From Waimea Bay west to Sunset Beach, these are the beaches of Kauai's wild North Shore. Read this "Star-Bulletin" article about beach safety in Hawaii.

Kekaha Beach County Park

Waimea District, Kauai, Hawaii. This huge stretch of sand is usually empty of tourists. The beach here features excellent swimming in addition to fine snorkeling conditions. Surfing conditions are only fair, and the reef is known to be quite shallow in spots.

Location :: Just outside Kekaha, off of Kaumualii Highway.

Access :: Kaumualii Highway.

Services :: Picnic tables, restrooms, pavilions, grills.

Notes :: Dunebuggies are popular here, so those craving silence and solitude would be advised to go elsewhere.

Lucy Wright Beach County Park

Waimea District, Kauai, Hawaii. Located at the mouth of a murky river, this five-acre park is popular with the locals. It has decent swimming on days when the waters are calm and clear and solid surfing in the area of the river's mouth.

Location :: Outside Waimea, along Kaumualii Highway.

Access :: Kaumualii Highway.

Services :: Picnic facilities, showers, restrooms, a playground, tent camping (with permit).

Notes :: A nearby pier offers good recreational fishing.

Salt Pond Beach County Park

Waimea District, Kauai, Hawaii. Salt Pond is probably the most popular beach in the surrounding area and with good reason: swimming and snorkeling are both superb; the wavebreaks here accomodate the average surfer; the ubiquitous gentle breezes attract countless windsurfers; a natural breakwater in front of the lifeguard station creates a shallow pool safe for young children.

Location :: Western outskirts of Hanapepe, off of Kaumualii Highway.

Access :: Kaumualii Highway.

Services :: Showers, restrooms, picnic facilities, pavilions, camping (with permit).

Notes :: Salt Pond derives its name from the nearby salt ponds. Though the salt that forms within during the spring and summer is considered "impure" and therefore unsuitable to commercial marketing, local people harvest the salt as its impurities also give it a distinctive taste.