Anini Beach

With a protective reef creating a beautiful and calm blue lagoon, Kauai’s Anini Beach is a great spot for snorkeling, swimming, and certain wind-like activities. Anini Beach is 3 miles long (4.8 km) and happens to be sheltered by one of the widest and longest reefs in Hawaii. The reef itself measures at 2 miles (3.2 km) long and is 166 feet (488) at its widest point, making it popular to snorkel here.

Due to its flat waves and the shallow near shore ocean bottom, Anini Beach is a fantastic place to bring the kids. The Anini Beach Park will please any type of snorkeler with the lagoon being home to numerous amounts of fish such as uhu (parrot fish), kala (unicorn fish), damselfish, boxer fish, humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa (trigger fish), and other tropical fish. Anini Beach is one of the best places to snorkel because of its calm waves and rich underwater life. Be sure to take caution when wading in and exploring due to the sharp corals. Anini Beach will attract many locals and visitors alike to try out wind-based activities, taking advantage of the park’s consistent breezes. Windy activities such as: kite surfing, kite boarding and even sail boarding are all popular in the channel cutting right through the reef just west of Anini Beach Park. Calm waters in this same channel make for an ideal spot to do some snorkeling, windsurfing, and even spear fishing. Take caution when there is high surf, this area is known to have a dangerous rip current that will form right in the channel. There have been reports of near drowning’s and even drowning’s that have occurred here. Near the reef, on the northwestern part you will find that there is a sudden 60-foot (18 m) drop that is great for diving.

Not in the mood for getting wet? Take a walk on the sparkling sands of Anini Beach. You can find lots of treasures on the beach, things like: cowries, seashells, and even the rare Niihau shell. Across from the Anini Beach Park, there is a polo field, but it can draw quite the crowd on Sundays during the summer days.

There are plenty of places to stay during your visit to Anini Beach. With plenty of vacation rentals and B&Bs near the beach, finding a place to stay will not be a problem. There are rumors that Hollywood stars like Steven Spielberg have homes on or near Anini Beach. Don’t be surprised when you see someone famous like Pierce Brosnan walking along the beach. It has been said that Anini Beach is one of Bond 007’s favorite beaches, also having a home nearby. So vacation like the stars and enjoy yourselves when you come for a visit to Anini Beach in Kauai.