There are many great Kauai photo locations – too many to choose from, which is a great problem to have! We've narrowed it down to the best of the best. Read through them and get a feel for which you may like the most. Of course, when you choose us for your photos, we can do any spot on Kauai you like, even if it's not on this list.
Lydgate Beach (East Side)
Lydgate Beach is on the east side of Kauai, near the sacred Wailua river, close to the town of Kapaa/Wailua. Lydgate Beach is a hidden jewel and our personal favorite when it comes to Kauai photo locations. Since most visitors do not know about the private hidden area within the longer beach, it is rare to see many people here, although there are sometimes locals fishing or taking a walk.
Nukolii Beach (East Side)
Nukolii Beach is also on the east side of Kauai, right outside the Kauai Beach Resort hotel, in between Lihue and Kapaa/Wailua. Nukolii Beach is a beautiful and secluded little beach that rarely gets a lot of visitors. A hidden gem, this location has a tree to two for minimal shade (not too much) and parking nearby at the resort, although like all beaches in Hawaii it’s a public beach and open to anyone. Although it’s not the best swimming beach it is great for family, individual and couple photos!
Anini Beach (North Shore)
Anini Beach is a thin, long beach with a lot of trees. It has almost no waves (shallow reef) but a lot of pavilions, a camping area and a general beach area. It is often quite populated near the camping area, but since the beach is so long, it is easy to find secluded sections for a more private photo shoot, making it another great Kauai photo location.
Hanalei Bay (North Shore)
Hanalei Bay is a truly picturesque Kauai photo location. It boasts a variety of beautiful backdrops: the pier, the large mountains and the long, wide beach, curving around the bay. Hanalei bay is calm in the summer but has large waves in the winter. A wonderful Kauai photo location!
Shipwrecks Beach (South Shore)
Shipwrecks Beach (aka Keoniloa Bay), located in Poipu, is a long, lovely beach. However, because of its proximity to large resorts, it is quite populated every day so you will never be alone. It’s the most popular Kauai wedding location beach. There are normally many weddings happening at the same at Shipwrecks. Understandably this is not preferable to most people wanting family, individual or couple photos who would rather have more privacy. For this reason, we generally recommend Shipwrecks as a back-up photo location in case your first choice is rained out.
Mahaulepu (South Shore)
Mahaulepu is an uncommon Kauai photo location – but it's blessed with uncommon beauty too. Located in Poipu, past Shipwrecks beach, at the end of a long, bumpy dirt road, Mahauelpu is a protected wilderness area. It has a beautiful beach off the beaten path. There are plenty of pine trees for shade, and sometimes a monk seal may be seen resting on the sand at the end of the beach. The beach has cliffs and mountain views. Visitors are allowed only until 6pm.
Tropical Garden, Waterfall and River Locations
Remember, you can have your photos done anywhere you want it! Kauai photo locations are not just limited to beaches, resorts, hotels or vacation rentals. There are a variety of private grounds, gardens, waterfall locations or botanical gardens, all of which are stunningly beautiful and provide a wonderful setting and backdrop. Kauai is an extremely diverse island, with terrain ranging from flowing, pristine rivers to eucalyptus forests to pine woodlands to bamboo groves and more. Tell us what you're looking for and we'll suggest something!
Lydgate Beach (East Side)
Lydgate Beach is on the east side of Kauai, near the sacred Wailua river, close to the town of Kapaa/Wailua. Lydgate Beach is a hidden jewel and our personal favorite when it comes to Kauai photo locations. Since most visitors do not know about the private hidden area within the longer beach, it is rare to see many people here, although there are sometimes locals fishing or taking a walk.
Nukolii Beach (East Side)
Nukolii Beach is also on the east side of Kauai, right outside the Kauai Beach Resort hotel, in between Lihue and Kapaa/Wailua. Nukolii Beach is a beautiful and secluded little beach that rarely gets a lot of visitors. A hidden gem, this location has a tree to two for minimal shade (not too much) and parking nearby at the resort, although like all beaches in Hawaii it’s a public beach and open to anyone. Although it’s not the best swimming beach it is great for family, individual and couple photos!
Anini Beach (North Shore)
Anini Beach is a thin, long beach with a lot of trees. It has almost no waves (shallow reef) but a lot of pavilions, a camping area and a general beach area. It is often quite populated near the camping area, but since the beach is so long, it is easy to find secluded sections for a more private photo shoot, making it another great Kauai photo location.
Hanalei Bay (North Shore)
Hanalei Bay is a truly picturesque Kauai photo location. It boasts a variety of beautiful backdrops: the pier, the large mountains and the long, wide beach, curving around the bay. Hanalei bay is calm in the summer but has large waves in the winter. A wonderful Kauai photo location!
Shipwrecks Beach (South Shore)
Shipwrecks Beach (aka Keoniloa Bay), located in Poipu, is a long, lovely beach. However, because of its proximity to large resorts, it is quite populated every day so you will never be alone. It’s the most popular Kauai wedding location beach. There are normally many weddings happening at the same at Shipwrecks. Understandably this is not preferable to most people wanting family, individual or couple photos who would rather have more privacy. For this reason, we generally recommend Shipwrecks as a back-up photo location in case your first choice is rained out.
Mahaulepu (South Shore)
Mahaulepu is an uncommon Kauai photo location – but it's blessed with uncommon beauty too. Located in Poipu, past Shipwrecks beach, at the end of a long, bumpy dirt road, Mahauelpu is a protected wilderness area. It has a beautiful beach off the beaten path. There are plenty of pine trees for shade, and sometimes a monk seal may be seen resting on the sand at the end of the beach. The beach has cliffs and mountain views. Visitors are allowed only until 6pm.
Tropical Garden, Waterfall and River Locations
Remember, you can have your photos done anywhere you want it! Kauai photo locations are not just limited to beaches, resorts, hotels or vacation rentals. There are a variety of private grounds, gardens, waterfall locations or botanical gardens, all of which are stunningly beautiful and provide a wonderful setting and backdrop. Kauai is an extremely diverse island, with terrain ranging from flowing, pristine rivers to eucalyptus forests to pine woodlands to bamboo groves and more. Tell us what you're looking for and we'll suggest something!