If you are planning a grand vacation escape to Hawaii, you have to make Kauai a big part of it. Kauai is the ideal family escape. Lacking in the busy city life of O’ahu and Honolulu and the extensive tourist foot traffic of the Big Island, Kauai is the lovely, iconic, and vista-soaked escape we all picture Hawaii as, through and through.
The Kauai beaches are spectacular and worth your attention. We break down our top five Kauai beaches, with many of them within a very short distance from our Kauai oceanfront resort condos. Contact us for more details on these beaches, and more, as you plan out your route through this majestic northern island.
What Makes a Beach Family-Friendly?
Families need certain things from their beach-going experience to make it rewarding. While we review some of the top family-friendly beaches and things to do, we are looking for a few distinct features:
- Easy access to and from the beach
- Convenient parking
- Welcoming and clean amenities
- Calm surf
- On-duty lifeguards
- A number of nice activities, like beach gear rentals, kayaking, snorkeling, and more
A family-friendly beach is one where parents can easily get to and from the beach and children can be safe and secure. Fortunately, families have plenty of stellar options.
Hanalei Bay Beach
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention, right out the gate, the island’s most bombastic and beautiful beach haven. We adore Hanalei Bay. Tucked away on the northern half of Kauai sits two miles of pristine beachside. The beach is just as famous for its surroundings as it is for its glowing white sands. You can see the mountains towering from behind while the Hanalei River and the Waipa River hugs it on the east and west, respectively.
Hanalei Bay is extremely well-known for its astonishing snorkeling opportunities. It is more than the crystal clear water. A sunken shipwreck sits just off the beach while multiple coral reefs are just off the coast.
Anahola Beach
Anahola Beach is an excellent family escape. The parking is convenient. Lifeguards are stationed most light hours of the day. There are also a number of treasured amenities, a must for any stopping family. This includes large restrooms, a shower room, and a shaded pavilion-like area with picnic tables.
Poipu Beach
Poipu Beach has one distinct claim to fame that attracts thousands of families every year. The rare Hawaiian monk seal loves to play and nap at Poipu Beach. As long as you keep a healthy distance and don’t try to get too close (for the safety of you and the seals) you can have an amazing wildlife experience.
Poipu Beach is modestly-sized and filled with plenty of family-friendly amenities. The outdoor playground really helps sell Poipu as the defining family beach on the southern side of Kauai. But you also have picnic tables, a shower room, and numerous rental shops where you can grab assorted beach gear.
Anini Beach
Have a blast at Anini. With its boat ramp, shallow waters, and large kids park, Anini is a top choice for families. The beach is also popular with sea turtles. Spot nests from afar and keep an eye out for sea turtle tracks up along the sand. You may even get lucky enough to see a napping sea turtle for yourself!
Choose Your Kauai Beach Resort
We have a wide selection of top-tier Kauai oceanfront resort condos for you to select from. Don’t wait to book your dream vacation in Kauai!
Tunnels Beach
We adore Tunnels beach for one particular feature- its extensive shallow area. Unlike many Hawaiian beaches, Tunnels has a relatively long slope, giving you plenty of shallow space to play around. This makes it ideal for families who rely on a large shallow end. The shallow reefs are dazzling, giving you and your family plenty of places to snorkel safely and soundly. While Tunnels does not have any amenities such as picnic tables and a lifeguard station, it makes for a memorable backdrop. Look around and spot the entrances to deep underwater tunnels, giving the beach its wonderful and captivating name.
Further up the coast is Haena Beach Park where you can find facilities including lifeguards, bathrooms, showers, pavilions, and picnic tables. So you can make an afternoon of driving and exploring the beaches in the area!
Family Beach Rentals on Kauai
Our beautiful rentals include a number of really convenient features for you and your whole crew. Whether you have babies or older teens, grandparents in tow or just one adult, the beaches are magnificent and accessible. Contact us for more on the beaches closest to our Kauai condo rentals. They include a number of top-quality features, like central AX, access to swimming pools, ocean views, and more!
