen the movie, this is a must as we saw the actual house where the scene with the Speer family was filmed. And do not miss a meal with music at Tahiti Nui

Located by the Hanalei Bay, this beach has a beautiful expanse of fine sand with scenic surroundings. There’s sufficient space for visitors to spread out, and there are plenty of amenities available (including restrooms, showers, and lifeguard stations). The beach was fairly clean and maintained. Ocean waters were mostly calm and cool, which allowed for a nice break from the sun and sand.

Very beautiful cove/Bay Area. Parking is extremely limited or you must park quite a bit away. They hav3 an out door shower, but I’m not sure about restraint as I saw port-o-potties. Nice to visit. Still a rough area after the flood in 2018.

The water is pretty shallow in the cove and the waves are mostly gentle, although I would not turn my back on the ocean.....ever. The beach was clean and if you don’t have an umbrella,there is shade there. Restrooms were clean with flushing toilets. We went twice and parking was never a problem in the lot, but I imagine it could be on a busy weekend.

Long sandy beach with mountainous backdrop. Good surfing and boarding beach. Lifeguard present. Waves are strong.

One of the best places for a great beach day while on Kauai! Right now it takes some effort and patience to get there due to road damage from a landslide. Plan in advance for timing of your road trip and all will work out.

This beach was sort of on my 'bucket list' and am glad I got to see it. I've always seen pictures of the iconic pier jutting out into the bay and had to see it for myself.

Great for swimming and families. Outstanding views all day long, especially at sunset. Lots of locals here.

Beautiful views. We swam with a honu. Bathrooms and fresh water sprays. Plenty of beach space. Both sand and reef to enjoy snorkeling.

Stretching across a long, curved bay, Hanalei Beach is ideal no matter what your interest. We took our ten-year-old granddaughter there, and she delighted in the gentle swells, a welcome respite from the rough-breaking water elsewhere on the north and east shores. Snorkeling, boogie boarding and even surfing (for beginners) can all be had here. A pier that juts far out into the water offers a prime photo location, and landfill from the 2018 storms that inundated the town now allow waters to walk the full extent of the pier without risking deep water. Even on a crowded day, a private perch can generally be found on the beach. It's a lovely way to spend an afternoon, even just contemplating the ocean over a really good book.

Another beach :)
stunning scenery!
and I can say that maybe I stood just where George Clooney stood :)

We spent a couple hours at this beach and walked from one end to another. The mountain backdrop is dramatic. One of the most interesting points was the saddest. We saw two ocean front homes that collapsed after a record rainfall of I believe 49 in. in April or May. The damage was complete. Thankfully, neighboring homes are still standing and the park at one end is being rebuilt. Facilities at this beach include showers and toilets and a larger grassy area if you prefer grass over sand. There are not chair or umbrella rentals.

What a view! What a beach! Absolutely gorgeous environment and a great place to read a book, boogie board, or just stare at the landscape.

Very pretty views from the beach. Only way to get to the pier is to walk from the beach right now due to construction from the hurricane. Plenty of room to spread out. Restrooms and outdoor shower.

breath taking view... the sunset was gorgeous the sand, the beach, the water were amazing. wish we could have had another day on the beach

We love visiting this beach. The day we were there there was a storm brewing that arrived halfway through our lunch...despite the downpour, it was still a beautiful place to spend an hour. Not too crowded and visited by many locals, there is a good energy here...but you would expect that of Hanalei!

We hung out here for a day when in Kauai and it's such a great spot! Centrally located to the town of Hanalei (which is an awesome little beach town) so you can grab lunch and some shave ice. There's also great surfing on Hanalei beach which is where we took a surf lesson. If you want to relax and hang out, this is the spot to be!

A beautiful bay with beautiful waves.
The scenery is incredibly beautiful, there are free parking, toilets and showers.

Very nice beach although it was rainy while we were there. There are bathrooms and a plce to rinse yourself or feet off.

This is an absolutely beautiful beach. Lots of space to spread out. Water was perfect for swimming the day we went. But waves and rough surf closed the beach a few days later. Soft sand and gorgeous setting

Stunning beach & great surfing/swimming.
However, the local people or council should sort out some of the beach facilities.
The mid - beach lifesaver tower has public toilets & shelter facilities behind it.
The toilets are dirty & disgusting & a group of people appear to live in & monopolise the shelter.
These facilities are quite unbecoming for a great beach that is publicised worldwide.
Hopefully, this posting will help in promoting a clean up.

Staying in Princeville on Kauai made this beach, along with a few others very convenient to drive to- only a few minutes. It was also our favorite. Plenty of parking, facilities, life guard, calm water, and an expansive long sandy, beautiful beach! Throughly enjoyed hours of sun, sand, water, and a picnic lunch.

This is a huge beach with mountain views. You can see waterfalls in the mountains in the distance. It was crowded when we arrived, but the beach is huge, so we had no trouble finding a spot to land. The water is clear, the swimming is good, and it is everything a beach in Hawaii should be.

Parking is fairly easy to find here. We had never visited because it seemed touristy. It is touristy, but it is breathtaking.

Just off the mail highway. It was a Beautiful beach, but our timing was not optimal to swim or snorkel. Snorkel shop was very honest about not renting us equipment as we should not be in any of these waters as it was too dangerous. We enjoyed a bit of a walk and took pictures.

Awesome bay beach with majestic mountain backdrop. Really Bohemian atmosphere. Lots of surfers. Can have high surf at times, so be careful.

Good swimming beach. Still suffering the effects of the April floods so last beach accessible in the North Shore

We enjoyed a long walk through the little town and down the beach. As we were approaching the pier, a shower came up so we dashed for the shelter st the end of the pier to wait it out. Beautiful place to watch the surfers and take in the gorgeous setting of Hanalei Bay. We went back along the beach and as the sun set, meandered into the town to dine st Kalypso.

A must see spot when on Kauai. Beautiful long strip of white sand beach. Clear water, but...we were told by the locals and the lifeguards that the bacteria levels in the water were 600 times normal. There were still people in the water, but not as many as we expected. So when visiting be mindful of this fact. Either way, it is a lovely beach to walk, view, sit, whatever.

Wide, white sand beach with calm waters on Hanalei Bay.
The water is shallow and clear...a fun place for famlies and young children to enjoy. Restrooms and lifeguards on the premises.

Most beautiful little bay and pier I have ever. Wish I could buy a house right there! LOVE! Sit on the beach and enjoy the most breathtaking scenery you have ever seen!!!

Our family loved visiting this beach. It is nice and quiet and doesn't have a lot of tourists. Several neat places in the area to eat. I highly suggest.

Beautiful place to visit, nice beach to swim for the whole family! Such an amazing view of the mountains

My wife and I came to this beach today for a swim. This one wasnon our bucket list since the film The Descendant. We saw the house where George Clooney went to. The beach is magnificiant, life guard on duty, there are restrooms and showers as well.

Beach is clean and very well the visit. There is a free parking lot located on Weke Road.

Read great reviews so wanted to check it out. The drive getting here was the best part. A great place for families and kids. A little underwhelming truthfully but still a beautiful place

We sampled many beaches - for family fun, loads of swimming, kids in water, grownups being kids in water, you can't beat Hanalei beach: water temperature is awesome; the waves are much less rough than other beaches, and for kiddos this seems safer than the many gorgeous but rippier beaches around the island. And the vews are spectacular.

plus it is near shops and the charming Hanalei town-let.

I loved this beach, it had a gorgeous view of the cliffs while enjoy the sand and sounds of the waves. A great easy place for kids to play in the water without worry. The drive to hanalei was spectacular and just breathtaking.

On a coast and on an island that hosts so many exquisite beaches, Hanalei is up with the best. The fine sand, the sheltered water at one end and the big surf at the other end, the total lack of weed and general lack of toe-bruising rocks, the gorgeous colour of the beach, the fabulous mountains and the adjacent characterful town, boy what is there not to like. Add to this, at least in mid December it is quiet, far from over-run by tourists and laid back in that uniquely Hawaiian way. After a rainy day the look back from the beach pier is golden beach, green palm trees, verdant mountains and a sequence of gorgeous waterfalls dropping to the valley behind the town. Wow...

Great afternoon at this beach. Parked in Hanalei and walked. Quiet, shallow areas for swimming, shade to relax in. Idyllic.

Clear and calm when we were there. Great sandy beach with parking in neighborhood lots. Some grassy shaded areas were we ate and then enjoyed the water. Not much for snorkeling to see here but great for a swim in the warm blue ocean.

This is an amazing very walkable beach surrounded by lush coastal peaks. It is very picturesque. It is also one of the most swimmable beaches on Kauai as long as you are alert to riptides.

Beautiful view and fairly placid waves. Perfect for bobbing.
The lifeguards directed the swimmers away from the rip current and
surfers. Much appreciated.

I live in anahola kauai, bought something from a local store, drove to hanalei just to pick up, could not get one parking spot, we had to leave. The over crowding was crazy like Disneyland, hundreds of people to much I never knew or seen this before, too crazy for me anyways.

Parking limited maybe 30 parking spots. Restrooms and showers. Easy access to the beach. Life guard was on duty. Nice family day at the beach. Free parking none on the street.

I guess people can see on the internet that many of Hawaii's beaches are among the world's best lists or top 10 lists and some are deservedly so. If it isn't already, Hanalei Beach should be on them, too. Hanalei Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches we've ever had the chance to check out. It may have been the nicest beach we visited on this trip - Hamauna and Poipu were really nice, Kuhio is kinda grimy and has a lot of drunks, Hamoa is blah, Big Beach in Wailea is overrated. The beach is big, set against a backdrop of beautiful green mountains and crashing waves up the Napali coastline. There was ample parking in the lots and what looked to be the street facing the beach (though we felt weird parking almost on someone's lawn so we did not). Where we hung out (all the way to the right of the beach when facing the water), you could walk out 30 feet and the water was still just shin high. Lots of people playing in the water. Just a couple minutes away from Hanalei town where you can pick up lunch from a myriad of food options - trucks, sit down places, supermarket. If in Hanalei, put this on your list of things to check out.

Ample parking, good amenities, and yes - the beach and view are amazing. Great for families with little kids. The area by the pier is busier, more relaxed waves for smaller family members.

This was my second trip to Hanalei, but first to this beach, having stayed the first time within the confines of our resort. It was well worth the drive from where we were staying in Lihue, however, and I would urge you to make sure to go to this part of the island.

Parking can be an issue at times, so be prepared to possible do some walking from parking further away should the lots be full.

This has been our favourite stop on Kauai. The beach is huge, beautiful water, great mountain backdrop, good parking, food/drink and shopping nearby. The community has a great vibe.

Hanalei Bay is so special. We spent a week on the North Shore of Kauai, and there are so many beautiful spots, but for us, Hanalei Bay Beach is our favorite. We love the town of Hanalei too. This is a MUST SEE.

I have been to Hanalei 3 times over the past couple of years. It is breathtaking as you drive Kuhio Highway and get the first view from just outside of Princeville. It does not matter how many times I come around that corner for the full view of the Hanalei Bay and the Napoli Coast in the background, it is still one of the greatest views in the world.
The beach can be crowded at times, but there is always plenty of room to spread out. I highly recommend getting there early in the morning if you want to park at the public entrance to the beach, space is extremely limited. Bring umbrellas, and lots of food and drinks if you plan on staying the whole day, there is not much, if any natural cover, and the closest food is in town. The sand is soft and the water is warm. The waves can get a bit big during certain times of the day. There is an outdoor shower to get the sand and salt off before heading home.
I highly recommend getting Shave Ice at Wishingwell after a day at Hanalei. Go, relax, and enjoy!

This is a beautiful beach, long, level and easy to walk on. The first day of our visit to the island the surf was fairly calm. By the end of our trip a north swell had move in the surf was rising -- the surfers started coming out. This is a great, big beach.

Unfortunately, it was raining both times we tried to visit this beach. But worth it even in the rain as the backdrop to this beach is gorgeous!

There's a reason Travel and Leisure named this beach on of the best beaches in the US. We went on two different days while visiting Hanalei. The backdrop of the mountains is breathtaking! It's a long big beach and we parked near the pier and walked from there. The first time we visited, the water was swimmable with calm waves and the sandy beach was very nice. The second time we went, there was a lot of driftwood on the beach, the waves were large, and the wind was so strong we couldn't stay long (there was a storm that went through the day before so that could be why). Parking was easy both times we visited and since it's such a large beach, it wasn't crowded. It was also fun to watch the windsurfers. Restrooms were available near the pier. Definitely stop when visiting Hanalei!!

This is a beautiful beach but I wouldn't recommend for young children. Lifeguards warned us before we set up of two riptides, and told us where we should swim. I stayed in the suggested area but was pulled in to a riptide that must have moved in closer. I had a lot of trouble getting back to shore. I wasn't even far from shore, thank goodness. If I had been a small child, I don't know what would've happened. Something to be aware of. Other than that, we had a good time. A short walk away is the restaurant and shopping area. We took a break from the beach, and had a delicious lunch. Parking is limited by the beach, which us why we chose to walk and not move our car.

Beach was wide, plenty of space. Go early for parking. Parking is within walking distance to the town for lunch.
Looked like the perfect spot to learn to surf. Consistent waves, shallow water, sandy bottom.
I couldn't get enough of the view; the mountains, the ocean and waves. Magical.

Visited one afternoon to walk around and enjoy the views and walk around on the pier. Great swimming area and beautiful views.

Due to the flood in 2018, part of the parking for the beach (by the pier) is closed. The bathroom and shower by the pier are gone. The taco truck nowhere in sight anywhere on the beach.
Parking can be a premium if you get there later. We were able to find a spot and carry our things to the beach.
I love this beach and I’m glad that it is still open. It is a great beach for families, surfers, and everyone else.

We arrived after a lady was rescued swimming about 150 yards off the beach. Local reports said she was taken to the hospital and was in critical condition. We stopped at Hanalei Beach strictly for the pictures so we didn’t enter the water. We hiked the Kalalau Trail earlier that day and there was a drowning at the Hanakapiai beach. There were Gail force wind warnings and surf warnings issued so heed those warnings when you go. We stopped for lunch in Hanalei and we drove to the Pier for some quick pics. There were a number of young kids swimming and surfing in the bay. If you want a different shot go under the pier and take a picture. Great spot for a picnic, numerous picnic tables. There was a large pile of wood for a bonfire that I wish we could have stayed for but we had to press on. We only used one day for the North only bc the weather. We used the Shaka guide app as we traveled to get the history of the island. It was very entertaining and the kids enjoyed it!

Really a beautiful beach with great places to bogie board. I would highly recommend if you are on the north side. However, plan to be in traffic because there is a one lane bridge you have to go over.

Hanalei Bay is great! Nice, manageable surf, lifeguards, and of course close to Hanalei town, with lots of restaurants and services.

a long stretch of soft sand all the way from the hanalei river and covered bridge seemingly curving all the way to haena beach and the kalaulau trail. all with the mist and and clouds over napali looming over all of us....

The road is quite windy to get here, but once you do it is worth it. It is a very family friendly beach and easy to swim. The scenery is beautiful and the pier in the middle really adds to it. It is also a good place to relive your youth and jump off it. A definite must go to place if you are travelling in the north. Parking can be a pain but wait as there is always someone leaving.

I'm sure this is a nice beach, but there are many nice beaches on Kauai. The highway from the west coast of the island goes through much of the same scenery we saw on other parts of the island, and passed several lovely beaches. The last 4 miles took forever because of the one-lane bridge and construction. We turned around before ever reaching the beach because we ran out of time.

we were there 4 years ago and were nearly alone on the beach, but now its getting famous and there are more people, but still it is not crowded and nice for swimming even in Autum, the waves are not too high, at least not on the day we were there in Oct 18

Nice beach, great sand, water is warmish. Places to get out of the sun. Waves can get pretty high. Nice swimming area there is a lifeguard. Place to surf or boogie board or body surf. Very relaxing. Parking close ny,

We love north shore of Kauai and often stay in Princeville. And this is a must do for us - beautiful beach with backdrop of majestic mountain.

Just to be clear as of now this is as far north that you can travel due to spring flooding in Hanalei, Haena and Kee beach. Haena and Kee are still closed and damaged homes are still visible at Hanalei near pier.
That said, Hanalei beach is an amazing place to spend the day walking the firm packed beach from the pier to the northern end of beach on Hanalei bay.

The beach was nice, but the surf was too big for swimming. The surf and undertow could make swimming dangerous, so follow the rule, "when in doubt, don't go out".

I went for a run every morning from one end to the other. Gorgeous views of the mountains, 5 different wave sets coming in and beautiful beach homes. Very clean, free parking fun family spot

Beautiful beach with plenty of space to spread out. It was an easy trip from our resort in Princeville. Water was cool with some nice waves for the surfers.

It’s got an amazing bay feature that has backdrop of hills and mountains! This alone makes the trip worth it, then you had beautiful sandy beach and awesome waves and you’re in a pretty special spot.

I rented a surfboard from in town for an affordable price and enjoyed goofing around on the waves for many hours!

Very busy beach - and it's totally understandable! Fabulous views of the mountains, spectacular sunsets!

Plan accordingly - little shade for fair skinned people;)

One of the most beautiful beaches/places on earth. The water is no super clear like other great beaches in Hawaii but the location, views and raw beauty are breathtaking.

A nice safe place to spend the afternoon. Huge treed park with picnic tables. The beach was not crowded. Fun to walk along the water and not get crashed by strong waves.

Loved spending half a day at Hanalei beach after kayaking in the river. Very pleasant atmosphere and lots of place to setup your beach chairs and enjoy the waters. The east side seemed to be more crowded and west side was more quiet.

If you are on the island of Kauai, you must go this beach. it is just gorgeous and worth the trip. There is also a lot of shade which was nice on a July afternoon.

Lovely calms waters. Kids seems to have lots of fun jumping off the pier. Bathrooms on site.

Wide, large, clean beach.

Had a lovely time soaking up the sun and watching the surfers. A well kept, clean beach with breathtaking views of the ocean and mountains. Easily my favourite beach in Kauai.

Unpretentious and beautiful beach in close proximity to town. Walked right from town and enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

This is a long wide stretch of beach bounded by mountains. It is beautiful here but very popular with visitors and locals. The popularity of the beach means parking is a nightmare unless you arrive early. We came around 11am, and both the lot at the western edge of the beach, the lot in the middle of the beach, and every spot on the street parallel to the beach was taken. We waited 30 minutes at the lot in the middle of the beach, the one with the bathroom and shower facilities behind it, and a spot opened up. The structure backing the parking lot with the picnic tables and bathrooms was utterly filthy and occupied by a bunch of hippies with dogs. Steer around it as you enter the beach. The beach itself has golden sand and no sun cover. We chose a spot near the life guard tower and the lifeguards were proactive with warning swimmers about rip tides. The water in the bay is calm, shallow and cold. The ocean floor is sandy, which was a nice change from rocky beaches. All in all, it’s a nice visit when it’s not raining out, but come early to avoid the parking frustration. The town built around the bay has lots of shops and cafes after your beach time.

Great beach to relax and enjoy the water. We got there at a perfect time and the swell was minimal but it did pick up after awhile and the waves we crashing pretty consistently.

Many people in the water, so in we went. Well these were the roughest waves we’ve experienced, but so so much fun.

We came back 2 days later and the waves were bigger, and no one was swimming, so we decided the best thing to do was jump back in the car. Always another day.

Beautiful beach for older children but waters were a little rough and strong for our 3 year old. The current was really strong & was hard to get a hold of our toddler. The best toddler beach by far was Poipu beach park!

This beach had the most consistently stunning sunsets when we were on the North Shore (for a week around Labor Day), even when other beaches in the area were cloudy. At the start of our trip it was super calm, but by the end surfers had come for the modest but fun waves. Would highly recommend.

The views are fantastic.
Clean beach, very quiet and calm. North side of the island. Very low tides, no really a surf beach.

We recently stayed in Princeville and this beach was close, beautiful, calm with warm water. Small parking lot but folks come and go so we got a spot right away. You can walk to the pier where swimmers (not us) jump in. We found some other beaches rougher and when we went here it was extremely calm; this may vary on other days.

We went on a day that was overcast - yet the weather was still conducive to beaching. It was fun to go to the end of the pier and take pictures - I love mountains and viewing the skyline of the mountains!! If you are more partial to water - there is the ocean.
Just have fun and enjoy the beauty.

This beach is by far the best for swimming and just relaxing during the summer. The views are AMAZING! The surf is basically non existent and makes it fun for kids to enjoy. Not for snorkeling just FYI. One word of caution is to bring an umbrella as there is basically no shade. Lifeguard tower is the spot we were hanging out at. Hanalei Town is right up the street and good for casual stroll good eats and shopping. Some of the roads are still closed after the April 2018 floods so this is as far North as we went. Best overall casual relaxing beach day for us.

If you have a sunny day in the north shore go to this beach! The sand is awesome, the waves are great for kids and the scenery is fantastic with the mountains in the background. And it never seems too crowded. After playing in the water you can also stroll down the beach to the famous Hanalei Pier. Everyone works up their courage and jumps off the pier into the super clear water. And then after beach time is done, go into town for some JoJo shave ice!

Great slow long breaking waves to learn to surf on. Tons of instructors. Safe, has lifeguard on duty, but please watch your own kids.

Kids aged 10-16 surfed, boogie boarded and snorkeled all over and had the best time. We stayed to the right side of the beach by the life guard tower.

The natural beauty of Hanalei Bay is worth the drive if you are staying on another part of the island. We swam and stayed for sunset which was particularly spectacular due to ash from the volcano activity on the big island of Hawaii. While the air was a bit "fuzzy," there was no noticeable odor.

The roads are still only open to locals after the flooding so to get to the pier you have to park and hoof it. It is worth the walk...just remember to take some extra water cause it gets hot with no shade or relief. Views and the water are spectacular if you invest in the hike!

This beach is really beautiful; soft sands, lots to look at, people surfing, water isn’t too cold, lovely landscapes, etc. walking distance to the little town of Hanalei, cannot wait to be back in this beautiful place! Walking down the “boardwalk” is really nice too, to view the beach and water up close.

Must go and stay the day. The north side. Breathtaking views. Great water and sand. The town has great food too.

Expansive beach with great gentle waves and a pavilion. There are some shaded areas to get a break from the sun.

I walked almost the entire crescent of Hanalei Bay, and it’s an absolutely great beach, with facilities to shower off or change, and is close by to nearby restaurants, shopping and sites to see. The beach is clean, lifeguards are centrally located, the size and scale of the beach is large enough to find a quiet place that’s away from others. There are places to go away from the sun, if needed, ample parking at several points along the beach, outdoor grills, and volley ball facilities in a truly park like atmosphere. Lessons and rentals for surfing, or SUP, or kayaking possible. The view of the mountain range as the backdrop to the fantastic beach makes this an absolute, “must-see” on Kauai.

My husband and I stayed at the Hanalei Bay Resort so this beach was a short drive from our condo. We had the best time laying out at the beach, watching the surfers, enjoying the beautiful location and playing in the water. And to have the ability to photograph Hanalei Pier was an added bonus.

Such a beautiful view and large beach. Able to get in the water and surf or just lay on the beach and enjoy the day.

I think everyone should have the opportunity to visit this beach once in their lives. The views are spectacular. The water was warm and the sand soft. The waves were small which was good for the kids. The beach has a lifeguard station and showers and bathrooms available. This is a must visit beach when visiting Kauai.

Beaches are lovely. The hike down from the highway is a tad tricky, but if you take your time and use the stone cut-outs, it's very safe.

This beach has a lot of locals and surfing. The waves were huge when we were there. This beach is great if you want to see a nice sun set. Roads are a little rough also.

Easy access to beach; stunning views of bay, surfing, Puff, Bali Ha’i. Fishing from covered pier, picnic tables, restrooms. Back home, watch 1958 South Pacific movie— you will recognize the location!

Wonderful beach with a long stretch of sand for walking. The water was a little rough the day we went (winter 2022), but there were plenty of surfers and boogie boarders in the water.

There are tables for picnicking and a bathroom.

Loved walking along the beach, and fantastic views. Well worth the drive to this site!

We got at the beach around 11:30am on a Monday,it it wasn't busy.
The water conditions near the pier was for swimming,and as you went to to centre of the bay the waves became more intensive; ideal for Surfers
What makes this beach is the views towards the mountains.

A wonderful beach with a stunning view towards the mountains of the Napali Coast! It isn't a pristine beach (one maintained by a resort hotel) but it's real and it's gorgeous. Even the locals enjoy this spot! Some shaded picnic tables around (including at the end of the pier). Can get a bit crowded on the weekends (nothing like Poipu though). Very, very calm waters for swimming but you can also watch the surfers way offshore. This is the real Hawaii as far as I'm concerned!

Amazing! This place is just awesome! I hope I never forget the views of those mountains from the water...I literally could have just floated out there and looked in all day long, which is not something you can say for most beaches. As we have now been to the "best" beaches of the 4 biggest islands, this is definitely at the top and I am so glad we went; we stayed in Poipu. We did not snorkel so cannot comment on this, but the beach, views and sand are amazing. Showers, parking and bathrooms are there. Such a beautiful morning with my family! My boys were wiped out!

All sand beach, not crowded, the water temperature is perfect and conditions for swimming are fabulous (in the summer). Great sunsets too!

Great little town with shops and several good food spots.(Northside Grill, Chicken in a Barrel, and Hawaiian plates) Great long wide beach area for sunbathing or beginner surfers.

Had a great time with my buddy and his girl.
Met some good hearted people nice and clean. Bathrooms are nice

beautiful beach, even with recent storm damage. Missed walking on peir, still the most beautiful sunsets!

Well tended and “life guarded” beach in Hanalei. Quite crowded since the flood in April of 2018 cut off the road access to additional space on beach. Lots of families, weddings, surfing and people watching. Parking is very difficult.

This was the last of 5 beaches that we visited in Kauai and by far the best. The best for me being large expansive beaches where you can set up your area and not be close to anyone.

On the very western side of the beach or bay there was no swimming allowed and the waves were huge but the beach itself was massive with lots of parking and great areas for walking along the surf. Keep in mind there were forecasted swells coming from the north and the area was expected to have high surf in the winter.

We then drove to the east side of the beach or bay near the pier and it was completely different. Parking was definitely at a premium but the water was much calmer and shallow. There were dozens and dozens of what appeared to be novice surfers, mostly families with kids. The waves were fairly gentle and the water was maybe 3-4 feet high along the pier. We saw lots of families picnicking and kids frolicking around on their own.

One curious thing we noticed. Where there was no swimming and the waves were huge there was a lifeguard station but on the super crowded side we didn't see any lifeguards. I guess they figured the crowd was looking out for everyone.

Hanalei beach edges the massive horseshoe shaped Hanalei Bay that dominates the Kauai north shore. It’s reached by taking a right from the village of Hanalei Bay at any of several roads that extend away from the mountains from the main road. Take a left or right on Weke road which runs parallel to the bay. Once near the bay there are two main parking areas one toward the east end of the bay and one almost center of the bay on Hee Road. The beach is popular with surfers and there are lots lessons going on. It’s stunningly beautiful.

Great place to watch the sunset. It was absolutely gorgeous. The bay looks relatively calm; people were SUP paddle boarding there and swimming. Much further out are breaking waves and surfing.....I don’t mess with that but they looked like they were having fun. There are restrooms and picnic tables too and a pier.

Was very excited to see this place everyone talks about but there must have been a storm because there was a LOT of branches/limbs on the beach. Fun place to get into the water.

This is a long beach abutting Hanalei Bay. It appears the surf situation depends a lot upon where you are on the beach. Probably swimmable in some areas for tourists, and good for a variety of experience level surfers.

This is a beautiful beach with gorgeous scenery and nice sand that is very easy to walk on. Great pictures around the pier.

Don’t visit - if you have to leave and go back home. Greatest beach setting I’ve ever seen. Awe inspiring.

It is worth seeing. It felt like we were on the movie set. If we had more time we would have stayed here on the beach for the day - swimming and enjoying the view. It was a pretty day when we stopped here, so the beach was filling up. Still it is a fairly large beach - memorable for the scene in the Descendants when George Clooney meets his wife’s boyfriend’s wife and there are several walks back and forth with his kids here. Be sure to walk all the way to the end of the pier, and then step underneath it to take an iconic photo. If we had more time, we would have come back here for a beach day.

This in my view is the best beach in the whole of Kauai. It has everything you'd want in a beach. White powdery sand, restrooms, shower, calm water and some nice waves

Lots of space to boogy board and the west bay has easy waves for surfing beginners. Rented a boogy board in Hanelei for $5-10 for all day. Beautiful day.

The beach is always busy but the real impressive sight was all the damage the river did when it carved new channel to the Bay right through six houses and destroyed them. You can still get out on the pier to swim, dive or fish. Right after the flood all the sand and gravel that had been washed down the river filled the water around the pier so it was high and dry. It's slowly coming getting deeper but it's pretty shallow so dive carefully.

We strolled on the beach and enjoyed the water. There were boats anchored out from the shore that were used for tours and locals.

Beautiful beach with bathroom facilities and parking. We stayed in Princeville at Pu’u Poa condos from 12/26/24-1/3/24 and visited Hanalei Beach 4 times. The surf was high. So was perfect for surfing. Our 17 yo son rented a board and spent allot of time in the water. The bathroom facilities and free parking lots are at the north end by Black Pot Beach Park and Hanalei Pavillion Beach Park. If you have a handicapped pass, bring that and go early as parking fills quickly.

The beach is beautiful and waves are small enough for beginner surfers near the pier. This beach has made a great recovery from the devastating flood last year.

Hanalei Beach is beautiful and worth driving to (assuming you are staying somewhere else). The pier is fun to jump off of and the water is calm enough for all ages to swim. The mountain views while floating in the water are majestic and peaceful-you'll never want to get out!

On your way to this beautiful beach, stop by Costco and buy a beach chair, umbrella a boogie board. Arrive early because nearby parking is limited. Plenty of parking near shops and restaurants. This is the beach made for swimming and boogie boarding! At the end of your trip donate your Costco goodies to the local church and help the community.

We just spent a week on Kauai and we went to Hanalei Beach almost every day! It is so spacious that it can accommodate lots of people but you still have plenty of space around you. The waves are perfect for boogie boarding, surfing or just swimming around! The sand is clean and wonderful! There is a nice bathhouse with and outdoor showers to rinse the sand off! The best part is the sunset view! The BEST!

Definitely worth a stop as you can see from the pictures with great beach and also landscape seen from the beach. But the walkout pier must have been taken out in storms a couple of years ago. This main road connecting all these beaches was closed for about 1.5 years

I came here on a Monday afternoon and it was not crowded at all! I easily found a great parking spot on the side of the road. There is a lifeguard on duty and there is a bathroom with outdoor shower. The view is lovely and the water was a bit calmer in the bay.

A Hidden Treasurer. We found this beach by accident but enjoyed it. We were there as the sun was setting and watched the kids body surfing. Great color, beautiful beach. The locals know it well. Was wishing we could join in with the families who had the bonfires and music. Sure looked like a lot of fun. Definitely a beach I would come back to again.

This is an awesome beach (and bay) on Kauai’s north shore. It’s big, wide soft sand. Nice small pier and some covered areas as well as some grass areas. Parking was not an issue but it was not very crowded today. There was a lifeguard in duty. Beware of rip tides.
VictorB

For years we drove through Hanalei and it didn't occur to us to check out the beach there! It is fabulous and a place that we now always go and spend some time there. You might want to bring an umbrella if shade is of concern.

This is our favorite beach on Kauai. The beach near the pier is great. The surf is very mild, you can walk out 100 yards or more and still not much over 5 feet deep. This is a great place for young and old. The sandy beach is wide and smooth.

Hanalei beach is great for families with little children. We loved our day there. Three year old grand played in the waves all day.

Visited Hanalei Beach in February during the storm of the century for Hawaii. The waves were huge and the surf was pounding hard. Torrential Rains and gusts of 50knots made for some pretty epic video.
Although we didnt get to swim or hang at the beach I could see the beauty of the little Bay and imagine it would be a real treat to hang at when the weather was cooperating

With a long stretch of sand and a river that feeds into the bay, lots of fun can be had without the really big waves of other locations. Lots of free parking at different spots along the beach.

From the moment I first arrived at Hanalei Beach, It’s evident why the locals are so devoted to it. Awesome surf, amazing scenery, relaxed vibe and emotive tributes to the late Andy Irons are just a few reasons why I love it.

Classically beautiful beach. Who cares if it's raining - it's gorgeous. Only downside is it is not easy to find parking.

We stayed on the east shore, but took a day to head north to Hanalei Bay and the surrounding town(s). The beach itself was really nice and quiet when we went, but it was definitely more cloudy/rainy than the east coast or south coast. That said, there were still times of sun. The beach is actually very swimmable, which is a rarity in Kauai, as the majority of the other beaches have such a strong undertow. Also, the water in Hanalei Bay seemed to make me extra buoyant. Definitely worth a stop.

The beach is nice and not so crowded, they have showers and acceptable bathrooms nearby, and the beach is clean.
Water is calm and you can swim with out any worries.
Good place for young families.

Went with several older nieces and nephews and their small children twice. The first day was much better for a reintroduction to surfing after fifteen years but no so good for the wee ones. Had a blast. The second visit found much flatter water which made it perfect for the children ages 3 to 8. The long expanse of clean beach has surf life rescue members for public safety. Parking is limited.

The severe flood of April 2018 has eliminated most of the parking near this wonderful beach. It will be along time before the beach is accessible. A very sad situation, we are very disappointed.

My husband and I spent most of our time on the south side of Kauai, but drove up to Hanalei for a day. I think our experience was a bit out of the norm because there happened to be a regatta going on the same day we were there.

We tried to park our car at Waioli Beach Park, but it was full - luckily we were able to find a spot on a street not too far away. The bathrooms at that beach park are disgusting - avoid at all costs!

The beach itself is really big and beautiful. The water is extremely clear and calm and you’re surrounded by the view of the mountains. It was quite crowded with competitors and spectators of the regatta when we were there, but I can imagine it’s probably quieter on a typical day. There were a lot of families with kids there - understandably as the water is shallow for quite a ways out into the bay, and the waves are really calm, making it ideal for swimming.

I can’t say this was the highlight of our trip, but it was very nice and I’m glad we went for a few hours.

Small beach, insanely picturesque with the mountains and waterfalls shooting up right behind. We got surfing lessons there one afternoon, and having also taken lessons on Waikiki I definitely appreciate just how few rocks and coral are in Hanalei - nice and sandy, excellent for falling off of a surfboard!

We love this beach. Very big, beautiful and has life guards and bathrooms. Pay attention to the surf, rip tide, etc. Still beautiful.

Breathtaking beach with nearby mountains making it a heavenly experience. A little ways from Lihue but the drive is beautiful itself. When it rains you can make out countless waterfalls on the nearby mountain range. Friendly shore break for body surfing, body boarding, surfing, or paddle boarding. You can even make out local canoe clubs practicing in the bay. Would live here if I could afford it lol but since I can't I will be back, frequently.

We spent the day at the beach and then the evening on the pier watching the sun set. The beach experience was incredible, the mountains in the background to the beach were phenomenal. The sunset from the pier was also spectacular. A must see when in Hanalei.

Very calm water in May. Parking with easy access to the beach. 7 year old + 14 year old daughters both enjoyed. No fishes, no rocks, simply clear waters.

This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life. Words cannot describe how you feel while you are here. It's like you're in a Disney movie. Pictures do not do this place justice, you have to see this with your own eyes. While in Kauai, we visited 3 times. The sand was soft, even under the water. The water was calm, but enough waves coming in to boogie board. Yes, there were lots of visitors, but everyone was so chill and having a great time - plus, plenty of open spots to put up an umbrella. My kids jumped off the pier and snorkeled until the sun went down.

My favorite beach! I'm sure there are others that are more private, but I've only been to Hawaii (no other islands, Caribbean, etc.) I'd love to keep exploring and find more beaches I love, but right now this one makes me so happy :) You've got beautiful sand, warm water, great hiking, and a tremendous spot to snorkel and see fish! Also, GORGEOUS sunsets here!!
Parking can go fast, so the earlier you go the better

While a decent beach, we were slightly disappointed after leaving Ha'ena Beach Park to come here. The water is not clear, lots of diftwood and just felt more like dirt then sand. It is located in a beautiful area but I just didn't get the hype when there are so many amazing beaches to choose from on the North Shore.

We drove North to Hanalei and we’re glad for the experience. From Poipu it took just over an hour with stops. It was picturesque and not overly crowded. It was the best swimming beach we found on the Island, relatively protected but still with some gentler waves. The bathroom facilities were limited and disappointing for such a nice place.
The drive was slowed by repair works on the road but we appreciated it is a difficult job.

Even with it being very rainy while in Kauai we had a fabulous time walking the many beaches. Hanalei was a favorite spot!

We visited a number of beaches in Kauai and found this one to be one of the most overall family friendly beaches. Bathrooms, lifeguards, lots of sand, and enjoyable waves, no rocks.

So you have a great beach with the mountains has a back drop. The water was perfect. Not crowded.. but then no beach was

A great sandy bottom beach in the heart of Hanalei Bay. This is a great spot for children and families too. There is a good amount of parking (in lots and on streets) which make the beach easy to access. This beach provides a great opportunity for those learning to surf and experienced surfers were catching breaks further out, off-shore. Hanalei Bay has an awesome vibe and was definitely our favorite spot on the island of Kauai.

Hanalei is a very large sand beach, no rocks. View to the volcanic hills is gorgeous. There's a small parking lot, outdoor shower to rinse sand off your feet and single-person bathrooms. Women's toilet was not working the day we were there. Waves are a bit rough for elderly or young kids. Not cro

Parking is tight, but easier to access via a paddle down the river. Great surfing conditions for beginners. Soft sand and life guarded.

Very beautiful beach, well attended by great lifeguards. Very clean with lots of free parking. Toilets were closed, so you have to use gross porta-potties. Highly recommended beach!

This is a wonderful beach. If you go to Kauai, you should definitely check out this beach. The views are awesome.

The sun finally came out in the North Shore and it was so worth the wait. We spent two days on the beach and enjoyed every minute. Be sure to walk down to the Hanalei Pier. Parking can be difficult. Restrooms are available.

Such a beautiful beach with the mountains in the background. The water can be a little rough, but stay near the pier and it’s fine.

Spent 10 days in Kauai on a big family vacation. The group ranged in age from 5 to 76. We went to Hanalei Beach multiple times on the trip. It was the perfect beach for the whole group. It was relaxing and gorgeous. We had plenty of room for beach chairs, umbrellas, blankets, kids toys. We totally spread out without bothering anybody. The water was calm and easy for the kids to play in. The sand shelf goes pretty far out so they could walk out quite far. Teens had fun jumping off the pier and boogie boarding.
Also there is plenty of parking unlike some other areas. And if anyone gets tired of the beach it’s an easy walk to the shops and restaurants. It was just the perfect spot for us all around.

We went in the morning and the bay is simply incredible. Calm surf. Broad beach. Amazing views. Cool pier. Loved it.

Outside of Bora Bora, this is one of the prettiest beaches I’ve ever been to. Gorgeous views/scenery and calm waters for the kiddos. Our family had fun jumping off the pier too.

Only downside was there were no bathrooms by the pier— just port-a-pots.

This is a beautiful area of Kauai Point little area with fun shops and restaurants. There are kayaks and paddleboards for rent that you can go out on the river. There's a wonderful cave that you can go back in. It's a fun day

Even though Hurricanes Lane and a storm in April have damaged the beach, it’s still one of my favorite places on earth! The gorgeous beach, the historic peer and the green folded mountains that surround the bay are like heaven on earth!

Due to flooding from previous years, the parking is limited but the sand and water are perfect for families with children. No snorkeling but beautiful waves to play and swim in.
The facilities are reasonable and Hanalei town is a lovely place to spend a day.

We stayed in Princeville and the kids wanted to surf. The beach is nice and what a view. One thing is getting the boards up to the beach area. The few parking spaces are filled quickly, so we dropped the kids off and found a place to park and returned. I liked hiking the beach to the river.

Nice long sandy beach. Great for swimming. Not much shade. Great place to see the sunset by the pier. If parking lots are full try the side streets.

Very picturesque. Nice sand but it gets very hot. Very little shade bring umbrellas.
Big waves for kids or newbies lol like me. Look at surf report before going.

I’m glad we spent an afternoon here and in the town of Hanalei. It has a more fun vibe. Good energy. Fine sand. Unlike beaches nearby with trees, this one has no shade.

So Hanalei Bay is really big so no matter when it never feels crowded. We are here no just after the 4th of July and when on the beach it's such a long bay that if u want u can be totally by yourself if u want.
We just went closest to our rental house and had maybe another couple 30 yards away.
Very clean, soft sand, mostly sandy bay so not great for snorkeling but water is clean, and semi clear.
Lifeguards staggered around but not right on top of ur kids so u need to watch ur own.
There's more than a couple parking areas so use Google maps and look for em, we aren't having any problems finding parking and on Verizon we have 4G 4bars.
The backdrop is what is amazing, huge mountains with waterfalls surround this bay. See pics

Hanalei Bay has a wonderful walking beach and iconic fishing pier. Pack a lunch and enjoy the great vibe. This area was recently devastated by a storm --- so be prepared to park down the beach from the pier (by the bathhouse/bathrooms) ---- but the walk is easy (my 88-year old Mom did it!). Bring a surf board for your beginner surfer. (Parents were proudly watching their kids catch a wave.)

Stopped here and walked the beach. Pretty bay but not a lot of shade so bring your own or lather up with sunscreen.

A very scenic bay with good waves for surfing. Hear there are some water quality issues due to cesspools. This is a shame, since there are very expensive homes along the beach. Also saw some homes damaged from last April’s floods and road past the community is closed for repairs.

Very scenic area. Lots of surfers to watch do their thing. There were some parts of the beach with big surf and small one. Many kids with boogie boards and no swimming allowed in the really rough area.

The area is still recovering with some houses submerged in water and the highway still closed past Hanalei.

The whole island has so many beaches. This beach is in the north of the island which was a little cold and windy in the month of February, but it is perfect in the summer.

LONG sandy beach great place to take a walk. Waves were VERY calm and there was no reef. Great place for kids to play in the water or build sand castles. Great place to ride a paddle board or kayak.

It was raining. The bay as socked in with fog. The water was brown like the pacific near San Francisco. There were 6-10 ft waves but they were so far out that they looked small. Muddy parking lot. If there are waterfalls here, we could not see them. Looked nothing like the pictures. If it is raining you can absolutely skip Hanalei Bay.

Pretty view, calm water in summer, and large beach area. There is not really any shade, but it's a really nice beach for a long walk around the scenic bay. Parking is limited

This is a favorite family park in Kauai. Beach is beautiful, well tended, well supervised and the accommodations are pretty good. Favorite thing of many visitors in brining picnic food and enjoying the views. Swimming and surfing is good as well. Parking is excellent but limited.

Beautiful picturesque beach! Didn't swim in it but looks like there are a lot of reefs where snorkeling would be fun. I would not feel comfortable having a child away from arm's reach when the wind is stronger though. Great for sunbathing. Not crowded. Clean! Parking close can be a challenge though it is walkable from a lot of other parking spots not quite within eye's reach.

We had so much fun here, we never took photos lol. Great place for families and parties with plenty of grass and sand spots to sit, with public restrooms and even a sand volleyball court. We did snorkel here, but the waves were pretty rough that it kicked my butt and almost took my bikini off! Depending on where you park, you can also drive by homes that are several millions of dollars!

Not many beaches are swimmable in the North Shore. Hanalei beach has very calm waters that you can take your whole family swimming in. The beach is beautiful and very long. A great place to watch the sunset!

I first saw this beach 40 years ago and not it has a lot of buildings around where it was all open area but so is life. The beach is still wonderfula and great to be at. Brought back a lot of memories all good.

We really enjoyed our visit. This baby has shallower water that goes out for a while with smaller waves so what it was ideal for beginner surfing the day that we were there. Just like anywhere, one needs to watch out for rip currents.

Great chill, low key beach.

This beach marks a lot of boxes: convenient location right in Hanalei, amenities (restrooms, shower, lifeguard, several parking lots), and good swimming/surfing. It's a large, wide stretch of beach, so there is plenty of space for everyone and the surroundings are lovely. It also has a nifty boardwalk out into the bay that affords a beautiful 360-degree view, and a great, shaded spot to watch surfing. Because of this it's popular, so expect a lot of people.

Basically, this is a great choice if you want a beach that's convenient, safe and pretty. This beach wouldn't be your best option if you want that pristine, slightly secluded, off-the-beaten-path vibe.

This is the most beautiful area, the sand, surf and mountains. The small town feel with amentities. Just wish we had stayed closer to enjoy more.

This is about as far as you can go due to the rain washing out roads etc. last year. This is a long stretch of beach although parking is extremely limited. We had to park on the street and walk toward the beach like so many others. There were nice flush toilets here and changing rooms. First since it was windy we just sat on the grass but then it felt too cold! So we moved to the sand and the direct sun and it was perfect. Not hot due to the strong winds. Lots of surfers and SUP in the water. With such a huge beach area it didn’t feel crowded. The lifeguard here actually got out frequently on his ATV to check the entire beach. The beauty of the green ridges of the Na Pali makes this our favorite beach. Green, water, sand, whales....ah do I have to go home?!

Long beach. Has lifeguards and bathrooms/change rooms. Softest sand on the whole island! Many folks surfing. Beautiful sunset at the pier

We were staying on the southern end of Kauai and decided to day trip to Hanalei Beach. The drive is BEAUTIFUL! We didn't go into the water, but many people were bodysurfing.

I have been on many beaches in the Caribbean and next to Magen’s Bay USVI this is my new favorite. Easy to find, but get there early for small parking lot. It has a changing room, bathroom and lifeguards. The view is just breathtaking. I must have taken 190 photos! The beach was not even close to being crowded, it was pretty empty. If you have kids and are afraid of the beaches with big waves, this is your beach. Hardly any waves. The water was warm, quiet and very much like the Caribbean. I hope to never forget this beach. I think it will stay with me forever. Lots of cute shops and restaurants in town. We ate at a taco truck and had Jo Jos Shave Ice. It was a perfect day in Hawaii.

Enjoy a relaxing beach. The pier allows you to get "into" the bay for some beautiful photo ops of the beautiful surrounding area

This is a lovely beach that is well worth a visit. The parking is a bit tricky, but persevere. It is a clean and happy place with all sorts of activities going on in the water. There is a broad sand strip where you can set up camp for the day or just sit for a few minutes. There was a nice breeze the day we were there.

We were told by multiple locals that this beach was a must see and we could not agree more! It was our favorite beach for its shear beauty! The pictures do not do this beach justice! A few highlights for us were the free parking, easy flat walk down to the beach, tons of space to spread out, and very swimmable! The waves were much calmer than the Sheraton in Poipu and similar to what we saw at Kaihuna Beach (check out my reviews on those beaches to learn more).

The biggest negative is no shade, I mean none! It’s just a flat desert, lol! But there are bathrooms close by and it’s an easy to walk beach with absolutely stunning views. They even filmed a movie out here according to my mom! This beach is a must visit if you make it over to the north shore. We were staying on the south shore, but still made the drive because we knew it would be worth it! They also have a pretty neat food truck scene you can check out along the way so plan to stop for a meal or a shaved ice or ice cram from Lapperts! Oh and grab a coffee from Outpost at the back of Hanalei Market, you won’t be disappointed! Seriously, so much to do up there and I wrote reviews on all of our stops so feel free to check them out and then don’t miss out on Hanalei Bay!

This was a great beach for body surfing. My grandkids who are 5 and 7 had a blast here. The water is warm and clear and it had a nice sandbar. Big beach area. Lots of people. Not the best parking situation though.

Spent really nice evenjngs there, water os clear and warm. And scenery, well you cant just put into words. If you are a beach lover, you will love there

This is a nice long strip of sand, well protected in this sheltered bay, making it great for beach walks, swims, SUP and more. The views of the mountains are lovely, but interrupted with homes of the town.

It was not that crowded and still a lot of work is being done to get it recovered from the storms. It is a nce beach though. The pier was open.

Visited this nostalgic place just recently and it still has its charm and picturesque views. Beach is clean and the water was warm and refreshing. Getting there was slower due to the road work occurring along the winding road with tree removals. But it was still worth it. Beach wasn’t crowded and there were several surfers. It’s a great place for beginners and surf guards were near.

Was looking forward to visiting this beach, but the locals have erected barriers to discourage others from visiting. The pier is nearly impossible to get to, unless you're willing to take a very long walk.

Very disappointing.

Beautiful beach, easy access, plenty of parking. Great place to watch the sunset.
Beach is clean and free of rocks and twigs. Waves are kid friendly

The beach is OK, but Kauai is loaded with beaches. It was the town that was the attraction for us. Some very interesting Galleries, & shops. Eating places for every taste & budget. Don't just drive through. Stop & spend some time, you won't be dissappointed.

and frolics in the ocean breeze in a land called Hanalee (Hanalei Bay). The movie South Pacific was filmed near here. Because of very heavy rains that washed the parking lot out in the spring of 2008, you now have to park several blocks away and walk in. It's worth your time to walk out on the pier.

We decided to drive on down to Hanalei despite the road construction coming down the mountain. The beach was gorgeous! As others have said, big stretch of soft sand AMD a great body surfing area. We took a short time out for a waterfall pic as the Sunday we were in town, the Hanalei school just off the main road was closed and by driving into their parking lot, we got spectacular photos of several waterfalls. Only downside was that the beach parking was very crowded and tight. But worth it!

The sand is soft, the beach is clean and the waves are intense when the surf is high. Walking from one end of the beach to the other end of the beach offers views of the mountains and ocean. The pier is an added bonus. Fun to watch the kids fish off of it and the others surf by it. Gorgeous in photos. One of the best place to see a sunset. Take your suit, your blankets and chairs. Spend an hour, spend a day. You will be glad you did.

Really Enjoyed the Beach. Felt safe with the lifeguards. However, for such a large beach they could definitely use more lifeguard stations. Beautiful views of Hanalei with waterfalls in background

This beach spreads out in both directions, and covers a lot of its namesake bay. The walk from the parking lot is longer than you want if you have a bunch of stuff, but it is flat and easy to do. The surf breaks right at the shore, so take note if you have little kids. The water is peaceful and refreshing, and the views of the mountains to the west are breathtaking.

We must have gone toward the wrong end of the beach, because when we drove up, there was hardly anyone there. (But it might have been the dark clouds that drove the crowds away.) It did look pretty great - with the volleyball nets, grassy areas, and a long beach. It was just a bit eerie with so few people there.

Not sure if we came on a good day, but we did walk through some of the beach after our Sunday church service. There are various parking areas along the road way near the beach. The ones we could see clearly were literally full of pot holes and made driving miserable in these lots. We realized they had a terrible storm back in April, but this was November when we came, so it seems they had long enough to fix a few things.

The portion we walked along was the west side. I am sure on a sunny day and without as much wind, tit could be quite pleasant. The waves were higher than I would want to see with little children. I can see though that surfing etc would be OK.

I know we need to give this beach more of a chance. November might not be the best month visit or with poorer weather. Next time we are there, I think we will take some more time to enjoy it.

Beautiful and pristine. Not overly crowded, gorgeous view of the mountains and the clouds rolling in.

Literally one of my favorite places on Earth. The view of the mountains against the bay is spectacular. This is a must see when in Kauai!!!

Very calm and clean beach, we enjoyed how quiet it was. It had slower waves that rolled in (in August) and the water was pretty clear too! It also has a great view with a mountain range in the distance off to the left side of the beach, which kept us there a couple hours longer than we planned.

The stunning Hanalei Beach is a must-stop for anyone visiting the North Shore of Kauai. The sights of the surrounding mountains, and even the famous "Hanalei Dragon", are breathtaking.

The beach is mostly lava sand, so it's a bit rough and sticks to everything, but there are public outdoor showers and public restrooms available to clean up.

Because of the mists pouring over the mountains, you're almost guaranteed to see a rainbow here too!

This is a wide, sandy beach with small waves, near the main road. It is easily accessed through a parking lot.

We drove up to Hanalei to get some lunch and have a beach afternoon. Hanalei Beach did not disappoint! We went on a weekday afternoon, and it was mostly empty. The water was very calm, there is a restroom, and a faucet you can use to refill your water bottle on those hot beach days.

Hanalei Beach was one of our favorite Kauai beaches for walking and swimming. It was never too crowded and it is approximately two miles of wide, relatively flat sand beach. Enjoy!

The beach is big. Lots of people but you don't feel crowded. When we were there the waves were small enough for small kids to safely play in.

Enjoyed a couple of long strolls and wading along this beautiful shoreline. A shame that the pier and eastern end were so impacted by winter storms but it will soon be back to its full glory. Parking areas can be tough to navigate in a rental car due to potholes but there's plenty of adjacent on street parking if you so choose.

Beautiful expansive beach, great for kids as the waves aren’t so high. Parking is a bit of a challenge and the pier parking lot is currently closed (as of early Oct 2018).

Has to be one of my top 10 beaches in the world. Amazing views, good amenities. My only minor complaint would be parking. We had to park in a residential neighborhood. It was a little crowded since the road to Tunnels Beach (and beaches beyond) was closed. Great place to relax and check out the scenery.

The beach was not overly crowded when we went both times. The hardest part was parking. If you plan to make a day of the beach then go early for better parking. When we were there the waves were almost nothing so the kids didn't enjoy the boogie boards as much as they would have liked. But it was a nice location and the lifeguards were always watching.

This one of the finest beaches of the many in this world we have enjoyed. If you like decent swell or no swell, its got it. It is also fairly long for enjoyable walks on firm and clean sand. In fact, I remarked to the missus that the remoteness of this location has spared it from the usual detritus of fishing nets, plastic garbage and the like found on many beaches closer to civilisation. It is not crowded, the waters are warm and the views are idyllic. Don’t bother with nearby Anini, go here.

Something for everyone here. All kinds of breaks and wave sizes available. Absolutely stunning views. There’s a reason property here is in 8 figures.

Long, wide beach with plenty of sunshine. Can take long walks both directions, lovely backdrop of mountains. Water a little rough for swimming but some people were out there. Close to town for shopping and eating. Bathroom available.

Some people want to go to Hawaii to find their own little hidden slice of beach. If that is you, this is not the place for you and you should pick another beach. If you are good with families and kids and adults out having a great time, some sunning and running on the beach, others squealing as they jump of the pier, and you just want to be in a fishbowl of beauty for a few hours, you belong here. We ran away on our vacation without the kids this time, but this would have been a great place to bring them.

We've all heard of Hanalei (maybe from Puff the Magic Dragon) and if you are looking for spectacle and glitz, this is not the place for you. It is beautiful, calm and authentic. (Magical). It is not pretentious or contrived, just Kauai beautiful. We took the adventure snorkel trip from here and it was a great decision. It's the beginning of some of the most beautiful places in the world. Be sure to stop by the Tahiti Nui bar before you leave.

Beautiful, fine sand beach, with lifeguards, showers and extended shallows (seasonally). Loads of families spend the day--get there early to get parking!

The pier (built for the movie South Pacific) is a great way to be "in the bay" without getting your feet wet. But you really should get in the water! We had a lovely encounter with a giant turtle, and the mountain backdrop never gets old.

Great place to spend the afternoon. The beach is so long, lots of space even when crowded. It’s not to deep, the ocean is good for all. Some of the beaches on the north shore are so beautiful, but because of The undertow cannot get into the beach.

Still recovering from the epic rains of April 2018 and now the rains from Tropical Storm Lane. Great place to walk and spend time on the beach for the views.

This is of course a beautiful beach that is a must stop on the beach list. Not my favorite after the April 2018 storms, as the beach seems too of changed a bit since my visit last year. However, you can shop at the local stores down from the beach and get some good food.

This is one of my favorite beaches in the entire world, so getting another opportunity to visit was fantastic! The beach is very big and can accommodate a lot of people. The scenes of the beach, bay, and surrounding mountains are simply amazing!

A lot happens at this very active beach. Kayak races and other sporting events, fishing, surfing, swimming, and sun bathing. There is also some snorkeling.

The mountains are tall, rugged, and beautiful. When I taught school, I would tell my students this is where Puff the Magic Dragon lives (he hides behind the biggest mountain). The Hawaiians just spell Honah Lee a bit differently. LOL.

We were able to spend a couple of hours here on this visit. It is a popular place to view sunsets, but we missed the sunset this time.

One thing I would like to add is to give kudos to the Hanalei life guards and first responders. Right after we arrived, an individual near where we parked went into some type of medical distress. The lifeguards responded very quickly and the first response unit arrived less than 2 minutes after called. It sure made me feel like this beach is a very safe place.

We stayed late afternoon to sunset ,such a beautiful beach ..mountains ,picturesque pier and calm water ..we enjoyed swimming ,taking lots of pictures and people watching ..but bathrooms were very very dirty ,didn’t expect that

The storm of 2018 really did a number on Hanalei. They have worked hard to recover from the nearly 50 inches of rain they received. The damage to the pier has been repaired but the beach is no longer as beautiful as in the past. The bathroom facilities still need some work but I fear it will never be the same.

We had a pleasant stroll along the beach on a day when the weather seemed to keep changing. Parking was quite easy though one assumes that at the weekend it could be challenging.

Free parking next to this long sandy beach. Some surfers making use of 3' waves. Many couples and families set up for picnics. Many lunch places and shops a few blocks away.

This was our go to beach while we were in Kauai. We were with a group that had various comfort and skill levels for waves. The waves were always gentle and friendly near the pier, as you walked to the center of the bay, in front of the catamaran's the waves picked up in size a bit, and further down the beach, where the locals call " Pine Trees" the waves were fast and technical. I loved the local feel of this beach. The surfers would ride their bikes down after work for a sunset surf making for a very idyllic scene.

Best swimming beach on the North coast. The sand is clean, there are public restrooms, shower poles.Life gaurds and Volleyball courses.

We have been at this beach a number of times over the years but this last Christmas and the 2018 storms have taken its toll. The road and parking lot have been improved but the beach is a bit rustic. It still is a beautiful place to visit.

The beach gives you a fabulous view of the entire Hanalei Bay. There is a bath house with rest rooms and a small bit of parking.

Kids really loved this beach - lots of good surfing. Easily accessible w/ a great backdrop (mountains and waterfalls) - can't go wrong here.

This beach is unlike anything I have ever seen. The half of the beach where mountains meet the ocean was cloudy, rainy and big harsh waves as where the other half was blue skies and the best waves for boogie boarding!! Stayed that way for most of the day...so crazy!! Fun fact this place was the inspiration for Puff the Magic Dragon!! I would highly suggest stopping here for a beach day if you are on the north shore!!

Great beach for going in water, with boards or without. There were some pretty big waves for surfing when we were there. Accessible with change rooms/bathrooms, and lifeguard.

The beach is more protected by the pier. Great for swimming and learning to surf beach. There are public bathrooms and outdoor showers.

Near Princeville, Hanalei Beach is just lovely. You can swim, snorkle and lay out on this private area with scenery to die for. Nearby is a shopping center and eateries.

I hate to be "that person", but I just couldn't figure out what all the hype was for this beach. It was pretty, but by no means among the prettiest beaches we saw on Kauai. There's not a ton of shade either, so it gets quite hot. Seems more of a sunbather and volleyball player kind of beach than scenic one.

Well we didn't surf but we still had fun watching them during a high surf warning. Parking on the weekend was hard to find so we walked a bit til we found the beach. Not many swimming and the surfers were way out. We walked along the wide beach to the pier and enjoyed the action.

Since Black Pot beach and pier are closed, this is it. Although it's a very pretty, wide, sandy beach, it is crowded with very limited parking. Don't count on getting a parking spot in the lot. Restrooms are available.

It is a very scenic beach with a great view of the mountains in the background.

The waves were really big, so I would not feel safe swimming. The lifeguards were constantly on their horn warning people to stay inside certain boundaries.

We really missed Black Pot. We walked to the pier, which was quite a long walk and brought friends who had not ever been there.

Songs are written about Hanalei Beach, it’s a mythical place. But the water isn’t always clear due to the many runoffs from the mountains and from the constant shoring up work from the earth-moving machines. Bathrooms and beach showers and a covered building for picnic. A good place to watch the canoes take off for a paddle.

The little town of Hanalei, the bay of Hanalei, the nearby Napali Wilderness (stunning!), the mountains surrounding the area and the two riviers feeding into the bay just give you so much to do and see. the scenery is extraordinary!

This is a beautiful beach popular to locals. Because of road damage, the road to the pier is only open to local traffic, so if you want to go to the pier, it is a walk. The beach was pretty busy when we were there.

Loved this beach, great for surfing. But please be careful when swimming, ripe tides are scary and lifeguards are annoyed!

This beach is very nice. It’s has very fine sand compared to other beaches close by. Because it’s in the bay the water is pretty calm for the most part. Bring an umbrella though because there isn’t much shade. No snorkeling either. It’s really good for paddle boarding though.

Just an amazing place. So so pretty and lush. Well worth spending time at this beach or any on the north shore.

This was our first trip to Kauai. We looked forward to a more layed back vacation and it didn't disappoint. Beautiful island and very friendly local population. We experienced great accommodations at Koloa Landing We will plan to return if that's any indication of our satisfaction.

We walked the beach stopping to chat with people along the way and watch the surfers. Beautiful beach being enjoyed by young and old alike. Parking was not a problem.

As I stated before, if you are going to Kauai, don't bother staying at a fancy resort, get out and see all the fantastic beaches. Hanalei was the "end of the road" on this trip because of the mud slides closing the road further up. Could not visit the dry or wet caves area. Still more than worth the trip...

Hanalei Beach was incredible! Such a gorgeous beach and we hit it on a beautiful, clear day. So fun to watch the surfers, walk the beach, and soak up the sunshine.

The water was great. Awesome beach. And great waves. Best part is the beach is very close to downtown Hanalei so when you get hungry, plenty of options. A must visit

This beach was stunning... its huge, and with the mouintains in the background, its a must see. Great for families, sporting, swimming etc.

Waves can be very large on days, and there is also a large portion that is not for swimming due to undertows, so make sure to read the signs carefully.
Life guards are on duty.