The Hawaiian name for Shipwreck Beach on Kauaʻi’s south shore
Keoneloa means "the long sand" in Hawaiian, describing the wide, sweeping crescent of golden beach. The English name "Shipwreck Beach" comes from an old wooden vessel that was stranded on the shore decades ago. While the wreckage has mostly disappeared, the name stuck. The beach sits at the end of the Grand Hyatt Kauai resort in the Poʻipū area of south Kauaʻi.
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.
Top-rated experiences near this beach.
Tours listed via Viator and GetYourGuide. Safe to Swim Hawaii may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Free alerts when water quality changes at your beach — brown water advisories, bacteria warnings, and all-clear notices.
No spam. Just safety alerts for your trip.
500+ beaches and 25+ hotels across all 6 islands
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
Safe to Swim Hawaii aggregates water quality data from six independent sources to provide broader coverage than any single agency. Our sources include the Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch (beach advisories and bacteria testing), USGS National Water Information System (25 stream monitoring stations across all islands), NOAA CO-OPS (tide levels and water temperature), NDBC (wave buoys and ocean conditions), NWS Honolulu (weather and marine alerts), and City & County of Honolulu Environmental Services (Kailua Bay water testing and spill reports).
Historical bacteria risk ratings on this site are based on DOH testing data, Surfrider Foundation monitoring, geographic analysis (stream proximity, cesspool contamination areas, coastal development), and advisory frequency. These are historical assessments, not live measurements. Always check the live advisory status at the top of each page and verify conditions with the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch before entering the water.
⚠️ 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. 🤙