Secret Beach Kauai (this beach is dangerous and is not recommended for swimming)

Another one of Kauai’s spectacularly beautiful beaches is Secret Beach. This long series of gorgeous white sand beaches can be readily seen from the Kilauea Lighthouse as you look toward the Na Pali Coastline. Secret beach is surrounded by steep cliffs on all sides which are covered with trees and this is a favorite spot for Kauai artists to set up an easel and paint the most beautiful seascapes. The fact that there is a steep and somewhat difficult trail that winds its way down from the small parking area above helps to keep this beach unpopulated and unspoiled. The sands of Secret Beach are beautiful at all times of year but their appearance can vary greatly as winter surf has a tendency to carve them into much smaller areas than exist during the summer months. A partial lagoon also tends to ebb and flow during certain times of the year.

Secret Beach on Kauai is Both Beautiful and Dangerous
As goes the old “saw” regarding North Shore beaches Secret Beach can be as dangerous as it is beautiful. The ocean bottom here is mostly sand or rock up-croppings and there can be very strong and dangerous shore breaks here. The currents can also be ridiculously perilous. Many people have lost their lives here. To add to the dangers of this location there is no lifeguard tower so the best advice would be to stay out of the water altogether and go to a lifeguarded beach if you need to get wet. You may often see experienced surfers out in the water and they may make the beach look easy. Many of these locals have lived on Kauai and surfed in these waters all their lives and they are better suited to deal with the extreme ocean conditions here but remember that 27% of all the drownings on Kauai involve a local resident so unwise decisions are often being made by locals as well regarding where and when to enter the ocean. Secret Beach has been known to be a killer and you should exercise every caution here.

Trail Leading Down to Secret Beach Kauai
The amenities on Secret Beach are non-existent. There is a parking area above but that’s about it.

Ocean Caution
Be advised that all beaches and ocean locations in Hawaii can be dangerous including this one. Be completely aware of the ocean conditions prior to entering any Hawaiian waters however it is not advised that you enter the water at this location. Also, all shorelines and beaches in Hawaii, including this one, can be frequented by sharks, jellyfish and other sea creatures which can provide potential harm to people entering the water. There are no lifeguard towers at this location.