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.
Surfing conditions are only fair, and the reef is known to be quite shallow in spots. Picnic site and toilets by Reef Bay sugar mill, close to the beach. Remember, there are no lifeguards. Coral reefs are marvelous ecosystems that take thousands of years to develop but only seconds to destroy. Float over shallow reefs, but never walk on them.
This trail starts 1.5 miles down the Reef Bay trail. Mysterious rock carvings are located at the end of the trail. It’s usually calm here except when high winter surf comes over the reef. The curved reddish-gold beach lies between two rocky points and features a protected reef, tide pools, and gentle waves. Swimming here is excellent, even for children; this beach is also good for diving.
The water was so clear, and we were seeing lots of little fishies. Soon after we were in, everyone called out that there were rays to be seen, and we headed over to see them. This area is now used informally by the public for recreational use that includes fishing, camping, hiking, sunset watching, off-road vehicular play. One year, however, I came face to face with what looked like a 50 pound jelly fish. I set a water speed record getting to the beach.
It turns out that most of Kauai’s beaches are not safe to swim in the winter. Poipu is supposed to be the best swimming beach, but there were too many sharp rocks/coral to make it a pleasant swim. A great family spot, Salt Pond Beach Park features a naturally made, shallow swimming pond behind a curling finger of rock where keiki splash and snorkel. This pool is generally safe except during a large south swell, which usually occurs in summer, if at all.
The right to mine salt from the ponds is passed down from generation to generation, and if you visit the park at the right time, you could see saltmakers working the ponds. Trail begins at the parking area 3.9 miles south of Coral Bay. Hike graded trail down to Salt Pond Beach and picnic area through arid cactus scrub land. On one side of the park there are acctual commercial “salt ponds” used to harvest the pink sea salt that the islands are famous for. If you are looking for a place to spend the day swimming/picnicing, that isnt full of tourists and kind of out of the way, Salt Pond Beach Park is the place for you.
