Hawaii Salt Pond Beach Park kauai Beach Guide
Hawaii’s only natural salt ponds that are still used to make salt sets Salt Pond Beach Park apart from other areas of the island. The way it works is saltwater is placed in large containers and then allowed to evaporate. A little more water is added and the mixture is placed in containers that are more shallow. Then, it evaporates again. This process is continued until lots of salt crystals are left behind.
The beach here has two points and it is a favorite place for locals to congregate and enjoy the beach. A natural rock barrier connects the two points, which makes for a calm pool of water inside. This protected ocean water is a great place for kids to play as long as it is low tide. It can become more dangerous during high tide.
Arriving at Salt Pond Beach Park simply requires taking Lele Road in Hanapepe.
A safe, usually calm beach that is also home to one of the only remaining, actively used salt ponds in Hawaii. Native Hawaiians still collect salt here using the traditional methods used by their ancestors. You cannot enter the salt production area without permission, but can watch the practitioners of this ancient art at work as they perform the meticulous tasks of collecting seawater in special pans molded out of red soil and then evaporating it to get the salt, which is then bagged and made ready for sale. The beach itself is protected by rock outcroppings at either end, making it ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and body surfing. Tide pools created by lava outcroppings and old salt pans are fascinating places to explore. Restrooms, showers, and well developed picnic facilities with tables and grills make this a great place to spend a day. Camping is also available.
Named for it's traditional Hawaiian salt collecting ponds, this beach is protected by an outside reef with potential good winter snorkeling, fishing and swimming (conditions vary). Public parking, bathrooms and showers.
Things To Do
* Swimming
* Bodyboarding
* Sailing
* Fishing
* Paddling
* Beach walks
* Family days
Cool Because
Protected cove in trade winds is a favorite Monk Seal hangout.
Hazards
Dangerous waves breaking on rocks, ledges and reefs. Sharp coral and slippery rocks.
Topography
Sandy beach is a little steeper than most. Shoreline has mixed sand and rock shelves. Mostly sandy mixed with reef underwater. |
