Lydgate Beach Park

The single best family beach on Kauai. Two rock-walled ocean pools built in 1964 provide protected swimming year-round — inner pool is shallow and calm enough for toddlers, outer pool is deeper and great for snorkeling (tons of fish, frequent turtle sightings). Lifeguard tower right there. Adjacent to the pools is Kamalani Playground — a massive 16,000 sq ft wooden play structure built by 7,000 community volunteers in 1994. Dark wood towers, bridges, slides, swings, hidden nooks. A second playground (Kamalani Kai Bridge) is connected by a 2.5-mile paved coastal bike/walking path. Tons of grass, picnic tables, BBQ grills, pavilions, restrooms, and showers. Pack a cooler and plan to spend a full morning or afternoon. Go on a weekday morning for less crowds. Even on high-surf days when other beaches are dangerous, the protected pools here stay calm. Parking: multiple lots along Nalu Rd — drive all the way to the north end for the pools and playground. Free.

4470 Nalu Rd, Kapaʻa, HI 96746