Go to Anini Beach County Park

Anini Beach County Park Information

Anini Beach is a 3-mile curve of golden sand with shallow sparkling blue lagoon waters along the north shore of Kauai. With emerald cliffs on one edge and one of the longest and widest fringing reefs in all of Hawaii protecting it from the deeper ocean on the other, Anini's 5 or so feet of warm water provides the best snorkeling location on the island. Paddle around there for hours and enjoy the brightly colored fish and reef scenery, or venture to the northwest side where a 60-foot drop in the reef's channel allows for deeper scuba diving expeditions.



This is one of the island's safest beaches for swimming, windsurfing, and kayaking, although there can be occasional dangerous rip currents when the surf is particularly high. It's relatively secluded and less crowded than some of the other Kauai beaches, but you'll definitely have some company there too, especially on weekends. Anini is classified as a County park. There's a campground (pick up a County permit to stay overnight), picnic, barbecue, and restroom facilities, and even a boat-launch ramp provided.



From Hwy. 56 to Kilauea, take the second exit called Kalihiwai Rd. After a half mile, turn left on Anini Beach Rd. (You can also walk there from Wyllies beach via a casual tree-lined footpath down from the road that is actually an historic route that once circumnavigated all of Kauai.)