Shipwreck Beach, Kauai

Shipwreck Beach
Shipwreck beach is located in front of the Hyatt and ajdacent to the sprawling Poipu Kai Resort. The beach is usually subject to a reasonably fierce beach break making it difficult to swim or boogie board, although there are days when both are possible. Experienced surfers also try to make the most of the wave. Shipwreck beach offers plenty of sand for sun tanning. This is also the start of the beautiful Mahaulepu trail that meanders along the coast and leads to Mahaulepu beach.

Shipwreck Beach Safety

Shipwreck Beach is one of the most dangerous on the island due to the cliff located at the end of the beach. Although it looks exciting, this is a very dangerous activity! Wilcox Hospital’s trauma registry recorded 16–17 major injuries from Shipwreck’s cliff in the four-year span of ~2015–2018, averaging about 4 severe injuries per year. These injuries included broken backs, broken ribs, broken limbs, collapsed lungs, ruptured spleens, and even torn neck blood vessels. Many were due to the force of impact on the water or hitting underwater objects, and typically, victims were tourists unfamiliar with the conditions. Unless you're an experienced cliff diver, do not follow the lead of others jumping from the cliff.
Shipwreck Beach Shipwreck Beach

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