Is there a brown water advisory on Kauai right now?

Check the live status at the top of this page for current Kauaʻi brown water advisories. Kauaʻi receives more rainfall than any other Hawaiian island, making brown water advisories more frequent here. The north shore (Hanalei Bay) and east side (Kalapaki Beach) are most commonly affected.

Why does Kauai have more brown water advisories than other islands?

Kauaʻi is home to Mt. Waiʻaleʻale, one of the wettest spots on Earth, receiving an average of 450 inches of rain per year. This extreme rainfall feeds dozens of rivers and streams that discharge into the ocean around the island. Combined with approximately 10,000 cesspools still in use on Kauaʻi, the frequent rain events flush large amounts of sewage, sediment, and agricultural runoff into the coastal waters.

What is the water quality on Kauai today?

Current Kauaʻi water quality depends on recent rainfall and active advisories. Check the live advisory status at the top of this page. After any rain, follow the 72-hour rule before swimming. Kalapaki Beach near Līhuʻe has chronic contamination from Nawiliwili Stream and has failed 100% of bacteria tests since 2016, making it a concern regardless of recent rainfall.

Is Hanalei Bay safe to swim in after rain?

Hanalei Bay receives discharge from four rivers and streams plus runoff from over 360 cesspools in the Hanalei watershed. After rain, the bay can see significantly elevated bacteria levels. The DOH recommends waiting at least 72 hours after rain stops. We cannot advise that any beach is safe — always check the latest DOH advisories and use your own judgment. Poʻipū on the drier south shore is generally less affected by rain events.

Which Kauai beaches have the worst water quality?

Kalapaki Beach near Līhuʻe has the worst documented water quality on Kauaʻi, with a 100% bacteria test failure rate since 2016 due to chronic contamination from Nawiliwili Stream. Hanalei Bay has elevated bacteria after rain due to four stream discharges and 360+ cesspools. The north shore beaches generally see more brown water events due to heavier rainfall. Poʻipū and the south shore tend to have better conditions year-round.

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LIVE STATUS · KAUAʻI

Kauaʻi Brown Water Advisory

Live advisory status for every Kauaʻi beach — the wettest island, Mt. Waiʻaleʻale drainage, Hanalei Bay cesspools, and the 72-hour rule

Checking for active Kauaʻi brown water advisories…

Kauaʻi brown water advisory = stay out of the ocean. Kauaʻi is the wettest Hawaiian island — Mt. Waiʻaleʻale averages 450 inches of rain per year. That rain flushes sewage from ~10,000 cesspools through rivers and streams into the sea, spiking bacteria up to 500% above safe limits.

⚠ The rule: Wait at least 72 hours after rain stops — even if the water looks clear and no advisory is posted. Clear water ≠ safe water.

Most affected on Kauaʻi: Kalapaki Beach (100% bacteria test failure since 2016), Hanalei Bay (4 stream discharges + 360 cesspools), and north shore beaches. Poʻipū on the drier south shore is less affected.

Why Kauaʻi Has More Brown Water Than Any Other Island

Kauaʻi receives more rainfall than any other Hawaiian island. Mt. Waiʻaleʻale, in the island’s interior, is one of the wettest spots on Earth with an average of 450 inches of rain per year. This extreme rainfall feeds dozens of rivers and streams that discharge into the ocean around the entire island.

Combined with approximately 10,000 cesspools still in use across Kauaʻi, frequent rain events flush large amounts of sewage, sediment, and agricultural runoff into coastal waters. The result is that brown water advisories are more common on Kauaʻi than on any other island.

The Hanalei Bay problem: Hanalei Bay is one of the most iconic beaches in Hawaii, but it sits at the base of a massive watershed. Four rivers and streams discharge into the bay, and over 360 cesspools in the Hanalei community drain into the same watershed. After any significant rain, the bay can see dramatically elevated bacteria levels.

~10,000

Cesspools on Kauaʻi

450″

Avg annual rain at Mt. Waiʻaleʻale

100%

Kalapaki bacteria test failure rate

360+

Cesspools in Hanalei watershed

Kauaʻi Brown Water Drainage Zones

North Shore — Hanalei watershed

Hanalei Bay receives discharge from Hanalei River, Waipa Stream, Waioli Stream, and Wainiha River, plus runoff from 360+ cesspools. Kēʻē Beach and Tunnels Beach are affected by Nā Pali coast drainage. Brown water advisories are frequent on this coast.

East Side — Nawiliwili & Wailua drainage

Kalapaki Beach is chronically contaminated by Nawiliwili Stream — 100% bacteria test failure since 2016. Lydgate Beach near the Wailua River can also see elevated bacteria after rain. This is not just a rain event problem — it is an infrastructure problem.

West Side — Waimea & Kekaha

Salt Pond Beach Park and Polihale receive runoff from the Waimea River and western valleys. Less frequented by tourists but still affected by brown water events after heavy rain in the interior.

South Shore — Drier Poʻipū coast

Poʻipū Beach and the south shore sit in Kauaʻi’s rain shadow and receive far less rainfall. Fewer streams reach the coast here, making brown water events less common. This is Kauaʻi’s best option during rainy weather.

Kauaʻi Beach Brown Water Risk

North Shore

Hanalei Bay · 4 stream discharges, 360+ cesspools

High

Tunnels Beach (Makua) · Nā Pali drainage, reef channel

Elevated

Kēʻē Beach · End of the road, stream proximity

Elevated

Anini Beach · Protected by reef, some stream exposure

Moderate

East Side

Kalapaki Beach · 100% bacteria test failure since 2016

Very High

Lydgate Beach · Wailua River discharge

Elevated

South Shore

Poʻipū Beach · Drier south shore, fewer streams

Moderate

West Side

Salt Pond Beach Park · Hanapepe area, stream proximity

Elevated

Polihale Beach · Remote west end, less affected

Moderate

Kalapaki Beach: Chronic Contamination

Kalapaki Beach near Līhuʻe has failed 100% of DOH bacteria tests since 2016. This is not a rain-event problem — it is a chronic infrastructure problem. Nawiliwili Stream carries sewage from cesspools and other pollution sources directly to the beach year-round.

Unlike most brown water situations that improve 72 hours after rain stops, Kalapaki’s contamination is persistent. The stream discharges continuously, not just during storms. This makes Kalapaki one of the most concerning beaches in the entire state from a water quality perspective.

Important

We cannot advise whether any beach is safe. The data shows Kalapaki Beach has consistently exceeded safe bacteria thresholds regardless of weather conditions. Check the DOH Clean Water Branch for the latest test results and make your own informed decision.

How Long Does Brown Water Last on Kauaʻi?

Kauaʻi’s frequent rainfall means brown water events can overlap before beaches fully recover:

Fastest

South shore beaches

Poʻipū Beach and the south coast receive less rain and recover fastest. Often unaffected even during north shore rain events. Your best bet during Kauaʻi’s frequent rain.

Moderate

West side beaches

Salt Pond Beach and Polihale typically recover within 48–72 hours. The west side receives moderate rainfall compared to the north and east.

Slowest

North shore & east side

Hanalei Bay, Kēʻē Beach, Tunnels, and Kalapaki can remain affected for 72+ hours. Hanalei Bay’s enclosed shape traps contaminated water. Kalapaki has chronic contamination regardless of rain. On Kauaʻi, it can rain again before the previous event clears.

Key takeaway

Kauaʻi’s frequent rainfall means the 72-hour clock resets with each new rain event. If it rains again before the previous event clears, stay out longer. Poʻipū on the south shore is consistently your best option.

Guide →

Swimming After Rain in Hawaii — 72-Hour Rule Explained

Guide →

Kauaʻi Beach Water Quality Guide

All Kauaʻi beaches — conditions, risk ratings, live advisories

All beaches →

Poʻipū vs Hanalei — Which Has Cleaner Water?

Comparison →

Hawaii’s Worst Beaches for Bacteria

Rankings →

Leptospirosis in Hawaii — Waterfall & Stream Risk

Guide →

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⚠️ Important Disclaimer

Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — it is not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health or any government agency. Water quality ratings on this site are estimates based on publicly available testing data and geographic analysis. They are not real-time measurements and may not reflect current conditions. “No DOH Alerts” means no advisory is currently posted — it does not mean the water was tested and found safe. DOH only monitors a fraction of Hawaii’s beaches, and some areas have no regular testing at all.

Always verify current water quality conditions with the Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch before entering the water. This site is for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for any swimming decisions.

This site is a work in progress and we want to make it better. If you notice something that isn't working right, have a suggestion, or want to share local knowledge about a beach, please reach out.

When in doubt, don't go out.