Prince Kuhio Beach
A.K.A. P.K.'s (Prince Kuhio), Centers and Acid Drops • Photo by Wasabi
A narrow and short beach with great snorkeling in winter (when it's calm). Not much area for hanging out on this beach – most of the action is in the water. Roadside parking. Showers and restrooms.
Things To Do
- Surfing
- Snorkeling
- Scuba diving
- Bodyboarding
- Fishing
- Paddling
Cool Because
With a large summer swell you can glimpse some world class surfing here.
Hazards
Strong currents. Dangerous waves breaking on rocks, ledges and reefs. Sharp coral and slippery rocks.
Topography
Narrow sandy shoreline with slippery rock shelves. Mostly reef underwater.
Not Good For
This is not the best beach for just frolicking in the water or for a day long beach trip. It is right on the road and has almost no sand at times.
User Rating
Click a star to vote
2.9 / 5 (88 votes)
not lifeguarded
Your Questions Answered!
The Explorer's Guide to Kauai answers all the frequently asked questions from the discussions on this website, including the questions you didn't know to ask. Plus, there's detailed Kauai vacation maps and neighborhood info...Show me!
Let's Discuss (20 comments)
leave a comment
Nov 04, 2006 10:57AM
Aloha! This is one of Kauai's best beaches for sunsets and snorkeling, there happens to be a great restaurant right there also.
My young daugters and I love snorkeling here, they learned at Lydgate and now love to go to PK's. This is not a hang-out beach, really good for watersports, but not really hanging out since it's right by the road and is rocky. As soon as you get your gear on, go parallel to the bottom and make your way into deeper waters. And please, don't step on the reef or feed the fish. This damages our coral communities.
Jan 30, 2007 4:55PM
PK does have basic shower and lua (bathroom) across the street.
Jul 30, 2007 5:33PM
My husband and I are planning on a trip to Kaua'i from Nov. 3-14, 2007. As we have never been before could someone suggest which beach would be best at that time of year for snorkelling and calm waters? Does anyone know the average temp we should expect and which area has the least amount of rain at that time? Much appreciated!
Kauai Explorer Staff
Jul 30, 2007 8:29PM
Islands are amazing because they offer such variety of ocean conditions in a small area. Just go to the LEEWARD side of an island if you are seeking calm conditions.
Leeward means protected or somehow blocked from the wind (and associated swell) and is therefore calmer. We rarely get surf coming from ALL directions and our Ocean Report will let you know if that is the case.
Onshore winds - those coming from the sea - create choppy conditions. Offshore winds - blowing from land to sea - create those smooth surface textures that us surfers love.
So - Kauai can be epic ANY time of year you just have to adapt to the conditions and read our Ocean Report. Have fun!
Sep 06, 2007 6:34PM
Hey Kaua\'i Expoler, isn\'t that a picture of Lawa\'i Beach not P.K.\'s?
In February 2007, on my second visit to Kaua\'i, I did a pretty good snorkling survey of the Island. The weather/surf wasn\'t so cooperative (in my expectational mind). In retrospect, P.K.\'s stood-up to all the good snorkling of Kaua\'i and had a dynamic, unique character. Difficult to enter & exit but I\'d return.
Someone please send me a truckload of money so I can feel better about another trip.
Kauai Explorer Staff
Sep 07, 2007 9:31AM
David - since we were kids we always referred to this area as "PK's" which is short for Prince Kuhio park. Lawai Beach is actually at Lawai Kai, the bay and beach in front of the National Tropical Botanical Garden (Allerton's) which is further down Lawai road past the spouting horn. Truckload of money on the way. WW
Sep 09, 2007 2:30PM
What are the best surf spots in December for an experienced surfer? medium sized waves,not huge. Thanks
Jan 18, 2008 11:06AM
Absolutely love this beach for snorkeling. The moment you are up to your knees in water, just drop in and you're immediately inside a tropical aquarium. The quantity and variety of life here is simply the best. I know it's taboo to feed the fish, but how about that bagged "fish food" they sell you at the dive shops? Is it unhealthy for the fish?
Kauai Explorer Staff
Jan 18, 2008 12:13PM
Aloha Eric - glad you like the Prince Kuhio snorkeling. True that it is beautiful and easy to access (just watch out when there is a South swell running).
As far as fish food goes - my knowledge is that it offsets the natural balance of species. When there is a lot of feeding going on, certain species thrive and push out the others. NOT Good!
May 16, 2008 5:13PM
We love this beach and have been known to plop our beach chairs in the sand and hang out all day. Mostly we're here for the snorkeling, but we spend time sunbathing, reading and watching the surfers, too. Now, I'm confused about something...I thought feeding the fish was a big NO-NO, and I get irritated everytime I see some one doing it. But lots of people seem to be buying packaged fish food somewhere. If it's bad for the fish, why can stores sell the food? So what is the deal with that? Is is bad or not?
Kauai Explorer Staff
May 19, 2008 7:08PM
Aloha Colleen. Stores sell styrofoam coolers and we all know that they are terrible for the environment and we hope that no one purchases them. The same is true for "fish food". Feeding the fish upsets the natural balance in the food chain and basically trains the fish to expect to be fed. Please do not purchase fish food or feed them. For more preservation info you can check out our site's Beach Preservation page. Thanks for taking time to get the straight scoop. Aloha. J
Feb 19, 2009 7:00PM
We love PKs too. Regarding feeding fish. I'm always amazed that people feel they need to. Far better to see the fish acting naturally and not all frantic for the food. What a great place!
Mar 30, 2009 11:40PM
Great for snorkeling, Was just there 3-28-09. Good surf at Centers too. Small beach, nice sunsets!
Aloha,
Steve
Jul 25, 2009 4:11AM
My husband and I went to Hawaii for our honeymoon this past June and I was really impressed with the snorkeling at this beach!! I never thought that you could go up to your knees in water...look down...and see all those fish, eels, crap, and even turtles...right there!!! It was like a movie! A turtle even swam up to me and it was so neat to be face to face with it...although I read I wasn\'t supposed to touch them so I swam away after I got a close up picture! So very pleased with how friendly everyone was as well!
Jan 22, 2010 8:11PM
How do I get to this beach?
Kauai Explorer Staff
Jan 23, 2010 12:24AM
Prince Kuhio is on the South Shore on the way to Spouting Horn.
Apr 20, 2010 10:50AM
We are getting married in Kauai in July. We are looking for a good spot by a beach for the ceremony, preferably on a grassy area where we can set up seats for 20 guests (not expensive!). We understand that it is not allowed to set up seating on the beaches.. We will be staying in Poipu. We appreciate any advice :) thanks!
May 25, 2010 12:11AM
I was wondering if this would be a good place to spearfish?? Also what is the proper ettiquite for spearfishing near snorkelers? I'll be going in june, so if you can recomend good beaches for spearfishing at that time it would be appreciated.
Jul 18, 2010 7:50PM
I had a timeshare across the street at LBR for years and spent many mornings enjoying watching the surfers.
Jul 22, 2010 10:29PM
I think there is a bit of confusion here. The picture actually shows Beach House and not PK's. PK's is actually directly across the street from Prince Kuhio park. The snorkeling is amazing at PK's if you can brave the difficult entry. If you swim out a couple hundred yards, you'll be surrounded by a ton of turtles, some the biggest you've ever seen. This is definitely not a beginners spot. Beginners are better off snorkeling the Beach House side.
top of comments
Leave a comment:
Note: Comments will be reviewed for relevancy before being posted. Any content deemed inappropriate or offensive may be edited and/or deleted. Please allow 24 hours for approval. Emails will not be visible or used in any way, and are not required. Emails allow us to contact you to let you know when your comment has been posted.