Water quality status and bacteria risk rating
📍 East Kauaʻi, near Kapaʻa
Kealia Beach is a long, popular sandy beach on Kauaʻi's East Side with historically baseline water quality. The open ocean exposure provides strong flushing. However, Kealia Stream drains nearby agricultural and residential areas, which can carry runoff after rain.
The East Side of Kauaʻi (Coconut Coast) receives moderate rainfall, more than the dry south and west sides. This means runoff events are more common than at beaches on the drier coasts. The beach can also have rough surf and strong shorebreak, particularly in winter. The south end tends to be calmer.
Based on: DOH monitoring, Kealia Stream runoff potential, moderate East Side rainfall, open ocean flushing
The Department of Health recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain. Kealia Beach is near Kealia Stream, which can carry agricultural runoff and sediment after storms. The East Side of Kauaʻi gets regular rain, so check conditions carefully. Always look at the water before entering.
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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.
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When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙