Kauai Lagoons Beach and Other Questions

[Katfan]

Hi Tuggers,

In a couple weeks we will be at Kauai Lagoons. On VRBO a couple who actually own a unit showed a picture of "Running Waters" beach which they said was right across the golf course from their unit. I did some research and it seems there really is a beach down a very steep path. Has anyone gone down there? Is it safe for swimming? We usually spend most of the day exploring and then go to beach/pool later in the afternoon unless we happen across a stunning beach in our travels where we just have to stop. It would be nice to have an option other than Kalapaki down the road. We will enjoy the Kauai Lagoons pool and understand we will have to supply our own happy hour libations.

This will be our first visit to Kauai and will be there for a week with 2 other couples (spending a week on our own first at Maui Ocean Club). So far the only reservations are a boat trip with Napali Experience - 6 to a boat so we will have it to ourselves - and dinners at Hukilau Lanai (sp?) and Gaylord's. Do people have favorite restaurants/things to do they could suggest. Waimea Canyon and a trip to the North Shore are on the radar. Maybe some golf - the guys are really good and the women relative newbies - but since no one is bringing clubs it could get too expensive.

Thanks in advance for your help. My DH and I may do a presentation if the incentive is good enough. Will post back with info if we do.

 

[GregT]

Hi Tuggers,

In a couple weeks we will be at Kauai Lagoons. On VRBO a couple who actually own a unit showed a picture of "Running Waters" beach which they said was right across the golf course from their unit. I did some research and it seems there really is a beach down a very steep path. Has anyone gone down there? Is it safe for swimming? We usually spend most of the day exploring and then go to beach/pool later in the afternoon unless we happen across a stunning beach in our travels where we just have to stop. It would be nice to have an option other than Kalapaki down the road. We will enjoy the Kauai Lagoons pool and understand we will have to supply our own happy hour libations.

This will be our first visit to Kauai and will be there for a week with 2 other couples (spending a week on our own first at Maui Ocean Club). So far the only reservations are a boat trip with Napali Experience - 6 to a boat so we will have it to ourselves - and dinners at Hukilau Lanai (sp?) and Gaylord's. Do people have favorite restaurants/things to do they could suggest. Waimea Canyon and a trip to the North Shore are on the radar. Maybe some golf - the guys are really good and the women relative newbies - but since no one is bringing clubs it could get too expensive.

Thanks in advance for your help. My DH and I may do a presentation if the incentive is good enough. Will post back with info if we do.

There is a tiny beach just below Kauai Lagoons and a dirt path that goes down from the cliff down the beach. It's mostly lava rock with a small sand area -- you will see some (adventurous) boogie boarders but no swimmers and no one sitting on a beach chair. It's not that kind of beach. The surge is heavy and the area is beautiful for walking along the rocks, but that's about it.

My son and I went down there several times because there is a blow-hole (really a blow crack) that is impressive, some great tidepools, and just beyond there is another hidden big blow hole that is very cool to climb up and look down upon. The big blow hole is not for the faint of heart though.

I definitely would not expect it to be a place to relax at the end of the day, but worthy of an exploration if you are so inclined.

Best,

Greg

 

[DeniseM]

Here is an aerial view - the only beach that I can see is not below the resort - you would have to traipse across the golf course to get there. All beaches in Hawaii are public, but the golf course is not, and it is probably very steep to get down there.


*Greg - you posted while I was working on mine - is the beach in my picture the one you are talking about?

 

[cowboy]

Lots of locals use this beach. It has pretty large waves and probably not suited for swimming. Kalapaki beach would be much better although access is about a half mile away from the lagoons by shuttle. Guests at the Lagoons can use the beach at the Kauai Beach club but not the beach chairs and pool.

For things to do and places to eat try Dukes, Casa De Amichi, Beach House Restuarants. Golf at the Kauai Lagoons and Poipu Bay. Go to Waimia canyon, Anini beach, spouting horn, Allerton Gardens.

Buy Kauai Revealed before you leave home and read on the flight over for things to do and see.

 

[GregT]

*Greg - you posted while I was working on mine - it the beach in my picture the one you are talking about?

Denise, thank you -- yes this is exactly the beach I am talking about.

You can also see the big blow hole "pool" (which is empty in this picture) -- it is in front of the unfinished construction for the planned Ritz Carlton. Water comes surging through the openings to the ocean on both the south-side and the west-side and is very impressive.

Thanks again!

 

[Katfan]

Thanks for all the info. Think we will skip Running Waters but if my DH gets antsy (he just cannot sit still for long) he may check out the blowhole. Off to DC for a wedding so will not have time to reply to other helpful responses until next week. Staying at the Renaissance Mayflower for $97/night thanks to special MR rates. Happy Labor Day weekend to all.

 

[dioxide45]

Here is an aerial view - the only beach that I can see is not below the resort - you would have to traipse across the golf course to get there. All beaches in Hawaii are public, but the golf course is not, and it is probably very steep to get down there.


*Greg - you posted while I was working on mine - is the beach in my picture the one you are talking about?

Denise, thank you -- yes this is exactly the beach I am talking about.

You can also see the big blow hole "pool" (which is empty in this picture) -- it is in front of the unfinished construction for the planned Ritz Carlton. Water comes surging through the openings to the ocean on both the south-side and the west-side and is very impressive.

Thanks again!

I thought the beach was actually the one in this Google Maps Satellite view that is further east of the resort? At the end of Ninini Pointe St. It tends to be frequented by locals who sometimes give the tourists dirty looks now and then when going to their "local" spot. Guess I was wrong, never made it there myself.

 

[GregT]

I thought the beach was actually the one in this Google Maps Satellite view that is further east of the resort? At the end of Ninini Pointe St. It tends to be frequented by locals who sometimes give the tourists dirty looks now and then when going to their "local" spot. Guess I was wrong, never made it there myself.

Dioxide, that's a great link. I wish I'd known about that beach when we were there -- Jack and I could have explored that and he would have been thrilled to find a secret beach like that (and I would have been thrilled by his enthusiasm).

If you follow this to the West, you will eventually come across the blow cracks and also the big blow hole pool. Very impressive Google Earth pics -- wow. The big blow hole pool is really tricky to climb and view -- please be careful if you want to check it out.

Thanks for posting this!

Best,

Greg

 

[BocaBoy]

For things to do and places to eat try Dukes......

Duke's (at the Kauai Marriott Resort) is our favorite restaurant on Kauai. In addition to the normal excellent food and service you find at all Duke's locations, the one on Kauai has a fabulous salad bar included in your meal. And the prices are not outrageous for what you get.