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Beach · Hanalei, Hawaii
Hanalei Bay
A crescent bay of about 3 km on Kauai’s north coast, with light sand, a wooden pier and green mountains in the background, which fill with waterfalls in winter. The sea is usually calm in summer and receives large waves in winter.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Hanalei Bay
Hanalei Bay occupies a wide curve on Kauai’s north coast, at the mouth of the Hanalei River. The light sand stretches for about 3 km, divided into several beach parks, and behind it the mountains rise almost vertically, with waterfalls appearing on the slopes in the rainy months.
In the middle of the bay is the Hanalei Pier, built at the end of the 19th century to load rice and later refurbished several times. It is one of the island’s most photographed spots and a popular place for fishing and jumping into the water on calm days. Next to it, Black Pot Park hosts kayaks and boards that go up the Hanalei River.
In the warm months, the bay tends to be calm in the morning, good for swimming, paddling, and learning to surf. In winter, north swells create large waves over the reefs at the tip of the bay, sought by experienced surfers, and swimming is limited to calm days.
On the road to the village, the highway crosses the Hanalei Valley by a narrow one-lane bridge, beside flooded taro fields, the largest in Hawaii, in an area protected as a refuge for water birds.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day at the beach; more time if you kayak on the river.
Best time
From May to September, when the sea is calm. You can watch the sunset from the pier. In winter, big-wave days draw people who want to watch surfing from the sand.
How to get there
Via Highway 56 and then 560, about 50 km from Lihue, roughly a one-hour drive. The village sits behind the bay, with beach access from Weke Road. The island bus reaches Hanalei.
Tip
Stop at the Hanalei overlook on the road before the bridge to view the valley and taro fields. Follow lifeguard flags in winter.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Hanalei Bay
When is Hanalei Bay’s sea calm?
Generally from May to September. In winter, north swells form large waves over the bay’s reefs.
What is there to see in Hanalei Bay?
The pier, the light-sand beaches, the mountains with waterfalls in the background, and the taro valley with its one-lane bridge.
Can you paddle on the Hanalei River?
Yes. Kayaks and boards launch from Black Pot Park, next to the pier, and go up the river.