Salt Pond Park

Salt Pond Park, located near Hanapepe, is a great place to relax and a good place to swim and snorkle. The curved reddish-gold beach sits between two rocky points and has a protected reef, tide pools, and gentle waves.

It's a favorite of locals and is right on the ocean. Swimming is excellent because it is protected from the heavy surf by a rock wall.

Salt Pond Beach Park is a great place for swimming because it's usually safe year around and there are numerous tidepools to explore. The beach is partially protected by reef and the small lagoon it forms is great as a toddler bathing pool.

Camping is also fun activity, just make sure to get a County permit.

Hawaii's only salt ponds are still in production here and during the summer Kauai families evaporate seawater in pans to produce a natural sea salt.

The salt is used for health purposes and to cure fish and seasonal food items.

This salt is bagged and is used for cooking and medicinal purposes. The right to mine salt from the ponds is passed from generation to generation and if you're visiting at the right time you can watch saltmakers working the ponds.

Now if snorkeling is what you came here for, you'll enjoy clear waters located at either end of the pond. The various tidepools fronting the saltpans are also interesting areas to explore.

The link below leads to visitor reviews of Salt Pond Park

Calm waters easy swimming
by TexasPoetryman, texas
20 May 2008 at 4:23pm
TripAdvisor traveler rating: 5 of 5 stars

My kind of beach, peaceful,calm,not overcrowded(on weekdays).Shallow and warm with snorkeling over coral (wear reef shoes).Lifeguard ,changing areas ,showers. food and drinks available in...

Nice, but
by E-lizard, Seattle, WA
17 Sep 2006 at 12:00am
TripAdvisor traveler rating: 3 of 5 stars

For $5 a night the price cannot be beat, however this is a local hobo beach hangout. The locals were drinking until dawn and the place was ROACH infested. The bathrooms were camping bathrooms, only...

 

Locals Beach
by PAtraveler, PA
11 Oct 2005 at 12:00am
TripAdvisor traveler rating: 3 of 5 stars

This beach is used mostly by locals and was pretty busy. The water was calm so it is good for swimming, but it was a little too crowded for my taste. We got a pizza at Brick Oven in Kaleheo and took...

family friendly and quiet
by A TripAdvisor Member, Topeka, Kansas
17 Sep 2003 at 12:00am
TripAdvisor traveler rating: 4 of 5 stars

We have visited Kauai several times and love it! Salt Pond is a lovely, user friendly beach. Snorkeling is OK, very good for beginners especially. Restrooms, pavilions, and plenty of parking. It is a...