Where not to swim Kauai?

Lumahai is the subject of many postcards and paintings, but is also known on island as one of the most dangerous beaches for drownings and is not recommended for swimming. During the summer months the conditions at Luimahai are calmer, but still use caution. Lumahai is exposed to open ocean and strong currents.



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Kauai's beaches at times, are exposed to strong waves and rip currents can form without notice. Choose a Kauai beach with a lifeguard. Before entering the water, check for any warning signs indicating hazardous conditions.

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East Side Beaches Lydgate Pond is located in Lydgate State Park with a large salt-water pool which makes it one of Kaua?i's safest year-round swimming sites. Kealia Beach Park is a half-mile stretch of golden coast that hugs the curve of Highway 56. Its long sand-bar bottom provides a nice surf break.

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Nawiliwili Stream/Kalapaki Beach Park, Kauai (pictured). In our lead photo, this beach is polluted 100% of the time.

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Hanakapi'iai Beach Located on the secluded Na Pali Coast, Hanakapi'ai Beach has been called the most dangerous beach in Hawaii. It's also one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii! The water often looks fine, but a dangerous rip current has swept several people out to sea.

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Makena Point is believed to have the largest gathering of sharks in Hawaii. Sightings of tiger sharks are quite common from Makena Beach on Maui Island.

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Kauai has gorgeous beaches, but the trick to finding the best beaches depends on the season. In the summer, the north shore has calmer waters. You can swim in Hanalei bay or Tunnels beach without worry. But the south shore has slightly rougher waves during the summer, though usually still swimmable.

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Whether it's safe to swim at Secret Beach is dependent on water conditions, which vary by season. Swimming is typically safe in the summer months, though rough surf and strong currents sometimes bring about conditions that are dangerous.

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Ke'e Beach is one of the calmest swimmable beaches in Kauai in summer. Bring your lunch and enjoy the day sunning, swimming, snorkeling and just chillaxing. Be careful in winter though. The currents are strong and the waves can be crazy (though the off-shore reef slows down some of the surf).

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Swimming, boogie boarding, surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving are all found within a one mile stretch of coastline. Poipu Beach Park is considered among the safest in Hawaii, with a lifeguard on duty seven days a week.

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So, if you're heading to Kauai in the winter, leave the north shore for the surfers and head to the south shore beaches for better swimming conditions. While the south shore is swimmable year-round, the summer months can bring choppier waters to Kauai beaches on the south end.

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DISCLAIMER: It is VERY dangerous to visit Queens Bath! During high tide, when the waves are above 4 ft, and in the winter months, the waves could sweep you out to sea. So please be super cautious of the times you go. It's best noted to not go if the waves are above 4 ft.

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coli spike. Test results from July 7 show the bacteria counts are back below safe guidelines. Update, July 8, 2022.

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Backed by majestic mountains and fringed with coconut palms, Ke'e Beach is the most spectacular beach on Kaua'i's North Shore. It is also one of the best places on the island for snorkeling. Revel the incredibly clear lagoon-like beach and see reef fish by the score.

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Maui is known for its calm waters and great beaches. Some of the beaches in Kauai aren't as swimmable as those in Maui. The water is generally rougher, the swell is larger and some places have strong currents. This is especially true on Kauai's North Shore in winter.

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It is well known in Hawaii that October through the end of the calendar year is a time of increased shark activity. Historically, it's been the month with the most recorded unprovoked shark bites.

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There appears to be an increased risk of being bitten by a shark during certain months, in particular October through December. Early Hawaiians recognized this, and cautioned against going in the water at that time.

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When Are Sharks Most Active In Hawaii? Another great question. Sharks are present all year round and can be active throughout the day. When shark attacks do happen, they are most likely to happen during the day, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

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