Shipwrecks (Keoneloa Bay)

Nov 04, 2006 10:05AM

This beach fronts the Hyatt. Public access between Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course & the Hyatt.

Usually, the Hyatt flag's the ocean conditions.

This beach is useful for boogie boarding and body surfing. Not really a great swimming beach.

On that note, I think this beach is always difficult to swim unless you are a strong swimmer. High surf makes the surf particularly tricky. This would NOT be my choice for swimming with my small kids..... EVER, as the waves crash right on the steep shoreline! However, they do enjoy playing in the sand and seeing (not touching!!) the occasional monk seal.

You can also pick up a easy shoreline hike that is over half a mile long with beautiful scenery.

All in all, a nice beach with beautiful scenery (Hyatt) and hikes, but you need to know how to swim well to go into the water (no small kids).

Nov 04, 2006 10:51AM

I have lived on the sunny South Side for 3.5 years and I love Shipwrecks Beach!
There is great hinking from Shippy's to Maha'ulepu, sand dunes and caved are fun for exploring with the keiki.

However, it is also the place where I learned my respect for the ocean when a girl friend and I got too far out while playing in the waves when a large set came out of nowhere and held us under, wave after wave, during the whole set. So be careful and cautious, NOT a good place for children to swim. The locals surfing know what they are doing, so no go if you aren't familiar with the break!

Nov 27, 2006 8:28PM

I'm going to second (or third) the "rough surf, not good for kids" comments. A few months ago I thought I'd just run in waist deep and get wet before hiking to Maha'ulepu and kind of got crunched in the shorebreak and actually flipped over by the waves (couldn't dive through the waves b/c I had my glasses on since I was just running in for a quick splash). Another guy came out after I'd been thrashed saying he had also gotten beaten up by the waves. Plenty of kids (the teenaged crazy kind doing flips with boogie boards) were having fun, though.

May 03, 2007 6:12AM

Our family, (2 college boys, 2 parents) will be visiting Kauai for the first time early June. We hail from CT. and have visited Maui for 10 years straight and last year included the Big Island.

Question: Is this the body boarding beach we should visit? Our guys are not surfers but love to body board. We will be staying at the Hyatt but have no problem jumping in the car to enjoy good beaches. That's what gets us through the miserable flight. Can't reach heaven without a bit of effort. Your site is outstanding and I look forward to any advice. Thank you!!!

Justin Britt

May 14, 2007 12:34PM

@ BD: During summer, this will be a great beach for body boarding. However, the waves here can get large and powerful, so if your boys are not used to thumping waves, there may be other areas nearby with more suitable surf conditions for their comfort level in the water.

Jun 12, 2007 10:54AM

We are planning a trip in late October and want to longboard and boogie board. What is the best spot for mellow plus waves to ride?

lithiumtom

Jul 13, 2007 8:15AM

shipwrecks is NOT the place for beginners. I was there in July 06. I would not attempt to longboard here. The waves were very big and there were very many locals. I was respectful of the locals and surfed there for 3 days. on the 3rd day on one wave I lost control of my board and a couple of the locals paddled over to me and asked me to leave...so I did. They said "you cant surf here no more, beat it"

I surfed at hanalei in some nice clean knee to waist longboard surf the rest of my stay in Kauai.

respect the locals, they know what they are talking about.
peace!

Oct 07, 2007 11:51AM

shippys is off da hook brada. plenty of tubular action and some gnarly peaks to tail on. if you are not a loc though, do not hit it up. shoots bradas

Dec 19, 2007 12:37PM

Were coming for 2 weeks in December.

Is there a good place to surf where the locals aren't bad but still some decent waves. I have not surfed in 15 years because I moved to the midwest. But grew up surfing Ca.

Dec 21, 2007 5:23AM

Thanks W! At my age I've lost all aggressiveness for fighting for waves. Thats why I was hoping to find a smaller break somewhere where the locals are not to bad.

>>Surfing has become a very popular sport - but the amount of waves have stayed the same. Well put.

I'm staying at Wailua bay condos. Is the beach break ok their? I've seen pictures of people surfing their. I know it's a beach break and probably gets inconsistent but it looked kinda fun.

Thanks for all the help.

Jan 18, 2008 5:47PM

What are the best surf beaches for a mixed level group of surfers in winter(June/July) - in terms of safety and good swells?

Jan 27, 2008 8:20PM

I count Shippies as one of my home breaks. Been bodyboarding it a couple decades. Pulled off my only clean backflip here on the lefts. :) Some pros/ex-pros ride here when it's good.

This place will kick your butt when it's big. I see broken surfboards often. I also see ambulances every year for spinal injuries usually involving tourists.

If you want someplace mellower to surf/bodyboard try Kalapaki in Nawilliwili Harbor. You can rent surfboards, bodyboards & surf lessons right by Duke's restaurant if you want. On the North shore, the spots by Hanalei pier is good for beginners & longboarders. Rentals & lessons can be found here too.

Mar 09, 2008 3:34AM

What beach was the movie 6 Days 7 Nights filmed on?

Mar 13, 2008 3:43AM

Is it illegal to jump off of the cliff immediately to the left of the beach? I've seen many pics of people doing it and was there with my wife who said she'd divorce me if I did it... needless to say I didn't, but we're going back in May and am looking forward to talking her into letting me do it! Anyone know?

Mar 30, 2008 7:14PM

It's fun to jump off the cliff but I DON'T recommend it. I've done it twice when I was younger but I have BILLS to pay that I can't pay if I'm hurt. In the 90s I worked at a south shore hotel with a lady that jumped off the Shipwrecks cliff after her son jumped in. She somehow broke her back on impact & ended up motionless at the bottom.

Her son knew something was wrong when she didn't come up & he dove down & saved her. She faced a long recovery period & as far as I know made a full recovery.

Apr 08, 2008 2:01AM

My husband and I just returned from a trip to Kauai. On April 1st we watched 4 young men jump from the cliff one at a time. I missed taking a picture of the first guy but got one each of the other three. Amazing to watch...I would be too chicken! If the "jumpers" read this, post your e-mail and I will e-mail the pictures to you! I know if I jumped...I'd love of picture.