Secret Beach Reviews

Fun to get to a beach through a hike. It had just rained, and the hike down to the beach is steep, so good shoes and a bit of patience is necessary, but once you get down to the beach, the sand is soft and very few people there!

This is a beautiful beach. But, it's a pretty steep hike from the road down to the beach. you step over tree roots, branches, and fallen leaves. I would imagine it would be slippery after a rain. Bring a minimum amount of things with you--it's easier to make the descent with your hands both available. I am glad that I wore tevas rather than flip-flops.

This info would have been helpful when we were hunting down this beach yesterday. From Rt. 56 (Kuhio Hwy.) turn onto Kilahiwai Rd. The road is only to the north of the highway, so there is only one turn direction available, no matter which side you're coming from. It isn't very well marked, and is about half a mile west of the road to the lighthouse. After you're on Kilahiwai, turn right (quite soon) on the first dirt road. (It's a bigish, smooth dirt road, with no signage.) Go to the end, where there are some brown condos, park, and walk down the path (again, no signage) that is marked by some big, rectangular rocks. This should make it easier for you! (My iphone took me someplace that couldn't have been more wrong!) The hike isn't as strenuous as the one to Queen's Bath, but it's still somewhat challenging, and you may want shoes instead of flipflops. And it is, indeed, drop dead gorgeous.

Worth the pain but my now 69 year old body did protest for two days afterwards! It could be even more dangerous if it rained. This is not a maintained trail. The private owners have a paved trail but it’s not for the public. It was hard to find. Mapquest was way off. A reviewer from Canada had the best directions! The winter waves were wild and wonderful!

Ok, so it's not THAT secret, but what did you expect when you found it on the internet? One thing this beach is not is crowded. There are other people there to be sure, but there is plenty of room.

It's a good walk down to the beach from the parking area on the road and its even more of a hike back up. You'll want to do this when it isn't raining too much, and I don't recommend it if you're way out of shape.

You can see the lighthouse at the east end of the beach up on a cliff. It's one of the most picturesque beaches in Kauai.

Secret Beach makes you earn it. The trail down is steep, uneven, and it reminds you pretty quickly that paradise often hides behind a bit of effort. If hiking up and down a decent incline is a struggle for you, I’d advise skipping this one. But if you make it, you’re rewarded with one of the most stunning stretches of sand on Kauai — wild, wide open, and untamed. The waves crash hard, the cliffs glow in the late light, and there’s this sense that you’ve stepped into somewhere that still belongs to nature, not people. It’s not the kind of beach for cocktails and lounge chairs. It’s the kind you just stand on for a while and let it humble you.

This is one of Kauai's somewhat secluded beaches. Beaches are nice and beautiful, but it's a bit hard to get to. Limited parking. Long walk. Pictures show only the flat trail. Not the somewhat steep include to and from the top of the hill. Path is well worn, but lots of leaf litter which gets very slippery after a rain or early morning. Long beach with somewhat few people as it's secluded. Sea was choppy, so hardly anyone surfing or swimming. Found a small cave and a secluded section where small fish were swimming. But be careful as some of the rock outcroppings are Lava and are sharp if you don't have foot protection.

I found a review about this beach and really wanted to see it during our trip. We were able to find the road that leads down to someone’s front gate and we parked along the side of the road like everyone else there.

It was a little gloomy but warm. The walk down is steep, long, and dangerous. I slipped and hurt my ankle. I was walking in river shoes with grip and it was still incredibly slippery. We saw another lose his balance and fall pretty hard he was bleeding from his elbow.

While you’re going down people are also coming up. I have no idea how people made it down with coolers, chairs and umbrellas.

We got down to the beach and there were tide pools with small fish. The beach is isolated from everything. There were a lot of other people around but the water was very rough and choppy. There is no life guard. My husband is an excellent swimmer and he stayed near the shore because he said the current was very strong and not safe.

Going back up it began to rain and the middle water rolling down the trail made it very hard to make it back up. Very slippery and dangerous. To me it wasn’t worth it. I was in pain from the fall the rest of my trip.

The valet guys at our hotel asked us where we went and we told them Secret Beach they said that people have drowned there and it’s not safe. We did see a RIP sign there. 😔

Rough and quiet at the same time. Find it via the small backroad from road 56. In the weekends I've seen a little temporary shop. Otherwise just bring your own water and sandwich and enjoy the wawes but take care. Kids and dogs are surfing here but I guess they are local

This is no longer a secret because the small beach was very crowded. However the shade trees, calm water, and beautiful views and crystal clear water made the crowd worth it. We got there around 1130 and stayed for about three hours. While the people came and went the crowd in sheer numbers remained constant. That’s the only downside. The plus is that the kids can play in the shallow water and you can enjoy conversation with other adults without having to constantly look for kids and worry if the waves are washing them away. There were fish and crabs and other sea life the kids could snorkel for. There is some sharp coral and rocks so I would
Recommend water shoes. Highly recommend for a few hours. There are no bathrooms or wash areas and parking is limited to a pot hole ridden grass parking lot.

Worth the adventure to see the beach.There are no signs designating the area or path, but readily researchable. A bit of a hike to it, but not difficult. No restrooms.

Half a mile past Kilauea is Kalihiwai road. Turn right onto that and shortly turn right onto a dirt road (rental car insurance is voided by driving on dirt roads) and follow it to the end where you can park. To the left is a trail descending to a beautiful beach with a view to the east of the Kilauea Lighthouse, closed for a while to make the path to it safe. This view affords an opportunity to take photos of large waves hitting the rocks straight on. Just a hint of that possibility is available from the official lookout. The beach itself is sandy with interspersed lava rocks. The tide seems to come in quickly here, so be careful to leave yourself time for a way back to the ascending trail.

By far one of the most amazing beaches I have ever been to. This place is a little hard to find but it definitely is worth every minute of searching. Make sure you make the FIRST RIGHT going north after the shell gas station, then the second right. After arriving the walk down can be rough, but you can make it. Make sure you go on a sunny day or you are going to have a bad day. When you arrive you will be greeted by one of the most breath taking view ever. The waves vary in size so make sure you are careful. Make sure you walk all the way down the beach to enjoy all of what it has to offer!!

Secret Beach on the Kauai north coast is not really a secret; even Google Maps shows Secret Beach and Secret Beach Road!
What makes it more exclusive is that you cannot park close to the beach, but it is about a 10-15 minute hike down to the beach. Beware: the path can be treacherous and very slippery when it is wet, which it often is even some time after rain. However, it is well worth the hike down, and you will enjoy large stretches of unspoilt and underpopulated beach. To the East you can walk to the edge where the beach meets the cliffs and provides an awesome show of ocean power as the waves break and spray high into the air; to the East you can walk for a couple of miles if the tide is right, getting quite close to Kilauea lighthouse. Many beautiful photo opportunities.
A second warning: the sea can be very dangerous when it is in a mood, with strong currents and large 'dumper' waves. A healthy respect is a prerequisite; don't try to play Man against Nature here, as the score will inevitably be Nature 1, Man 0....
On two separate visits I saw a guy being recovered from the path after slipping and breaking his ankle on the way down, and a surfer girl being rescued after being dashed against the rocks.
With common sense and caution Secret Beach is a wonderful place to visit and spend some hours, or take some snacks and a bottle of Mai Tai to enjoy on the sand.
Of course, the Mai Tai's don't much help for the climb back up to the road!! :)

The beach was great. You could walk up the beach a ways to find your own little private area to set up camp. I'd stick to the main beach if you have kids; there were some people nude sunbathing in the rocky area up the beach.
We used Waze to find the beach and it took us to the wrong spot. If you're headed north on Akihito Hwy, go a little past Kilauea and make a right onto Kalihwai Rd then another right onto Secret Beach Rd. There is a small parking area at the end. If that is full there were cars parked along the side of the road too. Then it's just a short walk down the dirt trail to the beach.

Very scenic beach. After you hike down from the parking area look to the left and see the rocks, cliffs and rain. To the right is a long wide beach and sun.

Went on a Saturday and it was quiet Lots of surfers as the waves looked great.

This place is billed for Au natural sun bathing. Only saw a bit. No problem if you want to by the looks of it. If your coming here to gawk, don't bother. Not much to see and we don't want you.

Take your time on the hike and you'll get to it in no time. Yes, the hike is steep. Some people do it in flip flops or barefoot. Others do it in sure-grip shoes. I'm not keep on steep hikes but I've done this one several times and if you go slow, you'll be ok. Takes about 10-15 minutes.

The beach is one of the longest and most beautiful. Kilauea Lighthouse is on the south/east side but not accessible from the beach. The ocean can have really strong rip currents so if you swim be really careful. You may luck out and see turtles, monk seals or dolphin off the beach. Usually you won't see many people but even on "busy" days the beach is so long it still feels very private.

Midway down the beach you'll see a natural spring pouring out of the cliffs. A good place to rinse off and see some really lush moss.

There are no facilities, so plan accordingly, removing everything you brought with you.

Amazing how a dirt road and a 10-15 minute walk keeps most people away from a beach. The parking area might be small and busy at times, but the beach is so long, it looks almost uninhabited. Most people stay at the first place they see at the end of the trail(could be a little slippery after rainfall). If you want to get away from the 'crowd', head either way on the beach for more privacy and clothing optional. Take food and drink. No restrooms/showers. The waves can be a little concerning for newcomers. Keep away from the shorebreak. Did I mention the sand... lots of it....maybe 1/2 mile of it. Best to come early. I was there in June 2019... currents/waves not a problem but at certain times it could be treacherous.

While we were there the tides were very high and waters rough so we could not swim. The beach did look nice. I would try another time.

Someone on one of our excursions recommended this beach and I can see why. It's really, really beautiful and wasn't busy at all.

It is tough to get down to/back up out of. A relatively steep hill in some spots and if it were wet I'm not sure I would have tried it. There's also not a lot of shade, so bring an umbrella if you plan to stay for any length of time.

You can definitely swim and play in the surf, but no snorkeling. Just a fun spot to have lunch, sunbathe and play in the water. Enjoy it!

So many of the beaches are just too crowded, but this one was amazing. We enjoyed the seclusion and quiet of just the waves lapping up on the shore!

Nice big beach secluded. Hike down was not too difficult. Ample packing in the lot or along the road coming in. We went on a day with high tide warnings w strong currents. No one swimming too dangerous. Nice beach ample room to spread out. Everyone was friendly. Shade available at the back of the beach. Didn’t encounter any clothing optional but did see an inappropriate sand castle lol I mistook for a turtle. Funny really. The hike out was a cardio buster but felt great!

Decent amount of parking there's some rectangular rocks where the trail starts. It's a steady decline down to the beach so it makes for a little bit of a workout to get back but not terrible. Fun views of the lighthouse. Not a good snorkeling or swimming beach. You can enjoy watching surfers though.

This is an excrellent beach with a great view of the Kilauea Point Light house. The widtth of the beach is approximately 500 yards and there is a stream coming from the hill that crosses the beach as you come down the trail. If hike down the beach to the left as you come down the trail there are some nice areas that are protected by rock. The trail is very slippery and can be dangerous to children or those that are not sure footed. Make sure you have something to clean your feet before getting back in your car.

The most impressive beach of the North coast. A long long beach, wild in every sense of the word: the ocean in first, very strong here, even in summer, the general mood on this secluded beach (even if you see lot of properties on the hill), and of course the exceptional landscape behind the beach...This hill with red rocks is wonderful with these trees falling down and along the shore these black volcanic rocks too.
No, this beach is really different and even if you cannot swim, you must see it because its wild and strong beauty. A little (very small) waterfall, could refresh you in case, along the hill and from there you could see the light house of Kilauea. Must be very scenic with the sunset...
To find the beach, when you are on the highway, you turn right at Kalihiwai road, you continue just the next curve on the left and 100 meters after this curve you have a dirty road but ok for all cars on the right, turn here, park at the end, And on the left you have a path going down in 10 minutes to the beach. Be careful it could be slippery...
Enjoy your secret beach... In the morning it's perfect, almost alone...

It's been a week to get to this place but it's well worth it. Truly beautiful there. You looking for a beach to hang out for the day, and you don't want a crowd, this is definitely a place to consider

My wife and I loved this beach. It was a bit of a hike to get to it, especially carrying beach chairs, lunch and beach gear, but worth it! We loved watching the surfers and the scenery is wonderful. We took a walk down the beach and could have kept going a long way. It is a big beach! Great beach for a boogie board but not any snorkling to speak of.

We stopped by Subway at the Shell gas station in Kilauea for lunch and it worked out great. The people there were super nice and made a great sandwich. We tried to find some other "deli" or sandwich place but there wasn't much in the Princeville area.

No facilities to speak of at the beach or even at the top where the parking is located. The wikipedia page was great for directions and description.

The normal beach was fun but the path to the "secret beach" had overgrown sword grass everywhere and once we got to the secret beach we were all covered in micro cuts and everything hurt. The way back was a whole other story, I was also there with my grandmother, and when we were climbing up a bunch of janky rocks on the shore side, to avoid the sword grass she almost fell, I also almost fell, a pretty significant fall by the way. In the end I walked back to the car with many painful scratches and a couple scars. ALSO WE SAW FRESH BOAR TRACKS. So, many unfortunate possibilities. Donkey beach was lovely just DONT GO TO THE SECRET BEACH.

It’s a bit of a hike to make it to the beach but it’s well worth it. A few things to note:

- The hike down to the beach can be a little slippery. Be sure, to wear shoes that you can hike in
- There aren’t any facilities at the beach, so...
- Please remove your trash, there aren’t any trash cans
- Reportedly, there is a nudist beach around the corner.

Quiet and easy spot to get to. Loved the location. Hardly anyone there. Beautiful scenery. A go to on Kauai.

Lived there for 6 months -Nude beach back then , some did some did not .
Great time , like a big family of young people .
We are returning to Kauai Feb 26 for a week , hope to find it again

Secret Beach (Kauapea beach in Hawaiian) is a cute little beach on the north shore. After you find this beach and you found parking, you have to hike downhill which costs you about 10 minutes. But I can tell you it's absolutely worth the hike. This beach is way less crowded then others and it has some lava pools. We spend here whole day and would definitely come back. The sea is wild here so be aware and don't go in to far or don't go in at all.

What an incredible beach. If you are at Kilauea Lighthouse and you look along the coast to the west and see a very long, picturesque beach, it's Secret Beach. The surf was too rough for our seven year old but our fourteen year old enjoyed getting beat up by the waves. The beach itself is incredible deep and the lava rock just adds to the beauty of this place. The walk is steep but totally worth the effort.

This beach has a little bit of a trek to get down to, but not bad at all! Once you get down to Secret it’s so beautiful and spacious! Sand is soft and the ocean is a beautiful turquoise color! Waves can be strong so it’s better for surfing or boogie boarding. But non the less it’s a fantastic beach! One of my favorites in the north shore of what is currently open because of the storm.

We parked at the side of the road. As others have said, it is a slippery walk downhill. Side-stepping does help. It is worth the effort, as this is a beautiful beach which is definitely worth walking.

Loved this beach. Not hard to find. Parked along a road, walked down the steep path to the beach and wow what views. We walked down in flip flops but runners or hiking shoes would be better, especially if raining. It is a great beach, not as busy as most. So fun to watch the waves. Would not recommend to go in water here unless you are a great swimmer. No lifeguard and very secluded if you needed help in a hurry. So use common sense. There were surfers out there but it was wild and rough.

Follow this : Secret Beach is located approximately one-half mile northwest of the town of Kilauea and is situated between the Kilauea Lighthouse and Kalihiwai Valley. As its name suggests, the beach is not easily accessible and no public roads lead to it. To find it, take the Kuhio Highway past Kilauea and turn right on Kalihiwai Road. Follow the road for about 50 yards and then turn right into an unmarked, unpaved road. Proceed to the end and park. Nearby is the foot path leading to the west end of the beach.
We had wasted a lot of time before finding this description looking for the path ! Beach is beautiful and path is not as bad as described ... You get a picturesque view of the lighthouse. The water is rough and not too swimmable. Too beautiful to skip and worth the effort.

Bit of a hike to get there but totally worth it!! The lighthouse in the back ground give a unique setting for photos! The tide could be a little rough at times but overall a beautiful place!!

LOVED this beach - went in winter when the surf was higher than I would swim in, but holy cow, it was AMAZING to just watch the ocean. One side of the beach has amazing tide lava pool areas which are probably awesome for sea life viewing in summer, but in winter provide an amazing wave break. The center of the beach is expansive golden sand and flanked by tons of volcanic rock formations continuing along the shoreline. It did take like 15 minutes down a slippery slope to get there, but I would be there often if I lived in town.

The Shaka Kauaii app told us just how to find this secluded beach. It was a perfect way to spend our last afternoon on Kauaii. The trail down is a bit steep but not too bad if you take it slow and turn sideways when steeper or slippery. I made it fine in my sandals. You do have to wade in about chest deep to cross the stream to get to the bigger part of the beach, but no current there so a quick easy cross.

A little bit of something for everyone--tidal pool exploring, trickling waterfall, snorkeling(all the way to the right), body surfing. Beautiful.

Let’s started with the Beautiful . The view at this beach is amazing there are no crowds maybe 6 other people were here while my group of 4 visited. Nice smooth sandy beach and a view of the lighthouse to the right.

Here comes the danger.

The hike was steep and slippery so wear hiking shoes and don’t carry to much. Not to bad for those who are accustomed to outdoor activity. Would not suggest to elderly or those with small children.

The beach is VERY dangerous!!!! One in our group was thrown by a wave and slammed down hard as the wave break was strong and close to shore. We ended up needed emergency services and in the ER with a dislocated A/C. EMT said he was lucky to be talking and walking coming out of the water. He said many were not as lucky.

Once at the ER our nurse told us her husband had broken his ankle on the hike down.

For those who surf this may be a perfect hidden gem for any other swimmer, not so much. If you are physically active I would still recommend coming to see this place and maybe having a picnic on the shore. Would advise strongly against swimming.

This really is a beautiful beach, but there are other similar beaches on the island, but they will have more people on them than this one! ;-)

It's a very short hike down to the beach (<10 mins) and you will be rewarded with great views... worth a trip if you are looking for something a bit more secluded...

This beach is fabulous and a must see on Kauai! Located on the northeast side of the island, it is a little tricky to get to BUT well worth the trip on the trail. There is dripping water from the cliff side to the east from the trail and lovely just to stand underneath to absorb its miracles! The beach is quiet and reserved....several lava rock formations which are grounding just to stand on. You may even see a monk seal lying in the sun on the formations! A water is a little rough to swim in, but can be done. Enjoy a little bit of heaven on earth!

We had heard about this beach and also read about it in The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook. It was raining so we weren't sure if we would be able to get there on the dirt road that takes you to the path. It ended up not being a problem and sprinkled on and off while we were there. Once you reach the small parking lot it is a 10 minute hike down to the beach. Going down is not the problem, just watch your step but if you have physical limitations you might not be able to make it back up. It is pretty steep in places and when wet very slippery. Once you get to the bottom it opens up to a great beach with views of Kilauea Lighthouse. There is lava on both sides with small tide pools. The waves were big the day we were there so you had great body surfing. There is not a lifeguard for the beach. If you plan to be there all day make sure to bring food, water and plenty of sunscreen.

Don't go to this beach if you have kids. Don't go to this beach if you can't hike steep trails. Don't go to this beach if you can't swim. Don't go to this beach if you want to swim. Don't go to this beach if seeing a nude person as god made them freaks you out. Don't go if you don't want to walk a mile on sand. Don't go if you are worried about a place to park. That said, everyone else go... we love this beach.

This is another huge beach, nearly 1 1/2 miles long with fine white sand, black lava rock, stunning cliff backdrops, lush vegetation, and enchanting waterfalls. The setting is entirely rustic — except for the houses you can see on the hilltop — and can only be reached by a 10 minute 150 foot vertical path. Swimming on this beach ranges from dangerous to impossible because there is no reef protection.

10 min hike down to the beach - wear Teva type sandals or better on the trail.

What an incredible view when the trail opens up to the beach. The beach is surrounded by lava walls and is so beautiful with very few people.

It's a long beach and most people who trek to the very far end go there to take it all off and relax without worrry!

Good snorkeling at the far right as well.

Enjoy!

This beach really is as stunning as everyone says it is. Wide expanses of sandy beach to oneself, cliffs behind you with natural small "spring shower waterfalls" that are great for rinsing or filling a water bottle, and great views of the lighthouse. I had great difficulty finding it at first, because there are two Kalihiwai Roads, and initially I went to the wrong one. If you're on the one with signs to Ahnini Beach and Kalihikai Park, then you're on the wrong road. Secret Beach is actually off of the Southern Kalihiwai Road, the road that leads to Kalihiwai Beach (although don't drive that far). Once you turn onto the correct Kalihiwai Road, make a right onto the first dirt road (not the first dirt driveway), and follow the road until a crude parking area adjacent to two homes. The trail to the beach begins behind the boulders that are lined-up in a row, The trail is as muddy and steep as others describe, so take it slow, but it is worth it.

This beach is so so beautiful. The trail down is pretty simple (going back up not so much haha) but it’s well worth it. The beach is empty and stunning.

Just be careful of the troll who hangs out in the trail.. we ran into a local guy who was insulting tourists on their way down to the beach. He shouted some insults to us on our way down and it was pretty scary considering we were the only ones there at the time.

Funny story we actually ran into the same guy while buying groceries at the Foodland in Princeville. Turns out his name is Ethan…pic below so you can keep an eye out for him. Stay safe and enjoy this wonderful beach!

For regular hikers, the path to the beach would be rated easy when dry. After heavy rains, then it would be more challenging as it would be very slippery. But with the right shoes and clothes, plan on getting dirty when it rains. For surfers 🏄‍♂️, a great spot some feet away from the beach. For couples, a perfect getaway and plentiful romantic spots away from crowds.

This was the only place we saw surfers on the Bigger waves. I'm sure they must be in other locations but none that we saw. The water has a significant undertow so we only went in calf deep. The beauty of the beach, waves and area was spectacular. No wonder why this beach is a local favorite. We must have stayed for 2 hours just watching the surfers

My two best friends got married here, I will suggest not planning your in the middle of the day, it is too hot and the sun is very harsh if you love taking photos.

The view are great and make for a great setting to exchange vows. Because the space is small it is not ideal for a large wedding, but there are near by spots to have a large wedding, then take some awesome wedding party photos here. Again, this requires some research and planning to pull this off,

Lovely little unmarked beach, less-traveled, lots of locals. Glad it's not marked on the main routes. This little beach is a gem. Went toward the evening. Enjoyed the calm and quiet. I highly recommend this Beach if you want to get off the well-worn path. Aloha!

It's a gorgeous beach. It's a real hike in and out, short though it may be! There are guide books that tell you how to get there from Kahiliwai Rd (there are two Hee hee) get one. The hike in and out is short but formidable so be prepared. It's worth the hike!

This is a great place to play in the ocean. There's a nice hike in, and then a beautiful beach. Great for playing in the water as well as shell hunting.

Cool, little trail that’s about a half mile and steep at some points. The beach is amazing with surfers and great photo ops.

The front desk staff at our hotel said this beach was a must see when on Kaua'i. The trailhead was a little tricky to find, but well worth the effort! The hike down is kind of steep so wear good shoes especially if it has rained. Beach is beautiful and had a variety of photo spots! Soft sand and black lava rocks with waves and blue sky in the distance! What's not to love!

but really cool. Somewhat secluded and great surf coming in all of the time. Good for star gazing after sundown.

Flat out incredible! Agree with the other reviewers, not advisable to wear flip flops on the hike down. But the beach is phenomenal once you get down. CNN reviewed it recently as one of the most amazing beaches in the country. It definitely meets the hype.

It is a bit tricky to find, but definitely worth the effort! You can see it from the Kilauea Lighthouse - so beautiful! GPS and Trip Advisor helped us find it. I recommend wearing sturdy walking shoes, and definitely plan to stay awhile (you won't want to leave!). Bring everything you need because it's a long hike back to your car if you forget anything.

Yes its true, this beach is no longer a well kept secret. But it still well worth the steep hike down to visit it. Just be sure to wear appropriate shoes, not flip flops. The beach is gorgeous, you can walk to the left quite a ways and get off all by yourself eventually if thats what you want to do.
The day we visited there were several surfers in the water (crazy that they carried their boards down that steep and slippery path-thats dedication) We had packed a lunch so we found a place to sit on the lava rock and enjoyed the view and the action.
Don't miss this place when visiting the North Shore of Kauai. It is a stunner.

My husband and I visited on our 10 year anniversary and this was one of the beaches we visited more than once. It was absolutely beautiful!

Secret Beach is beautiful, but not quite a "secret." Definitely know when the high and low tides are. The little hike isn't bad at all if you're in decent shape. The water is definitely very rough, but are so cool to view from the beach as they crash along the rocky parts of the beach.

We couldn't swim here due to high surf and dangerous current but could walk north to the lava pools to dip. Worth the trip as it is a beautiful beach.

This beach is one of the most beautiful on Kauai. Not crowded and soft sand with little coves. Difficulty is you must hike downhill at a very steep angle to get to it. And of course its straight up. Lots of tree roots in the "path". Don't try this if its been raining. Adventurous!

This beach is amazing to see, with the light house and the beautiful hillside. The hike down to the beach was a little tricky. It was a rainy morning, so the trail was really muddy. Still - worth the view! Waves were too rough to swim in.

Beautiful beach, not crowded. Def worth the short hike to get there. We only saw 4 other people the whole time we were there

The trail isn’t too long, but if it’s been raining it will be extremely muddy. Wear hiking sandals or go barefoot through the muddy parts. The beach is pretty, but the waves are too rough to swim. A lot of people were hiking up on the rocks to look for the waterfall. This is quite dangerous as waves unexpectedly crash up and over the rocks. Risk of getting seriously injured if you venture somewhere you shouldn’t. There are other beaches that are secluded and easier to get to that offer more (swimming/snorkeling) such as Hideaways Beach.

Take twenty minutes to make your way down a fairly steep muddy trail to be rewarded by a huge open beach with plenty of soft sand and crashing surf. Enjoy watching the experienced body board surfers taking on the huge breakers, join them if you're feeling brave.
Strangely, going back up seemed easier than going down.

This is without a doubt the best spot to relax on the island. It is a little trek down to it, but not even close to as demanding as the NaPali hikes. Probably 1/4 mile hike. Do your self a favor and bring along some beach chairs, find a spot on the lava rock, take in the monster waves and relax. Wish I had one more peaceful day here.

The trek to get here is well worth it! This is just paradise. The remote location keeps crowds away, yet this is one of the most beautiful beaches you will ever see.

We walked about 10 min down a steep trail, but it wasn't bad. We climbed back up barefoot, and we passed a lady wearing a baby. Lots of privacy, very romantic. If you want to avoid people, this is the place. Take plenty of goodies in your cooler, there's no food trucks or stands nearby.

My husband and I had heard about this beach so it was on our bucket list after visiting the lighthouse. We got there early and managed to find a place to park near the area. You hike through a small parking lot near some homes, along a dirt path next to a fence, then down a steep hill through the trees. The hike to the beach was no problem, but if it's wet, be careful! It's a steep hill and all dirt (or mud) and tree roots so wear good shoes. The hike back up was quite a bit harder. It's up a steep hill and we (being on the "mature" side of aging) had to stop several times to catch our breath. It was well worth the time we spent there and so beautiful.

We had to ask the locals where to find this place. It was a bit of a ride and a bit of a hike through a small jungle but if you go you'll be glad! Unspoiled and beautiful!

Secret beach is my favorite beach on Kauai. Get there early for parking. Even if the parking lot is full you will feel like you are the only ones on the beach. We got there at 8 am and we were literally the only ones there. The beach is not so much for swimming as the waves were pretty strong. The hike to get there is pretty easy. Just take your time and watch your footing. If you walk on the beach from the trail walk alllllll the way to the right and you'll come to an area that separates into another beach. Near there you will find a fresh water stream that looks pretty cool.

This beach is definitely worth the small hike that it takes to get down there. It's a very long beach so you can easily find a spot away from others for privacy. The waves were pretty rough, but it made for good boogie boarding. There are natural springs that come out of the cliffs and a little cave in the volcanic rock.

Great for watching the ocean. Not great for swimming, but most beaches in Kauai are not swimming beaches.

Access to the beach was a fun little hike that I did with a 1.5 year old and 8 year old. The path was steep and slippery, but the girls did it!
A local refused to give us directions to the beach (her excuse was: "It is a dangerous beach in winter, people have died; Considering the two little ones with you, I won't tell you how to get there."). At the beach, I experienced first hand what she meant... I was taking in the views all around me, standing on a large rocky bed (Which seemed to be mostly dry - I assumed, it was high enough that waves would not get there); while I stood there mesmerised by the beauty all around me, I had the shock of my life when a huge wave came and crashed on the rocky bed and drenched me from head to toe! I walked back to the trailhead shirtless... And my girls who stood a few feet away from me (On slightly higher ground), did get a drop of water on them. Was a fun (And a bit scary) story to tell everyone back home!

This one is not as hard to access as Hide-away beach, and you get access to the lava pools to boot! Long nice expanse of beautiful sand - biggest problem is finding a place to park - if High season, you may want to arrive early.

If you imagine in your head a perfect tropical beach, you will probably imagine something close to Secret Beach--endless stretches of golden sand, clear turquoise waters, nice waves, lava rocks, beautiful cliffs and ridges fringed with palm trees. I've also just described any number of beaches on Kauai and most of them don't involve a hot ten minute hike to get there. That's my main con against Secret Beach, the long hike to get there, and the equally long walk east to get to the areas safer for swimming. Have never seen it gentle enough for snorkeling and don't want to carry boogie boards down and back up on the hike, so I'd say this beach is really for those who want to walk and sunbathe. There is a nice little spring trickling down the cliff face about 7 minutes east of the trail and somebody has jammed a piece of bamboo into the rock to make a spigot where you can sort of rinse off. Called "Secret Beach" but actually not so secret, so parking lot may be full which will involve parking further up the road adding to your walk. Last thing I want to do after a nice time at the beach is get hot hiking ten minutes up a dirt trail to get back to my car. So, yes, gorgeous beach, but not worth the effort for me.

Visited May 29, 2019.

Beach has to be found. Not a "Happen to be by it" kind of place. Can see Kilauea Lighthouse from beach. But, cannot get to beach direct from lighthouse access.

Parking is wherever on side of public road at end of cul-de-sac road right in entry to two private homes.

Path is OK in dry times, and saw several, um, sizable people making it. Wet time - Do NOT try it wet if you can't traverse slippy, slide rocks, mud, roots, etc.

Beach not so "secret" at least at entry area. Stroll down the way and numerous places to go au natural against the high cliffs and foliage. You will not be the lone full or partial nude person. But, not a "nudist" beach by any means, versus Roll Over in So. Beach Miami.

Water can be rough and dangerous. Not for swim and snorkel.

Worth the experience to go try it out.

It's a short hike down to get to the beach and of course hiking back up the trail to get to the parking area. View of light house, lava rocks, crashing waves and overall beautiful.

Quick drive from Hanalei to access this beach. Surfing and swimming available but you will need to bring your own gear. There is limited parking and a few outhouses.

This beach is off the beaten path. You have to hike downhill a couple hundred yards and it's very secluded and beautiful. The hike back is all uphill and may be too difficult for some.

It wasn’t much of a secret but very much worth the walk.
Make sure you have skid resistant shoes or samples. Flip flops not Recommended. It was beautiful and a great place to surf or watch surfers.

This beach was breathtaking. Maybe 20 people there when we went mid afternoon. The beauty and peace is worth the hike down the cliff. The waves were breaking strong so we only got in to our knees. No boogie boarding or swimming were possible.

The parking is tricky and feels like you are on private property but we found some. The trail in between 2 homes. Easy dirt trail at first then super steep down to beach. It was strenuous but our 9 year old managed okay. Calves were burning on the way back up! Would not be manageable if it had rained.

Definitely a highlight and a memorable adventure. Highly recommend checking it out!

The servers were very nice and quick about things. My only complaint is one side of the beach is quite cramped and doesn't offer much beach space.

Spent two rainy weeks on Hanalei Bay with a group of friends whose reaction to the weather was to have several cocktails with breakfast, and continue that until bedtime. Our houseboy took pity, and one day ee went to (somewhat) Secret Beach. While we were swimming we were joined by a couple of large sea turtles. It was an incredible experience!

We took a 3/4 mile hike to the beach. It's a pretty steep incline but even knowing it would be hard (since I'm not in great shape) the view was totally worth it. Lots of rocks where the waves would crash against and you can see the Kilauea Lighthouse in the distance.

Secret Beach is a beautiful scenic beach with wild waves and a calm pond. It’s at the end of a 15-minute hike down a steep, slippery slope. Don’t wear flip flops going down this path! Tennis shoes or hiking boots only. This is not a swimming beach! The waves are tall and the current is strong. Laze about in the pond or walk on the beach. Stay off the rocks, there have been several deaths from people unexpectedly being swept out to sea.

A beautiful, quiet beach this is not easy to find, making it that much better. The stroll down is pretty and short. Certainly worth the trip. It is a long, relatively wide beach with several sections that you can find your own quiet patch of sand. Takes about 20-30 minutes to walk one direction of the beach depending on your pace. The waves roll into the lava rocks and are quite fun to watch. Would recommend bringing a picnic or some fresh Poke from the nearby market.

It's a secret alright. Very difficult to find - do not count on Google Maps to get you there. You need to follow the directions in the Kauai guidebook. But it's well worth the trip. Limited parking in a residential area and a short hike down to a large, secluded beach. It is not, however, the place to go to swim. The surf will kill you.

I'm surprised more people don't write about it, but as you go down to the beach, on the right side is the great beach where we always seem to stay an hour or more longer than we plan and on the left is the rocky lava coast that has Queen bath like pools and a 20-foot waterfall that you can shower in and swim in a rocky lagoon. Both the beach and and the rocky coast are great. If you keep going down the beach there are a few nude sunbathers and no one seems to give them any hassle. IThe beach is under cliffs and the Kapalua Lighthouse. A beautiful place. It's quite easy to find. Just go to the end of Secret Beach rd. and there is a parking spot where you walk down. The path is a little rough and there are little to no facilities.

We were told by local folks that the hike to this beach was not for anyone afraid of heights and that would be me. She said there is s good amount of cliff edge to get around so we passed on this one. Although everyone said its a pretty beach if you do make the hike.

Secret beach is an amazing beach to spend some time, we loved this beach. Highly recommend :)

The hike down was easy for us, take sturdy shoes and go barefoot on the beach. Be sure to hike in water.

Great beach for swimming, body boarding, and lounging around. Not great snorkling yesteday, pretty rough. Saw monk seal and walked the beach all the way down to the end. Quite pretty...some nudity, so if you have kids, you may want to avoid, but not overt, people just enjoying the ocean.

I had limited time to explore my favorite beaches of Kauai and the weather wasn't cooperating entirely. However, I was bound and determined to find the Secret Beach just north of Kilauea, which I had visited 25 years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter and staying at a retreat center just above the beach. On my last day of my stay I tried to get there with my phone GPS. It didn't get me that close at all. Not willing to give up, I used a current guide book and asked locals. Sure enough, I found the long pathway down to what I consider Nirvana on the island. Okay, Secret Beach is not as secret as it once once, but is is still a beautiful stretch of what seems like endless sand and gorgeous views. One part of me wants to not say a thing about it, but it it is too magical of a place, not to share. Please respect the environment if you go, and only share your Secret with the right people. I was overjoyed to return to my precious Secret.

Came very early and took the last parking spot. The trail down was slippery. A couple was ahead of us and started going down the trail. The poor lady had a coffee in one hand and a beach chair in the other. She had not made 5 steps down the trail when her feet slipped on the mud and she landed hard on her back. She was stunned for a while and I think they went back. After seeing this, we were very careful and holding on to whatever we could like branches and roots, etc. Its a long way down. Then we arrived at the beach. It was a beautiful beach but nothing special here that you do not see elsewhere. I do not think it was worth the difficult trail and the long exhausting climb back unless you are planning to spend the day here.

Secret Beach is somehow seems like it's still a secret despite being one of the most beautiful beaches you'll ever see. I think the fact that many tourists are lazy keeps this gem from being spoiled because you can't pull your car right up to the sand. I won't say much more, other than you make plan a beach day at Secret Beach. Pack a cooler.

Well tell me what beach on Maui is not? I private small intimate location. A small opening lets in in from the road and then it is awesome.

A great beach to relax on. It wasn't crowded the day we were there. Not suitable for swimming, but so glad we took the steep, short hike. I agree with other reviewers, worth the effort.

This beach is stunning! It was easy to get to, gps took us straight to the little parking lot. There is a 10 min walk down hill to get there on a narrow path. There are some steeper portions, get ready to earn your way to the sand!

Once to the actual beach it is a refreshing break from the business of other beaches on the north shore. Beautiful water, large stretch of soft sand, and pretty views on each side of cliffs.

4 stars because free swimming and snorkeling aren’t available as the waves are quite large. The surfers are entertaining to watch and enjoying from wading was perfect for us.

We will be coming back to this beach on our trip!

Once you're on the beach, it's absolutely amazing! However, if you do not consider yourself to be very physically fit, then be aware that the hike back up from the beach can be fairly strenuous and even more challenging if it's wet. That said, it's absolutely worth the effort to relax on this beach. If you walk a good bit down the beach, you'll be rewarded with natural springs coming down the wall. Look out to the end of the point and you'll see the lighthouse. I spent the afternoon at beach waiting for twilight so I could get beautiful pictures of the lighthouse.

This beach is a must-see attraction. The positives are endless:

1) Cool 10 minute hidden trail to access the beach
2) Secluded, like seriously, there are never crowds down here, but there are enough people where you don't feel totally alone.
3) In the summer, you get some good wave days where you can swim in the gorgeous water and have some fun. Just be careful, because one day we went it was a lot of fun swimming and dealing with the nice waves, but the second time we went it was too rough for those who aren't strong swimmers.
4) Amazing views out to the lighthouse and an awesome cliff backdrop where you can see some awesome houses/compounds which are owned by celebrities.
5) Gorgeous soft white sand

I could go on and on, but this is must see beach. The only negative in my opinion and it's what adds to the magic of this beach is the second time we went there weren't many people down there, particularly if you walk down 10-15 minutes and don't just setup right below the hiking point. We had about 100 yards of beach to ourselves, but on occasion you will see some unsavory characters who I believe live in tents on the beach. Nothing against them, but given how secluded and away from everything you are when on this beach, it can make you a little nervous. I would just recommend staying within a few hundred yards of the hiking point where there will be enough people that you don't ever feel totally on your own.

Again overall, this is an absolutely wonderful beach, and if you catch it on a day where you can swim, it doesn't get any better than this.

Secret Beach is beautiful....to look at! However, it is not a great place for young children to play in the water. The waves were very rough the day we were visiting and there is a significant drop off as soon as you step in the water. It is a muddy trek down (which means UP when you are hot and sandy) so taking all the beach paraphernalia would not be an option for me. Also, ran into two naked girls...smh.

This was a dry April day. The hike down the trail was ten minutes. Because it was dry. If it were muddy, it would be very difficult. Back up on this wonderful dry day even for us seniors was no big deal. Very pretty trail. Saw bright green geckos. The beach itself was broad at this season We walked the entire length to the right. We had "Keen" open toed hiking shoes which we used to cross 2 rock outcrops. The first section of beach had a few families. The next and last sections almost nobody. 3 of the 6 people we encountered were nude. We're from Europe. Nothing new here. This is a gorgeous, gorgeous setting. I swam very cautiously. Which may have been stupid. Just wonderful.

If you're looking for a quiet and secluded beach, look no further! We were tired of the crowded, commercialized beaches, especially Kohola Lagoon, with all of the resort guests. This was just a short distance from Aulani and was a breath of fresh air!

Kauapea (aka secrets) has always had transients camping there. In the early days it was locals who worked construction building the mansions that now line the cliffs above. Then it was the hippies. All this was cool. People were friendly, they smiled and often offered to share food, they were social and played music and were generally open hearted with bright spirits and a love of life. After a season or two they moved on, went to the best adventure. Their spirits, were in general clean.

That has all changed recently. There are professional homeless people camped all over 2nd beach now. And they are territorial (with the exception of one nice man who is there for personal health reasons). Their camps have taken over all the shade on second beach, and they attempt to vibe people off - projecting a "get out of my space, get off my beach feeling". Extremely unpleasant.

Now as locals, we don't get vibed off by territorial meth head new comers. We sit right there and give it back and eventually they scram until we are gone. But really, I go to the beach to relax; usually with my wife and young daughter. We don't want to deal with this crap and we don't want to see the pile of trash stuffed in little corners behind rocks. Most tourists don't observe these things. They walk right on by because they are captivated by the amazing view and the homeless are tucked back under the trees which are far from the ocean. People who live here know, we do not like it and we are waiting for the county to clean it up so we can enjoy the privacy and cleanliness of our beach again. And by our beach I mean everyone's beach - a place that everyone is free to enjoy that is not partitioned into unofficial camping territories.

Beautiful place. However it’s a very local surf spot and I was met with some very unfriendly looks. The trek down is very steep and slippery after rain. I personally wouldn’t go down with young children although I saw a couple children down there.
Nice remote beach if you’re daring to deal with the local sneers. No signs.

I know we don't usually go to the beach when it rains, but I just wanted to specify that even if it a light rain, the road to get to this secluded beach is in very bad shape so it is not worth it.

Worth the hike down to the shoreline. Can do hike in slippers, don't need shoes. Not suitable for people with severe knee problems as going down the steep slope can be difficult. Not a lot of shade near the waters edge. Bring an umbrella or sunscreen if staying for more than an hour. Ocean has a heavy shore break most of the time so not safe for very young children. Careful for strong currents and getting swept out. Otherwise, picturesque beach for laying in the sun, playing in the white wash, and taking a lot of pictures. No showers or lifeguard.

The name is on point!
There were 3 other people on this beach! Beautiful water, lot's of space if you wan to be away from the crowds...
The hike down is considerably simple and parking is easy!

Great for a couple's day or some alone time...

Indeed not so easy to find but worth it. We were almost alone and enjoyed walking on this beach a lot.

Stopped here on a tour, all I can say is beautiful!!!
The sand was so soft, no rocks anywhere with great views. Quiet and out of the way, very peaceful.

Beach is narrow and long, great place for beginner snorkelers. the wave are small and snorkel area is shallow-4 feet at deepest. lots of soft sand and black volcanic rocks make it easy to see the fish.

This beach is so so beautiful. The trail down is pretty simple (going back up not so much haha) but it’s well worth it. The beach is empty and stunning.

Just be careful of the troll who hangs out in the trail.. we ran into a local guy who was insulting tourists on their way down to the beach. He shouted some insults to us on our way down and it was pretty scary considering we were the only ones there at the time.

Funny story we actually ran into the same guy while buying groceries at the Foodland in Princeville. Turns out his name is Ethan…pic below so you can keep an eye out for him. Stay safe and enjoy this wonderful beach!

Note to self when searching for this beach on GPS type in secrets beach trail so it takes you to the right location. Park along the road and follow the half mile trail to beach. Be careful because its muddy and can be pretty slippery. The hike down is worth every minute at this breathtaking beach. It was our last stop at the ocean before heading home nd was one of the most beautiful on the island! If you want to swim that may not be an option because the waves and currents are fairly strong here but we definitely had fun playing in the water near shore. 0

If using Google Maps, use “trailhead to the secret beach” to get to the primitive roadside parking area near the trail. Someone may have been trying to keep the location secret by making “secret beach” directions a bogus locale on Google Maps. As others have said, expect a hike.

The waves were too rough to snorkle and enjoy things. I don't know if it's a year round thing on this part of the island.

We loved the less crowded and friendly beach visitors.

Great Beach. Hike down to beach can be arduous but worth it. Popular surf spot. Parking is very limited so get there early or you'll need to wait for something to open. Offers a lot of shade as well. Pretty good snorkeling as well as swimming.

The path down to secret beach is very challenging. We were there after several days of rain so it was muddy and very slick. You do not want to bring much with you and should use a backpack to carry down what you do bring. The path is not ideal for small children. The beach is beautiful. So glad we found this place!

Nice small kine hike.
Wear real shoes, no slippahs! Secluded and beautiful. Swimming here was perfect. Not an all day destination but a short layover is more the ticket.

Hike to the beach is gorgeous and straight down hill. Hike out of the beach is....well...straight uphill. The trail is mud, so if it has been raining it is very slick and hard to hike up. There was only one other person on this beach while we were there - a little hippy kid who was a little sketchy. Other than that, it was very serene, beautiful and private. We went in February, and the ocean was too "angry" to swim in the lava pools, but it was still fun to climb up on the mounds of lava rock. It was a fun adventure for me and my husband for the day. I do not recommend taking young kids along for the hike.

Very pretty beach, but you will have to work a bit for this one. Google Maps did a good job of getting us to trail head, only parking is street side. If it has rained hard, the trail is steep enough to be slippery. Not a long trek, but challenging. Worth the effort, really a pretty beach. For an easier trek, try Donkey Beach.

Tricky to fine. Once you turn off Kilahiwai road (the first one heading north, because there are 2) There are no signs or markers to locate the road, but it's the first road that is made up of red clay. Take it all the way down and you can park at the end. It appears as though it's private residence, don't be intimidated. I arrived early so there were no cars to indicate it was ok. I did however, heed all warnings about the unattended parking that the rate of car break ins there. DO NOT leave valuables in your car. Leave them where you're staying or on your person. From there the "path" down to the beach is more of a hike. I didn't time it but I'd guess at least 20 minutes. Once you hit the beach it is truly one of the most spectacular beaches. A long stretch of sand to walk up against a lush cliff of greenery. There are people that live on this beach, so be aware and courteous of them. At the end you see the lighthouse. The surf was not swim friendly, so I'd definitely say this is more of a walking beach, especially since the trek down and back up are quite a little hike, bring water. If you want to spend time and swim, skip Secret Beach.

You will need some type of book or guide to get you to this beach since the indication from the road are pretty sparse but the additional effort is well worth it. This is a huge beach with a great view of the coast. It is pretty quiet considering the beach is extremely wide and long and few people makes it here.

I lived on Kauai for 6 years...any beach or place you go is to die for! Try to get off the "cattle paths" of the normal tourist places...there are dozens of hidden places to go to make you feel alone on a tropical island. I can't say enough about Kauai! I returned in 2014 but lived there for years!

I'd highly recommend this beach as a lesser visited, very picturesque, quiet beach (though it's not quite a secret). It's a fairly large beach, so if you are looking for solitude, as we were, you can almost certainly find a secluded spot away from other people. We didn't go in the water, but the swimming conditions looked pretty good. The only caveat is that the hike to the beach is a short walk (10-15 minutes), but is VERY steep at times. It can be pretty tiring, especially coming back up! Fortunately, it was dry on the day we visited, but it could potentially be a bit treacherous if the trail were muddy.

Had read about it, heard about it. Morning we went (to avoid any crowd) was misty/wet. We started down the pathway, which started out great. Oh, a pair of surfers drove up before we left the parking lot and warned us (it might be muddy). Well, we got as far as where it really goes downhill steeply, and yes it was very muddy/slippery, we tried it, but gave up, knowing we might get hurt trying to proceed further. Left and short while later it started POURING rain. So probably good we didn't go on - if we had, it would have been even more difficult getting back up the hill from the beach. We did get some nice photos looking down towards the beach from a clearing...oh well...next time.

We visited this beach on 3 separate times during our 11 day trip. The conditions varied each day. The first day was very rough surf and I wouldn’t suggest swimming unless you are a strong swimmer. We actually had a lifeguard in our travel group 😁, while the 2nd visits were calmer and swimming was enjoyable. The walk down to the beach was a Bit tricky but the kids loved the adventure. Definitely a must stop if you are looking for waves to swim on the North Shore and not just snorkeling. Parking was ample and easy to find .

Found this beach through the "blue book." Parking was obvious. It was about a 5-10 minute walk down a hill. The water was quite choppy, so there was no swimming for us this day. After a bit of sitting around, we called it a day and hiked back up the hill. Not exactly this easiest access of a beach, but

If I hadn't been tired and hot already, I would have explored the surrounding tide pools and surrounding beach a little bit more. Apparently there is a waterfall where you can rinse off.

This is a beautiful beach, but I'm not sure it's worth the work. Parking is limited, the precarious downhill hike and rough waters that limit swimming add up to a nice day in the sand. There are lots of other beaches that can offer that and more with much easier access.

This is by far my favorite beach on the Island of Kauai. Its not overly easy to find, but hey sometimes you have to work for the hidden pleasures. Its a short walk downhill to the beach (let me tell you, that walk will feel awful on the way up). Its a local favorite beach that many surf at. It features expansive white sandy beaches with some less than forgiving water. Would not recommend swimming for beginners. There isn't much in the form of shade so be prepared to get some color.

There are additional treasures associated with this beach as well. Once you come down onto the beach to your left you will find the lava pools. Absolutely gorgeous areas with some great pools for swimming. If you are adventurous enough to travel all the way down through the lava pools and climb up and over a rock wall you will find a small waterfall. Totally worth the trip to get to it. Makes for some great pictures.

You will definitely need water shoes for this adventure. The Lava is sharp as glass. Enjoy!

A short hike leads to one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. Surf was way too strong for swimming - don’t bother bringing snorkeling gear or expect to go deeper than your knees in the water. Bring a book and plenty of refreshments, and if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, take a walk down to the east side! In this empty end of the beach, folks may just hang out to dry.

This beach is quite large and not too remote.The hike to secret beach is much easier than to Queen's Bath and parking is a bit larger. There is ample shade if you need to get out of the sun. If you go to the left at the bottom of the trail, it takes you to the tide pools. However, when we visited, the surf was way to angry to attempt to get there.

Pretty little hike with tons of flowers to get down to this beach. The water is bright blue and you can see the lighthouse! Perfect beach to post up for the day with food and drinks. The water looked pretty intense when we were there so I am not sure about swimming.

The name of this beach caused us to find it. We saw it from the nearby lighthouse park and wondered how to get there. It takes a 15 min steep downhill walk from the parking lot ( and remember back up) to a long and wide pristine beautiful beach. There are no lifeguards or amenities on this beach and the tide is more aggressive than other beaches. I would not recommend it for small children but it is great for a beach walk and is right next to the Lava Pools.

Beautiful beach, with warning signs of how many deaths from the rough waters. It was a steep trail & also muddy when we were there. So wear good shoes & maybe take a walking stick.

Don't even try googling this beach as she will not direct you to the right place. It is on the east side of the island near the town of Kilauea. Ask a local person how to get there. This beach is not for everyone as it requires you to park and walk and then hike down on a trail to the beach. Wear good walking or beach shoes as it is just a bit slippery if wet or slightly steep to get down to it. There is no lifeguard, and the waves definitely had some undertows and there were hardly any people in the water. There were surfers there however just a few when we went, but it was not very crowded. It is really lovely and you can see the lighthouse in Kilauea from there too. We enjoyed the walks along the ocean, and the hike down is pretty with some cool vegetation to see just near the path. A beautiful house also near where you park that is stunning. It is worth the hike and the white sand beach is awesome.

This is quite a superb beach and it is not easy to get there, but without question worth the effort.

Great beach. Off the beaten path and worth the hike down there. Do your research on how to get there. Enjoy

This beach is stunning and empty. The road down isn't too bad and we were able to get very close parking (along the residential road), although when we returned to our car we noticed the line of cars had tripled. The short hike down isn't bad - our six year old managed it easily - but is likely very slippery after a rain. There are lava rocks/tide pools on the left as you come down and more beach to the right. The waves do crash very close to shore, so it's difficult to enter the water. If you able to get just past where they break, its a nice swim. But, I think we visited on a fairly calm day. I'm sure there are days where swimming is unwise. If you walk about 10 miles down the beach from the path down ( to the right), you may be able to see little water falls coming off the clips to the rear of the beach. We noticed a few people in a shallow cave there and walked over later to explore - there were about a dozen small waterfalls trickling down the cliffs where you could wash off after your swim. Truly paradise.

This was one of our favorite beaches we visited. I would recommend getting there early as there are not very many parking spots. People seemed to be parking on the side of the road leading to the parking lot which seemed to work for them.

To get to the beach you have to go on a little hike down from the parking lot. The hike was not bad at all but I imagine if it had rained at all prior and the ground was wet it could be slippery going down the trail.

The beach itself is beautiful. There are not many people at this beach and there is a ton of room for everyone to spread out. The beach is surrounded by cliffs and jungle which makes the setting very pretty. The trees also provide shade to pull your towels under to avoid the sun.

The waves here were quite large. There were some surfers out playing but otherwise it would not be a good beach for swimming. I attempted to boogie board a little bit and got destroyed by the waves.

Great beach for spending the day enjoying the scenery and laying out on the beach but would not recommend for swimming.

To get to this beach, a difficult hike needs to be done. On e you are here, this beach is ok, just ok.

Arrive on the beach after the hike down and walk left to the rock. On day one the kids played in the small pools created in the rocks. On day three the wavers were so high we watched as they exploded over those same rocks. Amazing. Not crowded. Beautiful.

Depending on the time of year, (mainly Winter) East and North Side beaches can be breezy with dangerous surf conditions. This is one of those places. Another beach to the South almost connects with this one, if you can climb over some rocks, you can get to it.

Pretty secluded, but shows up on GPS maps, so not hard to find.

Adequate parking at the end of the dirt road entrance. Steep 1/4 mile walk to the beach. No services, no lifeguard, no restrooms.

Some guides say this beach sometimes has nude sunbathers, but didn’t see any.

We visited Secret Beach at 3pm in March, so parking was a bit more open, and the beach was not very crowded. The hike down is steep. We did it in flip flops and were fine. There are small water falls and beautiful bird calls as you make your way through a small patch of "jungle". The wind had picked up which blew sand, hard, against our legs. There is a shaded section, near the hill where there was no wind. At the water, the sand was too wet to be blown. My kiddos, 13, 11 and 9 loved body surfing in the waves. It is a bit scary, at first, as there is a drop off, but it's not very deep. There was a slight riptide so we monitored the kids' "drift" and got them to shift over periodically. There is an awesome sandbar that allows you to walk out farther. Tide pools are easily accessed by an easy climb on a lava field. We only stayed for a couple of hours, but one could easily picnic there and relax.

The beach is very nice, it’s a thicker grain sand though, so if you want a soft, fine sand beach, this is not it. The hike down was very easy, but it was dry and I was wearing running shoes. I saw people in flip flops struggling. There is shade, but no facilities. There were a few surfers and a couple people wading in. It didn’t look like the best place to swim, at least not in the winter. It is relaxing and if you walk further down you’ll be pretty much by yourself. Bring water and have fun!

A short trail leads down through a forest to Secret Beach, which is really three beaches side-by-side. The Kilauea Lighthouse is on the bluff at the far end. Great walking, watching surfers and spinner dolphins. Our guidebook, Kauai Trailblazer, cautioned us to watch out for sleeper waves along the shore and I'm glad we paid attention. One couple was knocked down at the shoreline, but scrambled to safety. BTW: This book has directions to many other beaches on this coast that are more of a 'secret.'

We stayed at the St. Regis in Princeville, and on of the employees recommended us scoping out Secret Beach, as we really wanted to see the Queen's Bath, but our little one was way to small for that. It was a little difficult to find, but not too bad. There's a "path" to get down there, that's not too hard to traverse, but if you are a bit uneasy about inclines, you might have to skip it. We loaded up the little one in a kiddie pack, and made the way down. It's gorgeous down there, and more than likely you'll have the place to yourself. There were a few little tide pools for our daughter to play in which was nice. The surf is pretty intense here being on the north shore, without any reef breaks, so I'd advise against going in the water, and also be careful on the rock formations as big waves can come up and cover them without warning. Overall, really glad we checked it out, it was very cool!

Very picturesque beach, the walk down the path take a little effort but the view and the beach are worth the effort.

Well, this beach was BEAUTIFUL, but on the downside I had to hike my out of shape self up out of the beach. It was worth it though, beautiful!

Another spectacular beach. You can see the light house from here. The sand is amazing and the waves were big. It was nice that it was not crowded. There is a yucky hike back up when you are done, but very worth it.

But worth the trip. We arrived around 10:30 AM and got a front row to the waves crashing in. It's wind was really stong so we could not go in the water but enjoyed the spray. I don't understand how in such a large beach with only 3 groups of people we get a family of 5 to set by us within 10 feet of us. I did not enjoy listening to them talk about face book and scream so we moved cuz the beach is large. The hike down is easier than up but well worth the journey!

We loved Secret beach- it was gorgeous, not too crowded and well worth the hike. I almost hate to review so it doesn't become even more known. We will definitely go back!

My favorite beach on our stay! It was quite a hike down and back up but it was so worth it. I wore flip flops and managed just fine

Its not marked too well, but any map and following Google's directions will get you to the parking area. You wont be alone, its a popular starting point for surfers and although its not the most popular tourist attraction, there will be at least a few other obviously rental cars parked at the start of the trail to the beach. The trail isn't to hard, but is steep at certain spots and can be slippery. The incline on the way back will get you more winded than the walk down. We saw a few elderly people at the start of the trail and told them it wasn't the easiest and they said they would be careful. We thought it would be really hard for them.

Once on the beach there are good places to jump in and swim with the waves. You can also look at the multi million dollar properties all around the cliffs above.

Pack carefully so you don't have to carry a ton of stuff, but plan on being here for at least half a day and enjoy your own paradise. Wish we could be back on Secret Beach!

Secret Beach is on of the most beautiful beaches in the world--forget about Hawaii. Unspoiled beach that stretches for over a half-mile with spectacular views of the pounding ocean and Kiluea Lighthouse. It's hard to find and harder to get to--it is a 10-15 minute severely downhill walk to get to the beach, so it's not for the faint of heart of those with physical conditions that preclude such a trek. It's also not for snorkelers or those who want to play in the waves.The ocean is a bit snarly here. But, if you want peach and beauty and true Hawaii, check it out. Just don't tell anyone!

This beach was the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen! The hike to it is a bit strenuous but so worth it! Don’t carry too much gear with you. I had a backpack and was fine, but my husband carried an ice chest and a couple of beach chairs, and he struggled a bit. He made it there and back, though, so it can be done. You make it to the end of the jungle trail and see through the clearing a magnificent beach with turquoise water and black rocks on either end with the lighthouse in the far off distance. Absolutely amazing!

Had a terrible time getting to this beach. Pathway is muddy and extremely slippery. The mud here is more greasy than on mainland. Then when we finally did find it it was so full of people you couldn’t enjoy it.

As other reviewers have said, it is not safe for swimming at all. Big shore break close to shore, lots of current and virtually no access if something bad happens. Do not bring your children!!! Very dangerous.

The rain dumped on us at one point - we took shelter under some trees and luckily it didn’t last too long. A local told us that this area gets a lot of rain. So check the weather forecast before you go.

When we got back from our slippery climb up the hill we were greeted by sketchy looking people in the parking lot. They didn’t threaten us or anything but I didn’t feel safe and was glad our car hadn’t been broken into.

If you’re looking for a secluded beach - we much prefer next to Lydgate park. Miles of beautiful white sand with scarce a soul along it, and you can come back to restrooms, a shower, and a safe swimming spot with snorkeling.

There is a short hike down to the beach.
The beach is stunning, huge waves. Surfers.
Take a picnic and enjoy a day at the beach.

My favorite spot in the world. USE to be harder to get too and actually a Secret. Love this place so much, tempted not to right a review for selfish reasons.

First dirt road off the paved road... 10 minute down a step path. After you park your car, park yourself away from the water's edge and enjoy! maybe under the shade of the trees... rope swing on breach...we dove in the big waves on our last morning of vacation. Some guidebooks mention clothing optional folks... yup, we tried that, too. Mahalo!

While this isn't the ideal beach for swimming, it is one of my favorite beaches for how quiet and beautiful it is. I've never seen more than 10 people there at a time, so it feels like your private beach. Definitely worth the hike - if you can find it.

n our ten day trip to Kauai we did a lot of beach hopping and had Secret Beach on our list. Prepare ahead of time to have the best experience.

Couple things to know before you go:

-There is about a half mile hike down to the beach. It can be slippery and muddy and the roots can trip you up. Even when the trail is dry, it is quite steep, which can make for tricky climb down and a tough climb back up.
-This is not a swimming beach. Even on the calm days, tall strong waves break right at the shore and over rocks. It’s a beautiful secluded beach so if you get hurt in the surf or need emergency services becoming distressed, it will be difficult for anyone to get to you in time. Even when you are walking at the edge of the sun dune, waves can still reach up there.
-Walk down the beach to the lava pools where you can get in and enjoy a nice calm relaxing swim (depending on depth at the time). We were able to get chest deep in several of the pools.
-It’s very exposed so hydrate and use sun protection.
-Although the name suggests it’s privacy, there will still be people there, just not the crowds you might expect at the other beach locations on the island. We saw maybe a total of 10 people while were there. While that makes for relaxation, it’s another thing to be aware of in case you need help or have an emergency on the beach or the on the trail. Cell service can be spotty also so make sure someone knows where you are.

Tourists beware- this area is very isolated and you may run into some strange people. We didn’t feel safe here and are glad we didn’t hike down to the beach. As we were pulling into the parking area, a strange gypsy couple came walking from the direction of the beach path. We turned the car around to leave & they came over to our car window and asked for a ride “to the end of the road.” (Which wouldn’t have done them much good anyway, as the road led to the highway, and would still have been miles from the nearest town). The young man was covered in rings, hoop earrings, and glitter. We politely said No and drove off. The man was doing a weird dance and flipping us off as we drove away. When we got to Kalihiwai Road, a truck deliberately swerved towards us (a couple of local men). We didn’t feel welcome in this area. I’m sure it’s a beautiful beach, but there are some areas tourists are better off avoiding.

This was our favorite beach of our 10 days on Kauai. We don’t like crowds, prefer off-the-beaten-path places, have 15 & 17 yr old sons who love the big waves, and like to hike/explore. This one hit all our boxes. This is what you picture when you think remote tropical island hidden beach! If you type in the beach’s real name in GPS, it takes you way off base. If you are coming from Lihue, 1/4-1/2 mile after you pass the Shell station take the RIGHT onto Kalihiwai Road. If you are coming from Princeville, it’s a LEFT on the SECOND Kalihiwai Road (yes, it wraps around and intersects Kuhio highway twice). Go completely around the bend (NOT the road ON the bend) and just ahead take the dirt road that goes up a hill on the right. Plenty of parking along the sides of the road. If you get a good spot up front, as you are leaving, tell the next car you see coming in that there’s a spot open down in front (someone did that for us – paying it forward). The entrance to the beach is at the btm, couple boulders mark it.

Only takes 5 minutes to hike down but beach is so wide and HUGE, with thick soft sand, takes another 5-15 minutes to get to water and down to wherever you want to be. No crowds, no cell service, BIG waves (broke the boogie boards from Walmart), beautiful cliffs, LONG/WIDE beach so can have your privacy. There are warnings about walking on the volcanic rock and getting hit by rogue waves (deaths). It’s pretty obvious where that could happen. We hiked along the rock back away from the ocean, closer to cliffs. If you hike left (when facing the ocean), get to a cool little waterfaill (pic attached) and tide pools. My 15 yr old son did it barefoot (crazy), I had Keens hiking sandals.

Note: the Shell station has a Subway in it. Good idea to grab subs/drinks there and pack picnic lunch.

This is my favorite beach on Kauai. It's private and secluded. You have a little bit of a hike to get there but it's not bad. A must see for sure!

My husband and I went to Kauapea Beach (Secret Beach) last week. It is nature at its most magnificent. I thought it was a gay, nude beach. I was wrong.
We saw 3 other gay male couples and a lesbian couple there. And there were dozens of straight couples. So while it is gay friendly, it is not a gay beach.
Of the many other people there, there were only 4 or 5 who were nude. The beach is remote enough so nudity is possible but it is not the norm.
Secret Beach is a long beach. It is probably 3/4 of a mile long so those who want to enjoy it nude could do so safely at the far end of the beach.
The pathway to the beach is challenging but possible if you take it slowly and carefully.

I will give this beach a top rating because it is magnificent. I'll give it a low rating if you want a gay nude beach.

There is a creek you have to cross to get to the beach but it is only about knee deep. Not a problem for someone going to the beach.

This was a hidden gem. As the name reflect it is a secret. We were told by local Hawaiians and we almost missed it. We spent most of the day. Really liked it.

While quite frankly this was tricky to find, it was worth the adventure of searching for it. The trail down to the beach looks like a beautiful and lush jungle and isn’t too long but is rooted and a tad steep in sections. I did get bit by something there but did not see any bugs. We were fine with flip flops although if it had been wet would have been dicey. We actually hiked out in bare feet as there is no wash off station and no bathrooms. The surf is rather rough but the beach itself is a place one could take in all day. Pristine and expansive beauty. Perfection with caution...do not turn your back to the wild waves!

The hike was a bit more than we realized, but well worth it! It is fairly steep, muddy, rocks & tree roots so a bit slow going- although the local "youngsters" were carrying surf boards barefoot down the hill! It was slippery in spots & don't step on the roots as they are very slick. Slow going down, but the beach is amazing! Lava rock tide pools were beautiful & the view of Kilauea lighthouse makes for a pretty picture. The surf was pretty rough, so just walked on the water's edge. Getting down to the beach was a fun & challenging part of the adventure. The hike up was much slower.... we didn't realize how steep it actually was!

What a beautiful place! This beach doesn't have a sign on the road to indicate where to go so there're few people here. A friend had heard about it from a local and googled the location so we could find it. It's possible the hike to get there that keeps people away also. There're only about 15 parking spots. The walk down is easy to moderate...need to watch where you step so you don't trip over roots and the wooded area along the way is shaded and gorgeous! Once you get to the secluded beach, there're signs warning you not to get on the rocks. Waves were high and this isn't a beach to swim at. Not sure if this is normal for this area but the day we visited there's no way you could get into the water. Standing on the beach alone was challenging with the strong current. View of the Kilauea lighthouse was magnificent. The trek out is difficult (if you're not one to hike uphill a lot) but it's definitely a place to see!

A steep walk that would be a challenge in the wet. Beautiful beach that is fairly quiet.
The real beUty lies in the beach and Rick walks to find the hidden gems of coves and views. If you’re up here do it.

While a little off the beaten path requiring a short drive on a dirt road off of KalihiWai Road, once you make your way down the 1/2 mile trail, your breath will be taken away especially if the surf is huge.

The wide and long stretch of beach is met with some boulders from ancient lava rocks and you can see the iconic Kilauea Lighthouse in the distance.

No amenities like showers or restrooms and unless you are an experienced waterman, don't even think about going for a swim when there are waves breaking onshore.

Kauapea/Secret beach isn't hard to find, & it's a fairly short walk from the parking area to the beach. It was very private the day we went; there were literally only 8 other people on the beach. Be warned: I believe nudity is allowed on Secret Beach; we saw one couple strolling along the water in the nude.

The 'lava pools' are located on this beach, adding to the beautiful sea-scape. I had read online about people 'swimming' in them, but that didn't seem possible to me. They were too small & the waves were way too rough. If you walk to the right side of the beach, there is a nice view of Kilauea Lighthouse; you can see the lighthouse on the cliff.

This beach is a little more off the beaten path, which we liked. Get good directions because you have to take a dirt road. The parking is limited and appears to be right outside a few beach houses (so don't block their driveways!). Once parked, you have a ~1/4 mile straight downhill walk (you'll notice it's a hill when you're coming back up it for sure) to the beach. Once there, the beach is quite long and you can walk another 1/4-1/2 mile toward the Kilauea lighthouse to find a secluded spot to hang out. Warning: there were more than a few nudists (we were in the minority leaving our suits on).

Ok first of all, the name is highly misleading as it appears there is nothing “secret” about this beach. On the day we went, there were lots of people there. Not complaining because there is plenty of room. Getting to this beach is the real challenge. Do NOT rely on your vehicle GPS as it takes you to the wrong place. Other reviews have the directions so I’m not going to repeat it. Just follow those directions. Once you park, it’s about a 15 minute hike that is much more tiring than it appears at first glance. It’s also slippery and muddy. Wear good hiking shoes and be careful and proceed cautiously and you will be ok. It’s worth the effort. The beach is stunningly beautiful with huge waves that rival those at Polihale Beach on the western side of the island. The waves and undertow are very strong. Don’t recommend swimming unless you’re fit and a good swimmer. The mountains behind the beach add to the beauty. The hike back up the trail is quite tiring but, as I said, is well worth it for the experience.

This is a Gem that is hidden. Only locals know where this beach is, since there is no signs to show you where to go. There is parking there and along the side of the dirt road. If you're not into a steep hike uphill and downhill this beach might not be for you. But if you're willing to do the hike it's worth the camera shots. It's not a beach to swim at because of the strong under toe. If it looks calm be warned as the waves come in quick and strong and will come fill the whole beach at times. Watch if you're going to take pictures on the rocks as waves will come up and can be slippery or the rocks break off at times. No washrooms or food here. Enjoy

This beach is worth the hike down, but keep in mind that you need to hike back up so this wouldn't be recommended for super young children, the elderly, or anyone with health issues. It's not a swimming beach because the surf was strong but you will pretty much be one of the few on the beach so it's nice to just soak in the beauty, have a picnic, read, nap, and explore. It's the most beautiful beach that we visited on our trip to Kauai! It is a very special place and we would definitely return in the future.

Lovely spot, very quiet. Love the cliffs surrounding the massive beach. Hot, very soft deep sand. Worth even a fifteen minute stop to see.

This is my favorite beach. My wife and I spend most of the day here (or Larsen's beach) every time we visit Kauai. It can be a little slippery approach after a rain but if you are remotely active it should not be an issue. The farther you go down the beach the less people and clothing you will see. The last section is typically one or two couples enjoying the sun au naturel. Great spot to sit all day in solitude. Over a ten day visit we encounter maybe one solo guy walking the beach more interested trying to get a peak, but you can easily see them coming from a distance. Great spot for newbies.

Beautiful, vast, and definitely not cozy. You can't swim here, it's far too dangerous. There's no coral reefs protecting you from the vast ocean like at some of the other beaches. There's one death a week due to water incidents, 75% are tourist. It's so hot, and not to be able to bathe in the ocean after such a long walk in (19 mins, steep, dirt path) made this beach not so great for me during my valuable vacay time. I wouldn't recommend it.

We went to this beach for the beauty and were not disappointed. We didn't even plan get in the water. There were very few people on the beach. We loved the waves crashing on the rocks. We could have stayed there for hours, just watching the waves on a beautiful day, but had to hasten on. There was not a lot of parking, but we were able to find a space. The hike down and back was not bad at all, although the trail is fairly steep.

We hiked down early morning. Please note the path is wet and steep so take your time! No one was down there, we had the whole place to ourselves. This is not a play to swim but definitely a place to walk and potentially lay out. Beautiful views, would definitely recommend!

A beach that is reached via a steep, muddy path throug the woods. Its NOT advisable to go into the water in wintertime due to the dangerous rip currents and shorebreaks. Bring water and a snack!

Tranquil relaxing scenic beach you will pretty much have to yourself to enjoy every minute you are there.

This is a beautiful place of relaxation! Hard to find...follow trip advisor recommendations and Kauai Shaka app for best directions! Hike is steep and substantial in places. Aqua shoes worked great--any sure footed shoes are highly recommended. Would not recommend going after rain--very muddy/slippery trails if wet. View is definitely worth the hike! Sand is soft and sticky. Waves are intense--not a good spot for swimming. You'll basically park between homes and follow the path by the rocks at the end of the "cul de sac." No place to rinse off sand or restrooms. Recommend take snacks with you. Have fun in this beautiful romantic place!

Best beach in Kauai! Good luck finding it... Beautiful views, secluded, and relaxing. The walk down was difficult, do not wear flip flops.

It had rained earlier on but we heard so much about the beach we had to see for ourselves. I thought we were prepared with our footwear but not so. Flip flops and water shoes are not just it, you need hiking shoes because it is very slippery going down. I mean I'm a novice hiker but having hiking shoes and a walking stick would've made life easier. It gets really hot too in the forest. Do have patience and don't rush, it'll be well worth it when you reach the bottom. After the sweat and muck the sight at the bottom is just gorgeous! From tidal pools, to lava rocks, ghost crabs and a mini cave (which people decided was their own dumping ground) it's a drop dead gorgeous site. Oh? And the hike up is a lot easier, we found some walking sticks on the beach to help us on the way up. Easy peasy! A lot of photo ops!

Great secluded beach with a ton of room to spread out and be alone. Make sure you take everything you need with you, because there is nothing close by.

This is a fantastic beach--beautiful, long, backed by lovely trees. We happily spent several hours there, diving into the awesome waves, floating on the water, sitting in the sand, walking along the beach. And one old fellow pushed the experience over the top by living up to its occasional "nude" reputation. Splayed far from the waters, he barely caught our eyes, but he did make the visit even more memorable!

Not so secret as there were 40-50 cars parked along the dirt road ending at two gated homes on the western end of the beach. Maybe the secret is finding where to park. The only public access is at N22° 13.175 W159° 25.095, which I got from a GeoCache. Considering the length of this beach, you’ll have a lot of room to yourself if you go.

Trail is steep in spots (200’ of vertical) and the red clay could be very slippery if wet. Water was rough the day we went and there aren’t any lifeguards so swimming could be dangerous. Most people seemed to be lounging on the beach.

Definitely worth visiting. One of better beaches in Kauai. Did not swim, but the view was spectacular.

Be careful and try to go with a small group. If you do its a great spot. The hammocks are awesome and the turtle viewing boat ride is great. Must do!

Secret beach is a really cool place. It is a little difficult to find as the name suggests but if you do, its pretty awesome. Once you find parking, and i think there are a couple places scattered around, you have to hike down a somewhat steep trail. The hike isn't difficult other than the slope but for those who have trouble getting around, this would be very difficult. Not to mention, you have to hike back up when you leave. The beach itself is very scenic. You can see the famous lighthouse at one end of the beach. Behind the beach are rock walls with water coming down in some places. There is some shore break so you have to be careful swimming but when we were there, there was a life guard on duty. Pay attention to signage. The beach was almost empty. Plenty of space to spread out and have some privacy if you want. Might be a good place to spend a day if you pack some lunch and want a quiet, relaxing afternoon.

This large and pristine beach is worth the semi-steep trail you need to walk down to get to. The sand is lush and clear, very few people, and perfect water. But the best part: the natural spring coming out of the cliff-side that forms a sort of "natural shower".

Parking can be found by searching Secret Beach Parking within Google maps. 5-10 minute trail takes you down to the beach. Great views of the lighthouse if you go to the right, and if you venture over to the left side of the beach, you'll come across a few lava pools.

This beach was secluded and a great hike down! The waves were intense so just plan to play on the shore with young kids. We made a football field and played football and just enjoyed the scenery.

A little Difficult to get to especially if it has rained recently. The trail down to secret beach can be slick and a little treacherous after a rain. The beach is amazing! There have been times that we were the only people on the beach. You can see the lighthouse from the beach and from the lighthouse you can see secret beach also. Take a lunch. There are no signs. You have to know where you are going.

Parking to this beach is right in front of a house with the trail passing between houses, at first. It is a little bit of a walk down to this beach and a bit slippery in some spots because of the exposed tree roots. Once you reach the bottom the trail opens up to this beautiful beach. To the left there is a natural pool against the cliff wall. Also if you continue this direction you can stand on the rock formations, which makes for pretty pictures, though I would not suggest this during the winter months when the waves are quite large. It's great place to at least visit and watch local surfers.

Surfs too rough to swim, climb down is steep but OK, climb back up is a hell of a hike. Not worth it to me.

just like every other beach in Kauai, beautiful!!! The Island of Kauai is just beautiful! The secret beach does not fall short, however there is a little bit of a hike to get to it, and is a steep, so you may not want to wear your flip flops, wear something with a little support.

Beautiful beach, fairly easy to get to we just pulled it up on Google maps. After you turn right off the highway at Kalihiwai you take the second road the first turn off is a private drive. The second is Secret Beach Road, there is no sign. Trail head is at the end of the road between 2 houses. Lots of people when we went. Cars parked all along the road so you can't really miss it. Several people on the beach but enough space between us all to not feel cramped. Some great shady areas on the beach if you don't want too much direct sun. Lots of surfers, which was fun to watch. Beautiful view of the light house. The hike down isn't bad, glad I didn't wear my hiking shoes I wore Teva sandals. I saw many people wearing flip flops or bare feet. Kind of a steep hill so when you go down remember you have to make it back up! A lot of the roots etc form little steps for you. If it was longer I'd say it would be challenging but it was pretty short, around 10 minutes, and I'm in moderate shape. Again I think the secret is pretty out, but definitely a great beach to relax on!

Secret Beach is great for SO many reasons. To get there just take a right from the highway if you're headed northbound on Kalihiwai Road (just outside of Kilauea town past the Shell Station) and follow the road to the left. It's the first road on your right, which is dirt and not amazing, but go to the end and park in front of the big houses. The trailhead is to the left of their gated driveway and is marked with rocks. Follow the trail down to the beach and you're in for a treat. It's best to visit not during our winter season (October through March) because the surf won't be as bad nor the tide as high, but Secrets is not really known for it's swimming anyway. The beach is enormous, stretching to the left and the right from the bottom of the trail. The center portion you come out to is the most family friendly. You still should not be swimming here as it is dangerous even on pretty calm days, but if you want to enjoy a quick dip and a gorgeous location this is the best spot. If you head down the beach to the right you will find more nudity and local campers. If that's your scene the cliffs on that side are gorgeous and there are some natural showers to rinse off in after your swim. To the left of the trail is the best part though, although you NEED to pay attention to the water when you go. Go at low tide and during low surf across the lava rock. There are some great pools to swim in along the way and you can often see fishermen there too. When you get pretty much as far as you can go, scramble up the rock (it's not too hard to do) and you'll see waterfalls ahead of you along the rocks. You cross the small waterfalls above and do a switchback to get down below the big falls. I do not recommend this part for people with children, however, if you're an adult and are careful on the very slippery rocks under the falls it's fantastic. The water is cold and refreshing and a great distraction from the hot sunny beach. Other recommendations for Secret Beach: be careful going down the trail because it can be slippery, bring some water, and always keep an eye on the ocean.

Beach was very relaxing away from the tourist areas . My family and I love the ocean and were able to enjoy all it had to offer . Great day and lifetime memory

Beautiful trail with limited parking so go early. Trail is very doable and easy walking, but can have a few steeper areas if your knees are cranky.

The beach is stunning with views of the lighthouse and clean shoreline. The sand is soft and has plenty of shaded areas.

The trail coming up is soft enough I walked barefoot back.

This is very hard to find, and be prepared for a somewhat treacherous hike down the hill when you get there, but this is seriously one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever been to. There were probably only about 6-8 other people in sight. The water is a stunning teal color and the sand is soft and clean. The waves were a little dangerous so we couldn't really go in the water, but we enjoyed sitting in a little pool of water about 18" deep that had formed on the beach. If you love the beach and don't mind being away from it all (or if you love that like I do) then this is a must!

one of the lovliest on isle, great for the day, or at sunrise, or sunset...any time...a clean waterfall to rinse off, beach after soft sand beach...remarkable.

Well worth the short hike off the beaten path to reach this amazing beach. Lots of surfing activity to watch, amazing views of the lighthouse and a great natural water shower off the rocks after your ocean swim!!! Definitely one of my favorite beaches!!

It's a little bit of a hole down a "goat trail" and parking is pretty cramped but when you get down to the beach it's oh so worth it! Very picturesque, very quiet, great surf, and powder white sand. While on Kauai we visited dozens of beaches and this one was our favorite! Bring an umbrella and all the gear you can carry as you won't want to hike back up to you vehicle.

Fun beach just to wander on. Surf was too turblulent and powerful with undertow to feel comfortable going in more than ankle deep. Sand had this fascinating spongy-ness to it. Over on the west side (where trail drops in) there was a great rocky area with tidepool features, as well as a large wading pool formed by seawater left behind at high tide. Fun to explore this area and just watch the waves crashing on the rocks. Hike down and back is fairly strenuous, and parking area is dirt with deep ruts and potholes.

A lot of people talking about the trail down to the beach here. Luckily for us it was dry, and as such the trail was fine. I can definitely imagine it is slippery as hell if it's been raining though...

The beach is beautiful and expansive. You can walk along the beach for a long time, or if you're like us and were sick of walking after the trail, park your butt near the entrance. Even then, there wasn't anybody near us for at least 10 meters.

The main issue we had with this beach was the waves were so big, and the rip tide so strong, that we were both fearful of getting hurt or pulled out to sea! I have never seen waves like it in my life and the force of the rip tide was extremely powerful. Admittedly, there was a "high surf" warning for all of Kauai on the day we went, so the waves may have been higher than usual, but still! They must have been 10-20 ft high at times. Nearly nobody was in the water, but a few surfers went in, quickly decided not to use their boards and instead played in the waves. They clearly knew what they were doing but even then one of them got smashed hard, screamed in pain and had to get out.

I was a bit sad as this is the kind of beach I like. I love big waves, they're so fun, but these were too big to be safe. We stuck to the sand for the most part and just dipped our ankles in now and then.

On a calmer day, this would have been our 2nd favorite beach on the island, behind Polihale State Park. It's sunny, quiet, the sand is amazing and the large waves are fun when safe.

Getting down to Secret Beach was as much fun for me as the actual beach! I'm 55, and semi-fit, and didn't have a problem. The day we went was quiet muddy. But, the mud added to the fun of getting there! I felt like I was in a beautiful jungle (minus the fear of snakes)! Once you arrive at the bottom, wow!!, the areas of the beach that can be explored are endless. Take your snorkeling gear!

This is a truly amazing beach! You can swim here, lay out, picnic, or whatever you're looking for. There is quite a hike to get down and up but totally worth it! You'll recover!!

There is limited parking. The trailhead is at the end of a road in a cul-da-sac. Be respectful of the people's driveways. There is parking on the side of the dirt road as well. if you are doing the beach to swim, what you hike down with you have to hike back up.
The trail is not too difficult. Takes about 10 minutes if no rain. The house next to the trail has stairs.
The beach has views of kilauea light house. Won't see too many people my guess. It is a nice stretch of beach. Go for the views.

Gorgeous beach! Parking was plentiful but the hike down to the beach was much more than we were expecting. It’s pretty steep so like others had said pack lightly. Not a bad thing because it wasn’t very crowded and seemed like a locals beach.

None of the "special" beaches on Kauai are easy to get to. It requires scaling a steep decline in most cases and will give your legs a workout. Secret Beach was worth the effort.

Beautiful little secluded beach. Surfer hang out, but great for views and sun bathing. Not good for swimming or snorkeling due to currents and waves, but awesome beachcombing. Trail does get somewhat steep, with dirt and rocks, but very doable. Could be too muddy and slippery in heavy rain or right after

This beach was truly the most breathtaking on Kauai. We went to CJM stables and did the 3 hour horse tour with lunch to Secret Beach. This beach is worth the adventure and journey to see it.

We went on a dry day, the path is steep but doable! It would be difficult after a rain. If you pick a dry day, you have to go here!! POWERFUL waves, just breathtaking. Not a swimming beach. This is to sit back and watch the magnificent and powerful ocean. Be aware and cautious by the lava rocks because huge waves come and completely cover them— absolutely amazing to watch! If you enjoy sitting back and admiring the power of nature, this beach is for you!

this place took my breath away i cant tell you enough. the water is just like the pictures so clear to the depths. its in a quiet little place with some trees in the front when i walked passsed the trees i was nothing more then amazed.

This beach is not easily accessible, which is what makes it amazing! The views are incredible and it is a perfectly quiet hideaway. The walk down to the beach is by a steep trail so I recommend wearing good footwear (no sandals or flip flops). It is slippery and can be quite dangerous if you are not paying attention or wearing good shoes. The water is rough so I do not recommend this beach for swimming. I do not recommend taking young children down this trail. Keep in mind also, you must climb back up so if you are physically struggling to go down the trail, maybe reconsider.

this beach is actually at the end of secret beach drive in kilauea. not as secret as we though! ;)
however, perfect place with no ones around. waves are rough and dangerous but this place is still amazzzzing !

Went to this beach with friends & it's heaven on earth! Easy to get to if you follow the directions in the guide book! The beach was not crowded at all & the views were breathtaking! You can see Kilauea Lighthouse from the beach as well. It's a short hike down & would be slippery if wet but we'll worth it! We are definitely going back!

If you can find it (and that's not that hard), your reward after a 5-10 min hike is a wide expanse of beautiful beach and a cool view of the lighthouse.