Kalihiwai beach. Directions.

Question

I saw directions online for getting there. It said go a mile/or two past the lighthouse, at Kahiliwai rd, turn left. That seemed strange to me. Wouldn't that take you away from the ocean?

Answer

Kalihiwai Beach is a beautiful and relatively secluded spot on the north shore of Kauai. Directions to this beach can indeed be a little confusing because of the way the roads run along the coastline and the surrounding terrain.

The instructions you saw about going a mile or two past the Kilauea Lighthouse and turning left at Kahiliwai Road do seem counterintuitive at first glance. While it may feel like turning left takes you away from the ocean, this is actually correct because the road curves toward the shoreline. Kauai’s north shore roads are winding and often don’t run perfectly parallel to the coast, so sometimes a “left” turn can still lead you toward the beach.

Here’s a clearer way to think about it:

From Kilauea Lighthouse, continue north on Kuhio Highway (Route 56).
Look for the Kahiliwai/Kalihiwai Road turnoff on your left; there is usually a small sign or marker.
Follow Kahiliwai Road down—this road will eventually lead you closer to the beach. There may be a short walking path or unpaved section at the end that takes you directly to the sand.

Some additional tips:

GPS apps may sometimes take you to private property; be mindful and park only in designated areas.
Kalihiwai Beach is not heavily developed, so expect limited facilities—bring water, sunscreen, and be cautious with kids near the surf.
The beach can be affected by strong currents and large waves depending on the season, so always check local conditions before swimming.

In short, while the turn may feel like it goes inland, it’s actually the correct route to access Kalihiwai Beach safely. Once you reach the end of the road, you’ll find a path that leads down to the ocean.

Kalihiwai beach. Directions.

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