Hanapepe Salt Ponds
Hanapepe Salt Ponds
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4.0
68 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
25
Average
15
Poor
5
Terrible
1
katy j
San Francisco, CA112 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
We spent a couple days relaxing on the beach at Salt Ponds. The surf is calm and protected by a reef. Ideal for small kids and family fun - no rocks under the surf and totally easy to get and out of the water. Lifeguard is on duty which is a great plus.
We stayed until sundown and it was absolutely beautiful. We also found quite a few pieces of beach glass (see pic) along a nice walk around the shoreline. Unfortunately we did notice a few cig butts in the sand which is really sad to see at such a nice beach.
Around sundown, when the lifeguard goes off duty, campers come in and it’s somewhat transformed into a campground on the grassy area. Mostly men camping and seems to be a place where many may “live” - still felt totally safe but wouldn’t hang out after sundown.
Enjoy the day the sun and gentle surf and excellent swimming! We will definitely visit again. Aloha!
TIP: Get the app Island Gypsy KAUAI. It’s a great audio tour that will take you around the island and pick up your route based on your location. Find out about island history, SUPER directions to beaches and waterfalls, etc. Also some great tips on food. I have used Island Gypsy on the Big Island, as well, and love it. Worth the price and you get so much more out in your time on the islands. 👍🏼
We stayed until sundown and it was absolutely beautiful. We also found quite a few pieces of beach glass (see pic) along a nice walk around the shoreline. Unfortunately we did notice a few cig butts in the sand which is really sad to see at such a nice beach.
Around sundown, when the lifeguard goes off duty, campers come in and it’s somewhat transformed into a campground on the grassy area. Mostly men camping and seems to be a place where many may “live” - still felt totally safe but wouldn’t hang out after sundown.
Enjoy the day the sun and gentle surf and excellent swimming! We will definitely visit again. Aloha!
TIP: Get the app Island Gypsy KAUAI. It’s a great audio tour that will take you around the island and pick up your route based on your location. Find out about island history, SUPER directions to beaches and waterfalls, etc. Also some great tips on food. I have used Island Gypsy on the Big Island, as well, and love it. Worth the price and you get so much more out in your time on the islands. 👍🏼
Written 25 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia L
Atlanta, GA48 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
We visited in January, which is not the time of year for salt processing. There are no signs there to give one information about the process. We just happened to see a car parked and asked the woman inside if she knew about the ponds. Lucky for us! Her family is one of the families who work the ponds. She gave us lots of information and told us how the process works.
Look up on youtube: Traditional Saltmaking in Hawaii (May 2009) to see how the people work the salt beds.
Summer time would be a wonderful time to visit because you would be able to see the people actually work the beds.
Look up on youtube: Traditional Saltmaking in Hawaii (May 2009) to see how the people work the salt beds.
Summer time would be a wonderful time to visit because you would be able to see the people actually work the beds.
Written 16 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David K
Sudbury, MA71 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
This is a sleeper surf fishing spot, frequented by locals. Take Lokokai Road, as though headed to ponds and park, then turn left on Kaalani Road, the small sand/dirt road before the park. Head toward the beach and go as far as you can. The best fishing is along the rocky outcroppings that lie to the left of the beach (all the way around the end of the airport runway). If your vehicle is not appropriate for soft sand, park near the end of the runway and walk in with your gear. Walk past the basalt ridges and head for the rocky point not far down the beach. Noisy, floating lures work well under twilight conditions and keep snags to a minimum. I had the best luck with raw shrimp tossed weightless into deeper pools. The area produces a great variety of fish, from plentiful reef fish to bonefish. So flyfishermen may enjoy wading here as well.
Written 3 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel On Mississippi Girl
Hattiesburg, MS67 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
On our way to Waimea Canyon we decided to turn off the highway and follow the Salt Pond signs. There isn’t much to the Salt Ponds, just two ponds separated by a dirt road. I have read from other reviews that you can walk down that path and if there is anyone working on the ponds they will stop and tell you about the process. We didn’t see anyone so we didn’t even get out of the car. I really wish they would put up a small store front and sell the salt to the public along with a guide to explain the process.
Written 29 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
happy4travel
Northern California1,221 contributions
May 2019
This was a great day! We had so much fun spending time at Hanapepe Salt Ponds. Our family really loved the beautiful vistas, and the kids couldn’t get enough of the turtles! This was a super nice beach, wonderful for the kiddos! Enjoyed the sunset and the beach waves! Perfect day!
Written 16 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy R
San Jose, California40 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
If you want to see how ancient Hawaiians produced table salt from the sea, you can see it today - very similar to how it was done when the first people arrived. Salt Pond Beach is where you can see several family salt ponds. The work happens in the summer, when the sun dries the salt water fastest and the rain doesn't dilute the saline pools. You can't disturb the pools but you can get an idea of how the work is done. If you go in the summer, maybe you can find out from the folks how they produce the salt. You cannot sell it but you can make it for your family or for gifts.
Written 18 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daveb914
San Jose, CA915 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
Salt pond park is right next to salt pond beach. this is a historical place in the Hawaiian culture that is still in use by some local families. To see people still using the land as their ancestors did is amazing. While at the Kauai Museum the docent said that the salt taken from here is used as a gift exchange and never sold, as it is viewed as sacred. Nice to see that some traditions are still kept in place.
Written 10 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
danogle
Corvallis, OR11 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
We have enjoyed the famous salt from this island on a few occasions. Going to see the ponds was on our list of things to do during our visit to Kauai. It is not at all what we expected. It is very interesting. There is nothing "touristy" about the ponds. We learned afterwards the ponds are controlled by a few native local families. We were told they wanted to honor tradition and keep the ponds original and traditional. We found that to be wonderful. Don't expect anything exciting when you go there.
Written 5 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne M
Kaysville, UT195 contributions
May 2016 • Family
This is a really interesting local hang out. Next to the beach and at the end of a private airport, is where they have been drying salt for generations. The area is the perfect place to end your day with a sunset and dinner. Respect the area, the traditions there have been around a long time. Actually respect all of Hawaii and it's culture - it's the least we can do to enjoy such a beautiful paradise.
Written 7 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cnewport15
Orlando, FL58 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Not too much to see here, but if you know the history of the Red Salt, or what to see how they produce their Sea Salt, and are on the West side of Kauai, it's worth a drive by.
Written 24 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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