Anini Beach, Kauai: the North Shore beach that has it all
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Anini Beach sets the bar high on Kauai as an expansive beach that stretches from Princeville almost reaching Kalihiwai Bay. It’s a prime spot for swimming, snorkeling, picnicking, stand-up paddle boarding, bringing the family, and camping.
Anini Beach can even sometimes be a safe beach to enjoy during the winter on the north shore.
This beach appears in many of our videos about Kauai and in our Best of Articles. Check out the video below (Anini is the first beach we talked about) and the articles we feature it in!
- The 24 Best Beaches in Hawaii: Your Beach Bucket List
- The 10 Best Beaches on Kauai: stunning spots you don’t want to miss!
- 9 Best Beaches on Kauai for Swimming
- The 7 Best Beaches on Kauai in the Winter
- Don’t Miss the 5 Best Snorkeling Spots on Kauai (with maps, directions, and tips)
Anini Beach Overview
| Anini Beach Amenities | |
|---|---|
| Restrooms | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Parking | Free street parking |
| Lifeguards | No |
| BBQ Grills | Yes |
| Picnic Tables | Yes |
| Playground | No |
Who is Anini Beach Best For?
Honestly, everyone! This is one of the best beaches on Kauai for families because it has everything you’ll need. There is plenty of shade, including pavilions, if you need a picnic table in the shade or want to rent one out for a special event. The calm, shallow waters make it ideal for little ones.
The swimming and snorkeling are fantastic, and there is plenty of space along the 2.5-mile sandy stretch to spread out, so it doesn’t feel too crowded. Plus, this is one of the beach parks where you can get a permit for camping!
If you’re planning a family vacation, we’re here to help. Don’t miss our Complete Guide to Visiting Kauai with Kids.
Is Anini Beach Good for Swimming?
Yes! This is a fantastic beach for swimming. It makes our list of the best beaches on Kauai for swimming. It is also one of the very few beaches on Kauai’s North Shore that can sometimes be safer for swimming in winter. A long reef protects the beach from the brutal waves that grace Kauai’s northern beaches come November. Note that this beach does not have lifeguards, so you must be extra mindful of ocean conditions.
We recommend driving past the beach park with the public restrooms, camping, and the large grassy lawn. Drive around the corner to find the better snorkeling and swimming spot. Park along the road (don’t block a driveway!) and enjoy a beach day.
Is Anini Beach Good for Snorkeling?
Yes! This is a fantastic beach for snorkeling! Like swimming, the best spot is near the end of Anini Road.
Without needing to go far from the shore, you can see plenty of sea life amongst the coral reef and often spot Hawaiian green sea turtles! Keep your eyes peeled for reef fish like Moorish idols and Hawaii’s state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapuaa, which is just as much fun to see as it is to say.
The water at Anini Beach is shallow, and snorkeling during low tide can often mean you’re navigating areas that are too shallow to easily swim in with visibility that isn’t as clear as you’d like to have when looking at the beautiful fish.
How To Get to Anini Beach
If you’re following your map’s directions and wonder if you’re lost, you’re probably on the right track. Located down a secluded road on the North Shore of Kauai, Anini Beach has the lush surroundings and soft white sand the island is famous for, on a stretch of shoreline that feels like its best-kept secret.
You’ll access Anini Beach from Kilauea via Kuhio Highway. You’ll turn onto Kalihiwai Road between mile markers 25 and 26, then make a left onto Anini Road and continue until you hit the beach. We like to go almost to the end of the road for the best spots. Though Anini Road nearly reaches Princeville, it doesn’t go through.
Anini Beach Parking
Parking here is free and easy! Once you reach the section of the beach where you want to set up camp (perhaps literally), pull off the road to park! If you head past the camping and facilities area to the beach’s western end, you’ll be parking near residences, so be sure to park respectfully by keeping driveways clear.
Things to Do at Anini Beach Park
There is a whopping 2.5 miles of pristine sandy beach to explore here, with Wyllie’s Beach at the western end just across the Anini Stream. This gentle stream spills into the ocean, creating a sandbar and separating the two beaches. It is a nice play spot for little ones wading in the water and building sand castles.
Wyllie’s Beach actually connects you by foot to Princeville. A 0.4-mile dirt trail leads from the beach to the Westin’s public access parking lot. Princeville sits on a cliff, so there is about a 300-foot elevation change in a quarter of a mile. The Westin has a restaurant on site about a mile from the main shopping center. If you feel like getting your steps in, you can add Princeville to your beach day itinerary by foot or hop back in the car and make the 15-minute drive back around.
Spend time sunbathing, swimming, or grab your stand-up paddle board. Whatever you do, don’t forget your snorkel gear because snorkeling is one of the top water activities at Anini Beach, and for good reason. Crystal-clear waters (except during low tide) make this a wonderful place to spot marine life. We saw one of the biggest sea turtles we’ve ever encountered here!
Check out more things to do in Hanalei.
Anini Beach Safety
With shallow, generally calm waters, this is one of the few places on the North Shore that is wonderful in the summer and can be safe for swimming in the winter.
No beach is inherently safe, and Anini Beach is not immune to high surf and strong currents, especially in the winter. And remember, there is no lifeguard at this beach. No matter when you’re visiting, check conditions before entering the water, and if in doubt, don’t go out!
Know Before You Go Snorkel Safety
Swimming and snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean should not be taken lightly. To keep you safe, please know your health limits, swim with a buddy, never turn your back on the ocean, and read and obey posted signs. Check HIOceanSafety.com for ocean conditions at lifeguard beaches.
Places to Eat Near Anini Beach
There are plenty of places to eat near the beach, but you’ll have to hop back in the car unless you want to add a few miles to your daily steps and access Princeville via Wyllie’s Beach Trail.
By car, Kilauea and Princeville are a 15-minute drive, and Hanalei is 20 minutes away. You’ll find some great options in all three places, but Hanalei has most of our North Shore go-tos. To name a few, we like Wake Up Delicious, AMA Restaurant, Bar Acuda, and Postcards.
Kauai is also home to an incredible food truck scene, so be sure to check them out as well!
Visit Anini Beach and More
Keep exploring all Kauai has to offer, from popular attractions to hidden gems:
- 35 Best Things to Do on Kauai (Must Do + See)
- 24 Things To Do on Kauai with Kids: from toddlers to teenagers
- The 20 Best Things to Do in Poipu: Kauai’s South Shore
- 18 Great Things to Do in Lihue (near the harbor + in town)
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