Waimea Landing State Recreation Pier + Waimea Bay Beach

Waimea Landing State Recreational Pier is a small State Park area on Kauai's less-visited southwestern shores. While the area is more popular as the gateway to the dramatic Waimea Canyon State Park, the town of Waimea's beach areas don't have the scenic popularity of the more touristy areas of the island, and tend to remain quieter and more used by locals. 

The town of Waimea figured prominently in Kauai's early contact by Europeans, and later was an important harbor for trading and industry. These days, the beach and park area have much more of a modest vibe. Pole fishing (with permits) is permitted from the pier, and the beach's dark sand and smaller waves make it too murky for many recreational activities. These days the town of Waimea, and this park as well, feel a little more off the beaten path, and make for good stops if the goal is to escape the island's tourist crowds.

The park has picnic tables, bathrooms, a wide lawn area and a drinking fountain. The walk to the pier is short, and it's a good place to get out and stretch your legs. Just a couple blocks away, you can grab some food from the fruit stands or small restaurants. The park is open daily from 7:00 AM to 6:45 PM.