Hanalei Bay

Hanalei Bay is a true paradise! It's a picture-perfect crescent of golden sand framed by lush mountains, making it an ideal spot to end your day. Here's what makes it special: Stunning Scenery: The views are simply breathtaking. The combination of the turquoise water, the dramatic mountains, and the swaying palm trees creates a postcard-worthy scene. Relaxing Vibes: The atmosphere is incredibly laid-back. It's the perfect place to unwind, soak up the sun, and simply enjoy the beauty around you. Perfect for Recreation: Swimming: The calm waters make it a great place for a refreshing swim. Sunbathing: Find a spot on the sand, spread out your towel, and enjoy the warm Hawaiian sunshine. Pier Jumping: As you mentioned, the pier offers a fun opportunity for a refreshing jump into the cool water. Water Sports: You can also find opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, and surfing. Things to Note: Popularity: Hanalei Bay is a popular spot, so expect crowds, especially during peak season. Parking: Parking can be limited, so arrive early or consider alternative transportation. Overall: Hanalei Bay is a must-visit destination on Kauai. Whether you're looking to relax, swim, or simply enjoy the stunning scenery, this bay has something for everyone. Disclaimer: Always check for any local advisories or warnings regarding water conditions before swimming or jumping from the pier. Be mindful of the environment and dispose of any trash properly. I hope this review helps you plan your visit to Hanalei Bay!

My favorite place we went to in kauai. The town was magnificent. Still has charm, no major hotels and you are one mile away from pristine beaches with little people around. Caution. The road in and out is small and tight, but that's part of the charm

Softest sand on the island. A great beach to learn how to surf because the waves are smaller, and the water doesn’t get that deep. We love coming here for sunsets. Simply beautiful.

Iconic, famous, loved…all perfectly appropriate descriptions of Hanalei Bay. If you are visiting Kuai you NEED to spend a day enjoying this bay, its beach, and the town. You’ll experience a stunning scenery never forgotten that will rival any other beach experience in your life! There is a nearby air strip that adds planes to the back drop of the bay. They land and take off on the eastern side of the bay and fly across the outer portion of the bay just above the ocean. There are numerous anchored sailboats that give a nice boating backdrop to what you see looking into the bay. There is a pier for fishing and jumping into the bay. There is also a river inlet along the eastern side of the bay with full access into the bay/ocean. Weather may impact what you see, but it won’t impact it for long. Clouds rolling along the Na Pali mountain line tend to cause showers, but usually they are short lived, and mostly often add a unique appearance to the scenery of the bay as they roll along low to the ground. The mountains themselves are unique in their position along the backdrop of the town and the bay to the western side. They are the start of the Na Pali coast and worthy of playing a starring role in the scenery of this bay. All of these experiences don’t even mention the beach and the water itself. The sand is soft, the waves range from beginner level to more advanced depending on the sea. Everyone will enjoy the Hanalei Bay beach because it offers something for everyone. Experience this bay for yourself, you won’t regret making the time for it!

Lovely place for relaxing on the beach, learning to surf, or kayak up the river! We rented a kayak and spent a good 3 hours going up and down that river next to the Bay. Should have turned back sooner because we were exhausted by the end but it was a fantastic experience!

Hanalei Bay is one of Kauai’s true wonders. It’s a beautiful drive to get to this huge bay nearly two miles in length. The Bay is surrounded by iconic, lush and green mountains and you’ll be able to clearly see waterfalls if there was recent rain activity. The ocean here is typically calm and flat, especially in the summer. Winter is really the only suitable time to surf, by the pier especially for beginners. There may be times where you can boogie board, and it’s excellent for SUP. It’s not known for its snorkeling because the water can be cloudy at times and there’s not much reef to see. Plenty of parking options line the bay, though I think black pot parking lot is best because there will more than likely be space and you’ll get the best views of the mountains. Hanalei also has the pier that you can walk down and also jump off into the water. There are showers and bathrooms as well! Hanalei Bay is a Kauai gem.

Beautiful beach with soft sand and nice waves to learn how to surf. Also a really nice place to take photos with stunning sunsets

Beautiful beach, great for relaxing, with a truly golden sand, and cristal water. The beach is very nice and clean, also huge and probably the most important thing, it’s very close to Hanalei town, so you can take advantage of that if suddenly you need something to eat. Love this beach.