A beach park is a uniquely Hawaiian creation combining a public-access beach with a grassy area containing the occasional barbecue pit or picnic table. Despite the bland municipal name, some of the best beaches in Hawaii are beach parks. Some great beaches on the East/North coast (from Haena to Lihue):
Haena Beach Park/Tunnels Reef
Claim to fame: The scene from South Pacific where Bloody Mary sings "Bali Hai" was filmed here. It also offers the best snorkeling on Kauai. Adjoining Haena State Park has a colorful past: actress Liz Taylor's brother formed a hippie commune here in the '60s, but they were kicked out because of poor/nonexistent waste disposal practices. Those days are long behind us, happily, and Haena is now full of sun-loving families and guitar-toting tourists. If it's snorkeling you're after, Tunnels Reef is the place to go - but there's never any room to park. So here's what you do: park at Haena, lock up your valuables, then grab your snorkel and hike down the beach to the east (right). Soon you'll see people in the water snorkeling. Find a palm tree to drop your gear under and get in that water! The Tunnel reefs run perpendicular to the beach, making for fantastic snorkeling - and even better surfing in the winter, apparently. The lacy coral and colorful, inquisitive fish made Tunnels a memorable snorkeling experience. Just don't try it in the winter, when the surf makes swimming extremely dangerous. RSCF
Lumahai Beach
Claim to fame: Also featured in South Pacific - this is where Mitzi Gaynor "wash[ed] that man right out of [her] hair". Gorgeous Lumahai is just past Hanalei Bay. Don't go out of your way to visit it unless you're a movie location junkie - you'll have to hike down a hill to get to it, and it's a terrible place to swim! You can snorkel here but why bother when it's so much nicer at Haena? Look for the beach between mile markers 4 and 5 on Highway 56. Park on the roadside and hike down the trail. No facilities.
Hanalei Beach Park
Claim to fame: Idyllic location inspired Peter, Paul, and Mary to situate Puff the Magic Dragon in "a land called Honalee". One wonders what exactly they were puffing... Hanalei beach is a great place to relax and hang out - quiet, calm, and graced with a stunning view of Hanalei bay, a perfectly round crescent cut out of the coastline. Swimming can be treacherous, as with any North coast beach. Take Aku Road in Hanalei and turn right at the dead end. RSL.
Anahola Beach Park
Claim to fame: Safest beach on the East/North coast, namesake of the irresistable Anahola Granola bar (available at Banana Joe's ). Bring the kids, but not the fins and mask. Take Anahola Road after mile marker 13 on the highway. RS.
Note: I heartily endorse Snorkel Bob for your gear rental needs.