Kauapea (Secret Beach)

Oct 11, 2006 8:05PM

Secrets is great but watch out for the strong waves and shady people.

Dec 20, 2006 9:15AM

Be careful at this beach ! I had to pull a father of two out of a rip current this August. The shorebreak really breaks hard here and I noticed lots of inexperienced swimmers and kids in the water seemingly unaware of the situation. I wouldn't let my kids go in (10 and 12 years old) but ultimately I had to go in to rescue the dad who got in trouble. Listen to the lifeguards and swim where they can help you out. Even the best swimmer who is unfamiliar with the currents and breaks in Hawaii can get in big trouble fast. Most importantly, use common sense and be safe! thanks ray

Justin Britt

Jan 30, 2007 12:50PM

I was body surfing last week and a tourist came out into the water. He was sucked over the falls on a medium sized wave, and to my surprise, he came out for some more punishment.

He was waving for his friend to come join him, but his friend was smart and didn't want any part of it.

Within a matter of minutes the man was sucked out to sea by a rip current. He was struggling and swimming against the current. He was done for and was screaming for help. My friend and all around nice guy, Ryan Hanneberg, made the rescue. The man was so relieved to get back to shore he gave Ryan a huge shaka.

Moral of the story. Just because you see people in the water, it doesn't mean it's safe to go out. Many locals are experienced water people. Ask before you go out. Play it safe. It's not worth dying for.

Mar 01, 2007 10:17PM

This is my favorite beach on Kauai. The visuals are stunning: The deep brown of the rocks, the green of the trees, the white of the sands, the blue of the ocean, all elemental colors, all juxtapose to create a whole which is greater than the sum of its parts. Remote. Untamed. Raw. Very primeval experience. FYI: Both I and my friends have drunk from and showered in the water dripping profusely from the mountain rock, with no adverse reactions. Tastes clean. This is truly paradise. I pray that access will always be granted to this beach. I was there in January 2007 and someone had attempted to grade the dirt parking lot with a bulldozer. The lot was all mud. Wassup with that? Do you know?

Mar 16, 2007 6:49AM

Hi Steven,
My husband, Glenn and I hiked down to Secret Beach and it is exactly as you described... including the "shower"... just beautiful. We noticed that dozed area you are talking about and there was a construction gentleman present & we asked him regarding the moving of dirt... new homes are being built up there ~ Hopefully, the beach will still be accessable ~ I would think, that the trail would be a "Grandfathered" trail to this hidden gem keeping it allowed in the future ~ What a place, huh? The surfers there are great to watch on 1st Beach and Glenn and I were the only ones present on the shhhh!! Secret ~ beach~! All ours.....

Makes me want to hurry back.. another Nor'Easter is slamming us today ~ it's snowing out, the winds ripping and I so badly want to be there... I'm there in spirit, for sure...

Aloha ~ Kitty

Matt

Apr 17, 2007 12:05PM

I went to kauai about 3 weeks ago. I was determined to find this beach. I live and grew up on oahu and there aren't many beaches that sound like this one.

My friends and I had an idea where it was. We knew it was left of the lighthouse and right of the bay. I knew we had to find some type of dirt parking lot (from this website), yet we couldn't see any. We drove up the road that leads to the light house, although before you get to the lighthouse, we took a left into a road that leads to houses that face the ocean.

We couldn't find a beach access/path anywhere. I was so determined to find this beach that I walked down someone's property and asked the construction guys who were working on the property "how do we get to this beach!?" a local guy told us just to drive down a little more and a huge empty lot will be there. it had a trailor/office there and nothing else. we parked right outside of the fence and hopped it. we walked all the way down the field towards the ocean and then a trail started to appear. I was so excited. we followed this trail down and then a manmade stairs started to appear. we were hiking down these stairs when a opening in the trees appeared. there it was........the most beautiful site i've seen. the beach was exposed and lookin so beautiful. once we got to the bottom i saw a huge open open with perfect shorebreak. i was ecstatic and ran to the ocean. i discovered a nice sandbar to help with the shore break. and top it off, there were two local chicks already there lookin at shells. when i looked behind myself there were beautiful treefilled cliffs surrounding this gem of a beach.

i will definitely return to the beach again one day. i'm sure a house will be built on the property we walked through to get to the trail. i just hope i can find another way to this beach!!!!!

May 22, 2007 2:17PM

However, in the summertime the waves have dropped off quite a bit and the shorebreak is not so monstrous {remain ever vigilant, nonetheless}.
While beaches 1, 2 and 3 are fabuloso, there is a beach to the left we like to call "Zeroes" which forms some lovely pools with the high tides.
Sometimes a few shells do find there way to this beach, so if you find any live ones, please toss them back. Mahalo.

James Smallwood

Jun 19, 2007 11:50AM

Awesome site. Secret beach looks like a place I need to go visit. The waves look a little flat in that picture though for surfing.

Jul 06, 2007 4:49AM

In regard to most of the beaches on the northshore area of Kauai, what sort of "general rules" are there when swimming and playing around in the ocean. We are inexperienced ocean swimmers, so should we stay within a certain distance from shore or only go out when it's calm? What are some tips you can give a couple ocean rookies? Thanks.

Jul 10, 2007 10:51AM

I went to Secrets for sunrise back in early May and it was amazing. I was amazed how strong the currents are and how beautiful the surroundings are. This is what you come to Kauai for. Mahalo!

Sep 08, 2007 7:00PM

Im going to Kauai for Christmas this year and would love to see a good sunset, which beach would be the best place to go? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Dec 08, 2007 8:25PM

Star, Go to The Beach House near Poipu for the sunset that time of the year it is spectactular there. We go ever year the in Dec. and send our last nite there for dinner. We leave tomorrow morning for the Island! And I made my reservations for dinner 3 weeks ago!

Jan 09, 2008 5:03PM

I am going to Kauai in June. Does anyone have an update on the access to this beach. I saw the "secret" on the travel channel, and have wanted to go for a couple of years. Some of the earlier posts talked about construction, and homes being built where the access is. Anyone know if there is still a way to get there, or do you have to trespass?
Thanks,
-Dan

Jan 11, 2008 10:33AM

I\'ve lived on Kauai for seven years and Secrets is one of the beaches to respect. There are many sacred spots on this iana (land), and this is one of them. Please respect the uniqueness of this place and pack out what you pack in. Keep it that way and it will be there for many generations to come. Mahalo and aloha

Jan 27, 2008 1:56AM

I'd take it a step farther than Doug. Just got back and after visiting most of the beaches on Kauai I'd have to say that not only should people pack out what they pack in, they shouldn't hesitate to pick up any litter they may encounter. Be the better person and don't ever say to yourself, "Well, I didn't put it there..."

Mahalo

Feb 23, 2008 4:24PM

Planning my DREAM trip in April. Should I add this to my "Top 10 things To Do" list, as I only have just 7 short days on Kauai? I hear the surf is more "manageable" during this time. Is swimming possible?? i would appreciate ANY info.!!! Thanks, Tina

Mar 03, 2008 11:17PM

i am planning to go with my wife and 9 month old son. Any suggestions on a good spot to stay that has easy access to a great spot to sit and just watch the sea.

Mar 22, 2008 4:12AM

is this a nude beach?

Mar 31, 2008 5:30PM

I am planning on hitting Kauai in September this year and really want to see this beach. On the map it looks like there are a couple different stretches of Kalihiwai Rd. Can you tell me which leg to take the dirt road off of? Is it the west leg or the east leg and if it's the east leg it looks like it splits so which way at the Y? Thanks for help in advance.

Apr 01, 2008 10:35PM

I love your site -- great information. We will be staying in a house on the Kilauea River (in Kilauea) in late June and early July. It looks like this is the closest beach. However, it looks like it might not be the safest beach to swim in with our 10-year-old. Can you recommend nearby beaches that would be good for swimming and snorkeling with a 10-year-old (first time ocean swimmer; the water in Oregon, where we live, is COLD!)? Also, approximately how long does it take to drive from Kilauea to Anini Beach, Tunnels, Hanalei Bay, and Ke'e? Thanks so much!