Kauaʻi Beach Day

Kēʻē Beach

Is it open? No closures reported

Lifeguard tower Details

Closures and advisories

County of Kauaʻi, DLNR and Hawaiʻi Department of Health notices, checked every 3 hours. Every beach

Lifeguard

Guarded. The County of Kauaʻi Ocean Safety Bureau staffs a lifeguard tower here.

Source: County of Kauaʻi Ocean Safety Bureau

Official alerts

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Known hazards

“Hanakapiai Stream, at flood stage has claimed numerous lives over the years, when people attempting to cross it are swept out to sea.”Hawaiʻi DLNR (State of Hawaiʻi), 2016-02-17

Conditions

Surf

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Weather

Tide today

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Parking and access

We haven't checked parking here in person yet. The map shows lots that OpenStreetMap marks as public.

DLNR: Non-residents need a Park Entry Reservation ($5 per person) or a Parking Reservation ($10 per vehicle), sold up to 30 days ahead at gohaena.com; parking is by time slot (morning, afternoon, evening). Hawaiʻi residents with a Hawaiʻi license or ID enter and park free. DLNR notice dated 10/23/26: 'Haʻena State Park REOPENING Thursday, October 15, 2026' after Hurricane Lowell. Hiking to Hanakāpīʻai also requires Hāʻena entry and parking reservations.

Source: dlnr.hawaii.gov

Where we stay. We stay at Honu Hale Sunrise in Princeville. It’s ours.

See Honu Hale Sunrise

About Kēʻē Beach

Kēʻē Beach (also called Hāʻena State Park) is a beach on Kauaʻi’s North Shore, on the north-facing coast. A County lifeguard tower covers it. Its surf follows the National Weather Service forecast for North-facing shores, and its tides follow NOAA’s Hanalei Bay station.

Questions

Is Kēʻē Beach open?

The top of this page shows any closure or advisory that the County of Kauaʻi, the State (DLNR) or the Hawaiʻi Department of Health has posted for Kēʻē Beach. We check every 3 hours. If our last check is more than a day old, it says “Status unknown” instead of guessing.

Where is Kēʻē Beach, and how do you get there?

Kēʻē Beach is on Kauaʻi’s North Shore. Its public access point is at GPS 22.22206, -159.58266. Directions in Google Maps. The map on this page shows lots that OpenStreetMap marks as public.

Is there a lifeguard at Kēʻē Beach?

Yes. The County of Kauaʻi Ocean Safety Bureau staffs a lifeguard tower at Kēʻē Beach. Check in with the lifeguard before you get in the water.

Do you need a reservation for Kēʻē Beach?

Yes, if you’re not a Hawaiʻi resident. Kēʻē is inside Hāʻena State Park. Visitors need a park entry or parking reservation from Go Hāʻena, sold up to 30 days ahead. Hawaiʻi residents with a Hawaiʻi ID enter free. Prices change, so check the booking page. Source: DLNR, Hāʻena State Park.

Where do you park for Kēʻē Beach?

We haven't checked parking here in person yet. The map on this page shows lots that OpenStreetMap marks as public.

Can you swim at Kēʻē Beach?

That changes day to day with the surf, and this site doesn't make that call. Check the North-facing surf range above, any alerts, and the lifeguard on duty. Hazard ratings for guarded beaches are at hawaiibeachsafety.com.

Can you snorkel at Kēʻē Beach?

People ask this a lot, and the answer changes daily. Snorkeling depends on small surf on the north-facing shore and clear water, and this site doesn't make that call. Check the surf range above, any Health Department brown water advisory (listed at the top of this page when one is posted), and ask the lifeguard on duty.

Report conditions

Just there? Tell Nick what you found. Reports never change this page by themselves.

Sources

Not yet checked in person.