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Amazing amazing amazing. Really hard to get to and honestly, I wouldn't have been able to get here on my own. There are very limited parking permits here unless you are a Hawaiian resident. And even then, the drive here is difficult and a bit scary with twists and turns. There is also a shuttle that you have to book and pay far in advance (check Go Haena website). But that made this a super serene and secluded beach. It almost felt like a secret. On a clear day, you can view the coastline mountains in the background of the Napali coast. The water is so clear and blue. Ranging from light blue to turquoise. There are wild chickens roaming the beach. There are also a lot of trees so plenty of shade. The highlight for me was seeing a rare Hawaiian monk seal sleeping on the beach. It is an endangered species with unfortunately not too many left. I kept a bit of a distance not to disturb it. I did take some photos with zoom and it did not wake up. It continued snoozing on the sand. A couple people stopped to take pictures but it seemed like it was used to people as long as no one got too too close. It slept so peacefully and I only saw it move to adjust its position. Highly recommend this beach if you are able to get there. I did not do the hike though--way too muddy and slippery for me in my regular sneakers.
My husband loves to drive and we were staying in the North Shore and wanted to see, just how far north can we go before the road ends? This is the end of the road, literally. The last beach in the North shore accessible by car, the ocean lagoon is calmest on the left side at the start of the Na Pali coast. The reefs form a barrier which provides great snorkeling conditions. Visiting in winter time means less crowds, ample parking and a more remote feel for us. There couldn't have been a more magical sunset disappearing on the ocean with the majestic mountain alongside it. This right here, is what people travel for.
Usually calm clear water and good snorkeling spot but we had awful weather that week. But this is One of the must do beaches. Great place to go for sunset. When we were there it rained all week and the waves were big and frisky. Didn't snorkel or even put on a bathsuit but enjoyed watching others play in the ocean. There are neat old trees with roots that provide some shelter. Near the mountains and caves. We drove till the road ended... Not much further than Ke'e Beach. Ke'e is close to tunnel Beach. Both are a must do while on kauai.
I visited quite a few beaches on my trip to Kauai, but I'd have to say Ke'e was my favorite. Not sure if it was because I was absolutely exhausted from my Kalalau Trail hike earlier in the day, or the amazing time I had snorkeling the reef. I think it was both! I recommend hiking the Kalalau Trail first as I did, checking out Hanakapiai Beach/Falls, and then returning back to Ke'e Beach. Since you park your car there might as well kill two birds with one stone. That and the fact that parking fills up fast after the early AM, so get up early and come prepared! As for the beach itself, the water is generally calm and very clear--perfect conditions for snorkeling! And man are there all different kinds of fish! My favs were the parrotfish and cornetfish. Word to the wise though: DON'T STAND ON THE REEF! What's also fun is that there is usually a vendor or two serving fresh coconuts out of the back of their pickup. The guy we bought ours from was nice enough to slice it in half with his machete afterward so that we could scoop out the meat! In summary: this is a location you cannot miss while vacationing in Kauai!
Amazingly beautiful beach! Clear and protected waters for the best swimming we had during the winter season. There are washrooms, water fountains, showers, and a lifeguard station at this beach. I could have spent an entire day here but we hiked to Hanakapiai Beach so I was hiking fast to be able to spend some time at this beach. The system to get into the park has changed - either you get a permit for your car or take a shuttle in from Hanalei ($15/person). We took the shuttle as the permits were sold out for the next two weeks but that limited us to the shuttle's schedule. It was fine I suppose but getting a permit to stay later and watch the sunset would have been great. The beach gets busy but for good reason, it is stunning!
The beach at the end of the road. The water seemed calmer- I was told the blue lagoon was protected by a reef. This is in contrast to being a popular for people that just want a relaxing swim. A woman was always selling jewelry by the entrance to the beach. Na Pali range of mountains to the West and trees surrounding the other sides with the only buildings are the lifeguard tower & restrooms/showers. I saw 2 sunsets at this beach and must give it 5 stars. Something soothing about the secluded place.
I'm so blessed to call Northshore Kauai my home!! If you are blessed to visit Kauai I would highly recommend coming to my favorite accessible beach on the Northshore of Kauai. The view of Na Pali coast is priceless and the ocean is truly magical. To say Kauai is a majestic island is a understatement!!
I really enjoyed spending a few hours here at this beach. Perfect beach to snorkel and have lunch after our morning hike on the Kalalau trail. I believe this is the last beach in the North shore that is accessible by car. What I love about this beach is the calm water. Perfect for young children. Soft sand and you have a gorgeous view of the mountains directly to your left. The water was warm enough to swim in during November. *You need to get a parking pass from the Haena state park website so you can park here ($5). Bring chairs, towels, food, drinks etc but it'll be a 5-10 minute walk to the beach from the parking lot. Enjoy!
8 months ago
We were looking for the end of the road and found it at Ke'e beach. There was a lot of one lane bridges and curves in the road. The distance versus time it took was interesting because it didn't look far but it took a while. We are residents of Hawaii so we didn't need reservations, but if you are visiting it is a must. The walk to the beach was about 0.3 miles of boardwalk over the lo'i or taro patches. Then through the woods on sandy/rock/soil. There are restrooms at the beach along with water fountains but no showers. The beach was pretty but it wasn't recommended that you snorkel due to the rip currents. There is a life guard stand there if something happened. We didn't spend a lot of time at the beach, just wanted to check it out. Make sure you take everything you need because there isn't much out there past hanalei. read more
9 months ago
They will tell you that you can snorkel here. But there is only sand and big waves away from the shore. read more
Amazing amazing amazing. Really hard to get to and honestly, I wouldn't have been able to get here on my own. There are very limited parking permits here unless you are a Hawaiian resident. And even then, the drive here is difficult and a bit scary with twists and turns. There is also a shuttle that you have to book and pay far in advance (check Go Haena website). But that made this a super serene and secluded beach. It almost felt like a secret. On a clear day, you can view the coastline mountains in the background of the Napali coast. The water is so clear and blue. Ranging from light blue to turquoise. There are wild chickens roaming the beach. There are also a lot of trees so plenty of shade. The highlight for me was seeing a rare Hawaiian monk seal sleeping on the beach. It is an endangered species with unfortunately not too many left. I kept a bit of a distance not to disturb it. I did take some photos with zoom and it did not wake up. It continued snoozing on the sand. A couple people stopped to take pictures but it seemed like it was used to people as long as no one got too too close. It slept so peacefully and I only saw it move to adjust its position. Highly recommend this beach if you are able to get there. I did not do the hike though--way too muddy and slippery for me in my regular sneakers. read more
1 year ago
9 months ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
Cool spot, but sadly I had to tell a guy to get off the already very damage corals. A Few fish but not the best snorkeling. Only worth the stop if your going to do the hike on Napili trail because of how hard it was to get there. (parking, cost, shuttle) read more
My husband loves to drive and we were staying in the North Shore and wanted to see, just how far north can we go before the road ends? This is the end of the road, literally. The last beach in the North shore accessible by car, the ocean lagoon is calmest on the left side at the start of the Na Pali coast. The reefs form a barrier which provides great snorkeling conditions. Visiting in winter time means less crowds, ample parking and a more remote feel for us. There couldn't have been a more magical sunset disappearing on the ocean with the majestic mountain alongside it. This right here, is what people travel for. read more
Usually calm clear water and good snorkeling spot but we had awful weather that week. But this is One of the must do beaches. Great place to go for sunset. When we were there it rained all week and the waves were big and frisky. Didn't snorkel or even put on a bathsuit but enjoyed watching others play in the ocean. There are neat old trees with roots that provide some shelter. Near the mountains and caves. We drove till the road ended... Not much further than Ke'e Beach. Ke'e is close to tunnel Beach. Both are a must do while on kauai. read more
I visited quite a few beaches on my trip to Kauai, but I'd have to say Ke'e was my favorite. Not sure if it was because I was absolutely exhausted from my Kalalau Trail hike earlier in the day, or the amazing time I had snorkeling the reef. I think it was both! I recommend hiking the Kalalau Trail first as I did, checking out Hanakapiai Beach/Falls, and then returning back to Ke'e Beach. Since you park your car there might as well kill two birds with one stone. That and the fact that parking fills up fast after the early AM, so get up early and come prepared! As for the beach itself, the water is generally calm and very clear--perfect conditions for snorkeling! And man are there all different kinds of fish! My favs were the parrotfish and cornetfish. Word to the wise though: DON'T STAND ON THE REEF! What's also fun is that there is usually a vendor or two serving fresh coconuts out of the back of their pickup. The guy we bought ours from was nice enough to slice it in half with his machete afterward so that we could scoop out the meat! In summary: this is a location you cannot miss while vacationing in Kauai! read more
Amazingly beautiful beach! Clear and protected waters for the best swimming we had during the winter season. There are washrooms, water fountains, showers, and a lifeguard station at this beach. I could have spent an entire day here but we hiked to Hanakapiai Beach so I was hiking fast to be able to spend some time at this beach. The system to get into the park has changed - either you get a permit for your car or take a shuttle in from Hanalei ($15/person). We took the shuttle as the permits were sold out for the next two weeks but that limited us to the shuttle's schedule. It was fine I suppose but getting a permit to stay later and watch the sunset would have been great. The beach gets busy but for good reason, it is stunning! read more
3 years ago
The beach at the end of the road. The water seemed calmer- I was told the blue lagoon was protected by a reef. This is in contrast to being a popular for people that just want a relaxing swim. A woman was always selling jewelry by the entrance to the beach. Na Pali range of mountains to the West and trees surrounding the other sides with the only buildings are the lifeguard tower & restrooms/showers. I saw 2 sunsets at this beach and must give it 5 stars. Something soothing about the secluded place. read more
6 years ago
I'm so blessed to call Northshore Kauai my home!! If you are blessed to visit Kauai I would highly recommend coming to my favorite accessible beach on the Northshore of Kauai. The view of Na Pali coast is priceless and the ocean is truly magical. To say Kauai is a majestic island is a understatement!! read more
I really enjoyed spending a few hours here at this beach. Perfect beach to snorkel and have lunch after our morning hike on the Kalalau trail. I believe this is the last beach in the North shore that is accessible by car. What I love about this beach is the calm water. Perfect for young children. Soft sand and you have a gorgeous view of the mountains directly to your left. The water was warm enough to swim in during November. *You need to get a parking pass from the Haena state park website so you can park here ($5). Bring chairs, towels, food, drinks etc but it'll be a 5-10 minute walk to the beach from the parking lot. Enjoy! read more
9 years ago
4 years ago
9 years ago
Just past Tunnels beach in Haena- North Shore. Literally located where the road ends on Hwy 560. There is plenty of parking right next to the beach but this all depends on what time you get there. There is also additional parking further down the road but it's a bit of a walk up. We got there about 7:20 pm and were able to park right next to the beach entrance. There were no longer lifeguards on duty due to the time and it was advised not to swim after dusk due to tides and currents. There were still a few people on the beach, nobody in the water and a few people setting up camp with tents. The bf and I decided to do a date night picnic on the beach. We had been told by several people that this was a great beach for picnics due to the views which they were right. We missed the sunset by about 20 minutes but still had an amazing view. It gets really dark really fast. You can see so many stars and the sound of the ocean is very relaxing. Definitely recommend bringing a lantern/light if you are going at night. There are a ton of bugs so bring bug replant because they will be drawn to your light! There were signs from the lifeguards when we arrived. One was that the sand was extremely hot. It wasn't hot at the time that we went but wouldn't chance it during the day. Secondly, the tides and currents were high at this time of year and to be very careful if you were swimming. There was also a witty comment about how they would not assist you with parking. To our surprise we didn't see many chickens here like the other beaches we visited. Later when we were leaving the bf threw his trash in the trash can and discovered a couple kittens hiding inside. We were able to coach them out of the trash can and they darted into the trees. On the way back we saw a lot of wild cats. Maybe why there weren't as many chickens? We didn't get to swim at this location but defitinely wish we had. The water was still super clear late at night. Great location for a beach dinner date night! read more
7 years ago
Believe it or not as a local, this is the first time I came to this beach. I wanted to see what the hoopla was all about. I didn't care for the drive as there are to many one lane bridges as I have no patience. I could have sworn I saw a local guy give me the F finger as I drove over the second of the two bridge area. I couldn't figure it out, I'm obviously not a tourist, as some locals hate tourists. Maybe these particular locals don't deserve Hawaii? Got to the check in booth, showed my Hawaii drivers license, from afar. She didn't ask to see it but I held it up for her. I couldn't figure out where was the parking area for locals so I just parked by the visitor area. Walking on the boardwalk, I wasn't to keen on the distance to the beach. Seemed like forever. Liked the taro patches on the way. Finally got to the beach, not impressed. Narrow beach, and the tide was coming up. Did some sunbathing and swimming. The water felt good. Honestly there are better beaches. I saw a sign No Snorkeling. There were many people but not crowded. No I won't be back, not worth the drive. read more
9 years ago
In the words of Ciara G., "Turtle! Turtle! Turtle! You're so cute!" More on that later. Ke'e Beach was wonderful. Definitely some of the best snorkeling and hiking I have ever experienced. I went here twice. The first day was all about the snorkeling. Although it was quite shallow in parts (so shallow that the waves were smashing us on top of the coral in parts and I got a few scrapes) the deeper parts were full of fish. I lost my group at one point because I was chasing a school of Parrotfish, and the most amazing thing happened. I saw a turtle. So I followed it. Swimming alongside the little bugger, touching the back of his shell, just kind of hanging out. Then...I heard a noise behind me. Like the sound of air escaping. I turned around...and there were MORE turtles. Six in total. Some really big ones, with one leeeetle baby one. It was surreal! The second day we opted to go for a hike instead of snorkel. The area we hiked was supposedly in the film "Jurassic Park", the part where the helicopter is coming in for a landing and you can see this amazing waterfall in the background. The hike was not too bad, a little slippery in parts, but such amazing views. Parking was kind of tough but we managed it. Overall...Ke'e Beach, like the rest of Kauai, it just pure magic. read more
15 years ago
This is probably my favorite beach in the world, gorgeous scenery [best seen from the Kalalau Trail that starts here] Ke'e beach is easy to find, at the end of the highway 56 going north in Kauai, you'll end at Ke'e. The views are spectacular, an awesome cove with lush green vegitation growing down the side of the cliffs. Clean white sand covers the ground that is not rock. Great snorkling and swimming here. The sunsets are absolutely amazing at Ke'e. Also a great place for wedding photos. Parking is limited, arrive early in the morning, find a good spot on the beach, bring a picnic lunch and enjoy your day in pure paradise. If your up to it, take a hike up the Kalalau Trail. There is a lifegaurd station here and clean restrooms with outside showers. If your in Kauai, Ke'e is a must do on the north shore. I highly recommend going here read more
What better way to end a big hike than with a stop at this beautiful beach. Yes, a lot of folks have the same idea, but the energy was really positive with all the "accomplished" Kalalau hikers as opposed to the blahness of the even more popular Poipu. Everyone's got their muddy hiking shoes off as they enjoy sitting on the sand or playing in the water; we didn't snorkel, but we didn't really have to as the water was clear enough to see some fish running around. I also love how the beginning of the Na Pali cliffside towers over the beach, lending the same grandeur as it does to the trail itself. I'd originally planned to bypass and go searching for more secluded beaches nearby, but the last thing I wanted to do after the hike was get right in the car and drive. It was a good decision to stay. read more
12 years ago
Ke'e Beach is located in the North Shore of the island. It's the last beach at the end of the road and it's worth driving to. This beach is the cleanest, stunning and very peaceful. The warm golden sand between your manicured toes feels amazing under the glaring sun. It's perfect for snorkeling in the beautiful crystal clear blue ocean. The water is so clear that you don't have to go out too far to see fishes. Lifeguard on duty Parking can be a challenge because it's close to the entrance to Kalalau Trail. read more
4 years ago
13 years ago
Even on a slow day there were lots of people here. Too many people. The parking here is more difficult than Tunnels b/c it has to accommodate the trailies as well as the beachgoers, as well as the tourists that just drove to the end of the road and here they are also. Wish they would keep their loud OOOHs and AAAHs to themselves though; some of them sound like they've been living under a rock their whole lives. Loud, full of themselves and oblivious to the world around them -- therefore annoying to me with my lack of sleep. Few thing's worse than a madding crowd on a "remote" beach - especially after particularly sucky breakfast at Waipouli Deli (see separate review). It wasn't like "where's my shotgun" but it was in the realm of "wish they would go away". Just keepin' it real. Was starting to get into the groove of Kauai at Tunnels and we left there to come here. Started up the trail but there are so many rocks on the path at the beginning that you are looking down instead of up. Wasn't into it this day and too many people on the trail. Did a snorkel and experienced the current just past the reef wanting to suck me away back to Oahu. Sharks are known to hang on the outside of the reef, so I did the smart thing and meandered back to shore, back to the screamin' kids. Wouldn't want to get my hand bitten off outside the reef, though. Can't get no satisfaction at Ke'e Beach today, but it's not the beach's fault. Today it is Wai-Kee-Kee. It gets a four this day, but not really. read more
10 years ago
5 years ago
11 years ago
Couldn't check in since I didn't have service, but I LOVE this beach. It's one of our favorites that we venture to every once in a while. But you are competing with visitors for parking. Its at the end of the road all the way North. If you plan in doing the Hanakapiai Trail or the Kalalau Trail, go early and don't keep valuables in the car. Just a warning. We've seen rental cars with windows smashed in if left over night. Once the lifeguards go home, your car is on its own. If you are just going to beach, still go early. Parking is so bad. The beach is so nice to float when its not rough or choppy. Lifeguards will post signs if the water is dangerous. LISTEN TO THE SIGNS AND LIFRGUARDS! Just because it looks ok doesn't mean it is. There can be rip currents and high tides. read more
14 years ago
Only beach with calm water in Kauai that I've seen. Most crowded as well. It was a great spot to swim and hang out for a while. It is at the end of the round a bit after tunnels beach. There are bathrooms and showers available as well. read more
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Does Ke'e Beach State Park have public bathrooms and/or changing facilities?
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