While the beaches of Hawaii can be beautiful and seductive, they can also be highly dangerous . Kauai has 113 miles of gorgeous, soft sand shoreline making the beaches popular and inviting. Since Hawaii is located in the open ocean, the waves can be strong and powerful with many riptides and undertows. This is particularly true during the winter months when the trade winds make the waves higher and more powerful on certain parts of the island.

Don’t think that because you are a strong swimmer you can ignore this advice. Even strong swimmers can get caught in rip currents in the Hawaii surf. Beaches lying near river mouths are particularly prone to having strong currents that can catch swimmers off guard and pull them into strong ocean currents so do not swim in these types of areas while in the islands. 

Forceful currents or riptides can occur without warning. If you find yourself caught in a strong current or riptide, do not try to fight the current. Instead swim with it and wave to others for help. Never swim alone and do not enter the water on secluded beaches where no one is around to help you should you suddenly find yourself in trouble. If you do, you may find yourself keeping Davey Jones company in the ocean depths.

The best idea to enjoy a safe time at the beach while in Kauai is to only swim in one of the 9 beaches where lifeguards keep a watchful eye on swimmers. On the north end of the island, this would be Hanalei Bay, the Maku or Tunnels Beach near the Hanalei Colony Resort and Ke’e Beach at the end of the north shore road.

On the east side of the island, guarded beaches are: Lydgate near Wailua, Kealia just north of Kapa’a on Highway 58 and Anahola Beach Park which is more popular with locals than with visitors. On the south, is Po’ipu near the Sheraton which is generally one of the safest and calmest beaches on the island especially for families with children. In the west, guarded beaches are the Salt Pond near Hanapepe and  Kekaha.  Kekaha Beach can have very strong and powerful waves and undercurrents so unless the water is very calm, it is best to choose another of Kauai’s calmer locations for swimming and playing in the water.