Ha'ena Beach Park

Ha'ena Beach Park is the northwesternmost beach area on Kauai that tourists can visit without needing to make reservations beforehand. 

The Beach Park is one of the county's beach park systems, featuring covered picnic tables, a lifeguard station, showers, a large lawn area, and flush bathroom facilities. While the surf at the beach directly in front of the beach park is unprotected and can get pretty rough and therefore often unsafe for swimming, Tunnels Beach with its reef-protected snorkeling is located a short walk to the east, and the more shapely waves frequented by surfers can be found at Haena Beach to the west. 

Set in a scenic cove surrounded by lush green mountains that rise from the landscape, Ha'ena Beach Park makes a great destination when driving the north side of Kauai. Directly across the street, and often the first thing that can be seen upon driving into the park is Manini-holo Dry Cave, a large caverness opening that goes about 150 feet back into the mountain. The cave is tall enough that visitors can walk most of its interior without squatting. Legend says that the cave was the far end of an escape route when Hawaiian peoples in the town of Waimea were fleeing from the attacking Polynesians. After running through the tunnel, the Hawaiians collapsed the center of the tunnel, trapping the Polynesians and securing their escape.

During the tourist season, Ha'ena Beach Park tends to make a popular turnaround point for visitors, and can get very crowded throughout the day. The parking area often fills up. Visitors might want to time their visit to the beach park or expect a wait for an open parking space.

Ha'ena Beach Park has also been used by the County of Kauai for public camping, however as of 2021 the park remains closed for camping. Check the County of Kauai's Parks Website for up-to-date information.