One Of Kauai's Most Scenic, Uncrowded Beach Parks Offers Pristine Waters And Picturesque Snorkeling

Spanning about a mile-long swath of sand on Kauai's sunny South Shore, Salt Pond Beach Park is one of the island's most beloved coastlines, offering a range of activities and historic interest. The beach is named for its proximity to Kauai's only natural salt ponds where Native Hawaiians have harvested salt for generations. To this day, only about a few Native Hawaiian families can harvest salt at their own dedicated salt beds, which is done in the summer months between May and September.

Set back from the center of the beach is also the small airstrip of Port Allen Airport, where the first commercial flights departed from Kauai in 1929. Today, in-the-know travelers flock to this serene beach, which boasts calm waters for swimming, as it is protected by a reef that promises excellent snorkeling. There are also ample opportunities for additional marine life spotting, such as endangered monk seals and humpback whales in season. The beach has all the facilities you need for the stress-free beach day, including bathrooms, lifeguards, and food trucks.

Salt Pond Beach Park is located just outside the town of Hanapepe, a wildly underrated area full of unique food and shops. It is also about a 40-minute drive from Kauai's Lihue Airport. Parking is easy, with a large parking lot located near the beach. Best of all, Salt Pond Beach Park is a delight to explore year-round. While the summer months are generally warmer and drier, the winter months between December and March offer prime whale-watching opportunities.

Kauai's dramatic natural landscape offers many exciting activities to do, but a day at the beach should always factor into any itinerary. Salt Pond Beach invites as much relaxation as it does activities. The sheltering reef barrier ensures that the tranquil and translucent waves are safe for swimming and splashing for beach goers of all ages. The snorkeling offshore here is also unparalleled. In fact, Salt Pond Beach Park is one of the 15 best places for snorkeling in Hawaii. You can spot a wide range of tropical fish and marine life teeming amidst vibrant coral reefs. "We saw a sea turtle, the most amazing cuttlefish, eels, a sea slug, and an array of fish and sea life too many to list," raved a Tripadvisor reviewer. 

However, if you prefer to stay on land, the beach's tide pools, which are natural aquariums created out of lava rock along the shore, house fish, crabs, and sea urchins at low tide. Larger marine life is also drawn to this scenic beach, with monk seals often basking in the sun or humpback whales breaching off the coast.

Stroll down the beach's wide sandy shore so you can see all of its unique features. Just a short path behind the beach lies the centuries-old clay salt beds nestled in the wetlands. During the summer months when Hawaiian families work in the salt pond, you can watch the ancient harvesting process from a respectful distance. At the end of the day, Salt Pond Beach Park's westward-facing position guarantees spectacular sunsets.

Just a five-minute drive from Salt Pond Beach Park is the charming town of Hanapepe. Stop here before or after your beach excursion to wander around the art galleries, authentic boutiques, and local cafes. This town was once a bustling sugar plantation hub and is now known for its colorful historic architecture. One of the best times to visit is Friday evening for Art Night when the galleries on Hanapepe Road stay open late, and you can meet local artists selling their creative wares. For delicious sushi and Japanese cuisine in a garden patio setting, head to the beloved Japanese Grandma's. Or for a mid-day treat, stop in across the street at Longie's Shaved Ice & Treats for the iconic Hawaiian dessert. Just steps away is the famous Hanapepe Swinging Bridge, a steel-and-wood bridge built in 1911 to connect the sugar plantations with the town.

Further afield there are even more exciting adventures inland. A 25-minute drive will bring you to Kauai's legendary Waimea Canyon, often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" with expansive views and hikes. While there are challenging treks, such as the five-mile loop of the Kukui Trail that descends 2,000 feet into the canyon, visitors can also just enjoy the jaw-dropping panorama of the canyon at the Waimea Canyon Lookout. Another inland beauty is a gorgeous Hawaiian landmark fans of Jurassic Park will recognize. The 400-foot-tall Manawaiopuna Falls is found cascading in the Hanapepe Valley, about a 30-minute drive north of Hanapepe town.