Pu’u Poa Beach

Pu’u Poa Beach is mainly used by guests of the St. Regis Princeville Resort and the Hanalei Bay Resort. Hanalei Bay Resort guests can take the steep and paved path that leads to the beach (or use the resort’s shuttle). Guests of the St. Regis Princeville Resort can take the elevator to the ground level and you are there! If you’re not a guest at either one of the two resorts, you take the almost 200 steps that start near the public parking lot. This public lot is located near the entrance of the St. Regis Princeville Resort on the right. Pu’u Poa Beach is the longest beach near the St. Regis Resort as it extends from the hotel all the way down to the Hanalei River. When the tide is low, a sandbar appears extending from the river to Black Pot Beach.

You will most likely see swarms of snorkelers out and about, however, we haven’t had good luck at this beach. It’s usually very shallow in summer months, and leaves little room for fish or aquatic life to see. If you get further out, you may have better luck, but beware the currents of Hanalei Bay.  Since it’s shallow and near the mouth of the Hanalei River, it can be pretty murky. 

The view from this beach is hard to beat. Looking over the famous Bali Hai point and lush mountains just doesn’t get old. You can also rent paddle boards, and other surf apparatus from the St. Regis staff by the pool.

An offshore reef protects the beach, making it generally safe for swimming. The reef, however, is not enough barrier for the beach from winter swells.

During winter international surfers flock to Pu’u Poa Beach. The ocean water that breaks against the outer edge of the reef close to Hanalei River provides some of the best surf rides on Kauai.