Shipwreck Beach (aka Shipwrecks Beach and Keoneloa Beach) is a popular beach on Kauai’s sunny south shore in Poipu. The beach is best known for its iconic cliff at the end of the beach where visitors can famously jump into the ocean, as Harrison Ford and Anne Heche did in the movie “Six Days, Seven Nights.”
The Grand Hyatt Kauai fronts a good portion of the beach and is one reason the resort is so popular with guests. Strong waves at the beach discourage bodyboarding and surfing, but the beach excels at providing opportunities for relaxing, sunbathing, beachcombing, beach strolls and sunsets. The beach gets its name for a wooden shipwreck that eventually disappeared during a storm in the 1980s.
For those staying at the Grand Hyatt Kauai, the beach is just beyond the resort’s lagoon. For others, there is a small county park with restrooms, showers and a picnic table next to the resort with parking for about 25-30 cars at the end of Ainakoa Street.
If the parking is full, park farther up the road along Ainakoa Street or on the other side of Poipu Road across from the resort.
For thrill seekers, jumping from the cliff into the ocean is a favorite activity. Although you will usually find a steady stream of jumpers, the nearby hospital also reports a steady stream of injuries from the activity, including broken ribs, dislocated shoulders and the like.
A sign has been installed on the cliff warning of the dangers, and in our opinion, the activity should be avoided.
The view from the cliff.
A small county park at Shipwreck Beach has restrooms, outdoor showers, a picnic table, plenty of shade and parking for 25-30 cars.