Poipu Beach

Poipu Beach is hands down one of the best spots on Kauai! Not only is the beach stunning with golden sands and crystal-clear waters, but the experience here is unbeatable. There's ample street parking, and two parking lots nearby make it super convenient. Freshwater showers are just across the street -- perfect for rinsing off after a swim. Hungry? You're in luck! Brennecke's Grill, Puka Dog, and a local deli are just a stone's throw away, serving up delicious eats that'll satisfy any craving. The real magic? Seeing turtles and seals right on the beach! It's such an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience to watch these majestic creatures up close in their natural habitat. Whether you're snorkeling, swimming, or just relaxing in the sun, Poipu Beach is the perfect blend of beauty, adventure, and convenience. A must-visit when in Kauai!

The sea turtles come in around sunset to rest on the beach, so there was always a big crowd around sunset time -- people sitting and standing around to get a glimpse of the sea turtles arriving and slowly climbing up the beach to find their overnight resting spot. You can also see the sunset from the western side of the beach (not the eastern side because there are too many turtle viewers standing in the way blocking the view of the sunset). There is a little bit of shade on this beach (from palm trees and like a couple of regular trees). The snorkeling here was pretty good! Not quite as much to see as Lawai Beach but almost as good. Puka Dog is just across the street Parking can be a little difficult around sunset as it's crowded from all the turtle-viewing people and also shared parking with the restaurants right in the area.

Nice bay beach for relaxing and snorkeling. It's really shallow everywhere and if you stay in a corner of the beach, the water is as calm as a pool, at least in September. It's a nice place to snorkel. It had the most fish out of the 4 beaches we went to. You'll see turtles and monk seals. Please stay away from the sea life and respect the blocked of areas. There was a family that only cared about their photos. Luckily, many were willing to scold them to back away. Respect nature, you can enjoy their beauty from afar.

We spent a week in Kauai, traveled around the island via rental car and even took a flight around the island via AirVentures, but seeing the Hawaiian Green Turtles at poipu Beach was my wife's favorite! We ended up watching the Turtles come ashore to rest in the evenings, twice and returned a 3rd time so she could snorkel and watch the Turtles come one evening. Lots of parking, some covered picnic tables and a great beach to swim, snorkel (plenty of fish & and eel) and observe Hawaiian Green Turtles in their natural habitat.

Came by just before 7am and there were 2 turtles on the beach. I heard the turtles come up to sleep at night and go back into the sea in the morning. These 2 were sleeping in. I also hear some people wake up before sunrise to see them go back into the ocean. Waves were calm. Parking was plentiful this morning. Only a few people watching. There are a couple of signs mentioning to stay behind them. Not the cleanest beach compared to the next door one at Kiahuna beach with rocks and twigs. There is a public bathroom near by. If you walk 5 minutes more you will reach Brennecke's beach. Returned at 7pm in time to catch the sunset. Parking wasn't too difficult to find with a little patience. There were already 5 turtles on the beach and then by sunset there was a total of 8! It was more crowded but still enough room to see them.

Love this beach! My husband and I came here to snorkel and relax and although it can get pretty busy, it's really nice! We cane pretty much everyday since we stayed only down the street from this beach. We saw sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals at this beach. Snorkelling was really great! To the left of the life guard area is a beach where water shoes or flippers is highly recommended because it's all coral but to the right of the life guard is a sandy area and then coral. This is where my husband and I enjoyed snorkeling more! The water was really clear but since we came during mid-march it would get a little rough sometimes. I would recommend flippers if you have them to swim better. I had water shoes and wasn't able to swim out too far. Plenty of fish to see and I even saw an eel! Watch out where you step and try not to step on the coral or urchins. Makes me sad when I see people stepping on the coral.

Poipu Beach is always sunny and a great destination for a family trip to the beach. Although it can be crowded, there are opportunities to spot wildlife like Hawaiian green sea turtles or monk seals that nap on the sand during the sunny hours. With close proximity to restaurants, shopping centers, and Spouting Horn, Poipu Beach is always entertaining.

OMG!! What can I say plenty of parking, lifeguards, clean and with showers, tables, sand and shade. Plenty of chill folks. Bring a shade umbrella or get there early. There were Tuttle's! If you see them give them a wide berth. They are protected. Respect them from a distance.

It's a great beach to visit with family. Easy to do snorkeling for all ages since the water is pretty shallow. Lots of fish everywhere to see. There are a restaurant and hot dogs/snow cones place right across the street to pick up to do picnic at the beach. Lots and lots of turtles throughout the day! A must visit beach in Poipu for sure!

Great beach, especially for the family. This beach is protected by a rock formation thus creating a safer area to swim and see fish without being tossed by the waves. Multiple life guard stands were present to keep an eye out for problems. On the day I visited there were five large sea turtles relaxing on the beach. There was a quasi perimeter we could not pass and the life guards were watching closely but what a great experience. There is free parking across the street. A bus stop is about a quarter mile away if you wanted to go that route (check scheduled closely, have exact change and remember they are currently not running on Sundays). There is also a restaurant and the must-try Puka Dog across the street as well. Plenty of grass areas and picnic tables to use. Perfect beach for vacationing!

Exciting! No beach or water play. We planned to only chill & lounge around to watch honus come on land to sleep & see the sunset. Beach was crowded so this has to mean something about its popularity but the best part was seeing all the honus swim ashore, slowly make it out of the water and sleep. I actually can see myself being a volunteer to see the honus every day!!!

Amazing turtle viewing. However VERY crowded with hundreds of people and limited parking. They do block off the area for the titles with cones. Good snorkeling but very populated as the resorts are very close to this location.

The sunsets here are wonderful! There are seals and tortoises that come & go and it is spectacular to watch. We went in January so it was little chilly in the evening. There are some cute restaurants nearby, too. One of those is Kalapaki Joe's. Great food, nice location, nice staff.

10/20/23 Poipu Beach, the perfect spot to swim, basque under the sun, snorkel, picnic, people watch, and watch nesting Hawaiian Green Turtles inch their way in & out of the shore. There's ample parking across the street but it could get pretty hairy especially during the summer months & weekends. A shower installation is out in the grassy area to wash off all that sand you've picked up & public restrooms as well. Life guard towers ate manned on certain hours. There is a shallow part on this beach that is suitable for children near the lava rocks used as a breaker wall. For food/beverages, there's Brennecke's a few yards away. I was listening to a city employee who ensures that the nesting Hawaiian Green Turtles are protected from humans touching them or getting in the way of their habitat. She said they're studying the behaviors of these spectacular creatures, such as, why do they only nest on these certain areas, what is so special about this area of Poipu Beach? They've noticed that each turtle has its own specific spot that it frequents. She states that she's seen turtles go over another turtle to get to its 'designated' spot. While it is a wonderful place to do & experience any of these beach/water activities, being such a popular & well sought after kind of beach might not be something you're looking for--but it is definitely worth seeing & visiting.

My husband and I had a great time at this beach. It's located near Puka Dog, which I was very excited to try. It was shallow, which made it great for kids to hang out in as well as beginner swimmers like myself to enjoy and snorkel the day away. I even saw turtles, which was amazing! Parking was relatively easy for us, and free, and we were even able to find a spot on the beach where we could lay our stuff down, sunbathe, and head to the water! Be sure to bring your snorkeling gear, as you'll definitely find life under the sea here :)

Gorgeous sunset views and green Hawaiian turtles? Poipu Beach had both when we were there on April 17, 2024. It's not a very large stretch of sand, but it's popular; I think most visitors knew that it was one of the spots to be to watch sunset on the island. But first, we visited the green turtles that were already making their way to the beach to sleep for the night. The area around them is coned off to protect these cute residents. Then we made our way over to see the best free show on earth--spectacular!

It's a fine beach, and the highlight was seeing the turtles!! (don't tell the kids there are turtles. surprise them! ) rent an umbrella at the rental place next to the restaurant but Hi early we were kinda disappointed with the snorkeling. maybe wrong time of year (december 2024). but no colorful coral and only saw a few different fish and getting to the snorkeling area can be a bit rocky. (we did see a sea cucumber which was very cool). required are water shoes to protect your feet (or fins that protect your feet) from rocks might also suggest gloves to protect hands (i was walking back in very close to shore and a tiny wave bumped me and i fell and my hands landed on a sharp rock/coral and hit a very minor cut. no biggie but if i did again i'd have gloves of some sort

Must go beach on the south side of Kauai. The place we stayed at was a 5 minute walk away so we went here over and over again. Turtles were there early in the morning when we went but left later in the morning. There was a sleeping Hawaiian monk seal in front of one of the lifeguard stations that I don't think ever moved during the day. It was there every day we visited this beach. Just slept. What a life! Anyway, the snorkeling in this area was just ok to me when we were there. I think there are better places to snorkel at on Oahu, for example (Hanauma Bay). The current can get rough here and the lifeguards were constantly warning snorkelers on a PA system that they were getting too far into a dangerous area with strong currents. There are some colorful small fishes here and there though. My kids had the most fun riding the shorebreak on their boogey boards. We stayed for a couple hours every time.

Calling all sea turtles! Have you been swimming your heart out all day and just need a place to dig into the cool sand and sleep for the night? Stop by Poipu Beach for your perfect accommodations! Between 6:30-7:30 is the ideal time to arrive as you'll have a beautiful sunset to light your way to the shore and then provide a serene atmosphere as you drift off into blissful slumber. Are you concerned about humans getting in your way? Rest assured that they thought of you! There's a roped off area where you can nap without the hassle of people getting too close and flashing camera lights at you. If someone does try to interrupt your relaxation vibe, there are dedicated volunteers there to remind tourists of the rules and keep them back. So you can rest comfortably.

Poipu is on the southern tip of the island where the sun shines most. Occasional rain showers pass within minutes, and with them rainbows. I don't know where else in the world where you share a sunny beach every day with green sea turtles and rare Hawaiian monk seals, until you realize that it's been their beach for a million years, and you are just visiting. People say it's crowded, but I don't know if they mean the people or the turtles. They are always there resting, and we saw as many as fourteen at a time. It's not very good for swimming, as it's so shallow, but great for the kiddies and snorkeling. There's bathrooms, showers, and picnic areas in the park, and a restaurant/deli and gourmet hot dog stand across the street.

Amazing beach with stunning sunset! It can be a little bit crowded and the waves a little rough though the scenery is spectacular!

Nice little beach with a kids playground. The most notable are the turtles! They are protected and swim and beach in the area. According to the lifeguard, the best time to see the turtles would be evening (after 6pm), you can sometimes see 40-50 turtles on the beach resting. I came around 5ish and saw 7-8. Pay attention to the cone zone, the lifeguards will get on the speaker and ask you to stand back.

Beautiful beach, with easy access and parking across the street. It may be full by 11am so either come early or be patient! Covered area and large picnic beaches. Bathrooms available and close to picnic area - also have changing rooms. There is a gentle protected cove for swimming body surfing and snorkeling ... boogie boarders are further out toward the right. Listen to the life guards in the tower, they will announce when deals or other animals are to be left alone and also call to swimmers to get off the coral as the tide retreats. It's nice to have them watching out for us. This is a mellow beach area. Clean and pretty. Some shade. There is a cave about 2.5 miles away, you could walk it, but there is a parking lot much closer.

Like other reviewers, this is one of the best spot for snorkeling on the island. You can see many fishies and it's not too deep. Good for beginners! The beach has grass and sand. Whichever you prefer. There's a parking lot across the street but it's very hard when it's busy hour Around noon. We came pretty early around 9 and no problem parking but when we left around noon there were a lot of cars circling for parking. Across the street you'll find Puka Dog and shaved ice place.

This beach has something for everyone! There is a play area for kids, lots of benches and tables for families, a small swim & snorkel area for young and old, and wildlife. We saw two Basking Hawaiian Turtles by the swimming area. Everyone was being respectful of these huge, beautiful creatures. We saw roosters, hens, and their offspring walking about, and in one area, eating with differing species of birds. One bird had a beautiful red cap on its head! We were told that the sunsets are spectacular at this beach, but it's a little too far from our resort. We're not comfortable driving dark, unfamiliar roads, and getting back to the resort after sunset would be a little risky for us. We're glad we got to visit during the day when the sun was shining.

We absolutely loved Poipu Beach. My only regret is not spending more time there. It is so picturesque, pretty much what you picture "Hawaii" to be. I loved that it had plenty of shady areas, a park, a lifeguard, and restaurant/shop across the street. The location is great, walkable to Heritage Trail Hike or Village at Poipu or Little Fish. The cove is nice for some more mellow swimming compared to the rest of the South Shore. Outside the cove beware of strong currents. The seals rest on the beach by day, sea turtles by night. There is always a wildlife volunteer to talk about the ocean, seals, and turtles. So cool! Great place to hang for the day with kids. It's also worth noting we came in low season. We were told that during the summer or busier months, getting there early is key. It fills up really quickly.

Po'ipū Beach is located directly opposite of Puka's Hotdogs. We used the parking lot next door and then walked across to see the sea turtles before purchasing food from this place. Starting at around a half hour before sunset, leatherback and green sea turtles, known in Hawaiian as "honu" swim to the shores to rest at night on Poipū Beach. Flashlights, flash photography and even bright street lights are not allowed because sea birds and turtles get confused thinking that they're going towards the sea where the moonlight is, and instead go inland and get hit by cars or attacked by dogs. There is a turtle group that keeps watch over the turtles from sundown until sun up in shifts to protect the turtles from poachers and evil people who would try to harm these magnificent creatures. Native Hawaiians are doing God's work when it comes to animal stewardship. Visited: January 2023

Beautiful beach just along a stretch hotel. There's also a park attached to it which is nice for kids and picnicking. Surf shop and store just along the front. There's also a parking lot nearby. Stretch of beach isn't that big but enough for the kids to enjoy. It seemed to caters more to families with kids as there's a lagoon area with less waves for the kids to frolic around. And a lifeguard on dust. Also good for snorkeling. Certain part of the beach was marked off for wildlife. Sea turtles and sea lions was just basking in the sunshine. Such a cool vibe to be able to see them laying there in nature without being distracted by people. Tides pools also nearby. Not sure if they are there all the times or when it's low tides.

Poipu Beach is truly a beautiful beach that is easily accessible with clean facilities that always feels safe for swimming (yes, even at high tide), great for snorkeling, and even better, a great place to sit on the beach and watch green sea turtles come to rest at dusk to end your day. This beach has two little coves which make it ideal for swimming, even for little ones, and a lifeguard on duty to ensure everyone is safe. It's a very calm and easy-to-navigate beach with plenty of free parking close by. This spot also has a covered area, picnic tables, and bathrooms making it a breeze to hang out there all day. While I was in Kaua'i, while I visited beaches up and down the coast, Popu was the one that I kept coming back to for the most memorable hours of swimming and snorkeling.

Undefeated if you are looking for a beach to bring young kids to: there are almost no waves so your little ones are safe splashing and exploring with minimal supervision, you can teach bigger kids how to snorkel here without the waves (and there are fish), and there are almost always turtles or seals hanging out. There is even a small playground in case the kiddos get tired of playing in the sand and water. It does get crowded sometimes, but it's all families so everyone is friendly and happy to share the real estate. Pro tip: there are a lot of rocks in the snorkeling area so water shoes help. Other than that enjoy!

WE'RE BACK! Still one of our favorite beaches on Kauai. It has it all... fun strip of beach, protected kid area, good food across the street, good snorkeling, And turtles! Once you walk across the street from the parking lot, the beach is right in front of you. To the direct left of the main beach, there's a protected cove area for kids and small children play. There's plenty of space to put your stuff on the beach and a large area of water where you don't feel cramped with your kids. There fairly good snorkeling at the beach. Not the best, but good enough. Farthest to the left there is an area where people surf and body surf. Lots of classes to take if you go across the street to the surf shop. There are life guards at the beach Good food is across the street Overall this beach is awesome! A must visit if you are in Kauai or want a kid friendly beach

Great beach. Lifeguards during peak hours.family Beach, but not entire beach is swimable, be careful! Fun to watch the surfers Suppose to be monk seals and sea turtles on this beach, but we didn't see any.

This beautiful cove is a very iconic beach in the island. You are absolutely guaranteed to see turtles on the shore specifically in the coned off here. Unfortunately since this beach is a big tourist attraction it is extremely busy and you'll likely not find a quiet spot. It is definitely a great beach if you have young children especially since it's more of a cove. Even very young children can stand throughout it. This is not a beach to go to if you want the quiet secluded experience. The parking lot gets very full so plan ahead and come early. There are public restrooms which are pretty clean given its a beach restroom, though it doesn't have soap inside so plan ahead. There is also outside showers to wash sand off before heading home.

Overhyped area Small beach supposedly good for snorkeling, but we did not find a single fish

This is a nice beach. Very clean with bathrooms , showers and lifeguards. On the right side of the tower is a protected cove for snorkeling. On the left is the sea and beyond another protected area For little kids. with a lifeguard tower. Bit windy in the afternoon .. Very pleasant trade winds coming in.

Great beach for families with little ones. On the west side the waves there are good for surfing the beach has a little crater that's good for kids with waves that still give room for snorkeling. It's a great spot.

While having breakfast at Koloa Landing Resort (check out my review if interested), a fellow patron suggested that we check out Poipu beach for the amazing sunset and turtle sightings. Knowing that sunset was going to occur around 7:25 that evening, we arrived at 7 to secure a decent standing position (the beach gets fairly busy around this time). By 7:32 the sun had set and we were convinced that the turtles had decided to play hooky and not come to shore. As we began to make our way back to our car, we saw a large group of people crowded around a set of cones. Once we were in closer proximity, we could make out not one, not two, but six large turtles at shore! Growing up a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (yes I know that they largely differ from the real thing), but I couldn't help but hear the theme song play as they slowly inched up shore. If you want to impress your kiddos, or if you're an adult simply looking for an amazing sunset (with the possibility of a turtle(s) sighting, I highly recommend visiting this beach!

First time in Kauai and LOVED every minute, especially this beach. Our hotel was on this side and we were told Poipu has great swimming beaches. The waves are gigantic but were super fun to swim in! The water was so refreshing and stayed a lovely ... maybe 65-70 degrees? Perfect in 80 degree weather. Not hot or cold, just perfect. The sands were a golden yellow. We saw beautiful sunsets, about 10 sea turtles resting ashore, and 2 monk seals lying around. We witnessed whales off in the distance and enjoyed an early morning walk. Really gorgeous and clean. Tips: Wear water shoes. There are rocks in the sand (under water) so you don't want to cut your feet.

I love this beach it was calm relaxing but can get crowded quickly especially with all the turtle watchers. It's a great place to go with kids just know there will be a lot of other famalies here as well doing the same thing.

Nice beach area with a lifeguard on duty. Parking is easy here, unlike some beach areas in Kauai, especially if you come early. The beach is a good size and you can set up your chairs/blankets/etc. and have room to stretch out. Water is decently calm. There is a bathroom close by.

Beautiful beach! Great for snorkeling and shallow area with sandy bottom by the rock break. Perfect for my kids 2,6,7 yo. Clean too. No plastic pieces everywhere like Lydgate beach. Began to really get busy at sunset with crowd standing around the coned off areas protecting the turtles on the beach. 4 stars for how busy it was, but it seems like that's probably an issue everywhere in Hawaii now.

Poipu Beach is an ole' time favorite spot of mine. Growing up in the early 80's, Brennecke's Beach was the go to spot for body surfing and body boarding (before Hurricane Iwa). Poipu Beach is right next door and a good place to chill out on the beach to relax. Today, you will find a sea lion and turtles, so break out your camera. If you do snorkel, please stay safe. Going outside of the breakwater can be dangerous with the undertow current. Fun tips from across the street: 1. rent a beach chair and umbrella for $8 a piece. Surfboards and bodyboards available for rent as well. 2. get your shaved ice on! or smoothie 3. try the Spam Musubi! 4. bar and restaurant with amazing coast line view 5. free parking across from the beach

Nice beach located on the south shore, with plenty of nearby parking. They're most well known for the sea turtles, or honu, that come onto the beach just before sunset each evening. It's an amazing sight to see and a must do when visiting the island!

This place has a special spot in my heart! My first time snorkeling and I was able to experience it here. And little did I know I would see a turtle just hanging out and swimming with me in the water. Yes, I know there are rules to stay 10ft+ away, but the turtle came to me. I didn't come to it..I didnt expect to see this adorable turtle in it's natural environment! So I went twice to this beach in 2022! February 2022- girls trip. December 2022- family trip! My 3 boys: 11yrs old, 8yrs old, and 6yr old kids also had the opportunity to snorkel here. One of them (11yr old) also saw a turtle swim by him and he was able to follow it as it went to the beach to sunbathe! While taking a break, my 6yr old and I was having a snack and... Guess who comes out of the water!!!! A beautiful sea turtle! At one point we saw 2 sea turtles! This beach was walking distance from the resort we were staying and it was a beach we spent most of our time in because the shore was just so calm and it just felt very safe to snorkle here. Lots of kids and first time snorkelers are here. My little

So.... The TURTLES come to POIPU BEACH to sleep at night. If you come early, you'll catch them still sleeping. Don't touch though. But not to worry, someone Kindly draws a line on the sand to let you know how close you could get to them - which is, not close enough to touch. This beach is small but has picnic tables on the grassy area next to it. Also, this is within walking distance to a lot of the residences in the area.

Great beach! Bring peas and spread them.in the water the fish will.all gather round you! A huge 20inch fish came and nipped my hand for the peas! Kids loved it here, there's a nice swimming.cove.for the kids. Go see turtles at night, need red light only.

Good spot to have some fun! Big line up for the shave ice. The restaurant upstairs is great with a beautiful view of the beash

A classic busy Kauai beach with an easy entry on most days. Parking is usually found across from Brennecke's and if you go to the far right (when looking at the ocean) that is a nice area with surf breaks farther right (not a surfer but accompanied by a couple). I have been here frequently when a Hawaiian monk seal (or 2 or 3) have chosen a spot to sun themselves- usually during summer it seems. There have been volunteers who rope off the area to keep folks at a safe distance. This is a great place for sunset- and the turtles gather here I think every night (out in front of Brennecke's) and it gathers quite the crowd. The water can be good for snorkeling depending on the surf.

Loved this beach! The waves are just right, the sand is warm and a softer grit in most places, and we saw whales, porpoises, and such a great spot for easy snorkeling! Highly recommend!