If you’ve decided to vacation on the beautiful island of Kauai, you can consider either the north or the south part of the island. Both are terrific for visitors, with wonderful stuff to see and do all in between. Up north, you have Princeville and Hanalei; at the south, there’s Poipu Beach. If you choose Poipu Beach, where you plant your towel in the morning probably will be determined by where your hotel stands on the beach; but actually, Poipu Beach has adjoining beaches with special characteristics of their own. Make a note if any of these sounds particularly interesting to you:
Lawai Beach
If you like to — or want to — snorkel, here’s your spot. At the western end of the Poipu stretch, this narrow strip affords calm waters and great snorkeling, without a beach clutter of sunbathers and waders. Breaks from an offshore reef farther out attract local surfers.
Baby Beach
This protected cove nestled between Lawai Beach and Poipu Beach is perfect for very young children.
Mahaulepu Beach
This beach feels really remote. It’s two miles east of Poipu Beach and you’ll have to pass a security shack. (The beach usually closes by 6 p.m. in the winter and 7 p.m. in the summer). Mahaulepu is popular with visitors as well as locals, who come to wind surf, swim, snorkel, fish or just sunbathe.
Brennecke’s Beach
Dr. Marvin Brennecke stowed away after the turn of the last century to reach Kauai, where he became a plantation doctor until he retired in 1972. He bought a lot on the beach east of Poipu Beach and built a house on it. The house was destroyed by hurricane `Iwa in 1982 and the lot was subsequently acquired by the county in order to expand Poipu Beach to the west. This is a very nice protected area for swimming, snorkeling, body surfing and boogie boarding; and offshore surf breaks attract the more experienced surfers.
Shipwreck’s Beach
Shipwreck’s Beach is a long, lovely stretch of sand east of those five. Best suited for experienced surfers because of its short shore-break, is ideal to sunbathe and walk along … and you may want to extend your walk onto a spectacular shoreline trail that goes east for a couple miles.
As is the case with all the islands, we can help you focus on the areas and activities that will suit your preferences, and we’ll be able to suggest things that mainland-based agents have yet to discover. Pick one of our agents on our Website, or call 1-800-843-8771
