When taking a trip to Hawaii, chances are you are looking to spend some time at a beach that gives off tropical paradise vibes and Anini beach will certainly not disappoint you! The beach stretches over 2 miles and features a lovely shallow reef, and it was one of the safest and least crowded beaches we visited during our time on the island of Kauai. This is a true gem on the island’s north shore and is a must see for all beach goers and water enthusiasts alike. The following guide will clue you in on what to expect and how to make the most of your time on Anini Beach!
Getting There
Anini beach is located on Kauai’s northern shore and you are best off travelling there by car as there are parking spots next to the beach on the ocean side of the road. No matter which part of the island you are coming from, you are guaranteed to see an array of beautiful views as you make your way north.
If you are travelling from the south or south-east side of Kauai, you will make your way onto the Kuhio Highway and drive northbound. This will take you through the heart of Wailua and just after you pass through Kilauea you will turn right onto Kalihiwai Road and then take a left onto Anini Road. You will find the beach after a few minutes driving along this road.
The mountainous nature of the island’s west side means if you are on the west or south west side of Kauai, you will first need to move eastbound on the Kaumauli’i Highway. You will drive beyond the airport and you will find Kuhio Highway which will take you to the north of the island.
Campsite Selection
There are a number of different campsites to choose from at Anini beach and you will need to get a permit for each of them which can be done online. Once we arrived at our campground, we set up camp in the designated camping area on a large patch of grass directly next to the beach. There were other people camping but there was plenty of space between tents to ensure we felt a sense of privacy during our stay.
There are few spots you will see roped off where you are not allowed to set up camp so be mindful of this upon arrival. However, we were able to pitch our tent beneath some trees with the beach being less than 2 meters away which was exactly the picturesque set up we were looking for!
The Facilities
The beautiful location coupled with the plentiful amenities is what made Anini Beach a standout camping location. Our campsite included bathrooms, showers, a picnic table, a pavilion as well as plenty of trees offering shade cover.
There are no stores or restaurants within walking distance so we recommend buying food ahead of your arrival so you do not need to leave again and risk losing your parking spot. You will need to obtain a camping permit ahead of your stay and you can do this online via the Kauai Parks Permitting section or you can call the County of Kauai office.
Both of our phone plans (Verizon and T-mobile) had service during our stay here but if you are with another provider, we recommend checking ahead of time with regards to how the cell service will be.
Things To Do At Anini Beach
There are many activities we enjoyed during our time at the beautiful Anini Beach and its calm, clear waters. This was a superb spot to go snorkeling where we were able to fully appreciate the shore’s vast coral reef and the marine life that surrounds it. Anini beach is one of Kauai’s safest beaches making it ideal for swimming and paddle boarding is also a good option due to the lack of waves but there are no lifeguards on duty, so we do not recommend going into the water alone or during high surf just to be safe.
Although we did not partake, we saw several people windsurfing further out from the coast so keep that in mind if it’s something you want to do while in Kauai. The beach itself is very private and boasts lovely white sand along its 2.5-mile stretch and is perfect to enjoy a peaceful walk.
The plentiful tree coverage made it an ideal location for us to relax and read in the shade as well as enjoy the view of the ocean. The patches of spacious grassland areas next to the beach were an ideal place to throw a frisbee and play soccer as well as enjoy a picnic beneath the Hawaiian sunshine.
