My Favorite Beach on Kauai – Salt Pond
Salt Pond Beach is my favorite beach on Kauai. No, it is not the quintessential arching beach–like Hanalei Bay on the North shore of Kauai. At this world renowned spot, you will find perfect surf breaks, a long pier and a beach that stretches for miles. In contrast, Salt Pond Beach is a little rough around the edges and that suits me just right. It is located at the end of a road after you pass a Habitat Thrift Store, garbage dump and military cemetery. At this westside beach, there are very few tourist cars in the parking area. Across the patch of grass is a pavilion with boarded up restrooms, a result of budget cuts. Under the covered area you will always find a group of older local guys sitting around a table, sharing a six pack or two of beer. They are polite and quiet and they never seem to bother anyone. Without changing rooms, no one seems to notice when you use your truck as a place to wiggle out of your clothes and slide into your bathing suit.
I love swimming at Salt Pond at the end of my work day in Hanapepe. A friend visited this past winter and at the beginning of her visit, we vowed we would go to the beach together every day. During those visits, we saw many of the same people hanging out at Salt Pond. One family strung a tarp near the parking lot. A young local couple was with an older guy who pushed off each evening in his kayak to paddle out to watch the sunset.One afternoon we saw a beached Monk Seal in the sand, warming itself in the sun. There was one single bald guy who was there every day near our shade under a coconut palm. As for us, we arrived, spread out our towels and walked down to the water’s edge. Coaxed by the water lapping around our bodies, we swam out to the deep water and still kept on going. We bobbed around out there, squinting against the blazing sun that reflected on the water. There we were so few people in the water and on the beach. After an unknown Hawaiian time lapse and feeling a chill we began to swim back into shore. The small shore break sent charging water around our legs as we dashed up the beach. Down on the warmed towels we plopped. Each time I go back to Salt Pond I will remember what happened each day after our swim. As I lay on my towel, the lull of the voice of my friend who I have known and loved for over 30 years, mixed with the sun, the sand, the heat, and the rippling palm fronds. She talked me into a blissful state where all these ingredients huddled close and melted together.
After my friend left, I didn’t shower for a few days. When the time finally came to wash off the sweet memories, I thought of all the adventures we shared. I watched as the crunchy salt crystals swirled down the drain. I stepped from the rock walled outdoor shower and my heart swelled with the memory of the slice of shade we found every day under the rippling palm fronds of Salt Pond Beach.
Hi Becky;
I love reading your blogs as your story is so heart warming.
Is Malia engaged now? Which intercity is she teaching?
We will be in Kauai next Thanksgiving with our family. I think I have mentioned that we try to do a every other Thanksgiving with the complete family at our place in Poipu.
Please join us as it has been too long. It would be so wonderful if all 4 of you could make it.
Hello to you Stewart!
Jim