How to Get to Hideaways Beach on Kauai

Everyone wants to say they went on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. They want to experience something they can’t find at home. On the beautiful island of Kauai, adventure is abundant. Much of the island is undeveloped. Many places you cannot reach by car. Some locations in Kauai can only be reached by boat or by air. There’s even a special beach called Hideaways Beach. Curious? Many visitors dream of visiting a hard-to-find gem on their tropical getaway… And Hideaways Beach is just the place for finding that unique adventure.

Learn more about Hideaways Beach and where to find it by reading below!

What Is Hideaways Beach?

Hideaways Beach isn’t always called Hideaways Beach. Some refer to this hidden gem as Kenomene Beach. Some people also consider the Pali Ke Kua Beach and Hideaways Beach to be the same. But technically, there is a separate access point to Pali Ke Kua Beach, so it’s a separate beach.

Hideaways Beach is very secluded and difficult to access. However, it’s gorgeous and worth every moment of the journey.

How to Get To Hideaways Beach

Given the name, it should come as no surprise that Hideaways Beach is rather hard to find and even harder to get to. There are three main ways to find Hideaways Beach and none of them are an easy stroll or drive. Here’s how to find Hideaways Beach:

Hiking the Hideaways Beach Steps:

If you find the Princeville St. Regis Hotel, look for a small 9-car public parking lot near the gatehouse. On the ocean side of the public parking lot, you’ll find a small clearing and the top of a set of stairs. That set of stairs is the dangerous trail you’ll need to traverse to reach Hideaways Beach.

How bad can a set of stairs be, you may ask? The stairs are very steep. The steps are accompanied by hand ropes and bars. Even the most athletic of adventurers need to hold the railings, bars, and ropes so don’t be afraid to use them. Just keep an eye out for rust and sharp edges. And be mindful that some of the posts supporting the railing and steps have deteriorated to the point they might collapse if you grab them wrong.

During the rainy seasons, the steps get covered in mud and can be slippery. On both sides of the steps are steep drops that can injure you if you fall, so be very careful of every step you take.

The steps are about a 15-minute hike downhill and only recommended for able-bodied, athletic hikers.

Kayak Via Hanalei Bay

Remember how we mentioned some places you can only reach by boat? While you can reach Hideaways Beach by the steep and dangerous hiking trail, you can also kayak to Hideaways Beach from Hanalei Bay. This is a popular way to find Hideaways Beach around lunchtime.

You can go on a guided Kauai boat tour or a self-guided tour. If you are doing a self-guided tour, go East once you exit the shores of Hanalei Bay. Look for the large rock outcropping and the steep stairs and turn toward the shore.

If you visit Hideaways Beach this way, make sure you keep an eye out for the coral reef that mostly surrounds the beach. You absolutely do not want to touch the coral reef because you could severely damage it.

Swim or Climb Via Pali Ke Kua Beach

If you find Pali Ke Kua Beach, look for a large rock outcropping. That large rock outcropping is the only thing that separates Pali Ke Kua Beach from Hideaways Beach. If you cross that outcropping by climbing over it or swimming around it, you’ll find the sought-after Hideaways Beach. However, if you swim around it, be very careful of the coral reef.

What Can You Do At Hideaways Beach?

Hideaways Beach is a very small but beautiful beach. When the weather is calm, Hideaways Beach is a great place for snorkeling on the huge coral reef. It’s also a great spot to relax, read a book, and sunbathe.

Explore the Na Pali Coast with Kauai Sea Tours

Want to explore more of Kauai? Go on an adventure with Kauai Sea Tours! We offer exciting sunset boat tours, Na Pali Coast tours, snorkeling adventures, whale watching voyages, and much more. Our team has been providing award-winning tours since 1991, with a history of ten consecutive TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards. Our team is passionate about creating incredible adventures in paradise and we’re excited to explore Kauai with you!