Salt Pond Beach Park

Park · Kauai County

Salt Pond Beach Park

Park · Kauai County

Salt Pond Rd, Eleele, HI 96705

Highlights

Family-friendly beach with calm lagoon for swimming and snorkeling

Salt Pond Rd, Eleele, HI 96705 Get directions

kauai.gov

@travelleisure

12 Best Beaches on Kauai

"A relaxed sanctuary at the island’s southern end near Hanapēpē, this park is named for nearby traditional salt beds used by Indigenous Hawaiian people and features a natural rock barrier that creates calm swimming, snorkeling, and windsurfing conditions; facilities include picnic tables, barbecue grills, and showers, and camping is possible with a permit." - Vanessa Wilkins Vanessa Wilkins Vanessa Wilkins is a travel and lifestyle writer with an extensive background in digital journalism. Her work has been published in Travel + Leisure, Departures, The Points Guy, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-beaches-kauai-7508823

View Postcard for Salt Pond Beach Park

@goop

"A natural lava rock ridge protects this crescent beach, meaning its gentle lagoon makes for safe, easy swimming and snorkeling with kids. (Plus, its glimmering red-and-gold sand is too pretty to miss.) Located close to Hawaii’s last remaining traditional salt-gathering ponds (hence the name), it’s known to be a preferred hangout for Monk Seals, as well as local families. That said, in order to protect the fragile natural environment, the namesake salt ponds are off-limits to the public."

The Kauai Guide

View Postcard for Salt Pond Beach Park

Trinh Nguyen

Google

This beach is wonderful! It’s like a mini bay with a reef that breaks out in the distance giving small waves to enjoy without too much of a worry. Lots of picnic shelters, bathroom, and shower. There is also a lifeguard on duty!

Riley Baum

Google

IF YOU WANNA SEE SEALS LOOK NO FURTHER! But more important, be respectful. Keep your distance! For our Hawaii trip I wanted to see sea turtles and seals. At the point of stumbling across this beach I had seen the turtles, but no seals yet. When we came there was one, we left and came back like an hour or two later and there ended up being two more. This was also one of the more calm beaches we found. Our whole trip all the islands were very windy, so finding a beach that wasn’t affected by them too bad was kind of hard. The wind was definitely blowing but the water wasn’t affected too much. There were many people snorkeling and the waters are pretty clear. Bathrooms were average for a beach. Definitely recommend coming this way to check it out!

Arlene Lum

Google

11Jan25, 12pm: sunny day, nice beach, water warm ~85F. Snorkeling: visibility poor in middle, best snorkeling at far east end as enter parking or the little cove at far west end; everything else junk. Saw big ~1.5ft black triggerfish, ornate wrasse, convict tang, tiny, butterfly fish, spotted box fish, school of goatfish. Most fish small. *Saw Monk seal sleeping on beach

Dan Bezdek

Google

As of Feb 25,2025 no homeless, tents or other sketch. Was county crew and life guards. Heat beach and protective snorkeling…. Great beach park

Regina George

Google

Nice park for camping and relaxing. Beautiful sunsets and views. It has an upbeat traditional Hawaii touch to this place that feels very homey. Lively music and very upbeat I wouldn’t recommend this place if you are looking for something quiet.

D Ano

Google

Our family had a fantastic time here, even though there are a few bad reviews. The thing is, this is definitely a locals beach and I think if you compare it to Poipu Beach or something like that, you are making a false comparison. Also: there appears to be camping allowed here on one side, but we saw few if any "homeless camps" that people have mentioned in reviews. In fact, the local crowd was welcoming and chill and the beach was super clean and fun. Seals were sunbathing and the crowds were minimal, even for a Friday. Just a super cool vibe. Lifeguard on duty. Be aware: this beach has some serious current and waves at times, therefore, children need to be supervised. What a fantastic beach!

Dena G

Google

Given the crowds at Poipu beach, this offered a quieter, uncrowded crescent beach with ample parking, restrooms/shower, lifeguard and really excellent swimming conditions. I was able to do laps, enjoy beach time and watch beautiful sunsets.

Sarah Smith

Google

Bathrooms, easy parking, camping, picnic tables, barbecue stands, lifeguard, protection from waves by a long reef and easy shallow beach for snorkeling and playing. Recommend for families or people who want amenities without crowds. We didn’t see much for fish, no seals or turtles. Skydiving airport is next door so plans fly in low overhead.