Are North Shore beaches swimmable in mid April

Question

My wife and I (mid 60s) are making our first trip to Hawaii in a few weeks and will be spending 9 days on Kauai as part of a longer trip visiting the 4 main islands. We are going to be splitting our time between Poipu (4 nights) and Princeville (5 nights) as we wanted to get a feel for each area of the island. We do want to spend some relaxing beach time with the ability to be able to go in for a short dip while sunbathing. So my question is is mid April still too early for calmer surf on the north shore? If our objective is to spend some solid beach time, should we look into seeing if we could switch our itinerary, if possible) to spend 5 days in Poipu (rather than 4) and one less day in Princeville? Thoughts?

Answer

Great question. Short answer: yes, it’s quite possible that in mid-April the North Shore of Kauaʻi could be *too rough to swim safely*. Whether it’s a good idea to switch more of your time to Poipu depends on how risk-averse you are about ocean conditions and how much you really want “relaxing beach dips.” Here’s a breakdown of what you should know, based on recent data and typical seasonal patterns.

How Conditions on the North Shore Typically Look in April

North-facing shores of Kauaʻi are very exposed to ocean swells, especially from the north and northwest. According to the county’s own beach safety guidance, the North Shore can have “high surf, ocean currents and hazardous shore conditions” even outside of extreme seasons.
Recent high-surf warnings and advisories have occurred even in early April. For instance, on April 6, 2025, Kauaʻi County officials advised no swimming or ocean activity along north-facing shores due to dangerous surf and current conditions.
The surf forecast near that time also shows that surf heights on north-facing shores can fluctuate — sometimes falling to levels that might look more manageable (~4–6 ft), but other times increasing again with new swell pulses.
Some of the popular North Shore beaches are also inherently risky: for example, Lumahaʻi Beach is known for strong currents and undertow, making swimming unsafe for much of the year.

Are There Any Relatively Safer Spots on the North Shore?

Yes — but they are limited and not always guaranteed calm. For example, Hideaway Beach (Pali Ke Kua) under Princeville cliffs is more protected and can have calmer, clearer water when surf is lower.
That said, such spots are *very situational*: even protected beaches can become dangerous when swells pick up, and there may not always be lifeguards. As noted by locals, strong currents and steep gradients are common.

What Do Locals and Frequent Visitors Say? (Reddit / Community Insight)

Some visitors suggest that many North Shore beaches are not reliably “swimmable” in spring: > “I don’t ever consider getting in the water in the north shore … I will stick to where I’m expected … so I’ll avoid the risk.”
Others point out that even calm-looking days can turn rough quickly: > “Go where there is swell … I had fun … but still didn’t always feel safe. Better to be cautious.”
For very calm floating or swimming experiences, some recommend protected spots outside north-exposed beaches — e.g., Lydgate “ponds” or more sheltered east / south beaches.

So, Should You Change Your Itinerary?

Here’s how to think about it:

If your main goal is relaxing beach time + safe dips, Poipu (or other more protected southern or eastern beaches) is generally a safer bet in mid-April than the North Shore. The south and east sides tend to have more consistent, calmer, and family-friendly water conditions.
If you really want to experience the North Shore, especially for its scenery, cliffs, and beach walks, staying in Princeville still makes sense — but plan to treat the beach time there more as *viewing and soaking in the surroundings* rather than guaranteed swimming.
As a compromise: you could split your days so that you enjoy the best of both worlds — perhaps use one or two mornings in Princeville for safe walks, photos, or very cautious dips (checking surf daily), and most swimming / relaxing beach afternoons in Poipu (or another safer area).

Practical Tips for Your Trip:

Check daily surf reports: Use a local surf-forecast site or talk to lifeguards / ocean-safety bureaus once you're on the island (they’ll know current conditions).
Know the beach: Before entering the water, observe the waves for a while. Watch where waves break, and never assume “just because it looks calm” means it is safe.
Swim smart: Choose beaches monitored by lifeguards if possible, especially with unpredictable conditions.
Be flexible: Build some flexibility into your plan so if the North Shore is especially rough one day, you can pivot to more sheltered beaches instead.

My Bottom Line: Yes — there is real risk that the North Shore may be too rough for safe, relaxed swimming in mid-April. For a trip where “relaxing beach time with dips” is a priority, investing more nights (or beach time) in Poipu or other calmer, southern/eastern shores is a very reasonable and likely wise decision. That said, keeping a night or two in Princeville is still worthwhile for the views and the feel of North Shore Kauaʻi — but don’t count on it as your go-to for casual swimming every day.