Fuji Beach; East side’s Baby Beach

Located in Kapaa, Fuji beach is a favorite local beach for bringing your keiki when on the east side of Kauai. Fuji Beach is also known as Baby Beach in Kapaa. This beach has a protective limestone shelf that provides a pond like shallow pool for your little ones to play in.

Furthermore,, this wading pool is perfect for those who like to bask in the sun and stay cool on a hot sunny day. The shallow water provide Keiki with an opportunity to explore the pools for little fish and other ocean creatures.

In addition, you may even get to spot a Hawaiian monk seal if you are lucky. Remember that the Hawaiian monk seal is an endangered species and is protected by state law. Please keep your distance and respect the posted signs and roped off areas when viewing.

Although Fuji beach is a great place for keiki, it is also popular for shoreline and torch fishing for locals. It is said that the beach got its name from a kind Doctor that used to live in the area in the 1950’s. Delivering over 2,000 babies during his practice he got to know many of the locals and community members. Hence, the beach was named after his popularity.

Although Fuji beach is not a lifeguarded beach, it is relatively safe for all ages when the tide is low. There are restrooms and picnic tables nearby at Waipouli Beach Park.

To get to Fuji beach, take a right before the Texaco service station and drive towards the ocean. There you will find a one way road that will lead you to the beach area. The beach is located on Moanakai Road in Kapaa. You can also access the beach between Panihi Road and Makana Road. Parking can be found on the side of the road near the iron wood trees to your right. Parking is limited and is on a first come first serve basis.

Once you find your parking, get your spot on the beach and enjoy. Throughout the day your keiki will see many visitors and locals. It’s a great way to meet new people and for your keiki to meet some new friends. Please respect the area by picking up your rubbish and cleaning the beach used.

In conclusion bring something to eat, some drinks and some sand toys while enjoying a nice relaxing day with your keiki.

Beach Safety

Remember to follow the beach safety guidelines, check surf and weather reports for current conditions, and observe posted signage. Keep a constant watch on keiki who are playing in or around the water. Never leave children unattended. Small children should wear safety floatation devices unless they are avid swimmers and are being closely supervised.

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March 28, 2018 0

Kalapaki Beach

Kauai Marriott Resort: Kalapaki Beach

Kalapaki Beach is a great place to take your keiki when visiting Kauai. One of Kauai’s popular beaches, this beach is located near the Lihue Airport and Fronting the Kauai Marriott Beach Resort. Kalapaki Beach is in a very central location to both the South and North of the island.

Kalapaki beach is clean and well kept as it is part of an accessible beach for the Marriott Resort Visitors. In addition, Many amenities in the area provide a variety of accommodations such as surfboard, boogie board, fins and other beach item rentals.

Kalapaki Beach Boys

Shops and restaurants as well as Surf Lessons can be found near the beach. There are also shops and restaurants across the street in the Anchor Cove Plaza and Harbor Mall. Furthermore, there are facilities that include restrooms and showers.

Kalapaki beach is good for beginning surfers, stand up paddle boarders as well as beginning bodyboarders. Kalapaki Beach has a large break wall that protects the bay from the ocean. Two streams (Nawiliwili Stream and Huleia Stream) flow into the ocean near the beach, therefore the water is not clear and is not a great place for snorkeling. With a sandy bottom, it is relatively safe for all who like to go for a nice swim or just jump in too cool off on a warm sunny day.

Kalapaki Beach is a quarter mile long and is great for sunbathing, making sand castles, taking a walk or having a family picnic. The ocean is relatively sandy and drops off gradually, making it safe for keiki when there are no large swells or shorebreaks. We usually visit Kalapaki Beach if we are staying at the hotel, enjoying a school function or if we are running errands in the area. Since Kalapaki Beach is not lifeguarded, we only share this beach as another option for bringing keiki if supervised by an avid adult swimmer.

Kalapaki Beach is a local hangout and and draws resident surfers as surf picks up during the winter months. Kalapaki Beach is a great place to play beach volleyball as there are four courts available to play on. On the other side of the beach there’s a park and picnic tables under ironwood trees that provide some shade. A county park area is where Football practices as well as family gatherings and community events are held. The area is also a local hangout for pau hana get togethers and meeting new people as the cruise ship docks at the harbor once a week.

The Nawiliwili Harbor area is also connected to the Kalapaki Beach area where there are kayak rentals as well as charters for sightseeing. Goods come and go out of Nawiliwili Harbor on freighter boats and there many opportunities for your keiki to see boats and ships going in and out of the harbor.

In conclusion, Kalapaki Beach is another great place to visit when on the Garden Island of Kauai. Since there are many amenities nearby, it is an easy beach location for a family that doesn’t want to haul or pack too much for a beach day experience. Parking and beach access is located on the grounds of the Marriott Beach Resort.

Check the Weather at Kalapaki Beach

Before heading to Kalapaki Beach, we always check the webcam for weather conditions. Planning ahead of time helps us to find an area we know that the kids would enjoy. Kalapaki Beach is a great place where our boys can catch the small waves and run around in the grassy area with other keiki.

http://marriotthawaii.com/kauai-marriott-resort/webcam/

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March 26, 2018 0

Kekaha Beach

Although not recommended for swimming for infants and toddlers, on the west side of Kauai you will find a great place for watching a sunset, beach walking, fishing, playing in the sand, flying a kite or bathing in the sun. Located in sunny Kekaha, this beach is the longest stretch of white sand beach in the state of Hawaii. It is a great place for children over the age of 5 to catch small waves on the shore and teens to catch small waves on the sandbar.

Kekaha beach boasts to be the westernmost spot of the United States where you can watch the sunset and is easily accessible. You can pull over to the shoulder of the road and catch a glimpse (without getting out of your car) and the beach is right off the road (no need to walk too far).

It is a place where many locals and visitors come for some warmth and nice relaxation. An area where you can find your own beach,, Kekaha beach is less crowded than most lifeguarded beaches that you will find on the island.

With picnic areas and restroom facilities found at MacArthur Park, it is a great place to take your keiki for lunch or to enjoy a sunny day if it is raining on other spots on the island. And of course, the keiki love playing in the sand here.

Relatively dry most of the year, Kekaha is a place where many local residents stop by after they “pau hana” (finished with work) to hang out and watch the sunset. Kekaha beach is a draw to many visitors who want to get some sun while other spots of the island can be raining or overcast.

Views of Ni’ihau (The Forbidden Island) and Lehua are part of this panoramic sunset, while also seeing the tour boats pass by on their ending leg of their tour. During the months of December to May you will also get an opportunity to catch a glimpse of humpback whales (kohala) breaching or giving tail slaps from off the shoreline. An annual event, these giant creatures come to the warm waters every year to breed and give birth to their new calves.

Family parties, picnics and camping are also favorite things that locals do with their keiki at Kekaha beach. During three day weekends as well as popular holidays, this beach is often packed with locals and their four by four vehicles on the sand. Staking their spot with pop up tents and portable bbq grills, you will find many enjoying time with their family and friends. Most popular times when locals are on the beaches include Memorial day weekend, Thanksgiving, christmas, 4th of July and of course when surf is up on the west side (usually during the winter months from December- February).

Kekaha’s white sand beach begins near St. Theresa Church and stretches all the way to Polihale (end of the road before reaching Na Pali Cliffs) along the coast for about 12 miles. However, some of the beach is not accessible because of the Shrimp Farm, County Landfill and Navy military installation (PMRF).

Kekaha Beach is always a great beach for some photo opportunities of the keiki! Make sure you bring your camera.

Things to know:

Across the street from St. Theresa Church you can see a natural spectacle of how the beach splits from a black sand beach (east) to a white sand beach (west).
Kekaha beaches have little shade along its shoreline, so be prepared. If you need some sort of shade from the sun, taking a break under the MacArthur Park pavilions is available as well the pavilions near the Kekaha Neighborhood Center.
You should know, Kekaha beaches just like many other beaches has its dangers due to the changing ocean conditions and currents. Be advised of all ocean conditions before jumping in any Hawaiian waters. Check with the lifeguard. If in doubt, don’t go out!
If you are a good swimmer and the whales are spotted offshore, something that you can do at Kekaha beach is listen to the sounds of the whales from underwater.
Kekaha beach sand is soft, if you do not have a four wheel vehicle do not try to drive on the sand. Many people have gotten stuck in the sand because of this mistake.
Rent a Jeep, this will give you more access to beaches that are not alongside the roads and you can definitely find your own piece of paradise.
Bring your own food and drinks when coming to Kekaha beach. This beach is much more enjoyable if you come prepared to stay for a while. Drinks are necessary along with snacks. Even though we live close by to Kekaha beach, we always pack a cooler and have ample snacks for the keiki.
The temperature in Kekaha varies little throughout the year. 70 to 80 degree weather is consistent.
Water temperature throughout the year is 75 to 80 degrees. Coolest water temperatures are in February.
Kekaha is about 25 miles west from Lihue Airport.

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November 26, 2017 0

Salt Pond Beach, Hanapepe

Salt Pond Beach Park

Salt Pond Beach Park, which is named for its traditional Hawaiian salt collecting beds, is located on Kauai’s western shore. If you are traveling along Hwy 50, heading west from Kalaheo, after passing Hanapepe town turn left onto Lele Road or Hwy. 543. Protected by natural lava rock ridges as waves break outside the reef, Salt Pond Beach is perfect for little keiki. Shallow pools and lagoons are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and tidepooling. Furthermore, this lifeguarded beach offers amenities such as restrooms, showers, and pavilions.

Adjacent to the Salt Pond Beach are the The Salt Flats. This delicate area is restricted, unless you have been invited by a member of a salt making family. Making pa’akai or Hawaiian sea salt is an ancient cultural practice that is passed down from generation to generation. Kauai is the only place in Hawaii that makes salt according to the ancient traditions which are all done by hand.

Looking from a distance, you may see the salt patch or lo’i filled with rows of oval salt beds which are lined with clay. These shallow beds allow for the evaporation of seawater and produce this prized sparkling salt. Held in respect, the salt is never sold; it is only given away. The Hawaiian salt is used for cooking, seasoning, preserving food, medicinal purposes and in cultural blessings. The season runs from May-September; the amount of harvested salt depends on many natural variables such as the sun, ocean tides and weather conditions.

Salt beds, Hanapepe

On the Salt ponds side of the beach, the beach in this area is reddish-golden from the clay that lies beneath the water. If you want to access this part of the beach, it is recommended that you walk from the main beach. Although you may see vehicles lined up on the sand and parked along the fenceline, please avoid trying to park here (If you do access the beach from the back side, do not drive right on the beach as it damages the sand dunes that protect the salt patches from high surf.) A paved parking lot that is next to the salt beds can be used.

At this part of Salt Pond Beach, my sons were entertained by the red and greyish clay in this area. They were running it through their hands and trying to break it apart with rocks. Also, there were many fish in this lagoon as my husband took the boys to look at the different types of fish found in the shallow waters. We were even able to Find Nemo (a clownfish) that happened to come in with the tide and a plethora of other reef fish.

Salt Pond is a great choice for a day at the beach with your keiki.

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October 26, 2017 0

Poipu Beach

It was a beautiful sunny day in Poipu. We were lucky enough to see two Hawaiian Monk seals sunbathing on the beach. One was on the main beach and the other out on the sand bar. The water was calm in the “kiddie pool” (which is located to the left of the lifeguard stand if you are facing the water) dispite posted signs on the other side of the beach warning rip currents and strong tides. There were many people out snorkeling. The lifeguards were announcing that snorkeling is actually one of the most dangerous activities. They expressed making sure that you have the proper gear and know how to use your gear. As a general rule, “When in doubt, don’t go out” and know you and your children’s personal limits. Always follow posted signs; Lifeguards were recommending snorkeling in front of and to the left of the lifeguard stand. My keiki like to use a full face snorkel mask like the one shown here that allows for natural breathing.

It was very hot today. Make sure your keiki are protected from the sun by applying and reapplying sunscreen throughout the day. Rash guards and sunhats also lend protection while in the water. Also, schedule a break for your keiki to hydrate and have a snack.

This lifeguarded beach has many amenities like restrooms, picnic areas, and showers. Brenneck’s is located directly across from the beach. There is a restaurant on the upper level and the lower level has a deli. You can purchase sandwiches, drink, beach accessories like floats and sand buckets, icecream and shave ice. If you need shade this beach has a patch of ironwood trees behind the “kiddie pool” and plumeria trees along the rock wall near the street. There are also some other trees that provide shade. Nukumoi Surf Co. is located across the street from this beach. They have clothing and rent beach equipment and gear like snorkel sets, boogie boards, beach chairs, surfboards, fins, and lifejackets.

My sons enjoyed catching crabs along the boulders most of the time they were here. We took a walk down to check out the Hawaiian Monk seal and then headed to Brennecks for some Shave Ice.