Stationed in Hawaii with Kids: Island Hopping- Kauai

A couple of weeks ago, we packed up the fam-bam, hopped on a plane, and visited some family on Kauai.

One of our favorite places to go on Kauai is a little beach called Salt Pond.  It's got a natural breakwater with some great tidal pools to explore.  So it's relatively safe for the little ones but still interesting to the older ones.

On this particular day, we got there at low tide.  When the tide is high, the waves do break over this area, so smaller kids shouldn't be walking around on it.   But, today was a low tide, low wind, low key day.  Here are some kids trying to catch fish using a net.

There are lots of different, colorful types of seaweed growing on the breakwater, which attracts all sorts of critters.  On this particular day, we saw baby fish, sea cucumbers, a couple types of urchins, opihi (limpets), a variety of small crabs, among other things.

Can you see the little baby fishies?  They're just above the edge of the rock.

There are at least two dozen little babies in this shot...

And the world's tiniest baby crab.  This guy was about the size of a dime, legs and all.

And here's a shot of the other side of the beach, where the stand up padders, etc are.  The airfield is in the distance behind the beach.

There is also a deeper side which is commonly used by surfers, kite surfers, stand up paddle board folks, etc.   It should be noted that this is not like Waikiki Beach in that you will not be able to show up and find someone to pay to teach you how to do any of these things.  There aren't lifeguards here to bail you out if you do something stupid or reckless.   Sometimes you can buy lunch or shaved ice out of a truck, but don't count on it! 

But that being said, there are a number of picnic areas, a nice sandy beach with some shade and grass to set up camp on, and all in all a nice family vibe to it.  If you happen to already be in the area (there is a small airfield nearby where most of the helicopter tours run), this would be a great place to round out a relaxing day with the family.


Please visit our Etsy store for all kinds of upcycled accessories and jewelry, created in Hawaii!