Hanalei Beach - Everyone Playground

Stay in our Princeville Kauai Vacation Home and you’ll get quick access to one of the best beaches in Kauai! Hanalei Bay is a top beach destination in the island and is a short drive from our Princeville Kauai Vacation Home. For less than 11 minutes, you will arrive in a beach that can cater to all types of visitors – Hanalei Bay.

Hanalei, which means, “ crescent bay” measures 2 miles with wide shoreline and the largest bay in the island. Situated west of Princeville, lush mountains that backdrops this beach intensifies its beauty.

Pick your beach

Its enormous size is divided into different beaches that help in catering to specific group of guests and activities.  The bay is home to four beach parks namely Hanalei Pavilion, Hanalei Pier, Waioli Beach Park, and Black Pot Beach.

Hanalei Pavilion

A surfer’s paradise, Hanalei is highly visited by champion surfers who come to enjoy and conquer its powerful waves and swells measuring up to 20 feet. Located in the middle of the bay, Hanalei Pavilion is a great spot to enjoy the waves. The bay faces the Winter Surf and surfers all over the world flock from September to May. For non-surfers, enjoy and be amazed by the gigantic swells from a safe distance.

Waioli Beach Park

Speaking of big waves, the biggest swells can be seen and experienced at this beach park, also known as Pine Tress.  During low surf days, this area is also a great place for swimming, lounging under the sun or practice surfing for beginners. A must do in the bay is to enjoy a rejuvenating beach walk.

Hanalei Pier

For those with little kids, Hanalei Pier is the best spot while visiting Hanalei Bay. The Pier is located only half a mile north of Hanalei Pavilion where families can enjoy a safer area for swimming and surfing.  The water is calmer even during winter surf and shallow for little kids to wade and splash around. The newly constructed pier has a canopy and a favorite photo opportunity spot for weddings.

Black Pot Beach

For those who want to enjoy great BBQ and picnic by the bay, pick your spot at Black Pot Beach. Located at the mouth of Hanalei River, its water is a little murky. Thus, swimming is not a top activity here. This beach is reserved for weekend camping (permit required). Not far is Hanalei Landing where boats from all over the world are anchored.

Myriad of Activities at Hanalei Bay

Whether you come during Winter season to see for yourself the powerful swells Hawaii is known for or enjoy summer with calmer water, Hanalei Bay let visitors enjoy different activities all year round with swimming, sailing, fishing, paddle boarding, body boarding, and of course surfing. Each of the different parks is also equipped with ample facilities to assist the needs of visitors like restrooms, showers, parking, picnic tables, and BQQ. To ensure safety, lifeguards are stationed at different posts in the bay.

It is no surprising that guests spend at least a full day at Hanalei Bay. As one of the best beaches not just in North Shore but all over Kauai, rent our Princeville Kauai Vacation Home and be closer to Hanalei Bay.