Queen's bath may be a beautiful spot on the Kauai north shore, but the lava pool is also one of the most dangerous drowning spots on the Garden Island.
Queen’s bath is one of the most dangerous areas on the Kauai north shore. A natural pool carved into a shelf of rocky lava, Queen’s Bath has the dubious honor of being one of the top Kauai drowning locations.
Unfortunately Queen’s Bath is very popular with tourists who either don’t understand—or disregard—posted signs and the concerns of locals. Pictures of Queens Bath in Kauai guide books almost invariably show the Bath when the ocean is calm. At such points Queen’s Bath looks like a natural giant bathtub: crystal clear, beautiful, and deceptively calm.
KauaiNorthShore Swells
To be fair, most guide books warn tourists of the dangers of Queen’s Bath, but the image of the calm, clear waters sticks in the mind long after the warning fades from memory.
Pictures of a calm Queen’s Bath are invariably taken during the summer, when the Kauai North Shore enjoys reasonably safe conditions. During the winter, the height of the Garden Island tourist season, the north shore swells begin. This is the peak time for Kauai surfing, with monster waves pounding the north shore. At such times Queen’s Bath doesn’t look like a bathtub—if you can even find the Bath in the surf it looks more like a blender.
This doesn’t mean that summer is a safe time to visit Queen’s Bath—far from it. In fact, the summer months can be even more dangerous. Calm water tempts people into the bath, but ocean conditions can change in an instant. One unusually large wave is enough to drag people out of the Bath and into the ocean proper, smashing them over and into the lava rock cliff that separate Queen’s Bath from the ocean. Miles from the nearest lifeguard facility, anyone in the ocean at Queen’s Bath is likely to become the next Kauai drowning victim.
Other Hazards
Getting to Queen’s Bath is often a hazard in and of itself. The trail down the shoreline is steep, unpaved, and exceptionally slippery during and after rain storms. Once on the shoreline—or more properly—the lava rock, you have to clamber over 200 yards of rough, sharp lava rock to reach the Bath.
The Bath itself can only be accessed by climbing down a steep lave rock drop of fifteen to twenty feet. More than one climber has fallen during this descent and suffered serious injuries.
Walking along unshielded lava rock in full sun is draining—people have suffered heat exhaustion and heart attacks getting to Queen’s Bath. Again, you’re a long way from help if you need medical attention.
It may look like quite a drop to the ocean, but don’t be fooled—Kauai north shore waves can be large enough to crest the drop as if it wasn’t there. Every year on Kauai drownings occur because people thought they were a safe distance from the ocean, only to be swept in by an unexpectedly large wave.
One other note on Queen’s Bath hazards. If you get into trouble out there, it’s not just your life that hangs in the balance. Kauai lifeguards and rescue workers are some of the best and bravest in the business. Their lives are put at risk whenever there’s an emergency at Queen’s Bath.
Alternatives to Queen’s Bath
There’s no argument—Queen’s Bath is a beautiful place. But this Kauai, the Garden Island. You’d be hard pressed to find anywhere on the island that isn’t beautiful. If you’re looking for crystal clear water on the Kauai north shore during the summer, try Kee beach (avoid Kee in the winter, when the giant Kauai north shore swells hit).
During the winter, ocean conditions are safer on the south shore of Kauai. Both Poipu beach and Salt Pond Beach Park are much safer locations for ocean play.
Please. Avoid Queen’s Bath. A Kauai beach vacation should be a lifelong memory—not the end of a life.
The copyright of the article Queen's Bath and the Kauai North Shore in SW U.S./Hawaii Travel is owned by Michael McGrath. Permission to republish Queen's Bath and the Kauai North Shore in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I was witness to two of the recent deaths at Queens Bath, and it was the
most horrifying experience of my life. I did not know the Families who lost
their wives and Mothers but my heart goes out to them. The swell was nearly
18 feet that day, and people were standing at the edge of the lava field. I
had just reached the bottom of the dirt trail and the beggining of the Lava
feild when I heard commotion and knew something terrible was taking place.
What I saw that day will remain imprinted in my memory for the rest of my
life.
There are no warnings at the trailhead, or at the
beggining of the lava field. Most beaches in Kauai have a LONG LIST of
warnings posted very visibly in a common area. Queens bath needs this as
well. I have been to the bath when the Ocean is calm, and it is
amazing. It is a sight, and experience that I will never forget... But I am
very aware of the danger and strength of the ocean, and know how
unpredictable it can be.
What I witnessed October 14th 2008
will be in my mind forever. Life can be lost in a moment. My heart is with
the families of the victims. I am so sorry.
I hope that more
people take caution with the ocean. I also hope that someday they will
place a sign with warnings of the Dangers of going to Queens Bath. Many
Beaches on the North Shore were Closed that day, they should have closed
the Queens Bath trail as well.
Thank you for posting this
article, I hope more people research prior to exploring.
Nov 5, 2008 4:57 AM
Guest :
We were there that week and were blown away to hear about those 2 women,
much less the 2 other gentlemen that drown during that week. We were at
Queens Bath last October. A totally different scene at that time. The pool
was fully exposed, not taken over by surf. No cresting over the lava flow
and there were tons of turtles in the adjacent pool. But, I was not one to
walk to the edge of the Bath, but my friends were. How tragic it was for
that to happen. Yes, the surf was very high and strong that week. I feel
for you to have to have experienced that and have it cloud your time in
paradise. It is just a cool place to go so...but really needs to be
governed more especially when the seas are so dangerous
Nov 30, 2008 8:34 AM
Guest :
I spoke with Heather about the day before her flight to Hawaii. She was
having issues with how many suitcases she should pack. We grew up together
and she was recently married. They have traveled the world thus far. I
usually hear from Heahter on my FB page and time went by without any
contact. Last night I clicked on her page and realized what had happened.
Heartbroken. My heart goes out to both sides of the family. With love,
Chris C.
Dec 9, 2008 12:30 PM
Guest :
My wife and I where washed up into the lava field on October 14th by the
same wave that killed the two ladies. The first wave crashed into the sea
wall and shot up 30-40 feet of mist. I wiped off my sunglasses and backed
up 5 feet. The second wave breached the sea wall and roled in at our
ankles. We backed up another 5 feet. The third wave breached the sea wall
above my six foot eye level, and shot my wife and I with great force
further up into the jagged lava field, stripping us of our shoes, towels,
and sunglasses. As the wave receeded,I believe, the two ladies who were to
our right about thirty feet, were washed out to sea. I didn't see it as we
were struggling to keep from harm ourselves. As we escaped the area,
bloodied and cut, it was obvious something horrible had taken place with
the other group/family. Only minutes before, we had walked past
them,behind them taking family photos by the shore. I will never forget
that image as long as I live. We were frankly in shock. That took place
on the first full day of our trip. The event consumed our mind the whole
week. We spoke to each other about it every hour of every day on Kauai. We
never went in the ocean the rest of the trip, not even at the calmest south
shore cove we visited. Not a day goes by since, that we don't recall how
lucky we were that fateful day. But by the grace of God, we live. Marty McIsaac Apple Valley, MN
Dec 26, 2008 7:49 PM
Guest :
There are warning signs posted at the top of the trail, a "Danger:
High surf" sign. Most tourists would probably actually have a hard
time even finding the place in Princeville. Even all the locals will warn
you if you're there, the problem is people don't think or listen to anyone
looking out for their best interest.
Jan 31, 2009 10:10 AM
Guest :
My wife and I almost drown there last week, snorkeling. (January 25th) We
watched for 15 minutes and didn't think it was that bad. Once we got in, a
couple medium sized waves knocked us around. Then one about 15 feet high
hit us an nearly killed us. We scrambled up those rocks as fast as we
could, cutting ourselves up miserably. We didn't care. We were alive....so
so lucky.
We ignored the signs. Stupid, I know.
The
weird thing is we asked a group of guys, who lived just above the bath in a
rich community, how to get there and they gladly told us without any
warnings. I found that odd after the fact.
Feb 17, 2009 3:33 PM
Guest :
We went to Queen's Bath 1st week in February 2009 and it was very rough sea
and very treacherous. We went a little ways but didn't think it was worth
it and left. There were some elderly couples coming down the dirt path and
I don't know what they were thinking. There is a sign now that says, "
extreme danger ahead, disregard your guidebook, frequent drownings".
It shouldn't be in the guidebook
