At the Salt Pond Beach Park, the golden sands wrap around Kauai’s northwestern shore from Kekaha plantation town, just beyond Waimea, to where the ridgebacks of the Na Pali Coast begin. The state park includes ancient Hawaiian heiau (temple) and burial sites, a view of the “forbidden” island of Niihau, and the famed Barking Sands Beach, where footfalls sound like a barking dog. The main swimming pool is more like a water ride at a theme park-it has one of those “rivers” that snakes and twists under bridges and past trees and waterfalls. There are, of course, a few more pools, both fresh and sea water, and a long tiki torch-lit walking path that winds past all of them. Driving west on Highway 560, drive through Hanapepe and over the Hanapepe bridge. Turn left onto Lele Road (there’ll be a sign for Salt Pond at the turnoff), and then right at Lokokai Road.
The beach here is great for children because the sand is so soft here and the waves are usually small. Windward Oahu’s Kailua Beach is the home of champion and pioneer windsurfer Robbie Naish; it’s also the best place to learn to windsurf. The company offers everything: sales, rentals, instruction, repair, and free advice on where to go when the wind and waves are happening. It is not unusual for the beaches at Waikiki to be sunny while it is raining only a few miles away. It’s the most popular beach park in Honolulu.
Snorkeling is good around the north end at the foot of Puu Olai, a 360-foot cinder cone. During storms, however, big waves lash the shore and a strong rip current sweeps the sharp drop-off, posing a danger for inexperienced open-ocean swimmers.
Snorkeling is good on both sides of the bay. Parking is difficult unless you’re staying in the resorts in the area. Snorkeling all around this area is good. If you go early, you may find yourself in the midst of a pod.
