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Kiahuna Beach is in front of the Sheraton Kauai Resort, just a stone’s throw away from Kauai’s famous south shore beach—Poipu Beach Park. It offers a perfect crescent bay stretch of coastline with wonderful swimming conditions! This quintessential Hawaiian beach is crescent-shaped, with golden sand swaying palms, and remains calm for most of the year.

Aside from being a great swim spot, Kiahuna Beach is a great spot to learn to surf (learn more about Kiahuna surf lessons here), especially in the summer months when swells on Kauai’s South Shore are larger.

All this and more earns Kiahuna Beach a solid spot on our list of the best Kauai beaches.

Kiahuna Beach was number 4 in our countdown video of the best beaches on Kauai.

Kiahuna Beach Overview

Kiahuna Beach Amenities
Restrooms	Yes (by parking)
Showers	Yes
Parking	Free parking lot
Lifeguards	No
BBQ Grills	No
Picnic Tables	No
Playground	No

Who is Kiahuna Beach Best For?

Do you picture your Hawaiian vacation beneath palm trees swaying in the breeze and swimming in beautiful turquoise waters lapping the sandy shoreline? Then this beach is for you! If that sounds picture-perfect, you’d be correct as it’s a beautiful spot for a beach photoshoot.

This is Poipu Beach’s less crowded counterpart. Don’t get me wrong, it can still get crowded, but people flock to (and fill up) Poipu Beach first. This makes it an excellent place for anyone looking to escape the worst of the crowds, swimmers, snorkelers, body-boarders, surfers, sunbathers, and sunset enthusiasts!

kiahuna beach kauai best beaches — You will find Kiahuna Beach less crowded than Poipu Beach, just up the road.

Is Kiahuna Beach Good for Swimming?

Yes, it is great for swimming. It even makes our list of the best beaches on Kauai for swimming.

However, it’s also suitable for surfing, and there is no lifeguard on duty, so check the conditions before going out for a swim! Expect larger waves and stronger currents during the summer.

How To Get to Kiahuna Beach

If you’re staying in Poipu along the coastline, you’re probably an easy walk away from the walking path connecting the resorts, from the Sheraton Kauai Resort to the Grand Hyatt Kauai.

If you’re staying or coming from somewhere else on the island, you’ll have a 25-minute drive from Lihue and about an hour from Princeville and the north shore.

Kiahuna Beach Parking

There are a few parking areas you can head to. First, there is a small free public parking lot off Hoonani Road (click for directions) that fills up quickly. You can also park along the street in this same area or hop back onto the main road and head to the Poipu Beach parking lot next to Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club (click for directions).

Things to Do at Kiahuna Beach

This is a great spot if Poipu Beach is already full of fellow swimmers and sunbathers. Even better, you can grab a drink from the bar onsite at the Sheraton.

If you’re looking for a little more action, this is a great beach for surfing and learning how to surf. You can take some great surf lessons or go bodyboarding when the waves are right. When it’s calmer, this also makes for a nice place for snorkeling, though it didn’t make the cut for the best snorkeling spots on Kauai.

The Kiahuna Plantation Resort is just steps from the beach’s golden sand.

However, it did make our list as one of the best beaches for photoshoots in Hawaii! Kiahuna Beach boasts incredible Kauai sunset views backed by swaying palm trees. Whether you want to hire a professional photographer or get some beautiful shots yourself, this is a great place to do it.

If that wasn’t enough for you, grab tickets and stick around for the luau! We don’t think a luau is a must-do activity in Hawaii, but if you’re looking for a quality recommendation, the ‘Auli’i Luau is one of the best on Kauai.

Kiahuna Beach Safety

Just like with any beach, exercise caution and don’t assume it’s safe just because the waters look calm. There is no lifeguard on duty here, and this is a popular surfing spot, which means the waves and strong currents can make it an unsafe swimming spot at times. Be sure to check conditions before hitting the water, and never turn your back on the ocean. When 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.

Protect yourself and the environment by using reef-safe sunscreen!

More beaches around Kauai:
The 7 Best Beaches on Kauai in the Winter
The Best Beaches in Poipu (Directions + Parking Information Included!)

Places to Eat Near Kiahuna Beach

Lucky you, the Sheraton’s Lavas Bar is right on the beach so you can sip a mai tai with your toes in the sand and grab a bite to eat, too! At the far end of the beach, also on the Sheraton side, is RumFire, a nice seafood restaurant.

If you’re looking for something different, you can check out the other resort restaurants along the coastline, but we recommend heading up to the Shops at Kukui’ula (1 mile away). Here, you can find more restaurants like Eating House 1849 by Roy Yamaguchi and Merriman’s.

In addition to great sit-down restaurants, Kauai’s food truck scene is hard to beat. Some of the best food on the island is found at food trucks in historical Koloa Town up the road, so don’t skip them on your trip!

Visit Kiahuna Beach and More

If you’re looking for more things to do around Kauai, these articles can help!

Check out these nearby activities where you’re bound to make lasting memories:

Kiahuna Beach, Kauai: Amazing swimming, surfing, and sunsets