Lydgate Park and Beach

Kapaa, Kauai

Lydgate is the largest and most expansive park on the East Shore of Kauai and the perfect destination for vacation recreation. The soft sandy beach at Lydgate Park fronts a set of 2.6  acre ocean pools that are lifeguarded and protected from the waves and currents by huge boulder walls. This makes for the safest swimming on the Eastern Coast of the island. Home to the Kamalani Playground, a coastal pedestrian walkway and a variety of picnic grounds,  Lydgate has the potential for making a great Hawaiian day by the sea. AT A GLANCE: HIGHLIGHTS: Calmest ocean access on the East shore of Kauai, in sheltered pools. Expansive lawns,  picnic facilities,  playground and coastal paved walking path makes this a great family beach! ACTIVITIES: Swimming,  snorkeling,  sand castle building,  coastal walks,  jogging,  picnics,  field play, and a children's playground to explore. LIFEGUARD: Yes 7 days a week 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. WARNINGS! Swimming is only recommended in the protected pools in front of the lifeguard tower.  Be cautious near the unprotected shoreline. AMENITIES: Paved beachside walkway,  ample parking,  picnic benches with shelters, restrooms,  showers,  and a large playground structure. The green space in this park is impressive,  with 57 acres of sprawling park including  coconut tree groves, ironwood forests,  and expansive lawns. The Northern end of the park flanks the mouth of the Wailua River, a sacred area to the ancient Hawaiians. They built a rock walled temple here, and the remains are visible on the park grounds near the river. Traditionally in days of old, this area would have been ocean front village. With the various picnic shelters, and large event pavilion, the modern day park has a village feeling especially on weekends as local families gather for celebrations.   Lydgate Pools: Local Hawaiian born resident Albert Morgan Sr. a longtime user of the park and coastline was inspired by a visit to Europe where he saw protective swimming lagoons built along the coastline. Upon returning to Kauai he put together a proposal to create a 2.6  acre set of ponds for the park, which was eventually funded and built in 1964. The two pools are separated from the open ocean and create a safe space to swim for adults and children. The slope into the pools is gentle with soft sand bottom. Large boulders stacked in walls make up the divider between the open ocean and the calm water pools. There is some snorkeling to be found along its edge as fish take to hiding in the boulders. The smaller pool to the left is shallow specifically for the little children.   Kamalani playground: This large wooden play structure is set back off the main parking area through the ironwood forest. It is 150 yards walk from the beach, making for good exercise for families…