Kauai Family Travel: Kid Friendly Beaches
As Harrison begins his second year of life, I feel like we are just beginning to explore the world of family travel. In ways both fun and, well, less fun, traveling with a kid is an entirely different experience and I spent a lot of time before our trip to Hawaii earlier in the year trying to find the best family activities. My hope with this next series of posts on our trip to Kauai is to share my best tips if you too want to explore paradise with your little one in tow, starting with the most kid friendly beaches. Of course, in a mere week we didn’t get to visit them all, although we certainly tried.
Starting from the North Shore and moving clockwise around the island, these are the best beaches for kids. Things they generally have in common are (relatively) easy access, more gentle surf, and plenty of shade. Additionally, the beach parks have facilities such as bathrooms. If you’re wanting to visit some of the more out of the way beaches, I strongly recommend the Kauai Revealed app or guidebook. The app is especially useful when trying to find almost hidden trailheads or parking spots.
Kahalahala Beach: We loved our afternoon here. There is a short walk to the sand, but it’s a shady walk through the jungle that was manageable even for Harrison. The water was GORGEOUS and there is a natural lava pool if you or your small companions prefer to avoid the waves. There was plenty of shade and room to spread out. The walk to the water could be a little uncomfortable due to hot sand, so consider appropriate footwear. And the waves can get more intense in the winter, as with most spots on the North Shore, and may not be safe. But on a sunny late spring day it was paradise.
‘Anini Beach Park: With calm waters, at least close to the shore, and plentiful parking and bathrooms, this is a great spot to bring the whole family. If your kiddo is of the more adventurous sort, this is also a popular spot for windsurfing. Although he’s not quite ready to take up the sport just yet, Harrison was certainly fascinated by the windsurfers.
Kalihiwai Beach: Although we didn’t have a chance to visit this beach, this is locally a popular spot for beginner boogie boarders and surfers.
Lydgate Beach Park: This is one spot I am sad that we missed. Not only is this some of the safest swimming on the island thanks to man made ponds, there are also facilities including showers (some folks with later flights will shower here before heading to the nearby airport) and two playgrounds that we were repeatedly told are great fun for kids. I guess we will just have to add this to the list for next time.
Kalapaki Beach: Another spot for beginner learners of all ages - whether it’s boogie boarding or stand-up paddleboarding. As a nice bonus, if parenting and keeping a small child alive despite their best efforts gets to be a bit much, stop by Duke’s Barefoot Bar and order a La Pina (thank me later), a hula pie, or perhaps both to get you through until bedtime.
Po’ipu Beach Park: The sunny southside is popular with families and spots like Po’ipu Beach Park are a big reason why. There is consistently calm surf to the left and consistently good snorkeling to the right. There is a lifeguard on duty and we enjoyed the picnic shelters - in the morning we ate smoothie bowls next to the ocean and later in the day we grabbed lunch from the nearby Puka Dog. There is something for everyone here.
Baby Beach/Kaheka Beach: This is another beach with especially calm surf due to the protection of a natural breakwater, but make sure you bring your water shoes for this one as there is more lava rock than sand once you’re in the ocean.
Keiki Cove: Like Baby Beach, there is some natural protection here that keeps this small beach very calm for little ones.
Salt Pond Beach Park (with an honorable mention to nearby Glass Beach): This is your best best on the West Shore, although it does get windy. As the name suggests, this is the site of natural salt ponds (the only ones in Hawaii). The beach is generally quite safe for swimming and there is plenty of parking. Although it’s not great for swimming, the nearby Glass Beach is worth a stop, as well, simply because it’s unique. Thanks to an old dump, the beach here is made up of colorful glass. It’s an interesting spot to explore (but please be a good human and leave the glass where you find it).
Although there are dozens more beaches you can visit on Kauai, these are my recommendations for where to go if you have younger children. Of course, I am sure there are some that I am missing. What are your favorite kid friendly beaches on the island?