Not all Kauai Beaches have life guards. Beaches such as Poipu Beach Park, Lydgate State Park and Salt Pond Beach Park all have lifeguards on duty.

Swimming is a popular Kauai activity for tourists and locals alike. It's hard to resist the clear blue waters of Kauai beaches on a hot day, and Kauai snorkeling ranks amongst the best in Hawaii. Safety, however, is always an issue where the ocean is concerned.

Not every beach on Kauai is safe for swimming and snorkeling. Some beaches, such as Lumahai beach and the Polihale coast, are downright dangerous. Drownings occur every year off Kauai beaches, which is a tragedy as most drowning could be avoided with a little caution and knowledge of local ocean conditions.

Lifeguards and Kauai Beaches

The safest beaches on Kauai are those patrolled by lifeguards. Members of the Kauai Fire Department, local lifeguards save lives on a regular basis. Local lifeguards are some of Kauai's heroes (and, incidentally, the reason the fire response vehicles on Kauai have surfboards strapped to them).

The mere presence of lifeguards does not guarantee that a beach is safe. Ocean swells, time of year and Kauai weather all affect beach safety. Sometimes it's the job of the lifeguards to keep people out of the water.

Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park is a good example of Kauai's changeable beaches. During the summer, the water around Hanalei Pavilion usually offers calm, safe swimming conditions. come winter, however, and you wouldn’t recognize the beach. Monster waves pound the shore at Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park in the winter, and only the most skilled surfers enter the water.

As a rule, ask lifeguards about water conditions before swimming and snorkeling. Lifeguards are quite willing to offer advice on where to swim and which areas of a beach to avoid. Safety is always the lifeguards' top priority: they'd much rather you asked rather than have to rescue you.

North Shore Beaches and Lifeguards

At present, Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park and Haena Beach Park are the only north shore beaches with lifeguards. During the summer Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park is a great family spot. Located almost dead center in the curve of Hanalei Bay, Hanalei Pavilion offers calm, shallow water perfect for swimming during the summertime.

Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park is well worth visiting during the winter months as well, especially if when ocean swells hit the north shore. Instead of going into the water you can watch local surfers challenge the winter waves. Most people should stay out of north shore water in the winter.

Further along the north shore lies Haena Beach Park. Even during the summer Haena has a sudden drop in depth just offshore and strong currents. Ask the lifeguard whether it's safe to swim. Winter conditions at Haena are often so dangerous the lifeguards close the beach.

Ask the Haena Beach Park lifeguard where to snorkel in the summer and he or she will probably direct you a quarter mile down the beach to Tunnels, the crown jewel of Kauai snorkeling locations.

East Side Kauai Beaches

Generally speaking the east side of Kauai is unsafe for swimming. Strong currents and unpredictable ocean conditions make entering the water on the east side a hazardous proposition.

The exception to this rule is Lydgate State Park, where lifeguards monitor two manmade rock lagoons. Lydgate, which includes an extensive children's playground, is one of Kauai's best family beaches.

North of Kapaa town is Anahola Beach Park, which offers swimming and snorkeling if the ocean is calm enough. Lifeguards man the Anahola lifeguard tower sporadically: don't assume one will be on duty.

Poipu Beach and the South Shore

Poipu Beach Park is the only south shore beach with a lifeguard. Poipu Beach may well be the most popular of all Kauai beaches, in large part due to Kauai weather patterns. Poipu gets more annual sunshine than any other beach on Kauai.

Salt Pond Beach Park

Salt Pond Beach Park is just north of Hanapepe on the west side of Kauai. Salt Pond offers excellent snorkeling, although tidal currents can be strong. Check water conditions with the lifeguard before entering the water.