Poipu

The sunny south side. Green sea turtles on the sand in the afternoon, and the beach the whole island seems to end up on at sunset.

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Where

The south shore of Kauai, about 40 minutes from Lihue

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Faces

South and west. This is the sunset side

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Turtles

Honu rest on the sand in the afternoon. Keep your distance

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Weather

The dry side. Sunny when the rest of the island is not

The Dry Side

Poipu is on the south shore, which on Kauai means dry and reliably sunny while the interior is under cloud. It has the best swimming on the island and the reef close enough in that snorkelling does not need a boat. It is also where everyone goes at the end of the day, and unlike most places that is not a reason to avoid it.

Honu

Green sea turtles haul out onto the sand at Poipu in the afternoon and sleep there, sometimes a few metres from people. They are protected and the rule is simple: give them room and do not touch them. Watching one come up out of the surf and settle is worth more than anything you will pay for on this island.

The Sunset

The sun goes down behind the palms at the west end and lays a band of gold across the cove, and then, if the cloud cooperates, the whole sky turns red for about five minutes after it has gone. That second act is the one people miss because they leave when the sun does. Stay another quarter of an hour.

The sunset

The Sunset

Gold behind the palms, then red after the sun has gone. Two different pictures fifteen minutes apart.

A lone coconut palm silhouetted against a sunset sky at Poipu Beach with people watching from the sand
The Lone PalmA single coconut palm leans into the last of the light at Poipu, the evening crowd gathered along the sand to watch the sun go down.
Sunset behind palms at Poipu Beach casting gold light across the cove
Gold Across the CoveThe sun drops behind the palms at the west end of Poipu Beach and lays a band of gold across the cove.
A hala tree silhouetted against an orange afterglow over the water at Poipu at dusk
Hala Against the AfterglowAfter the sun is gone the light holds a while at Poipu, a hala tree black against the last orange band over the water.
The beach

The Beach

Honu on the sand and a hala tree against the last of the light.

A green sea turtle resting on the sand at Poipu Beach with snorkelers over the reef beyond
A Honu on the SandA Hawaiian green sea turtle rests on the sand at the edge of Poipu Beach as the light goes soft, with snorkelers still out over the reef.

Live Prices & Availability

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  • Stay fifteen minutes past sunset. The red comes after the sun has gone and most of the beach has already left
  • Snorkel from the beach rather than booking a boat. The reef is close in and the water is calm on this side
  • If a honu is on the sand, give it a wide berth. They are protected and the fines are real
  • Go to Poipu on the day the forecast looks worst. The south side is usually out from under the cloud

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I see turtles?
Often, in the afternoon, resting on the sand near the east end. They are wild animals so there is no guarantee, but Poipu is as reliable as anywhere on Kauai. Keep well back and do not touch them.
Is Poipu good for swimming?
It is the best on the island for it. The south shore is sheltered, the water is warm and the reef is close enough to snorkel from the sand.
Poipu or the east side?
Poipu for sun, swimming and sunset. The east side for the airport, the green interior and the sunrise. They are 40 minutes apart, so on a short trip you can have both without moving hotels.

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