The northernmost island of the Hawaiian archipelago lives up to its nickname as the Garden Isle with some of the most scenic beaches in the world, and a good number of these also happen to be well suited to families with little ones.
In the rest of the article, we’re going to look at some of the best Kauai beaches for families in detail and what they offer you and your little ones.
Salt Pond Beach
The lagoon at Salt Pond Beach offers placid waters for your little ones to paddle around or learn to swim in, free from the inconvenience of daunting waves. The swim isn’t the only draw to this beach, though, with its broad grassy areas and smattering of picnic tables making it perfect for an all-purpose family day out, both in the water and out of it.
Kids interested in a bit of industry can check out the salt pools for which the beach is named and learn about this traditional way of creating salt from evaporating ocean water.
Baby Beach
Located just west of Hanakaape Bay and most of Poipu, Baby Beach is appropriately named for multiple reasons. Not only is it great for small children, but it is also very tiny itself. In spite of its small size, it is less often visited than many other beaches, so you don’t need to worry about crowding.
The downside to Baby Beach is that because of its informal status, you won’t find the kinds of facilities that you might expect at a popular beach. The surrounding area is residential, so you won’t find amenities like dedicated parking or eateries.
Poipu Beach
Near to Baby Beach and one of the most popular destinations on the South Shore is the main Poipu Beach. If you are after the full package for your household for a family day out, this will fill your needs, from its easy parking to its bathroom facilities to its on-duty lifeguards.
One of the many great things at Poipu Beach for families is the many areas of calm and shallow water. Not only will kids be able to play in the water without worrying about waves, but there is plenty of room for them to do so. There is also a playground nearby as well as plenty of places to grab a drink or a bite to eat.
Fuji Beach
Also known as Baby Beach, but not to be confused with the one near Poipu, Fuji Beach is located on the East Shore. Although the beach itself is quite narrow, it is a fairly popular destination due to its idyllic scenery. If the crowds are too much for your family, you can break up your beach day by riding down the nearby coastal path.
Lydgate Beach
Another East Shore location, Lydgate Beach Park is a one stop destination for the whole family. Sitting at a whole 10 miles long, there are two lagoons present, which are amazing for children or younger people learning to swim since they don’t have to deal with most of the risk but can still enjoy the natural ocean water and all its marine life.
Snorkelers can take advantage of this both for the shallow water and the beautiful fish that they can swim with. If your little ones get bored of the water, there’s plenty of things to do on the shore, including a playground and picnic tables.
Hanalei Bay Beach
Hanalei Bay is one of the largest around, and this means both interesting water conditions and plenty of things to do on land. The town of Hanalei sits alongside this beach, which means that anything you may find yourself needing, be it a snack or snorkeling equipment, is only a quick trip away.
Although the water is usually very calm, making it great for kids, because the water isn’t completely protected from the ocean as a whole, you will need to keep an eye on the conditions before you send the little ones in. The beach is known to get fairly tumultuous in winter, so this is more of a summer destination for families.
Anini Beach
If your family is looking for a real getaway, Anini Beach is quite sparsely packed compared to many of the other offerings. There is a downside with regard to limited amenities, but the shallow water and gorgeous scenery should be enough to keep you and the little ones occupied. Just remember to pack a lunch.
Ke’e Beach
One of the most visually stunning beaches in this list, and quite possibly in the whole world, is Ke’e Beach on the North Shore. The parking situation is not ideal, but if you arrive early enough to secure a spot, it is well worth whatever hassle that caused you.
The wildlife is lush both in the water and on the land, making Ke’e Beach a phenomenal destination for families with children with an interest in nature. The water is fairly shallow along the shore and usually quite placid, but this is not always the case, so it’s best to keep an eye out nonetheless.
Waipouli Beach
Clean and pristine, Waipouli Beach takes advantage of its location near a top resort to offer a luxury experience. The beach is relatively secluded, but the lack of people means that you’re more likely to see certain wildlife, making it a great destination for families with an interest in animals and nature and whose idea of a good day out involves as little bustle as possible.
Puu Poa Beach
Another beach that is linked to a resort is the Puu Poa Beach on the North Shore. The water is placid and quite shallow, which makes it great for children who want to get in the water without worrying about swimming.
You won’t have to worry about crowding at Pu’u Poa either, but the flipside of that is that it doesn’t have a lot of the amenities that you might be accustomed to with beaches, including, unfortunately, a very low number of available parking spaces.
