The Hidden Beach
Waialua, Hawaii
Swim
This beach is perhaps more well known by it's nickname, Secret Beach but in Hawaiian is known as Kauapea Beach. However, many locals simply call this beach Secrets for short. This 3,000 foot long north shore beach is known for its size, privacy, and scenery. Secret beach is between Kalihiwai Bay and Kilauea Point and is accessed by a steep trail which is of course, not marked.
More Information
Secret (Kauapea) Beach | Kauai Beach Scoop
This beach is perhaps more well known by it’s nickname, Secret Beach but in Hawaiian is known as Kauapea Beach. However, many locals simply call this beach Secrets for short. This 3,000 foot long north shore beach is known for its size, privacy, and scenery. Secret beach is between Kalihiwai Bay and Kilauea Point and is accessed by a steep trail which is of course, not marked. This beach is great because it’s so large and vast, that many times you feel like you are one of the only people there. Keep walking down the beach until you find a spot that suits you, and enjoy this beach. Beware, the further down you march the more likely you are to be in the unofficial clothing optional section of Secret Beach.
https://www.kauaibeachscoop.com/listing/secret-kauapea-beach/
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Waialua, Hawaii
- Head southeast on Puuiki toward Powa St (0.2 mi)
- Slight right onto Cane Haul Rd (233 ft)
- Turn left onto Kealohanui St (0.3 mi)
- Turn right onto Goodale Ave (0.5 mi)
- At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto State Hwy 930/Farrington Hwy (0.7 mi)
- Continue onto HI-803 (5.8 mi)
- Continue onto HI-99 S/Wilikina Dr (1.4 mi)
- Slight right toward HI-750 S/Kunia Rd (236 ft)
- Turn right onto HI-750 S/Kunia Rd (7.9 mi)
- Turn right onto the Interstate H-1 W ramp to Waianae (0.5 mi)
- Merge onto I-H-1 W (5.3 mi)
- Continue onto HI-93 W (19.3 mi)
- Turn right onto Satellite Tracking Station RdRestricted usage road(2.0 mi)
- Turn left to stay on Satellite Tracking Station RdRestricted usage road(1.7 mi)
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.
Other Swimming Holes Nearby
Kaena Point
Waialua, Hawaii
1.4 miles WA dramatic lava shoreline on Oahu's western tip with sweeping views of the Waianae coast, Mokuleia, and the Pacific — a place of deep spiritual significance in Hawaiian tradition.
Swim
Mokuleia
Waialua, Hawaii
2.5 miles EA long sandy beach on Oahu's North Shore with a shallow reef, access to surf spots including Park Rights and Day Star, and year-round kite- and windsurfing when Kona winds blow.
Swim
Barking Rocks
Waianae, Hawaii
3.8 miles SEHead towards Wai'anae on the Farrington Highway and watch for signs marking Barking Rocks. Can swim or boogie board but watch out and don't crash into the rocks.
Swim
Makaha Beach
Waianae, Hawaii
7.5 miles SMakaha Beach on Oahu's leeward coast offers swimming, bodyboarding, and surfing — best in summer when the ocean is calmer; strong shorebreak and rip currents in winter.
Swim
Hale'iwa Beach Park
Haleiwa, Hawaii
9.9 miles EA 19-acre North Shore beach park with a large grassy picnic area, the Kalili Surf Center, offshore surf at the Hale'iwa break for all levels, winter surf contests, and dive sites including the Hale'iwa Trench.
Camp, Swim
Waialua Bay
Haleiwa, Hawaii
10.0 miles EA north shore Oahu community hub with snorkeling, surfing, sailing, scuba diving, swimming, and fishing, plus world-class golf at the nearby Turtle Bay Resort.
Swim
Keiki Beach
Haleiwa, Hawaii
10.8 miles EKe Iki Beach Bungalows is located between Sunset Beach and Wiamea Bay less than an hour from Waikiki. Enjoy sun and surf in the winter or snorkeling, diving, swimming, sailing in the summer.
Swim
Waimea Bay
Haleiwa, Hawaii
13.0 miles EThe birthplace of big wave surfing on Oahu's legendary North Shore, Waimea Bay draws the world's best surfers for powerful winter swells and hosts world-renowned surf competitions November through February.
Swim
Velseyland
Haleiwa, Hawaii
14.5 miles NEA feisty, high-performance right-breaking wave on Oahu's North Shore that needs a medium-small west swell, breaking best at three to five feet with rights that wedge into perfectly formed tubes throwing out two or three times per wave.
Swim
Banzai Pipeline / Pupukea
Haleiwa, Hawaii
14.6 miles NEHome to the Banzai Pipeline, one of the world's most famous surfing waves, Ehukai Beach is wide and sandy with calmer summer waters that may be safe for swimming.
Swim
Sunset Beach
Haleiwa, Hawaii
15.4 miles NEThe legendary North Shore surf spot on Oahu, known worldwide for massive winter waves and the history of big-wave competitions.
Swim
Paradise Cove
Waianae, Hawaii
16.1 miles SEA 12-acre oceanfront luau estate at Ko Olina on Oahu's leeward coast with Hawaiian entertainment, arts and crafts, games, traditional food, dances, and magnificent sunset views.
Swim
Kawela Beach
Kahuku, Hawaii
17.8 miles NERocky and sandy beach near Sunset Beach with great reefs, tidepools, and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving in summer — exceptional sunsets along this North Shore stretch.
Swim
Ko'olina Beach
Kapolei, Hawaii
18.7 miles SEA public beach park within the Ko Olina Resort Community on Oahu's west side, tucked between upscale vacation resorts, a man-made lagoon, and the Ko Olina Marina.
Swim
Turtle Bay
Kahuku, Hawaii
18.9 miles NETurtle Bay on Oahu's North Shore is named for its large green sea turtle population, with surfing, diving, and fishing beyond the nearshore reef at the entrance to the legendary North Shore.
Swim
La'ie Point
Laie, Hawaii
22.6 miles EA quick scenic stop on Oahu's Windward/North Shore with sweeping views of the coastline and a clear look at Goat Island just offshore.
Swim
Nimitz Beach
Kapolei, Hawaii
22.6 miles SELocated at Barber's Point, offering good swimming amenities despite to the coral reefs. The offshore area is excellent for surfing.
Swim
Kualoa Beach Park
Kaneohe, Hawaii
27.3 miles EA calm, peaceful beach park in Kaneohe with a large grassy area buffering you from nearby road noise — just the break Oahu's busy vibe sometimes calls for.
Camp, Swim
Sand Island
Honolulu, Hawaii
30.2 miles SEAn arid coastal park in Honolulu fronting a small sand beach with picnicking, camping, shore fishing, surfing, and good views of Honolulu Harbor and ocean sunsets.
Kayak, Swim
Ilikai
Honolulu, Hawaii
33.7 miles SEA landmark oceanfront high-rise at the western end of Waikiki, the Ilikai was Hawaii's first luxury hotel when it opened in 1964.
SwimNearby Campsites
Hale'iwa Beach Park
Haleiwa, Hawaii
9.9 miles EA 19-acre North Shore beach park with a large grassy picnic area, the Kalili Surf Center, offshore surf at the Hale'iwa break for all levels, winter surf contests, and dive sites including the Hale'iwa Trench.
Camp, Swim
Kualoa Beach Park
Kaneohe, Hawaii
27.3 miles EA calm, peaceful beach park in Kaneohe with a large grassy area buffering you from nearby road noise — just the break Oahu's busy vibe sometimes calls for.
Camp, Swim
Sandy Beach
Honolulu, Hawaii
42.6 miles SEPowerful shorebreak and strong currents make Sandy Beach a dramatic spectacle — experienced bodyboarders love it, but red warning flags fly most days for good reason.
Camp, Swim
