A foremost resort destination mainly because of its radiant weather year around, Poipu Kauai features white sandy beaches with cool trade winds and clear blue waters. Poipu's exquisite natural beauty and abundance of outdoor recreation is only surpassed by its luxurious amenities. Besides a wide range of resort accommodations, Poipu has two golf courses, delightful island boutiques and some of Kauai 's finest restaurants.
Photo credit: HTJ
Protected by offshore reefs teeming with colorful fish, Poipu Beach is fringed with crescent shaped and sandy beaches, each with their own unique attributes and is often considered one of America's top beach destinations.
The Poipu Beach resort area takes in just over three miles of pristine coastline and is ideally located just about halfway along Kauai's scenic around-the-island highway, making it a perfect base from which to explore the island's most popular attractions like the incredible Na Pali Coast, Polihale Beach, Koke'e Mountain Park, the Waimea Canyon (Grand Canyon of the South Pacific) and Port Allen Harbor the launch site for many Na Pali and Ni'ihau expeditions.
There are three areas of Poipu Beach:
1) A protective jetty shelters a small cove called Baby Beach on the eastern edge of Poipu Beach where the water is only several inches deep and is perfect for beach fun for young children and their parents.
2) Follow the crescent shaped beach west of the wading pool and you will find a beach lapped by gentle waves where the water slopes from the shore further west and is satisfying for beginner swimmers. The water here is calm enough most days to laze the day away on rafts and is a popular body boarding spot for beginners to practice on the gentle waves close to the shore.
3) Just west of the cove that comprises Poipu Beach, a tom bolo or sandbar separates the third section of beach. Just beyond the sandbar is a vast lagoon of clear warm water is the site of some of the best snorkeling on Kauai. A multitude of colorful reef fish awaits you in their undersea world. All of the aquariums in the world can't capture the thrill of seeing tropical fish up close in their native habitat.
Poipu Beach Park encompasses two of Poipu's most popular beaches: Poipu Beach and Brennecke Beach.
Swaying palm trees along a vast lawn provide shade and silhouette dramatic sunsets at Poipu Beach Park. Scattered pavilions and picnic tables offer respite from the sun and a perfect spot for lunch. Poipu Beach Park has rest rooms and shower facilities as well as a convenience market and restaurant-bar just across a small street.
Brennecke Beach located at the eastern end of Poipu Beach Park is world renowned for its easy to catch body boarding and body surfing waves. Brennecke Beach was recently restored to its original crescent bay shape with the help of the Kauai community. Beach eroding seawalls were removed and a huge amount of sand was added.
Snorkel equipment, body boards, surfboards and other beach equipment can be rented at nearby activity outfitters at both beach locations.