Spot Monk Seals and Turtles at Poʻipū Beach

Poʻipū Beach and Waiohai Beach

Poʻipū Beach is a crescent-shaped beach with a protected wading area at one end of the beach. The shallow sandbar, lava rock barrier, and gentle waters create the perfect spot for kids to splash around. The right side of the beach ends with a tombolo – a small island connected to the beach by a shallow sand spit. To the right of the tombolo is Waiohai Beach, a go-to beginner-friendly surf break.

Give Snorkeling a Go
Snorkeling is excellent at both Poʻipū and Waiohai. Keep your eye out for humuhumunukunukuapua'a (reef triggerfish), colorful parrotfish, and snowflake eels. Well-camouflaged scorpionfish can often be found hiding in rocky areas. As always, check in with yourself on how comfortable you are with snorkeling and stick close to shore if you’re just getting your feet wet. When in doubt, check Hawaii’s official Ocean Safety guide for more ways to stay safe and have fun.

 

Swim with Sea Turtles at Brennecke’s Beach
If you’re into boogie boarding, Brennecke’s is the place to catch reliable wave action. It’s also an immersive way to spot green sea turtles (honu) as they wait for their next shared wave. Turtles will often hang out near the park feeding on seaweed (limu) just off the rocky shore break between Poʻipū Beach and Brennecke's.

Admire Hawaiian Monk Seals
Poʻipū Beach and its tombolo are prime basking spots for the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Known as ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua (“dog running in the rough water”) in Hawaiian, less than 2,000 monk seals are left in the world making it one of the most endangered seal species. Most live in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands, with approximately 400 living in and around the main islands.

Monk seals prefer to sleep on the beach and Poʻipū is their favorite nap zone. They especially like the tombolo, where there are fewer people, but they’re known to wander to the main beach to get their snoozes in.

Remember: it’s illegal to approach or harass monk seals. If you're lucky enough to see one, maintain a respectful distance of at least 100 feet. Volunteers will rope off areas where monk seals sleep and can answer your questions about these adorable puppies of the sea.

Travel tip: turn off those phone and camera flashes when snapping away; monk seals and turtles are protected animals and safest when admired from afar.

 

Poʻipū Beach Park Amenities

Poʻipū Beach has everything you need for a day at the beach including changing rooms and washroom facilities, pavilions, picnic tables, an outdoor playground, and showers. For extra safety, two lifeguard stations watch over Poʻipū and Waiohai seven days a week.

There’s plenty of parking, but the beach is very popular and often gets full, especially on weekends and holidays. Weekdays are usually less busy and it’s always a good bet to get there earlier in the day.

 

Water Conditions

Poʻipū and Waiohai are generally safe for swimming and snorkeling. During the summer large swells sometimes make the south shore unsafe, and the current that runs between the beach and the tombolo can be powerful at all times of year. Check with a lifeguard before entering the water.

 

How to Get to Poipu Beach

To get to Poʻipū Beach, take Kaumuali’i Highway (Hwy 50) southeast from Lihue. After approximately seven miles, turn left onto Maluhia Road, also known as the Tree Tunnel. Turn left onto Ala Kinoiki Road and continue until Poʻipū Road. Turn right onto Poʻipū Road and turn left just after the sacred Kāneiolouma Heiau site.