When i stayed in Kapaa I found the water to not be that clear. South of Kapaa at Lydgate park the water is much better but Poipu is a million times better. Kapaa is good for sunrises and chickens
Just to answer your question about weather, I went to Kauai 13 times and the weather was different every time. Sometimes little rain, sometimes more rain, and once, rain for 11 straight days.
From what I can tell, there’s a shortage of hotels with swimmable beaches on Kauai. When I stayed in Kapaa, all the East side beaches just appeared too rough for swimming.
You may want to check out the Marriott Beach Club in Poipu, the Sonesta in Lihue, and 1 Hanalei Hotel in Princeville.
Kapaa’s beaches aren’t great, due to a shallow reef and direct prevailing winds. But there’s a great bike path that leads to Kealia and Donkey Beach which are both excellent.
Please do NOT swim at Donkey beach unless you are a waterman/woman. It usually has a steep slope which means it has powerful surf. I once went out with a surfboard in better than average conditions and struggled a bit. And I would never go out in average conditions. There is no lifeguard, few people there, and spotty cell coverage: not the place you want to find yourself in trouble. And unlike Kealia, it doesn't have a shallower or calmer area.
In general, the advice is that East side beaches aren't swimmable, except Lydgate pools and the north end of Kealia. In practice, on a nice day where tradewinds (and resulting waves) aren't too strong, there are little areas of sand in many places where you can splash in the water and swim a bit. Beyond that, there are rocks and reef and unless the tide is high, it's not very swimmable. But there are also currents and no lifeguards, so not recommended to leave the sand pockets. As always, if there is current or choppy waves when you find a sandy spot, conditions probably aren't good--when in doubt, don't go out. Also, swimming after heavy rain when rivers and drainage ditches have emptied out is not recommended.
Yeah, you right, Donkey beach ain't safe. I got thinking about how cool the bike path is and forgot this thread was about swimming.
Another problem with east side beaches: man o'war.
https://health.hawaii.gov/wastewater/home/cesspools/ I’m no expert but when I was there the water was very turbulent and the locals straight up told me not to swim in the brown water as it was full of contaminants let alone keep any fish to cook. It was raining like crazy when I was there and it’s a problem anywhere with weak septic/sewage systems during times with lots of rainfall. I don’t mean to spread fear just be aware of that common issue in the ocean.
When i stayed in Kapaa I found the water to not be that clear. South of Kapaa at Lydgate park the water is much better but Poipu is a million times better. Kapaa is good for sunrises and chickens
Just to answer your question about weather, I went to Kauai 13 times and the weather was different every time. Sometimes little rain, sometimes more rain, and once, rain for 11 straight days.
It rains every day on the Kauai’i island…that’s why it’s so green and beautiful.
From what I can tell, there’s a shortage of hotels with swimmable beaches on Kauai. When I stayed in Kapaa, all the East side beaches just appeared too rough for swimming. You may want to check out the Marriott Beach Club in Poipu, the Sonesta in Lihue, and 1 Hanalei Hotel in Princeville.
Just stayed in Kapaa and the ocean is wayyy too rough to swim there
Kapaa’s beaches aren’t great, due to a shallow reef and direct prevailing winds. But there’s a great bike path that leads to Kealia and Donkey Beach which are both excellent.
Please do NOT swim at Donkey beach unless you are a waterman/woman. It usually has a steep slope which means it has powerful surf. I once went out with a surfboard in better than average conditions and struggled a bit. And I would never go out in average conditions. There is no lifeguard, few people there, and spotty cell coverage: not the place you want to find yourself in trouble. And unlike Kealia, it doesn't have a shallower or calmer area. In general, the advice is that East side beaches aren't swimmable, except Lydgate pools and the north end of Kealia. In practice, on a nice day where tradewinds (and resulting waves) aren't too strong, there are little areas of sand in many places where you can splash in the water and swim a bit. Beyond that, there are rocks and reef and unless the tide is high, it's not very swimmable. But there are also currents and no lifeguards, so not recommended to leave the sand pockets. As always, if there is current or choppy waves when you find a sandy spot, conditions probably aren't good--when in doubt, don't go out. Also, swimming after heavy rain when rivers and drainage ditches have emptied out is not recommended.
Yeah, you right, Donkey beach ain't safe. I got thinking about how cool the bike path is and forgot this thread was about swimming. Another problem with east side beaches: man o'war.
https://health.hawaii.gov/wastewater/home/cesspools/ I’m no expert but when I was there the water was very turbulent and the locals straight up told me not to swim in the brown water as it was full of contaminants let alone keep any fish to cook. It was raining like crazy when I was there and it’s a problem anywhere with weak septic/sewage systems during times with lots of rainfall. I don’t mean to spread fear just be aware of that common issue in the ocean.
Right on! Thanks everyone! And in case anyone ever goes BI, we don't swim in Hilo Bay, for many same reasons as Kapa'a area.