Poʻipu Beach Park

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There are no monster waves or idyllic solitude at the South Shore's most popular beach, but it's a go-to spot with something for everyone. Patrolled by resident honu (sea turtles) in the shallows, the beach is protected by a rocky reef that attracts fish of all kinds. It spills into two separate bays connected by the reef offshore and bisected by a sandbar. Add lifeguards, picnic tables, toilets and outdoor showers, and you have one safe, family-friendly beach.

There's parking across from the beach, at the end of Hoʻowili Rd. A grassy lawn links to Brennecke’s Beach just east, and there are three surf breaks nearby.

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Nearby attractions

1. Brennecke's Beach

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With a sandbar bottom and a notch of sand and sea wedged between two lava rock outcrops, this little beach flanks the eastern edge of Po‘ipu Beach Park…

2. Kanei‘olouma

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The site of a pre-contact Hawaiian village just inland from Po‘ipu Beach was set aside by the county in 2010. You can’t enter the complex, which is being…

3. Poʻipu Beach

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This long swath of prime sand west of Po‘ipu Beach Park is open to all, even if it does stretch right in front of the hotel and condo complexes from which…

4. Moir Paʻu a Laka

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5. Makahuena Point

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West of Shipwreck Beach, condo-covered Makahuena Point is the southernmost tip of Kauaʻi.

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