86.2
°F
|
°C
Overview
Located on the northern part of Kauai, Haena Beach Park – also called Haena Beach, Ha’ena Beach Park, Ha’ena Beach, and Maniniholo Beach – is a popular, beautiful, curve-shaped, and long beach with coarse golden coral sand, a sloping incline, and a few large black rocks. HAWAII Magazine praised this beach in its article “How Kauai’s North Shore Has Changed for Visitors.” The beach has a family-friendly atmosphere and it also has a wonderful backdrop of an oceanfront mountain named Mount Makana. This beach should not be confused with a nearby state park that has a similar name called Haena State Park.
Amenities
Haena Beach Park has lifeguards daily usually between 9 am to 5 pm. In addition to lifeguards, the beach and the area around it have many other amenities including restrooms, picnic areas, pavilions, nearby grassy recreational areas, and concession stands.
Activities
Haena Beach Park Kauai offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, picnicking, swimming, fishing, surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, boating, jet-skiing, surf-skiing, water-skiing, paddleboarding, boogie boarding, body surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, canoeing, surf-skiing, and wildlife watching.
This beach is popular with expert surfers because it offers thrilling and powerful surfing waves, especially during winters. It is also popular with snorkelers and scuba divers, who visit here to explore its vibrant nearby marine biodiversity during calmer water conditions. Haena Beach Park & Tunnels Beach – which is another nearby beach – are popular snorkeling and scuba diving sites.
If you are planning to swim, surf, or snorkel here, we recommend being careful because the water here is known to have unpredictable rip currents and dangerous waves, especially in winters from December to May and in spring. The water here is also considerably deep and drowning-related deaths have been reported here.
If you like taking Haena Beach Park photos with excellent views, this beach offers amazing views of the Northern Kauai shoreline and the Pacific Ocean, particularly during sunsets. If you like beachcombing, you can comb this beach for many beautiful shells – an interesting type of shell that you can find here is the “puka shell” that is extremely popular for making jewelleries. If you like camping, there is a tent campground nearby that offers an amazing Haena Beach Park camping experience. However, please note that camping here is currently prohibited because of damage due to a storm.
Disability Access
Haena Beach Park does not offer wheelchair access to visitors with disabilities.
Parking
Getting to Haena Beach Park is easy – this beach is located near mile marker 9 of Hawaii State Route 560 – which is also called Kuhio Highway – and there is a free dirt Haena Beach Park parking lot nearby with approximately 40 parking spaces. Once you park here, you can walk to Haena Beach through a walking path. We recommend visiting this beach early because the parking lot here can get filled up quickly.
In addition, a shuttle service operates for this beach. This shuttle service starts at 5-5631 Kuhio Highway and eventually drops you off at Haena Beach Park. There is a free parking lot near the shuttle pickup site. If you are planning to use this shuttle, you can visit gohaena.com for more information regarding the shuttle service and its fees.
Fun Fact
The name of this beach – Haena – means “red hot” in the Hawaiian language. In addition – the alternate name of this beach – Maniniholo Beach – is partially derived from the Hawaiian word manini – manini refers to the convict tang fish, which is frequently found near this beach.
Attractions
There are many attractions near Haena Beach Park. Maniniholo Dry Cave is a popular cave that is around 200 meters away from the beach. This cave is about 300 yards deep and it is named after Maniniholo, the chief fisherman of the legendary Menehune people – exploring this cave is a popular activity with visitors. The other attractions are within a 25-minute drive from the beach. Haʻena State Park is a state park with a beach named Keʻe Beach, and it offers many fun activities including hiking, beachcombing, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife watching. This state park offers many fun things to explore including forests, historic sites, and two wet caves filled with water – one of the wet caves here was featured in the 2011 movie Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Limahuli Garden & Preserve is a nature preserve and botanical garden that has a wide variety of Polynesian-introduced and Native Hawaiian plant species – in addition, you can also see endangered birds in this garden and preserve. In addition, the preserve also has restored taro terraces that date back to pre-European contact-era Hawaii, a historic Hawaiian house, and it also has a trail named the Whale Trail. Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge is a 917-acre refuge that was established to protect endangered local bird species, including the Hawaiian duck, the Hawaiian coot, and the Hawaiian goose. You can explore the park’s vibrant coastal biodiversity through a hiking trail named the Okolehao Trail – this wildlife refuge also has a historic rice mill that offers an insight into the local history. If you are looking for another attraction near the beach, Hanalei Valley Lookout is an observation area that offers amazing Instagram-worthy photos of the picturesque Hanalei Valley.
Restaurants
If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Haena Beach Park within a 25-minute-drive. Opakapaka Grill and Bar offers amazing seafood, burgers, sandwiches, different kinds of pastas, steaks, flatbread, soups, and salads. Bar Acuda is an upscale restaurant which serves delicious Hawaiian-inspired tapas-style dishes – the restaurant has been praised by many publications including Honolulu magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper. Tahiti Nui serves amazing pizzas, steaks, seafood, different types of pastas, barbecued ribs, Hawaiian-style dishes, and salads – this restaurant has also been featured in the George Clooney movie The Descendants. Kalypso Island Bar & Grill offers a variety of delicious dishes including pupu platters, salads, wraps, chicken sandwich, Mexican dishes, pasta, and seafood. If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, Cafe Turmeric offers excellent Indian dishes including curries and naan. In addition to restaurants, you can find many concessions stands near the beach that sell many amazing snacks including barbecued pork and coconuts.
Hotels
If you are looking for a hotel near Haena Beach Park, there are many great nearby options within a 25-minute-drive. The 5-Star 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay offers many amenities including a spa, multiple restaurants and bars, multiple pools (including an infinity pool), a hot tub, a fitness center, a salon, and a retail shop. The 4-Star The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas offers many amenities including a bar, a grocery store, a restaurant, four pools, three hot tubs, exercise classes, and a spa. A more affordable hotel is the 3.5-Star Hanalei Colony Resort that offers many amenities including a restaurant, a coffee shop, a spa with yoga classes, a pool, and a hot tub. The 3-Star Hanalei Bay Resort is another moderately-priced hotel that offers many amenities including two pools, multiple tennis courts, a hot tub, water sports equipment rentals, laundry facilities, and a bar. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel, the 3-Star Makai Club Resort offers many amenities including a hot tub, a pool, a fire pit, a nearby golf course, barbecue areas, and a picnic area.
(808) 241-4463
467 meters
Restroom Available
24 / 7
Beige
Parking Available
Amenities
Barbecue
Lifeguard
Restrooms
Showers
Activities
Camping
Fishing
Hiking
Snorkeling
Surfing
Rentals
Bikes
Food
Access
Bike Racks
Car Access
Disabled Access
Parking - Free
Features
Top Traveler Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Surf through our FAQs to help you find your perfect beach!
Does Haena Beach Park have parking? If so, is it free or paid?
Yes, this Beach provides free parking at the entrance, although spaces are limited. Visitors can also find street parking nearby for easy access to the beach.
Does Haena Beach Park have lifeguards?
Yes, this Beach ensures safety with professional lifeguards on duty throughout the day, offering peace of mind for beachgoers.
Is Haena Beach Park a family-friendly beach?
No, this Beach is not family-friendly and does not have restrooms, lifeguards, and nearby food.
Is Haena Beach Park good for swimming?
Yes, this Beach boasts excellent swimming conditions, attracting swimmers of all skill levels with its gentle waves and clear waters.
Does Haena Beach Park have restrooms?
Yes, Restrooms are conveniently available on or adjacent to the beach at this Beach.
Is Haena Beach Park a nude beach?
No, this Beach maintains a family-friendly atmosphere and does not allow nude bathing.
Is there food near Haena Beach Park?
No, this Beach does not have nearby food options - please plan your beach day accordingly.
What are the activities at Haena Beach Park?
Yes, this Beach is renowned for its vibrant beach scene, offering various activities for everyone to enjoy Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Snorkeling, Surfing.
Does Haena Beach Park have accommodations for people with disabilities?
Yes, this Beach offers accommodations for people with disabilities, allowing everyone to relish the coastal experience.
Is Haena Beach Park a dog-friendly beach?
No, this Beach is not dog-friendly.
Is Haena Beach Park good for surfing?
Yes, surfing is an activity that is frequently enjoyed at this Beach.
EXPERT ADVICE AND TIPS
August 20th, 2024 Sandee
Quick! That’s how fast it happened—one moment, Jamie Acord was enjoying a peaceful stroll along the beach with her husband, and the next, she was waist-deep in quicksand.
May 28th, 2024 Sandee
Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, California
May 14th, 2024 Sandee
Discover the top cliff jumping beaches in the United States! Dive into our expert guide to find the most exhilarating spots for adrenaline-pumping jumps, breathtaking views, and unforgettable beach adventures. Perfect for thrill seekers!
February 7th, 2024 Sandee
For pet owners, leaving Fido or Fluffy behind while the family hits the beach just won't do. Luckily, many coastal destinations now cater to vacationing animal lovers by allowing dogs, cats, and other pets to enjoy the seaside fun too. From wide open spaces to play, pet perks, and accommodations, here are the top pet-friendly beaches to visit for a pawsome vacation with your furry best friend.
February 7th, 2024 Sandee
A successful beach trip requires thoughtful preparation and packing. You don't want to forget essential items and have to cut your day short or run out constantly for supplies.
February 7th, 2024 Sandee
You've dreamt of this beach vacay for months. The sunscreen is packed, cute swimsuit donned, and you made your playlist filled with sunny tunes. You head out ready for a blissful, relaxing day soaking up the summer sun, waves, and vistas. Then...something happens that puts a damper on the day. Beach trips don't always go as envisioned. From weather mishaps to forgetting necessities, here are 8 common things that can sabotage and ruin an otherwise glorious beach day.
February 1st, 2024 Sandee
With over 800 miles of coastline, California is synonymous with beach culture. Up and down the Golden State, you’ll find lively seaside towns and cities where you can wake up to ocean views, spend the day tanning on the sand, and enjoy fresh coastal cuisine.
February 1st, 2024 Sandee
The United States Virgin Islands offer a beautiful tropical escape for travelers looking to experience the stunning beaches and rich cultural heritage. For those who are interested in naturism or nudism, it's important to be aware of the laws and cultural attitudes towards nudity in this region.
February 1st, 2024 Sandee
Nudism, also known as naturism, is a lifestyle that promotes the freedom and comfort of being nude in a non-sexual context. In the United States, there are laws and regulations that dictate where and when nudism is permissible. As a travel blogger and enthusiast of naturist activities, I have explored the various laws and cultural attitudes towards nudism in the US.