The Queen's Bath is one of Princeville's favorite summertime attractions. A pleasant 10 minute hike past a waterfall leads down to a rocky landscape of lava rock. Another 5 minute trek over uneven rocks leads to the pool. Roughly the size of a large swimming pool, the Queen's Bath is a natural tide pool with some fish. Water spills over the lava rocks to refresh the pool.
Although the scenery and bath are a pleasant excursion for capable hikers, like many ocean attractions on Kauai the area should be approached with caution. Visiting the Queen's Bath without appreciating the potential hazards can be deadly. The hike is not suitable for all. Please read the following guide before deciding to visit. The recommendations below are based on our experience from living in the area.
From October through May the coast here is exposed to very big surf. Many people have drowned after being swept off the rocks, and rescues are a common occurrence, including in the summer. The path and rocks are not suitable for those with mobility problems and entering and exiting the pool requires agility. Severely sprained ankles and bruises and cuts from slips on wet or uneven rocks and dirt are a common occurrence. After rain, the path becomes very difficult to walk.
Many are confused about the location of the tide pool - there are other areas where it is also possible (but more dangerous) to swim. In the aerial photo below, the yellow triangle shows where the path emerges from the trees. The green star shows the location of the pool.
A - Sometimes confused for the QB. This area is exposed to open ocean and difficult to reach. It's never safe to swim here.
B - This inlet, located just before the bath, is a popular spot for locals who like to jump off the 15ft ledge. As alluring as it looks, don't be tempted to swim here. The inlet is subject to massive turbulence and exiting can be difficult.
Queen's Bath Kauai Safety
It's important to check the
surf report before you visit the ocean on Kauai so that you know what size waves are possible. Simply watching the sea for 20 minutes before you approach is not good enough! The biggest waves of the day, as predicted by the surf report, could arrive at any time without warning. Ask yourself, "can this activity be done safely when those waves arrive?"
Queen's Bath Safety Checklist:
- Check the surf report the morning you want to visit.
- The Queen's Bath is safe to swim in when waves are 4ft high or less.
- If the surf report predicts waves bigger than 4ft, don't visit at all, even to look at surf. Note the area is closed from October to May.
- Never play on the rocks between the bath and the ocean.
- Don't jump into the pool. The depth can fluctuate from day to day.
- Only swim in the pool, not the ocean.
Queen's Bath Safety FAQ
The biggest danger at the Queen's Bath is getting pulled into the ocean while watching big surf. Much of the lava shelf is 10 - 15ft above sea level, and there are areas that are higher. This leads to a false sense of security. Compounding the problem are people approaching the ocean blind (not knowing the surf forecast).
Between 1970 and 2012 there were
seven drownings, and there have been at least 3 more since then (as of 2024). The death toll sign at the bottom of the path (erected by concerned citizens around 2011) claims 28 deaths. This is an exaggeration but a necessary alarm because it's very difficult for tourists to comprehend the lurking danger.
We advise against visiting the Queen's Bath when the surf is over 4ft because it's impossible for you to judge or understand the risks as the surf picks up. Surf 4ft or less provides the necessary safety margins. In 6-8ft surf there could be long periods where the Bath and ocean appear to be safe and you'll undoubtedly be tempted to swim or approach the ocean at sea level.
It's not possible to safely watch big surf from the Queen's Bath! The best place for watching big waves is the
Kilauea Lighthouse, or the One Hotel Hanalei Bay in Princeville.
Queen's Bath Parking
There are only about a dozen
parking spots at the head of the trail, and the lot is always full. There are no other parking options nearby. People parking illegally are frequently ticketed or booted. The best option is to visit early in the morning (if the surf report predicts small waves as desribed above).