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KAUAʻI · SOUTH SHORE

Brennecke Beach

Water quality status, bacteria risk & bodyboarding conditions

📍 Poʻipū, South Kauaʻi — next to Poʻipū Beach Park

Checking live advisories…
30-Day Water Quality History
30/30 days under DOH advisory · persistent issues
Apr 15 · Brown Water AdvisoryApr 16 · Brown Water AdvisoryApr 17 · Brown Water AdvisoryApr 18 · Brown Water AdvisoryApr 19 · Brown Water AdvisoryApr 20 · Brown Water AdvisoryApr 21 · Brown Water AdvisoryApr 22 · Brown Water AdvisoryApr 23 · Brown Water AdvisoryApr 24 · Brown Water AdvisoryApr 25 · Brown Water AdvisoryApr 26 · Brown Water AdvisoryApr 27 · Brown Water AdvisoryApr 28 · Brown Water AdvisoryApr 29 · Brown Water AdvisoryApr 30 · Brown Water AdvisoryMay 1 · Brown Water AdvisoryMay 2 · Brown Water AdvisoryMay 3 · Brown Water AdvisoryMay 4 · Brown Water AdvisoryMay 5 · Brown Water AdvisoryMay 6 · Brown Water AdvisoryMay 7 · Brown Water AdvisoryMay 8 · Brown Water AdvisoryMay 9 · Brown Water AdvisoryMay 10 · Brown Water AdvisoryMay 11 · Brown Water AdvisoryMay 12 · Brown Water AdvisoryMay 13 · Brown Water AdvisoryMay 14 · Brown Water Advisory
Apr 15 today (May 15)
1 Brown Water Advisory
Trend: — stable
clean Brown Water Advisory Beach Advisory (bacteria)
Historical Pattern · 3-year monthly
January — 100% clean historicallyFebruary — 86% clean historicallyMarch — 77% clean historicallyApril — 67% clean historicallyMay — 80% clean historicallyJune — 100% clean historicallyJuly — 100% clean historicallyAugust — 100% clean historicallySeptember — 100% clean historicallyOctober — 100% clean historicallyNovember — 98% clean historicallyDecember — 81% clean historically JFMAMJJASOND
Historically cleanest in January (100% clean) and most advisoried in April (67% clean). Current 30-day window is tracking above typical May advisory frequency.
Source: Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch · Updated 2026-05-15
If It Looks Brown, Don't Swim
Never enter the ocean when the water appears brown or murky. After heavy Kauaʻi rain, streams near Poʻipū can spike bacteria. Wait 72 hours.
Learn more →
Historical Bacteria Risk
⚠ Historical rating — based on long-term testing data, not current conditions.
Moderate Risk 3 / 5

Brennecke Beach is adjacent to Poʻipū Beach Park, which the DOH monitors as a Tier 1 beach. The Poʻipū area has moderate bacteria risk due to nearby resort development and the Waikomo Stream that drains into this part of the coast. Historical DOH data shows periodic bacteria exceedances in the Poʻipū area after rain events.

Under dry conditions the water quality is generally acceptable. The main risk window is during and immediately after significant rainfall, when stream discharge can introduce bacteria. The open south-facing coast helps with ocean flushing between events.

Based on: DOH Tier 1 monitoring at adjacent Poʻipū Beach Park, Waikomo Stream runoff risk, South Shore exposure

⚠️ The 72-Hour Rain Rule

The Department of Health recommends at least 72 hours after heavy rain before ocean entry. Waikomo Stream near Poʻipū is a known bacteria source after storms. Always check the water before entering.

Brennecke Beach Water Quality by Month
January February March April May June July August September October November December
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⚠️ Important Disclaimer

Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health or any government agency. Water quality ratings are estimates based on publicly available data. They are not real-time measurements.

Always verify with the Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch before entering the water.

This site does not recommend or advise anyone to swim at any beach. We share government data and geographic analysis so you can make your own informed decisions. By using this site you accept full responsibility for your own safety. See our Terms of Use for full details.

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