Larsen's Beach

Located in the northeastern part of the island of Kaua’i, Larsen’s Bach - also called Larson Beach, Larson’s Beach, Larsens Beach, Lepeuli Beach, and Ka'aka'aniu Beach - is an approximately two-mile-long beach with light brown sand, many large black colored rocks, a nearby reef, many nearby trees, and many nearby shrubs. The beach also has a rocky point called Pakala Point. This beach received its main name from a person named Laruentsius David Larsen who was a manager at the Kilauea Plantation. 

Larsen’s Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities except a nearby bench, so please plan accordingly. 

Larsen’s Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, wildlife watching, picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, surf-skiing, jet-skiing, water-skiing, paddleboarding, and boating. The clear water near Larsen’s Beach is usually unsuitable and unsafe for water activities because it is shallow and has a rocky bottom. In addition, it can also have unpredictable rip currents - there is an aquatic channel in the reef near the northwest part of the beach named the Pakala Channel and this reef is known to frequently have rip currents. Many drownings and water-related rescues have also taken place near Larsen’s Beach – between 1970 and 2012, twelve people have drowned here. However, despite the unfavorable conditions, beginner swimmers can swim near the central portion of the beach during calm water conditions.  

In addition, experienced snorkelers occasionally visit the right side of the beach during calm water conditions - depending on the time of the year, you can see many kinds of animals near Larsen’s Beach including Hawaiian monk seals, migrating whales (between November and March), tropical fish, crabs, sea urchins, and sea turtles. The summer season is particularly ideal for snorkeling. You can also occasionally see Hawaiian monk seals resting at Larsen’s Beach. It is important to note that sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals are protected under a law named the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and harming them can result in a fine of up to $50,000 and possible imprisonment. If you like birdwatching, you can see many kinds of seabirds near Larsen’s Beach including Laysan’s albatross and wedge-tailed shearwaters. If you like beachcombing, you can comb Larsen’s Beach for a variety of interesting sea glass pieces. Larsen’s Beach is ideal for visitors looking for a quieter beach experience as this beach sees fewer visitors as compared to other nearby Kauai beaches. It is important to note that locals occasionally visit Larsen’s Beach for harvesting edible seaweed (which is also called limu).

Larsen’s Beach is often considered a nude beach and is occasionally visited by clothing-optional visitors. If you are planning to go naked at Larsen’s Beach, please note that public indecency is punishable under local laws. If you like taking pictures and beautiful views, Larsen’s Beach offers amazing Instagram-worthy views of the eastern Kauai shoreline and the Pacific Ocean, particularly during sunrise and sunset. If you are planning to fish near Larsen’s Beach, please ensure compliance with the local fishing regulations that can be found at the website of the Division of Aquatic Resources (which is a part of the State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources). 

Getting to Larsen’s Beach can be difficult - from Hawaii Route 56, which is also called Kuhio Highway, you need to turn towards Koolau Road. From Koolau Road, you need to turn towards a slightly rugged dirt road named Larson Beach Road - the turn for Larson Beach Road is located near a telephone pole and some mailboxes. There is a free parking area near the end of Larson Beach Road. Once you park at this parking lot, you will find three diverging trails near Larsen’s Beach - you can walk to Larsen’s Beach by walking through the central hiking trail. It is important to note that this hiking trail can be steep and extremely rugged in some portions. It is important to note that the trail to Larsen’s Beach can get slippery after rains.

As an interesting fact, the land around Larsen’s Beach is currently owned by entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg, the founder, and CEO of Facebook who has a net worth of $74.5 billion. 

There are many attractions near Larsen’s Beach. Na 'Aina Kai Botanical Gardens is a 240-acre collection of botanical gardens that was established in 1982 - the Na 'Aina Kai Botanical Gardens has many smaller sections including a desert garden (which has plants from arid areas including cacti, aloe, and agave), a wild forest garden (that has many plant species including ginger, cardamom, cacao, and ylang ylang), and a Childrens’ Garden that has treehouses, bridges, tunnels, slides, and wading pools and the gardens also have a hardwood tree plantation. In addition, the park also has interesting interpretive displays highlighting the lives of three indigenous peoples of the United States including the Alaskan Athabaskan people, the Native Hawaiian people, and the Navajo people. In addition, the gardens also have one of the largest bronze sculpture collections in the United States. 

Garden Island Chocolate is a cacao farm that produces gourmet chocolate bars - the farm offers visitors an interesting tour of its premises that offers a unique insight into how cacao is grown and how chocolate is made. In addition, the farm also offers interesting tasting sessions in which you can sample a variety of delicious chocolates, along with many kinds of other delicious produce including spices and coconut-based products. If you are looking for another attraction near Larsen’s Beach, Kalalea Mountain is a mountain that is a part of the Anahola mountain range and was featured in many Hollywood movies including the Harrison Ford movie Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the Robert Downey Jr. and Ben Stiller movie Tropic Thunder - in addition, this mountain has also been nicknamed as the “King Kong Mountain” as from a certain angle it resembles King Kong’s head. This mountain is also considered sacred by Native Hawaiians - while there is no hiking trail on this mountain, experienced mountain climbers often attempt to climb to its top. In addition, hang gliders also occasionally launch themselves from the top of this mountain.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Larsen’s Beach. Nanea Restaurant and Bar is an upscale restaurant that is a 25-minute drive away and offers amazing gourmet dishes infused with local Hawaiian culinary influences. The Bistro is a popular restaurant that has an elegant Hawaiian plantation-inspired ambiance. In addition, it also serves fusion dishes with local Hawaiian, European, and Pacific Rim-style culinary influences for lunch and dinner including pork chop, seafood, poultry dishes, pastas, and salads - the restaurant has been praised by Frommer’s and the food website www.restauranteur.com and it also offers live entertainment. Palate Wine Bar & Market offers amazing excellent salads, cheese boards, and flatbreads. In addition, the restaurant also serves a wide variety of delicious wines. Sushi Girl Kauai serves unique fusion-style Japanese dishes infused with various local culinary influences, including sushi burritos, Japanese-style poke bowls, and miso soup. If you are looking for another excellent and affordable restaurant near Larsen’s Beach, Anahola Cafe and Saimin Stand offers excellent saimin, burgers, fries, chicken tenders, and fish and chips. As another modestly priced option, Kilauea Bakery & Pizzeria offers amazing dishes for breakfast and lunch including oatmeal, stromboli, quiche, salads, pizza slices, and panini sandwiches. The restaurant also offers amazing baked desserts.

If you are looking for a hotel near Larsen’s Beach, there are many great nearby options within a 22-minute drive. 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, jogging routes, exercise classes, and a spa. A more affordable hotel is The Palmwood which has a beautiful decor with a relaxing and secluded ambiance. The Palmwood also offers many amenities including an outdoor tiki kitchen, a pavilion, a fire pit, a pool, and a garden and it is located conveniently close to some of the major landmarks in north Kauai. If you are looking for another good and affordable accommodation option near Larsen’s Beach, Kumu Camp offers accommodation in tents and cottages and it offers many amenities including showers, restrooms, pavilions, beach volleyball facilities, massage services, yoga classes, and a complimentary coffee hour.