Lydgate Beach Park(Lydgate Park)

Located in the eastern part of the Kauai shoreline, Lydgate Beach Park - also called Lydgate Park - is a large and immensely popular recreational park that has a large and two-and-a-half-mile long beach with a large amount of driftwood, a few pebbles, and many nearby trees. This beach is called Lydgate Beach and it is situated near the mouth of the Wailua River. The ocean water near the northern part of Lydgate Beach Park is enclosed by multiple artificial rocky breakwaters - this enclosed double-section pool of ocean water is locally known as the Lydgate Pools (it is also alternatively known as Morgan’s Ponds) and it was built during the 20th century. The idea for a double-sectioned pool (a pool that has two portions) near Lydgate Beach was originally envisioned by Albert S. Morgan Sr. and there is a plaque around the beach that recognizes his contribution to the construction of the pool - Albert was a local resident who became inspired to build a protected swimming pool near Lydgate Beach Park when he encountered a similarly protected saltwater pool during his trip to Italy in 1958. 

It is important to note that while some people may refer to this park as Lydgate State Park, this name is misleading and incorrect because the park is not managed by the Division of State Parks (which is a part of the State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources). Lydgate Beach Park is named in honor of Reverend John M. Lydgate, who was a prominent local community leader and the former pastor of the Lihu’e United Church and the Koloa Union Church. Reverend Lydgate was also the managing director of the McBryde Sugar Company and the Garden Island newspaper before his death in 1922. Lydgate Beach Park has been featured in many movies including the 1962 movie Diamond Head and the 1961 Elvis Presley movie Blue Hawaii. 

Lydgate Beach Park has many amenities including lifeguards, restrooms, pavilions, barbecue grills, grassy areas, picnic areas, two playgrounds, walking and biking paths, a disc golf course, showers, and sports fields. 

Lydgate Beach Park offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, wildlife watching, picnicking, camping, hiking, biking, swimming, surfing, scuba diving, bodyboarding, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, snorkeling, kitesurfing, windsurfing, boating, wakeboarding, surf-skiing, jet-skiing, and water-skiing. The double-section pool near Lydgate Beach is extremely popular with beginner swimmers because the water here usually has really mild waves. The smaller inner portion of the double section pool is particularly ideal for small kids because of its shallow depth. Beginner snorkelers also visit Lydgate Beach for exploring its vibrant marine biodiversity - you can see many small tropical fish while snorkeling within the Lydgate Pools including puffer fish and parrotfish. In addition, you can also see many kinds of animals in the water near Lydgate Beach Park including sea turtles, dolphins, migrating whales between December and May, and rare Hawaiian monk seals - 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. In addition to snorkeling, surfers also frequently visit Lydgate Beach Park during summers. Windsurfers and kitesurfers also visit this beach when Kona winds blow in from the southwestern direction - Kona winds usually blow in during the winter season. 

If you are planning to surf, swim, or snorkel near Lydgate Beach Park, we recommend being careful because the water beyond the rocky breakwaters is known to seasonally have dangerous rip currents and hazardous waves. In addition, we also recommend staying away from the rocky breakwaters during turbulent water conditions because they can get slippery during this time - any collision with these breakwaters can cause serious injuries. In addition, please note that a large amount of driftwood and debris can also be deposited along the beach’s shoreline - this debris can make water activities difficult and unsafe. If you are planning to fish near Lydgate Beach Park, please ensure compliance with the local fishing regulations that can be found on the website of the Division of Aquatic Resources (which is a part of the State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources). It is also important to note that fishing here while standing on the breakwaters can be particularly dangerous, especially during turbulent water conditions.

If you like camping, Lydgate Beach Park’s campground offers a fun camping experience. If you want to camp here, you can visit the “Parks & Recreation” section of the official website of the County of Kaua’i for more information regarding the campground charges and camping rules. Lydgate Beach Park also has two large play areas - one of them - the Kamalani Playground - is located in the northern portion of the park and has a 16,000-square feet wooden castle that is fitted with slides, swings, a suspension bridge, and mazes. This play area was built with the efforts of the local community in 1994. Another prominent play area in Lydgate Beach Park is the Kamalani Kai Play Bridge, which is also called Lydgate Kamalani Park II - this play bridge is in the southern portion of the park and it has a giant wooden maze with slides, ramps, and stairways. 

If you like biking and skateboarding, The Ke Ala Hele Makalae (meaning “The Path that Goes by Coast” in Hawaiian) is an eight-mile long oceanfront walking and biking path that starts near this park - this path offers a fun jogging, biking, walking, and roller skating session along the east Kauai shoreline. In addition, the trail also has interesting interpretive signs that offer unique information about the local history and culture.

The Wailua Complex of Heiaus is located near the northern end of this beach - this historic site has been designated as a National Historic Landmark and it is also a part of the Wailua River State Park. This complex has remnants of many historical structures including ancient heiaus (which is a Hawaiian temple), pu‘uhonua (that served as places of refuge for those who broke religious laws), Pohaku Ho'ohanau (this structure was used by noble Hawaiian women for giving birth), and a Bellstone (this structure was used for announcing important events). Wailua River State Park also has many other interesting features including a lush river valley, multiple scenic waterfalls, and an interesting fern-covered cave named the Fern Grotto.

Getting to Lydgate Beach Park is easy - from Hawaii Route 56 (this road is also called Kuhio Highway,) you need to turn towards Leho Drive. The turn for Leho Drive is located between mile marker 5 and mile marker 6 of the Kuhio Highway. From Leho Drive, you need to turn towards Nalu Road. Nalu Road will lead you to Lydgate Beach Park - this park also has a free parking lot. We recommend visiting this park early on weekends because it can get really crowded during this time. Lydgate Beach Park is open between 9 am to 5 pm. 

There are many attractions near Lydgate Beach Park. Smith’s Tropical Paradise is a 30-acre garden park that has a tropical orchard (which contains tropical plants including breadfruit and jackfruit), a bamboo forest, a flower wheel, a section displaying tropical flowering plants, and a Japanese-themed garden - you can explore the garden park’s vibrant plant life through hiking trails. In addition, the garden park also offers a fantastic picnicking experience and you can see many interesting bird species here - one of the birds that you can see here is the peacock. Smith’s Tropical Paradise also hosts an immensely popular luau ceremony for its guests - this luau ceremony offers many fun traditional Polynesian dances and cultural performances and it offers a unique insight into the beautiful culture of the Hawaiian people - this luau ceremony also offers a buffet with amazing food options.

Wailua Golf Course (also called Wailua Municipal Golf Course) is an 18-hole golf course that was initially built in the 1930s and was designed by golf architect Toyo Shirai. This course has hosted three Amateur Public Links Championships of the United States Golf Association and it was also listed by Golf Digest as one of Hawaii’s top 15 golf courses - in addition, it was also listed as the third best golf course in Hawaii by the Golf Channel. If you are looking for another attraction near Lydgate Beach Park, Peter Rayno Park is a recreational park that has many amenities including a grassy area, restrooms, softball field, and a basketball court.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Lydgate Beach Park. Hukilau Lanai is a popular upscale restaurant that serves many delicious dishes with creative culinary influences including pork dishes, seafood, steaks, pastas, poultry dishes, salads, and soups. Bobby V's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria is a popular restaurant that serves a variety of amazing Italian dishes including pizzas, pastas, chicken parmigiana, and Italian-style seafood. The restaurant has also been praised by many publications including The Garden Island newspaper and FOR KAUAI newspaper. Street Burger Kauai serves amazing burgers and it also serves excellent salads and fries - the restaurant has been praised by many publications including the HAWAI’I magazine and the Coastal Living magazine. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Lydgate Beach Park, Konohiki Seafoods serves delicious seafood. In addition, it also serves excellent sushi, Hawaiian-platters, Asian-style dishes, pasta, and chicken dishes. As another modestly priced option, WAILUA DRIVE IN serves a variety of excellent locally inspired dishes including kalua pig, teriyaki chicken, meat jun, steaks, spam, burgers, seafood, and musubi.

If you are looking for a hotel near Lydgate Beach Park, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Kauai Beach Resort & Spa offers many amenities including four pools (including two with waterfalls), a complimentary airport/local area shuttle, hot tubs, pool volleyball facilities, a waterslide, multiple restaurants, a lounge, a salon, a spa, a fitness center, and nightly entertainment. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Hilton Garden Inn Kauai at Wailua Bay that offers many amenities including a restaurant, two pools, a fitness center, a bar, a 24-hour market, a hot tub, laundry services, and loaner facilities for bikes, mats, and coolers. The hotel also hosts a monthly fair named the Wailua Bay Creator’s Fair that sees local vendors selling unique handicrafts on the hotel’s premises. Another affordable accommodation option is the Kaha Lani Resort which offers many amenities including barbecue grills, walking/biking path, laundry/dry cleaning services (available for a fee), and picnic areas. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Lydgate Beach Park, the 2-Star Tip Top Motel, Cafe, & Bakery has Art Deco-style architectural influences and it also offers a cafe.