A beach with an interesting name, Shipwreck Beach is located on the south shore of Kauai, close to…read morethe more popular Poipu Beach. It is easily accessible by car via a paved road (Ainako Street) betwen the Grand Hyatt and the golf course. My wife and I spent a couple of hours here, mainly because ironwood trees grow in the sand towards the back of the beach, and provided shade for where we sat down (it wasn't too crowded even in the early afternoon, and found parking in the small dirt parking lot adjoining). This is the beach that the folks staying at the Grand Hyatt would use, so saw loungers and umbrellas setup specifically for them. There was also good 5g reception so was able to surf the web while watching people surf the waves. The surf here is strong, and the shore break is very close to shore. This meant that folks were surfing and body boarding very close to shore, and I was amazed how they were able to avoid each other (and swimmers)...it definitely takes skills to do that...this is not a surf learning beach. Even saw one guy enter a barrel, being engulfed...have not seen one so close to shore before. I did enter the water and enjoyed it until a big wave caught me good and threw me ashore like a rag doll. Luckily I didn't pull anything, so decided not to push my luck anymore for the rest of the trip.

Beautiful beach great views. They have public restrooms that are clean. There is three public…read moreparking and they also offer handicap parking..

This is perhaps one of the biggest bang-for-buck trails I have ever done!…read more There are non-stop views, of rainbows, big green furry gorges, and pristine blue waters with bright white breakers... But, sadly, as of November 2025 the trail is pretty much blocked from all access. Access here was always dodgy but now there are pig fences and a padlocked door. You could probably still go around it near a cliff area but...one slip would probably mean death, so it's probably not worth hit. Such a shame to lose a gem like this. The signage says it is blocked for pig control

Trail got me winded but so worth it. Beautiful views and lots of green. Will do it againread more

Very beautiful views and a classic look! I had so much fun with this place! It was too coolread more

Quick stop along the road to view the valley. No amenities, just a place to pull over and take on…read morethe views.

Glass beach was so fun when we visited! It actually had glass covering the very small beach area…read morethat was rubbed so smoothly from the ocean that you didn't need to worry about walking on it barefoot!! I love what is called "seaglass" that I would find occasionally in the Hampton roads area when I lived there but you would never find as much as was washed up and sitting atop the sand at this beach! What a treasure! Did we steal some seaglass here? No, and I'm sad to see in recent posting that so much of the seaglass has been stolen it is no longer a destination to see some enjoy! Folks, make your Momma's proud and enjoy the natural beauty of this and other places and take nothing. It pictures and leave nothing but footprints!

Waste of time. This was a homeless encampment. Very little glass to be found. Couldn't fill up a…read moreshot glass with what we saw

If you find yourself near Poipu Beach and fancy a little natural theatrics, the Spouting Horn is…read moreyour go-to spot. Picture this: water shooting dramatically through blowholes, like Mother Nature showing off her party tricks. The ocean's hue is so stunning it might make your Instagram followers weep with envy. Parking? Plenty. Stress? None. There's even a picnic area if you feel like making a day of it--though, let's be honest, this is more of a quick-stop kind of gig. Legend has it, a giant lizard got trapped there and now moans dramatically every time the blowhole erupts. Talk about holding a grudge! We swung by during a casual drive from our condo, and while there's some nearby construction, it's nothing that'll ruin the vibe. Bonus: you can even catch a glimpse of the action from a mile away at the Sheraton Kauai Resort, if you're feeling lazy. So, is it life-changing? Nah. But is it worth a pit stop for some cool photos and a bit of local lore? Absolutely. Consider it nature's way of saying, Ta-da!

Located on the southern coast of Kauai, this natural lava tube blowhole has been known to shoot…read moreseawater as high as 50ft into the air. According to local folklore, a giant lizard which once protected this portion of the island got stuck in the lava tube. And the lizard's roar is now heard every time the Spouting Horn Blowhole blasts water into the air. There is a paved parking lot here, so parking is not an issue. While the actual blowhole is not accessible, you can still get a great view and awesome pictures at the fenced viewing area. There's not much else to do here so it never gets too crowded. As people come and go after about 10mins. Bathrooms facilities are also available here if you need a restroom break.

The views are lovely. You'll spend most of this hike looking at your feet. The terrain is very…read moreuneven. Rocks, roots. The views are stunning, when you pause to stop checking your steps.

Want to see cliff diving, sea turtles, Hawaiian monk seals, forests, rocks, cliffs, pinnacles,…read moreocean views, sand dunes, red clay trails, ponds, pristine green grasses, sinkholes, caves, multiple beaches, and tortoises? Drive on Poipu road, passing the Grand Hyatt, making a right turn at the Poipu Golf course. Parked in the free Shipwreck beach parking lot, which fills by 830am. Later arrivals parked in the overflow dirt parking area, or alongside the road leading to the Poipu road. Wife used the bathroom facilities, as no bathrooms nor water alongside the trail. I dressed in my Hoka Bondi women size 9B running shoes, although I've seen some doing this hike in flip flops, and one carrying a bike. Wearing shorts and T-shirt, sunscreen, with a floppy sun hat with a strap to keep from blowing off in the high ocean winds. Bring along a sling pack with water and a light raincoat. Walked along the edge of Shipwreck beach, and then up a rocky hillside, climbing upwards boulder to boulder. Over the top of the hill of limestone, and an awesome sight of waves crashing against the stone cliffs below, on this southeastern coastal corner of Kauai. Trail goes alongside the ocean, in and out of forests of Kiwae, with fantastic limestone rock formations in view right at the ocean' edge. Saw arches of rock, and pinnacles rising right out of the sea. Sandy dunes replace the rock path, and then red clay. Inlets everywhere along the jagged coastline, where during calmer times you can see sea turtles or Hawaiian monk seals resting on the sands of the inlets. In the background the red brown Makawehi Lithified cliffs. We pass a pond and then the golf course itself. Signs instruct hikers to stay on the very edge of the golf course. Safety fences separate you from the very edge of the cliffs. At the end of the golf course is an area of tall grasses, where you can see where you've hiked. Pass a CJM country stables, and then reach Mahaulepu beach. Rugged and remote area with tall brush. Long pants advised, otherwise you'll risk scratching up your legs. Farther on is the Makauwahi cave, which is really a huge sinkhole, and beyond that Gillian's beach, and then the tortoise reserve with newly built bathrooms on the far side. Now that I'm 71 I have to go to the bathroom every two hours, as does the wife after drinking coffee. Not a problem for me, but didn't ask if she brought toilet paper, as there is no cover on this hike. I've done this hike at least a dozen times, but on our way back, we take a short cut through the forests away from the limestone hill formation but get lost and reach a dead end before doubling back. DWA. 11am and already 80 degrees, even in winter. Walk on down the final part of the trail, very rocky and uneven. A senior lady in her finest fashion sandals totters unevenly about to fall over on the rocks. Same place where my sister-in-law tore a hole in her only pair of shorts trying to climb down by sliding on her behind. She had extra ventilation on the six-hour plane ride back home.

(Visited 05/26/26 SU @ 10:00am): There were definitely "crashing waves" albeit small ones along…read morePoipu Beach Located on Kaua'i's "sunny southside", I spent a lazy Sunday at Poipu Beach people-watching, reading, sleeping, snorkeling, sunning, and swimming. Right along The Sheraton Kaua'i Resort Villas where I was staying, I haven't had a day-long beach day for awhile, and I really needed a day just to recharge, refresh, and regenerate my body, mind, and soul. Having been ranked as one of the top beaches in the U.S. over the years, was there anything to poo-poo about Poipu Beach!? EXPERIENCE The word "poipu" in the Hawaiian language meant "crashing waves" and was actually two beaches in one. A "tombola" (known as Nukumoi Point) separated the two bays, and in this case it was a narrow sand spit that extended from the shore to an island. This particular area was a favorite spot for endangered napping Hawaiian monk seals. The area on the western side of the beach was a favorite for beginner bodyboarders while small waves broke gently on the shallow sandbar created a fun area for children to play. The area on the eastern side of the beach was a lava rock-protected and shallow spot for swimmers and another play area for families with small children. On this comfortable sunny day, what was initially a quiet beach progressively got crowded and noisy as the day wore on. I swam for hours back and forth past the shorebreak along the coast, took breaks to drink water and eat a snack, napped, read, and then went back out with snorkel gear in hand. An exhausting exhilarating stress-free day - perfection! SERVICE Specifically on this section of the beach, there weren't any bathrooms nor lifeguard stations. Generally speaking, there weren't any facilities whatsoever except for what the adjacent Sheraton Kaua'i Resort Villas may offer. It was a completely open public beach - 'nuff said. PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance) I had no vehicle, so I simply walked from my room. However, there was a nightly $40.00 fee for guests who stayed at the Sheraton Kaua'i Resort Villas if they parked on the property, and there might've been some free parking along the many nearby roads and streets. Make sure to carefully read any posted signs. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE I made a spot directly out past the middle opening from the resort's pool and the sand, the beach was clean and smooth, somewhat spacious, and fairly empty early-on but no shady trees to deflect the sunlight. There was a lone monk seal https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=120&select=xDFNXkdOMhOO9W7Nv7YtuA which was a protected specie, so people must please stay away. Sizable waves were much further out, this beach was perfect for light water activity (no real surf breaks while snorkeling was better once you got considerably past the shore break). No benches, chairs, or tables, so bring your own chairs or towels to lay or sit on. Obviously, there was plenty of natural lighting with only the glowing stars left to guide you when nighttime came. There were no TVs nor any background music except for any electronic device you brought along with you such as your mobile phone. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=120&select=GN-CeJWbv9VNt_FU7MhmDg ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL Poipu Beach was another little piece of island heaven which I hoped would stay that way. Online research culled many articles and reviews of this beach that also alluded to what I experienced, so none of this was a secret. However, on this given weekend, I was thankful for the peacefulness and solitude. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $0.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, there was no need for funds of any kind which included my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

Probably the most famous beach on Kauai, Poipu was named 'Best Beach in America' in 2001 by "Dr…read more Beach", when such lists weren't so prevalent as they are now. My wife and I visited on Day 4 of our Kauai vacation in the early afternoon, and continued to understand why it is so popular with tourists. The area around the beach area is built up, with retail businesses within walking distance. There is usually plenty of free parking, but on this day, the past week's rains had flooded one of the parking lots, so there were not as many spots. My wife still found a good spot though, and we walked the short distance to the shoreline. There is a protected man-made wading area towards the east of the beach. It is easy to wade out to the lava rock retaining wall, with the water being maybe 3 feet there. There are facilities and lifeguards in the area. One of their jobs was to keep folks from getting too close to 4 sea turtles that were sunning on the sand near that area.

This was probably my favorite beach we visited this time around. It's not a very large beach and…read morecan get crowded with those who are wanting to snorkel. Even surfers set out here to catch some waves. There are a lot of rocks, more rocks than sand, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I highly recommend water socks to protect your feet. There's a great entrance point that's pretty smooth and easy on your feet, but the waves can be choppy. The snorkeling reminded me a lot of Two Step Beach on the Big Island because you didn't have to swim out very far to see fish. There were a ton of fish out there! There were also a couple of turtles further out, but there were quite a few people hanging out around them. Remember not to get too close to them! :) We visited this beach several times because it was right outside our condo complex. At one point we were just sunbathing and playing in the water and ended up having the whole beach to ourselves late in the afternoon! It was awesome!

This beach is perfect to watch the sunset at, & is right next to the nice restaurant The Beach…read moreHouse. There is a very small sand area, but the ground is leveled so that it's very easy to sit & watch the sunset. The water is full of rocks, which actually made it very good for snorkeling. There were lots of fish around, eating off of the rocks. It was also in a little cove, so the waves were a bit smaller & easier to snorkel around in. This was one of the best beaches to snorkel at to see fish of the ones I went to (Anini Beach, Poipu Beach, & here).