Prince Kuhio Beach

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!

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.

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?

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?

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?

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.

Mar 26, 2011 7:34PM

Matt: (the Matt asking about spearfishing)
The proper ettiquete for spearfishing near snorkelers is - If you have to ask, just don't do it!! Unless you are a local boy who knows what he's doing in these waters, you are doing something foolishly dangerous and extremely rude spearfishing around tourists. Nobody wants to see a beautiful fish get bloodied while they're snorkeling. And nobody wants to see you spear an unsuspecting snorkeler because they did a duck-dive at the wrong moment!!

Go to Mahaulepu or somewhere where there aren't snorkelers. The spearfishing is better there, anyway. General rule - if you have sharp objects for your recreational activity, then it is YOUR responsibility to find a safe place to use them away from crowds - it is not others' responsibility to avoid you!!

Apr 10, 2011 2:19AM

I understand there's different shades of localism but it's sad to see the darker shades of anger in such a paradise. I've been surfing around for 25 years and have been a local too where I lived. The rules have always been simple to me - show respect, don't drop in on someone and don't be a kook that gets in the way. Also, don't try to take every single wave that comes.

I was being respectful at PK's mostly sitting on the inside catching scraps during my first visit. After a set cleared the lineup before dark I paddled out to catch one in. It was twilight and I was out there all alone when a nice one came right to me. As I paddled for it the wolfpack of young boys started making their way back out. One of these boys really didn't like the fact that I caught a wave and decided to follow me in and start threatening me, cursing and screaming a bunch of bullshit. Come on man I'm thinking, where's the sense in that. What brand of localism is this, just seemed like totally re-directed anger and hatred.

I didn't cut anyone off, and I stayed out of the way. This guy probably caught like 100 waves up to that moment, yet still not enough for him. He probably surfs here every day - I saw him out nightly. He was loud, super cocky, paddled for everything and was a big show off. Who cares if he surfs good his spirit spoiled the whole place, at least for me.

So long PK's, you got your way local boy. I heard some breaks like Acid Drop requires local permission, but I thought PK's was open to everyone.

Apr 18, 2011 6:05PM

I ended up sticking around at PK\'s and met some really nice locals and travelers as well. I had some good conversations with some of the young local kids and took a bunch of surf photos of the locals which I\'ll be posting for them soon.

Other than the bad attitude of the guy I previously mentioned I ended up having a great time and hope to come back.

Sep 17, 2011 6:36AM

i saw many turtles at this spot and it seemed as if the fish population was healthier and more diverse in this location. kudos to the restaurant for allowing access to their perfectly manicured lawn. i was traveling with my disabled mom and we were easily able to
set up camp on the lawn. i could dip into the water for a quick snorkel and still keep an eye on my mom. sanity. thank you.
easily accessed from the road and i appreciated the close restroom facilities

Nov 24, 2013 11:34PM

How do we get there? I am in Poipu, I am wondering how we go to that beach.

Nov 26, 2013 9:58AM

If you are in the round about you take the Spouting Horn exit.
P.K. is right near the Beach House restaurant, along the road there, parallel with it.
Very small beach and rocky entry, but
AMAZING snorkling and so many kinds of both coral and fish.
Water is very deep, so you float swim the whole time, but it is so worth it, if you are comfortable with that.

Feb 04, 2015 6:46PM

Is this a safe beach for kids (ages 10 and 13)? They have been snorkeling before and I would say they are intermediate snorkelers. They love tunnels but I am looking for alternatives in case conditions do not allow us to snorkel there.