Tragedy struck on an otherwise serene Kauai beach, known locally as Secret Beach. A 23-year-old male visitor from Maryland was found unresponsive in the water there near Kilauea. Despite the swift response and resuscitation efforts by bystanders and first responders who arrived early Monday afternoon, the man was later pronounced dead early this morning at Wilcox Memorial Hospital. An autopsy to determine the exact cause of death is pending, while authorities do not suspect foul play had a role.
Kauapea Beach, aka Secret Beach, is beautiful but lacks lifeguard services and is notorious for its hidden dangers. In light of this recent incident, public safety officials are renewing their calls for beachgoers to exercise extreme caution in non-lifeguarded areas and to only swim at beaches with lifeguard protection.
We extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family during this profoundly difficult time. This heartbreaking event serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of our island’s waters. We strongly urge everyone to heed the posted warnings and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and that of others around them.
KPD Lieutenant Anthony Morita.
Dangers have lurked at this popular beach, which lacks county lifeguards.
On Kauai’s North Shore, Secret Beach has been the site of several tragic incidents, primarily due to its lack of county lifeguards. Problems typically arise in winter rather than summer and during strong ocean currents. The beach is accessible via a steep 10-minute path. While the 3,000-foot-long beach is dazzling, it lacks basic amenities, which adds to its appeal and the risks associated with visiting this otherwise beautiful location.
In recent years, there have been multiple drowning incidents reported at Secret Beach. Several years ago, three drownings occurred there within a very short period, two within one week.
These incidents highlight the dangers posed by that beach’s strong currents and the general lack of immediate rescue support due to the absence of lifeguards and challenging access. Local officials and regular safety advisories strongly recommend swimming at lifeguarded beaches and urge visitors to take necessary precautions when visiting non-lifeguarded beaches like Kauapea/Secret Beach.
