Kauai County, Hawaii
Paliku Beach (Donkey Beach)
Paliku Beach — nicknamed Donkey Beach — is a remote stretch of Kauai's east coast between Kealia Beach and Anahola Bay, accessible only by a mile-long trail through former sugarcane fields.
- Day use
- Hike In
About this place
Paliku Beach — nicknamed Donkey Beach — is a remote stretch of Kauai's east coast between Kealia Beach and Anahola Bay, accessible only by a mile-long trail through former sugarcane fields. The name Donkey Beach comes from the working animals that sugarcane plantations once kept in the area; Paliku is the Hawaiian name, meaning 'vertical cliff.' The beach is distinct from Larsen's Beach (Lepeuli) to the north — Paliku sits roughly 8 miles south, at a different point on the Kauai east coast.
The beach is wide, wild, and exposed — strong trade winds come in from the northeast, and the offshore break is powerful enough that swimming is often dangerous. This is primarily a sunbathing and scenic beach rather than a swimming beach. The clothing-optional tradition is long-established and informal, and the walk-in access keeps crowds low. The trail passes through dry scrub and former plantation land before descending to the coast.
Kauai's east coast trail network has grown since the Kauai Coastal Trail development began in the mid-2010s. The Paliku trailhead is near the end of Kuhio Highway (Route 56) in the Kealia area, about 10 miles north of Lihue Airport.
Visitor notes
Contributed by ClothingOptional.org Editorial Team
Who visits
Kauai naturists and informed visitors who research the island's C/O tradition. Hikers exploring the Kauai coastal trail. The walk filters for committed visitors.
How to find it
From Lihue, drive north on Kuhio Highway (Route 56) past Kapaa to Kealia Beach. The trailhead is near the Kealia Coastal Boardwalk. Follow the coastal trail north about 1 mile to Paliku Beach.
Things to watch out for
Strong shore break and trade wind swell make swimming hazardous. The trail may be muddy after rain — Kauai receives significant rainfall. No facilities. Sun exposure is strong; bring shade and water.
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Etiquette & ground rules
Informal and self-regulating. The walk keeps it quiet. Leave no trace.
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