Kauai Vacation Rentals

For more information, call us at +1 800 325-5701

  • Call
    +1 800 325-5701
  • Chat
    Start Chat
  • Login
  • Search

Kauai Vacation Rentals

by Parrish

  • Text
  • 800-325-5701
  • Chat
  • HOME
  • by COLLECTION
    • North Shore & Eastside
      • Anahola Collection
      • Anini Kilauea Collection
      • Cottage Collection
      • Haena Collection
      • Hanalei Collection
      • Oceanfront Collection
      • Princeville Collection
    • South Shore
      • Cottage Collection
      • Elite Collection
      • Kiahuna Golf Village Collection
      • Kukuiula Collection
      • Oceanfront Collection
      • Poipu Beach Collection
      • Poipu Beach Estates Collection
      • Poipu Kai Collection
    • Speciality
      • Beachfront Collection
      • Extended Stay Collection
      • Family Collection
        • North Shore Family Collection
        • South Shore Family Collection
      • Local Collection
      • Pool Collection
        • North Shore Pool Collection
        • South Shore Pool Collection
      • Promo Collection – Current Special Rates & Deals
      • Romance Collection
  • by PROPERTY
    • North Shore
      • North Shore Homes
        • 2 Bedrooms
        • 3 Bedrooms
        • 4+ Bedrooms
      • North Shore Condos
        • 1 Bedroom
        • 2 Bedrooms
        • 3+ Bedrooms
    • South Shore
      • South Shore Homes
        • 1 Bedroom
        • 2 Bedrooms
        • 3 Bedrooms
        • 4+ Bedrooms
      • South Shore Condos
        • 1 Bedrooms
        • 2 Bedrooms
        • 3+ Bedrooms
    • Eastside
      • Eastside Homes
        • 4 Bedrooms
      • Eastside Condos
        • 2 Bedrooms
  • by RESORT
    • North Shore
      • Emmalani Court at Princeville
      • Hanalei Bay Resort
      • Nihilani at Princeville
      • Pali Ke Kua at Princeville
      • Plantation at Princeville
      • Sealodge at Princeville
      • Villas of Kamalii at Princeville
      • Villas on the Prince at Princeville
    • South Shore
      • Kahala at Poipu Kai
      • Kiahuna Plantation Resort
      • Koloa Landing at Poipu
      • Lawai Beach Resort
      • Makahuena at Poipu
      • Manualoha at Poipu Kai
      • Nihi Kai Villas
      • Pili Mai at Poipu
      • Poipu Crater Resort
      • Poipu Kapili
      • Poipu Makai
      • Poipu Palms
      • Poipu Sands at Poipu Kai
      • Poipu Shores
      • Regency at Poipu Kai
      • The Villas at Poipu Kai
      • Waikomo Stream Villas
      • Whalers Cove
    • Eastside
      • Hale Awapuhi
      • Kaha Lani Resort
  • ELITE
    • South Shore Homes
      • Akahai at Poipu Beach
      • Hale A Kai
      • Hale Ilikai
      • Hale Luana
      • Hale Makai
      • Hale Maluhia Estate at Poipu
      • Hale Naia
      • Honu Kai Villa
      • Kauai Kai
      • Nanea
      • Sandy Beach House
      • Sunset Makai Hale
      • Villa Kailani
    • Kukuiula Makai Cottages
      • Kukuiula Makai Cottage #8
      • Kukuiula Makai Cottage #27
      • Kukuiula Makai Cottage #29
      • Kukuiula Makai Cottage #36
      • Kukuiula Makai Cottage #53
      • Kukuiula Makai Cottage #71
    • North Shore Homes
      • Kapiolani Villa at Princeville
  • CONCIERGE
    • Concierge
      • Grocery Shopping
      • Island Host
      • Private Chef
      • Weddings and Celebrations
    • On-Island
      • Activities
      • 16 Things Not to Do on Kauai
      • Sunscreens That Protect Coral Reefs
    • Travel
      • Hawaiian Airlines
      • Car Rentals
  • ABOUT
    • Kauai
      • Activities
      • Beaches
      • Blog
      • Events
      • Kauai Life
      • Shopping
      • Kauai Videos
      • Weather
      • Webcam
    • Parrish
      • Aloha Vacation Villas
      • Best Rate Guarantee
      • Contact
      • Damage Protection
      • Favorites
      • Honors
      • History
      • Jobs on Kauai
      • Press
        • Hawaii Top Workplaces
        • JP’s Forbes Feature
        • TGI – Local News
      • Press Releases
      • Rental Policies
      • Store
      • Travel Insurance
    • OWNER LOGIN
  • PROMOTIONS
  • to MAUI
  • Login
Wailua Beach
Parrish Blog
  • Activities
  • Beaches
  • Concierge
  • Events
  • Kauai
  • Parrish
  • Promotions
  • Shopping

Wailua Beach Rooted in Hawaiian History

Step onto Wailua Beach during your Kauai vacation rental stay and you are on a choice piece of land where the Polynesians first arrived and that Hawaiian Ali`i (royalty) later made their own. Native Hawaiians consider this area to be one of the most sacred and culturally significant places in the islands. During low surf you can still find petroglyphs carved on boulders and see the remains of an ancient Hawaiian heiau (sacred temple) at the southern most point.

In modern times this Kauai beach welcomed the most prominent entertainers, politicians and royalty of the 1950’s and 1960’s who stayed across from here at the historic Coco Palms Hotel. This is also the Kauai beach where Frank Sinatra was rescued during his attempt to save another life. More on that later.

Wailua means “Two Waters” in Hawaiian and is heralded by the swaying fronds of extra tall royal palms. You will find this half mile stretch of sand at the mouth of the only navigable river in the State of Hawaii, the Wailua River. The coastal Kauai Path now runs next to the beach for easy access on foot or bike.

This Kauai beach is popular with surfers and boogie boarders who like the unprotected waves. There is no reef here so swimmers need to use caution due to strong rip currents and shore breaks. Since this is where the Wailua River empties, the water tends to be murky.

Wailua Beach is a great place to stop for a picnic and there are many Wailua River activities close by. These include the Fern Grotto and paddling in a rented Kauai kayak. Also nearby is a Kauai hiking adventure at Sleeping Giant Mountain.

Visit Lae Nani: On the north end you will find Lae Nani beach with its rock protected pool for small children. The public access is across from the Shell station just after the stretch of beach along the highway. You can also see Hawaii turtles.

Hollywood Trivia at Wailua Beach: When Frank Sinatra was on Kauai in 1964 to film None But The Brave, he swam out to rescue a friend at Wailua Beach and instead got pulled out to sea in a rip current. A rescue team from the Kapaa fire station got there in time with just minutes to spare. Sinatra always felt that the people of Kauai brought good luck to him and was a frequent guest at The Coco Palms Hotel. Years earlier when his career was at a low point, he performed at the Kauai County Fair and soon after was cast in the movie From Here To Eternity which earned him an Academy Award.

Kauai Beach Tips at Wailua Beach

Facilities: No lifeguard, restrooms or picnic tables.

Caution: Swimming not advised nor Kauai snorkeling due to currents. No lifeguard on duty.

Driving Directions to Wailua Beach

Follow Kuhio Highway (Hwy 560) just past the intersection with Kuamoo Road. Wailua Beach is across from what’s left of the Coco Coco Palms Hotel. There is limited parking along the highway and also at Wailua River State Park. To reach Lae Nani or the north end of the beach, park across the street from the Shell gas station.

Bookmark our Kauai Beach Explorer to stay current on Kauai beaches and facilities. Watch our Kauai video with important ocean safety information. It’s six minutes of your time that can save your life or that of a loved one.

Filed Under: Kauai Beaches

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Currently Browsing Home » Blog » Kauai Beaches » Wailua Beach Rooted in Hawaiian History

Nearby Beaches

Keiki Cove Beach

Keiki Cove – A Favorite Poipu Beach For Kids

Baby Beach - Parrish Kauai

Baby Beach is a Poipu Resort Hidden Gem

Kiahuna Beach at Poipu | A Kauai Family Favorite

12451387 - waves crash onto lumahai beach on kauai hawaii with na pali coast

Lumahai Beach Offers Spectacular Beauty With Each Season

Tunnels Beach Offers Best Snorkeling on Kauai

Kee Beach Is A Kauai Favorite

Kalihiwai Beach

Kalihiwai Beach Starts a Perfect Day on the North Shore Kauai

Anini Beach

Anini Beach Near Princeville Resort Offers Scenic Beauty

Kukuiula Bay - Parrish Kauai

Kukuiula Bay Offers Kauai Beach for Families and Small Boat Harbor

71467922 - man enjoying in his bicycle at poipu beach, kauai island, hawaii

Poipu Beach is One of the Best Kauai Beaches

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • Contact
  • Guest Login
  • Interior Ratings
  • Rental Policy
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 The Parrish Collection Kauai Powered by Atlas

For more information, call us at +1 800 325-5701

Kauai Vacation Rentals