Hanalei Bay, Kauai: Address, Phone Number, Hanalei Bay Reviews: 4.5/5
Hanalei Bay
Hanalei Bay
4.5
About
Almost two miles of beach on Kauai's north shore.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Hanalei Bay
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
56 within 5 kms
Pink's Creamery
662
0.5 km€ • Dessert • American • Grill
Jo Jo's
427
0.5 km€ • Dessert • Hawaiian
Bar Acuda
1,872
0.5 km€€€€ • American • Spanish • Vegetarian Friendly
Chicken In A Barrel BBQ
958
0.5 km€ • Quick Bites • American • Barbecue
Hanalei Bread
422
0.6 km€€ - €€€ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
Ama Restaurant
221
0.6 km€€ - €€€ • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Kalypso Island Bar and Grill
2,764
0.5 km€€ - €€€ • American • Bar • Seafood
Wishing Well Shave Ice
390
0.7 km€ • Dessert • Hawaiian • Vegetarian Friendly
Tahiti Nui Restaurant
1,920
0.5 km€€ - €€€ • American • Bar • Polynesian
Hanalei Poke
73
0.5 km€ • Quick Bites • Seafood • Hawaiian
Attractions
47 within 10 kms
Hanalei Beach
1,855
0.4 kmBeaches
Hanalei Pier
597
0.6 kmPiers & Boardwalks
Havaiki Oceanic and Tribal Art
20
0.6 kmArt Galleries
Yellow Fish Trading Company
12
0.5 kmAntique Shops
Infinite Arts
2
0.5 kmArt Galleries
Art and Soul Gallery
11
0.6 kmArt Galleries
Pali Ke Kua Beach (Hideaway s Beach)
564
2.3 kmBeaches
Halele'a The Art of Hawaiian Living
1
0.7 kmArt Galleries
Princeville Botanical Gardens
1,276
4.7 kmGardens
Hanalei Valley Lookout
755
3.2 kmLookouts • Scenic Drives
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
563 reviews
Excellent
414
Very good
120
Average
25
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Andrea M
11 contributions
Family
We had an amazing time taking in the views of the mountains behind us, the ocean and waves in front of us, watching the sailboats and kids paddle boarding while we relaxed and enjoyed the beauty of the island. You can’t go wrong visiting this bay
Written 14 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Familytravels42
Edmonton, Canada13 contributions
This was a real nice bay. We went snorkelling. Not a ton of fish, bit going through the coral “canals” was almost like exploring caves. Kinda cool.
Written 7 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
zinear
Washington DC, DC278 contributions
I like this spot because, although it's crowded, it feels more like a local's spot than touristy (though I'm sure there are plenty of tourists there). Beyond that, though, the bay itself is beautiful, and you can see not just the ocean but mountains from it as well. In my most recent trip, we were there in the late afternoon and it was quite crowded but still enjoyable.
Written 4 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Josie K
Cleveland, OH100 contributions
We spent the day at Hanalei Bay. The beach and surroundings are beautiful. Went into town and ate and shopped. Such a cute area and one not to be missed.
Written 25 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
revrobby
Ushuaia, Argentina53 contributions
If you are on the island, do not miss this beautiful area. The town is quaint, and the shave ice excellent.
Written 23 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mary Hope M
2 contributions
Great horseshoe shaped beach for just about everything. Water is warm and clear. Surf never too rough. Beach level, making for a great morning walk.
Written 17 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jessica S
Dallas, TX337 contributions
Family
Heaven on Earth! I love it here. My fam would prob give it 4 stars for no shade except at the picnic tables when you walk in near the lifeguard tower but I love this beach. Long 2 miles of beautiful and wide white sandy beach. Sandy bottom and great to cool off relax and float. Great places where there was calm and places for boogie boards or learning how to surf. The backdrop cannot be compared and it is truly breathtaking. They were redoing the bathrooms when we visited so just port a potties. 2 showers. 10 min walk to shops and restaurants if you’re near the middle of the beach. We wished you could rent SUPs on the beach but I think they’re near the street rather than beach front?
Written 5 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SeeTheW0rld62
Sunnyvale, CA1,353 contributions
Couples
We stopped by Hanalei Bay to watch the sunset after dinner. It was very nice. Quite a few others had the same idea. It was a relaxing way to end the day and the sunset was gorgeous.
Written 3 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jerry F
La Habra, United States13 contributions
The north shore is the rainy side but you shouldn't miss this location. This was awesome when we went in April 2022. A huge bay that is just beautiful with the mountain backdrops. There are rental shops and plenty of places to eat just blocks away. Restrooms by the pier in the bay where you can change.
Written 2 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
VinaM154
Fairfield, IA9 contributions
A great place to swim but even better is the scenery! You may recognize it as the backdrop for some of the South Pacific movie scenes. And if you go to the Lihue Historical Society tour on Saturday morning, you'll learn about a famous ship that sank there as well. Another beautiful stop on the Kauai coast.
Written 1 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JB
San Juan Capistrano, CA
Hoping experienced surfers can weigh in on this one. I have plans to stay on north shore Kauai in mid April. Can I expect there to be decent, rideable waves during that time? I know winters are huge and summers can go flat so hoping springtime might have something fun in between (and of course manageable wind conditions). Thank you in advance for any feedback!
PDXBlazerfan
Salt Lake City, UT36 contributions
How is parking? Easy to find and close to beach?
busconi
Wenatchee, WA5,225 contributions
Lots of parking and close to the beach....at Black Pot Beach, at Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park. Shouldn't have a problem finding parking. We parked at Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park...easy access to the beach.
Where to find shells on the beach in Kauai
riva9129
Annapolis, MD2,440 contributions
Here now and see no shells completely sand bottom no rocks, i have been all over the beaches here and nada.
Mayne try over on the far north side directly across from the pier?
Steve F
Huntington Beach, CA12 contributions
Any TripAdvisor members in the Hanalei area during the flood? Curious if you think things will be fairly normal in a couple of months? Restaurants, shops, etc.?
riva9129
Annapolis, MD2,440 contributions
Currently road are OPEN!!! I'm here now renting and it's amazing here. Are rental is like 100 yards from beach. Good deal, amazing weather, the bay is perfect.
Roads open to Tunnel and Keiki.
Joanne024
London, UK44 contributions
What is the best part of the beach for swimming? We like a bit of surf, no rocks / coral on the bottom and at least waist deep. Any suggestions please?
Lance12399876
Perth, Australia40 contributions
Not much of a beach to surf at, very shallow waves that crash on the beach in some places. The best part of the absolutely stunning scenery from the end of the Jetty. You can jump off the jetty into the beautiful clear water that looks like someone has painted it aqua! Has a sandy bottom.
charlielove19
Sydney, Australia17 contributions
What is so special about this location?
Michelle M
52 contributions
Well, if you are nostalgic this is the home of "Puff the Magic Dargon. If not, then it is a beautiful, tranquil bay o the north end of Kauai. The surrounding community is eclectic and friendly. The beach is not over crowded. Good surfing.
Leslie R
Saint Charles, MO
Do they offer surf lessons there?
MrCooperlou
Portland, OR17 contributions
There is a surf rental shop in the main shopping area next to Jojo's shave ice. I would contact them to see if they offer lessons or know who does. The rental prices are very reasonable in my option. Good luck & Enjoy! One of my favorite beaches in the world!
Bold2010
Kansas city7 contributions
Best restaurant in Hanalei?
Lance12399876
Perth, Australia40 contributions
Calypso, we went there 4 times in a week it was so good!
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hanalei Bay
- We recommend booking Hanalei Bay tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 14 Hanalei Bay tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Hanalei Bay:
- Hanalei Bay Kayak & Snorkel Tour (From €135.89)
- Kauai Learn to Surf GROUP for 2/Private for 3/Private for 4 (your own people) (From €92.16)
- Kauai Movie Adventure w/ Lunch (From €166.26)
- Aloha Hanalei Adventurer Scavenger Hunt (From €36.19)
- "PRIVATE" Kauai Helicopter Tours with "NO MIDDLE SEATS" (From €419.55)
- Hotels near Hanalei Bay:
- (0.12 km) Wilikoki - a 6br/3ba beachfront home on Hanalei Bay with Wilikeiki
- (0.15 km) Wilikeiki - a 1br/1ba cottage on the beach in Hanalei - with Wilikoki
- (0.16 km) Hawaii Life Rentals presents Hanalei Dream House-Bikes included, new upgrades
- (0.17 km) Cottage on Beachfront Estate property, central Hanalei Bay
- (0.21 km) Hoaloha - Stroll to Beach
- Restaurants near Hanalei Bay:
- (0.53 km) Pink's Creamery
- (0.51 km) Jo Jo's
- (0.55 km) Bar Acuda
- (0.51 km) Chicken In A Barrel BBQ
- (0.56 km) Hanalei Bread