Water quality status and bacteria risk rating
📍 Hāʻena Beach Park, Kauaʻi — distinct from Hāʻena State Park
Hāʻena Beach receives significant rainfall — the nearby mountains are among the wettest places on Earth. The Limahuli Stream drains to the ocean at this beach and can carry elevated bacteria after rain. On dry, sunny days water quality historically tests within baseline.
Stay out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain. Kauaʻi's North Shore receives extremely heavy rainfall and the stream mouth can be heavily impacted. If the water looks brown, do not enter.
Hāʻena Beach is a gorgeous, long stretch of golden sand on Kauaʻi's dramatic North Shore, framed by lush green mountains and sea caves (wet and dry sea caves are nearby). Hāʻena Beach Park is a different destination from Hāʻena State Park, which serves Kēʻē Beach and the Kalalau trailhead.
Go Hāʻena lists Hāʻena Beach Park (Mākua, also called Tunnels) separately from Hāʻena State Park (Kēʻē Beach and the Kalalau trailhead). Do not apply the state-park reservation requirement to every Tunnels visit. For entry to the state park, check DLNR state-park entry and parking requirements, including Hawaiʻi resident ID exceptions. Before travel, check HDOT road restrictions and Go Hāʻena shuttle stops and policies for your chosen destination. A park or shuttle reservation does not confirm road access or safe ocean conditions. Official sources checked October 16, 2026; check again before travel.
Top-rated experiences near this beach. Check water quality above, then plan your trip.
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Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii DOH. Ratings are estimates, not real-time measurements.
Always verify with the Hawaii DOH 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.
When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙
⚠️ 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 testing data and geographic analysis. They are not real-time measurements and may not reflect current conditions.
Always verify current water quality conditions with the Hawaii DOH 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.
When in doubt, don’t go out. 🤙