Ke'e is one of my favorite beaches in Hawaii. Parking sucks but the headache is worth it. We like to walk quite a ways down the beach, away from the crowd, to enjoy the magnificent view of the Na Pali coast.

If the North Shore is pounding, Ke'e is a great place to swim since there is a small protected area at one end. I felt the snorkeling was so-so and have seen better elsewhere on Kauai and the other Islands.

While this beach is the trailhead to the infamous Na Pali hike, there is a short hike you can take at the very end of the parking lot, just above the beach. It'll take you to a heiau, or temple, honoring hula. We once stumbled upon a ceremony at the heiau and were graciously welcomed to watch as the group danced and made offerings. It was magical.

I suggest getting here early in the morning or around 2pm, when there seems to be a slight lull in visitors.

Oh and the port-a-potties stink and are filthy. Bring hand sanitizer and your own tissue/tp. Those bathroom renovations can't come fast enough!

Parking can be a bear, so get there early. Great for snorkeling. Restrooms under construction, porta potties on site.

As the farthest point on the North Shore, Ke'e Beach is spectacular. Everybody knows it, so the parking situation is tough and there are lots of people there. But there's still plenty of room to spread out and park yourself on the sand if you wish. We spent two afternoons here -- one just enjoying the views and people-watching, and the other snorkeling. (We rented from Snorkel Bob's in Kapaa, and we highly recommend them -- super friendly service, different levels of equipment to choose from and reasonable prices. They also have an after-hours drop if you don't get back to town before 5 when they close.)

The snorkeling here is amazing -- the water is absolutely clear and the variety of fish on the reef is amazing. The only thing that upset me was the amount of people walking on the coral -- if you go here, please don't do this! I think a lot of people think if it just as rocks, but it's not. Anyway, I'll stop preaching.

Do wear sunscreen or a rash-guard shirt (can be bought at Wal-Mart or Snorkel Bob's) to protect your back and shoulders from the sun. The water is cool so you won't realize you're getting burned until it's too late. Eeek!

All that said, Ke'e is gorgeous, a great snorkel spot and definitely worth the drive.

Visited this beach in July 2006. It is at the very end of the highway after many one-lane bridges and some slow driving. Only facility is a restroom that had been vandalized. Parking is limited and spots are in high demand. The beach is very nice as is the water and there are some shady areas where you can get out of the sun. Saw a monk seal resting on the shore, a hundred yards or so around the bend away from the crowd. There is a nearby trail up the mountain which if I remember correctly takes about seven hours and is challenging. The whole area is very scenic.