Fuji Beach (Baby Beach Kapaa)

Kapaa is the largest town on the east coast of Kauai. There's the "center" of town where you'll find a few two-story commercial buildings and the famous second-story Olympic Cafe. Just south, on the ocean side of the main road, you'll find a Texaco Station. And just south of that gas station you'll find Keaka Road.

You have to drive towards the ocean on Keaka Road to get to Fuji Beach because the road along the ocean is one-way. When Keaka Road turns north, it becomes Muanakai Road. Just north of the next intersection with Makaha Road is where you'll find Fuji Beach. It's also where you'll find the beginning of the Kauai Coastal Path which is a paved biking and walking path that runs north along the coast for 2.5 miles through and past town.

You'll have to find your own parking spot on a dirt patch just off the road near the beach. Parking is limited at this popular family beach, and it is first-come first-served. It's best to get here early in the morning to get a good parking spot. Alternatively, you can walk or bike on the Kauai Coastal Path with your young family down from Kapaa for a day of activity.

You'll find the pleasant shade of ironwood trees right near the parking area. Feel free to grab a picnic table in the shade to enjoy a packed lunch. You can also make one of these picnic tables your home base for a day at the beach. The white sand of Fuji Beach is just steps away.

Families love Fuji Beach because of the reliably safe water. A limestone reef protects the beach to create small pools perfect for kids. It's also a great place to plop down in the heat of the day if you don't feel like going for an all-out swim.

The pools regularly capture small fish and other little ocean creatures perfect for the curiosity of young children. But you might find yourself sharing the beach with fishermen. Shoreline and torch fishing is popular on this small strip of protected sand. In fact, shoreline fishing is what gave Fuji Beach its name.

The beach was named after a local doctor in the 1950's who delivered many of the island's babies. The good doctor liked to pass his free time fishing on this shallow beach. That's how this family-friendly beach earned its name and the nickname of “Baby Beach.”