Top 10 Kid-Friendly Beaches in Kauai

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While there are some of the best beaches in Kauai, I think of Kauai as sort of the temperamental Hawaiian Island. It is absolutely stunning, with lush green valleys to explore and beautiful beaches to enjoy, but the Hawaii Kauai beaches can require a bit more planning before hitting the beaches, especially during certain times of the year.

Winter can cause for some big surf on Kauai. And while huge waves can be great for surfers, they’re not ideal for your littles. But don’t worry–there are several Hawaii Kauai beaches that are great for kids of all ages, even in the winter.

And if conditions aren’t great at the beach on any given day of your trip, you can always check out these kid-friendly Kauai hikes while you wait for the bad weather to pass.

Our first Kauai family vacation was over Thanksgiving Break when our kids were ages 10, 9 and 6. After reading about the large waves and strong currents that can exist in the winter months, especially on the North Shore, I was really worried that we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the beaches as much as we would want to. But after reading other people’s stories and experiences, I realized we just needed to know which beaches to visit.

Here I have compiled a list of the 10 best beaches for kids in Kauai, broken down by location. If you’re interested in beaches on other Hawaiian Islands, check out these beaches on the Big Island along with the best Maui beaches for kids.

North Shore Hawaii Kauai Beaches

We stayed on the North Shore of the island, so we were especially concerned that we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the beaches that were closest to us. Luckily that wasn’t the case. There are amazing kid-friendly beaches on the North Shore of Kauai. And, unlike other parts of Kauai and the other Hawaiian Islands, when you’re at the North Shore of Kauai, you can enjoy the most beautiful green mountain backdrops while laying out on gorgeous white-sand beaches.

One of the most beautiful beaches in Kauai is on the North Shore – Hideaway Beach. I didn’t list that here because the trek down makes it a bit more difficult, but it’s definitely a great option if you’re up for it.

Check out these amazing restaurants in Princeville and other top Princeville attractions while you’re exploring this side of the island.

Here are my favorite North Shore beaches for the kids.

Anini Beach

Anini Beach features a 2-mile long reef that makes for some good year-round snorkeling, while also preventing large waves from reaching the shore. The shallow, clear waters make splashing around easy for the littles, and provides a safe space for kids to try out their snorkeling skills.

There’s also a large grassy area for kids to run around on when they tire of the sand. There is no lifeguard on duty here, so as always, check the water conditions for yourself before letting your littles get in.

Hanalei Bay

Hanalei Bay has two miles of beautiful sandy beach for you and your kids to enjoy. There is also a pier here that kids and adults alike love jumping from. Even I got in on the action, but one jump was enough for me. Be warned though, the water here can be smooth as glass in the summer months, but the winter months can bring about larger swells and stronger currents. Be aware of the conditions before getting in the water.

Hanalei Bay has a parking lot, showers and restrooms. There is also a large grassy area to picnic or let the kids run around on.

Tunnels Beach – One of the most beautiful Hawaii Kauai Beaches

With its green mountains backdrop and soft golden sand, Tunnels Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on all of Kauai. Plus, its calm and clear waters make it a great spot for snorkeling. It tends to stay on the calm side, even in the winter months when other beaches have big waves and strong currents. But parking can be tricky and there are no bathroom facilities here.

Ha’ena Beach Park

I’m putting Ha’ena Beach Park on my list, even though the winter months can be pretty rough here. Even when we went in November, we didn’t get in the water. However, this beach is a great spot for swimming, snorkeling and surfing when the conditions are right. It has a lifeguard on duty, plus restrooms and shower, and a large grassy area. And it’s a great spot to catch a beautiful Hawaiian sunset.

If you take the shuttle or reserve parking, you can also venture a little further to Ke’e Beach, where there is also a lifeguard on duty and restrooms. Both of these beaches are good for families.

We came to Ha’ena Beach Park to visit the Maniniholo Dry Cave, which is just across the street from the beach and is worth a visit no matter what time of year you’re on Kauai. After we checked the cave out, the kids had fun climbing on some rocks near the water, looking for crabs and other animals. Then we took the short walk to Tunnels Beach, where the water was calmer and we could get in.

South Shore Hawaii Kauai Beaches

Located in the dry side of the island, the South Shore beaches don’t have the lush greenery that you find on the North Shore. But these beaches tend to stay calm year round, making them a great destination no matter when you visit Kauai. While you’re exploring the beaches on the south side, be sure to check out the best places to eat in Poipu.

Poipu Beach

Poipu is a kid haven. Not only is the water nice and calm (and beautiful!), but there is also a great playground that will entertain the kids when they need a break from swimming and snorkeling. There are often monk seals and turtles on the sand, making it easy to spot wildlife without even having to get in the water. And there are lots of amenities and places to eat nearby. Extra conveniences include a parking lot, a lifeguard, restrooms and showers.

Check out this list of the best things to do in Poipu for more ideas for your family vacation.

Baby Beach, Poipu

Baby Beach in Poipu is a protected cove that is another great option for kids. It’s located in a residential area of Poipu and is smaller than Poipu Beach, but less crowded. The downside is that there is no shade and no lifeguard on duty.

East Side Hawaii Kauai Beaches

The east side of the island is the most populated side of the island. But it has several great Hawaii Kauai beaches for you to pick from.

Lydgate Beach

Lydgate Beach is great for a variety of reasons. You’ll find two lagoons here that protect the beach area from larger waves, making it a great spot for your younger swimmers. It’s also a great spot to snorkel. In addition to being a great swimming beach with shade and a lifeguard on duty, Lydgate Beach also has a fun playground structure that kids love.

Anahola Beach Park

The calm and shallow waters at Anahola Beach are perfect for kids and novice snorkelers. And this protected swimming cove is perfect for people hoping to skip the crowds of some of the more well-known beach spots. Anahola Beach Park is located in the sleepy town of Anahola, just north of Kaap’a. There is a lifeguard on duty here seven days a week, plus a parking lot, restrooms, showers and picnic tables.

Fuji Beach

Fuji Beach in Kapa’a is also known as Baby Beach, so you know it’s gotta be a good one for the kids. This beach is known for its long limestone shelf that creates a calm, shallow pool for the kids to swim in. This beach is also a great spot to rent bikes and ride miles up the coastline.

West Side Hawaii Kauai Beaches

There aren’t a ton of great family-friendly beaches on the west side of the island, however there is one that is pretty spectacular.

Salt Pond Beach Park

Featuring several shallow pools for kids to explore, Salt Pond Beach is one of the best swimming Hawaii Kauai beaches on the island. Here you will find a protected swimming lagoon, a large grassy area, picnic tables, restrooms and showers. There is even a decent amount of shade here, making it a great spot to post up at on a warm day.

Lodging Near Kauai Hawaii Beaches

Not sure where to stay when you visit Kauai? I’ve compiled a list of the most family-friendly resorts on the island. Check out this review of the luxurious 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay Resort. Or click here to search for the lowest prices on Kauai resorts.

If you’re interested in finding lodging on other Hawaii islands, you can check out the best Hawaii family resorts here.

Finally, make your life easier with this Hawaii packing list once you’ve worked out the other details of your trip.

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