Discover Pakamoi Beach on Kauai, a rugged and raw destination with a deserted island vibe.
- Region: South Shore
- Best for beachcombing.
- Hike-in beach located in a secluded corner of Kauai.
- Stay out of the water due to powerful waves hitting the rocky beach.
- No lifeguards, restrooms or showers.
- Hot, with little shade. Sun protection and hydration are highly recommended.
- Accessibility: Drive to Mahaulepu Beach and hike half a mile, or hike 3-plus miles from the Grand Hyatt Resort.
- Map: Google Maps
Pakamoi Beach is a desolate, windswept beach located at the far eastern end of Kauai’s publicly accessible southern coastline. Few visitors make it as far as Pakamoi Beach, and an improvised beach shack constructed from driftwood only adds to the deserted island vibe. With strong waves pounding the rocky beach, it’s best to stay out of the water. Beachcombing is a favorite activity at Pakamoi Beach, with the strong waves washing ashore a variety of debris and beach litter. It’s sunny and hot here, and with little shade, you will need to have sun protection and plenty of water.
Pakamoi Beach is situated beyond Gillins Beach and Mahaulepu Beach. The easiest way to reach the beach is to drive to Mahaulepu Beach and then hike east for about half a mile along the rocky coastline. The drive to Mahaulepu Beach follows Poipu Road past the Grand Hyatt Resort, where it turns into a bumpy dirt road. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended, but plenty of two-wheel drive vehicles easily make the journey. The road is on Grove Farm land, and the gate to the road is closed at 6 PM sharp (opens at 8 AM). You will need to keep this in mind on your visit so that you do not get stuck behind the closed gate. (Beyond the beach is a fence that marks prohibited private property. Haula Beach lies about a quarter mile past the fence.)
If driving is not an option, Pakamoi Beach can be reached via a hike on the Mahaulepu Trail along the coastline or on the dirt road, a distance of about 3.2 miles (one way) from the Grand Hyatt Resort area. Overall, though driving to the area makes the beach easier to reach, it precludes late afternoon and evening visits due to the gate closure. A hike provides greater flexibility on times, and allows a visit during the Golden Hour when the beach is at its finest.
Though the beach is barren and desolate, there is a raw natural energy at Pakamoi Beach that you will not find at many other Kauai beaches. The energy of the crashing waves set against the backdrop of Kawelikoa Point is an awesome spectacle and deserving of a visit.
One note on the name: the beach itself does not have a widely recognized or documented name. For the purposes of this article, Kauai Magazine has adopted the name Pakamoi Beach, as it sits along Pakamoi Bay near a point commonly referred to as Pakamoi Point. In speaking with local residents familiar with the area, we found that most did not have a specific name for this stretch of shoreline. However, some locals informally refer to it as “Haula One” (or Haula Beach 1), since it comes before the better-known Haula Beach—sometimes called “Haula Beach 2” in this informal naming system—which lies about a ten- to fifteen-minute walk farther east.
