The Hawaiian name for Shipwreck Beach on Kauaʻiʻs south shore
Keoneloa means "the long sand" in Hawaiian. The beach earned the English name "Shipwreck Beach" from an old wooden boat that was stranded on the shore. The beach sits at the end of the Grand Hyatt Kauai resort area in Poipu.
Keoneloa Bay generally has good water quality. The south shore of Kauaʻi is the driest part of the island, receiving less rainfall than the north shore. There are no major streams emptying directly onto the beach. After island-wide storms, check the live advisory status.
The beach has a powerful shore break and strong currents that make swimming challenging. It is more popular for walking, bodyboarding (experienced), and cliff jumping from the lithified sand dunes at the east end. Always exercise caution in the water here.
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Safe to Swim Hawaii provides water quality information based on publicly available DOH data and seasonal patterns. This is not medical or safety advice. Always check current conditions, obey posted signs, and use your own judgment before entering the ocean. Privacy Policy
⚠️ 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.
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