Poipu Beach Park

Poipu Beach Park

Koloa, Kauai, HI
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beginner
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Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Poipu Beach Park

Poipu Beach Park is a very popular site for snorkelers and first-time shore divers. All the facilities are available, including great places to have lunch right across from the beach. A great place to spend the day! Directions: From Lihu'i heading West on Highway 50, turn left on Highway 520 (Maluhia Road) at mile mark 6.8. After about 3 miles, you'll hit a T in the road at Koloa. Jog right and then an immediate left onto Po'ipu Road, and head South to Po'ipu. At about mile 4.8, take the LEFT fork. After 1.2 mile, take a right on Ho'owili. When you come to the T, you are at Poipu Beach.
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Zentacle
Zentacle
Sep 21, 2021, 1:06 AM
scuba
The dive entry is easy and gentle. You'll find the jutting lava between the two beaches to be the most interesting.
2
Shane Zatezalo
Shane Zatezalo
Dec 30, 2016, 12:00 AM
snorkel
We went snorkeling there yesterday 2016-12-29. There was a storm coming in, but that was a few hours off so we had time. The water was clear. Lots of fish. Some schooling. We snorkeled on the right hand side. The photo that has the sand bridge in it - that bridge, because of rising sea waters, hasn't really existed any time recently. It's just mainly rocks. I swam over them in a surge (we entered on the left hand side). Be careful going over them, the water won't be deep. We snorkeled for about 45 minutes until my wife got cold. She had a shorty on, I just had swim trunks. I did not get cold. Overall happy with the experience, hope to go back today, weather permitting.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Anonymous
Anonymous
Apr 15, 2013, 12:00 AM
snorkel
Took my four kids there today, and despite the crowd, and the onshore swell, everyone had fun. Saw a couple of turtles and seals on the beach, the fish are easily found including parrots and angelfish, one eel . The bottom is mostly rock with the occasional coral, not very interesting. But the ease of the entry, the facilities and the ease of the swim make the whole experience effortless. Great for beginners and kids.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Jonathan from Tucson
Jonathan from Tucson
Jul 25, 2012, 12:00 AM
snorkel
My buddies and I spent a couple of hours snorkeling around Poipu Beach in April 2011. We stayed on the W side of the jet of sand, the 'kiddie' area didn't look interesting enough. Easy entry, though you do have to be careful about the other people that aren't paying attention. The center area is mostly empty bottom, though there are a few large pieces of machinery down there (gears or pulleys). We saw two turtles making their way from the beach out to sea, very cool. The schools of convict Tangs will follow you everywhere as well. The east side, along the jetty, is interesting (tons of anemones), though the waves made me a little seasick out near the S end. People tend to stand on the rocks and reef in the shallows, so they're pretty beat up. The west side had a pretty stiff west-flowing current when we were there, so we didn't spend too much time over there. We recognized we were getting pulled west, and made our way back to the center. It also shallows out quite a bit to the west, and with large waves, it might be possible to get thrown onto the rocks. I'd be interested to do a dive here in the future.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Sophie Morris-Suzuki
Sophie Morris-Suzuki
Sep 7, 2010, 12:00 AM
snorkel
Great snorkeling, but you have to be careful if you snorkel off this beach. I got cut by the reef, and the waves and stream flowing from the breakwater were raking me up and down and made the water deeper. But I could float underwater. I heard that the lifeguard was whistling about something dangerous underwater and there was a red and white starfish, on my way back to shore from the reef. But that was not the dangerous thing. It was probably the surf and surges, whatever surges were. The reef, however, is generally good and there are lots of fish. The water is crystal clear on both ends of the tombolo or sandbar, clearer on the left, a bit less so on the right. In the keiki pool, I sometimes saw small fish on top of the sandy bottom and bigger fish near the breakwater. That's where I was raked up and down by the stream flow. I k'ia manawa, ua 'eha ko'u maka.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Sophie Morris-Suzuki
Sophie Morris-Suzuki
Sep 1, 2010, 12:00 AM
snorkel
I liked it.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Sophie Morris-Suzuki
Sophie Morris-Suzuki
Aug 16, 2010, 12:00 AM
snorkel
Excellent snorkeling, but I got cut by the reef.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Sophie Morris-Suzuki
Sophie Morris-Suzuki
Aug 2, 2010, 12:00 AM
snorkel
I really snorkeled here this time and strongly recommend this to have some of Kaua'i's best snorkeling.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Sophie Morris-Suzuki
Sophie Morris-Suzuki
Aug 2, 2010, 12:00 AM
snorkel
I am trying to help make the snorkeling better. There are lots of fish.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Leo
Leo
Nov 23, 2009, 12:00 AM
snorkel
I snorkeled this site on Nov 20, 09 and I was amazed at the diversity of marine life. This beach caters to every type of individual except divers. The kiddy beach is 1-1/2 feet at its deepest and if you snorkel on the right hand side of the little island, viola, it is sweet! 0-10 feet on average. If you are daring enough go beyond the surfline and enjoy the schools of fish and the turtles that await you. BTW, Please do not touch the beautiful and delicate corals.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Arkie
Arkie
Jul 23, 2008, 12:00 AM
snorkel
It's a good place to snorkel but it averages only a few feet deep, so a tank would be a waste of time. It is accessible, parking is convenient, and it has fresh water showers. There are a lot of fish and a variety of species. Over all, its a good place but I wouldn't consider it a scuba dive site.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Anonymous
Anonymous
Jan 14, 2008, 12:00 AM
snorkel
Snorkeling was excellent just west of the tombolo. We snorkeled on the east side of the tombolo and only saw a few fish. Once we got on the other side of the tombolo, all of a sudden there were countless varieties of fish swimming the area. Entry is best right in the middle in front of the tombolo where there are no rocks.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Lynlee
Lynlee
Jan 1, 2008, 12:00 AM
snorkel
This beach is very pretty, however it is a sunning beach at best (that is if the sun ever comes out). Winter is not the best time to come to Kauai I guess. Apparently it is not uncommon to get weeks on end of heavy rain and wind. When the sun finally broke through for 10 minutes, we gave snorkeling a shot. The reef was pretty dead here, only a few straggler fish, no schooling, heavy washing machine currents (I made that word up, but I am sure you know what I mean) and terrible visibility-- I assume in large part from the all the rain and subsequent run off from unchecked condo development in the area.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Gary Harmon
Gary Harmon
May 13, 2005, 12:00 AM
snorkel
This is a busy public beach. Probably better off for sunning, people watching, etc. Love2Snorkel, Gary
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Ron Olson
Ron Olson
Aug 5, 2004, 12:00 AM
snorkel
Nice sandy beach with showers parking and shelters. After that it goes downhill. I went on a high tide with no sandbar to the island so that at times waves would push you in 2 directions. The water was shallow with a lot of rocks on the bottom. You really need surf shoes. Saw some fish but not any real schools. The most fun I had was kicking over rocks and watching the fish feed on what was under them. At times I could easily touch them. Saw some small eels. I probably wouldn't snorkel here again
Originally posted on shorediving.com
James Goddard
James Goddard
Apr 12, 2004, 12:00 AM
snorkel
Ok for snorkeling I guess, but I wouldn't even bother to bring a tank here.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Anonymous
Anonymous
Feb 17, 2004, 12:00 AM
snorkel
Good place for snorkeling. Care should be taken near the rocks as the surf can be strong.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Brian Toner
Brian Toner
Nov 14, 2003, 12:00 AM
snorkel
This isn't a bad site just to get your feet wet. The surf can be a little much if you want to venture out of the pool area, so just don't get too close to the rocks. This is a great place for non divers too since it is mostly a family park. Be careful, I heard the currents can kick up here, but they were find on the day I dove.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Anonymous
Anonymous
May 15, 2003, 12:00 AM
snorkel
We found this to be a good site to snorkel. We saw lots of fish, and lots of different varieties. The site provided good underwater photo ops as well. We also saw an endangered Monk Seal on the beach while we were there.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
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