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Sunrise and sunset
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Salt Pond Beach Park in 3D
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Drag to spin · Blue P: parking · White line: walk to the sand · Heights doubled; waves are for illustration, not a surf report ·
Closures and alerts
Closures and advisories
- The County lists Salt Pond Beach Park (park and pavilions) as closed after Hurricane Lowell, with no reopening date.
- Named in a County update about closures: Oct. 27, Hurricane Lowell recovery, County of Kauaʻi services update.
Official alerts
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Conditions
Surf
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Weather
Tide
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Parking and access
Parking
A free lot at the park in Hanapēpē.
Getting to the sand
A short walk from the lot to the sand.
Lifeguard
Guarded. The County of Kauaʻi Ocean Safety Bureau staffs a lifeguard tower here.
About Salt Pond Beach Park
Salt Pond Beach Park is on Kauaʻi's West Side in Hanapēpē, named for the traditional Hawaiian salt beds beside it. About two dozen families with inherited rights still make paʻakai (Hawaiian sea salt) here each summer, drying seawater in clay-lined beds.
The beach is a curve of sand with a rocky reef offshore, on the dry, sunny side of the island. People come to see the salt beds, for snorkeling and picnics, and for the sunsets. The park has a lifeguard tower, restrooms and showers.
Salt Pond Beach Park is a beach on Kauaʻi’s West Side, on the south-facing coast. A County lifeguard tower covers it. Its surf follows the National Weather Service forecast for South-facing shores, and its tides follow NOAA’s Port Allen station. Facilities: restrooms.
Questions
Is Salt Pond Beach Park open?
The top of this page shows any closure or advisory that the County of Kauaʻi, the State (DLNR) or the Hawaiʻi Department of Health has posted for Salt Pond Beach Park. We check every 3 hours. If our last check is more than a day old, it says “Status unknown” instead of guessing.
Where is Salt Pond Beach Park, and how do you get there?
Salt Pond Beach Park is on Kauaʻi’s West Side. Its public access point is at GPS 21.89752, -159.60729. Directions in Google Maps. The map on this page shows lots that OpenStreetMap marks as public.
Is there a lifeguard at Salt Pond Beach Park?
Yes. The County of Kauaʻi Ocean Safety Bureau staffs a lifeguard tower at Salt Pond Beach Park. Check in with the lifeguard before you get in the water.
Where do you park for Salt Pond Beach Park?
A free lot at the park in Hanapēpē.
Does Salt Pond Beach Park have bathrooms?
Yes. The County lists comfort stations (public restrooms) there. Showers aren’t on the County’s list. Source: County of Kauaʻi Parks.
Can you swim at Salt Pond Beach Park?
That changes day to day with the surf, and this site doesn't make that call. Check the South-facing surf range above, any alerts, and the lifeguard on duty. Hazard ratings for guarded beaches are at hawaiibeachsafety.com.
Can you snorkel at Salt Pond Beach Park?
People ask this a lot, and the answer changes daily. Snorkeling depends on small surf on the south-facing shore and clear water, and this site doesn't make that call. Check the surf range above, any Health Department brown water advisory (listed at the top of this page when one is posted), and ask the lifeguard on duty.
Report conditions
Just there? Tell us what you found. Reports never change this page by themselves.
Sources
- Closures: County of Kauaʻi, DLNR, Hawaiʻi Department of Health
- Surf, weather and alerts: National Weather Service Honolulu
- Tides: NOAA station 1611347
- Parking lots on the map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Sources last checked October 26, 2026.