Beach· Lanai· Hawaii

Polihua Beach

20° 55.4′ N · 157° 2.0′ W

Lanai's longest white-sand beach, about two miles of empty sand on the remote northwest tip beyond the Garden of the Gods, once a green sea turtle nesting site.

Practical

4WD only, past Keahiakawelo on rough sandy Polihua Road; go in dry conditions. Swimming is not recommended at any time: no reef, steep drop-off and a powerful alongshore current even on calm days (to-hawaii.com). High winds raise sandstorms. Whales pass close in winter. No facilities. Coast Pilot 10 notes a 1-mile sand beach with no fringing reef east-northeast of Kaena Point gives easy small-boat landing in calm weather, but the northwest coast should be given a 1-mile berth at night.

Best for

Solitude and whale watching by 4WD

Season

Whales Dec-Apr; calmest in summer

Nearby