This Beautiful But Deadly Swimming Hole In Hawaii Is Not For The Faint Of Heart
Located in the town of Princeville on Kauai’s north shore is a unique tide pool known as Queen’s Bath. A sinkhole surrounded by igneous rock, this incredible geological formation is not only a vibrant turquoise pool set in the striking black lava shoreline, but it is also a dangerous lava bench exposed to deadly high surf.
Though dangerous high surf in the winter months is common, low surf in the summer months makes this pool a popular spot for swimming. But that’s not to say you should risk it – more than 25 people have drowned after being swept off the rocks by rouge waves.
Once referred to as Keanalele, Queen’s Bath didn’t take on its current name until the 1980s, when the original “Queen’s Bath,” a lava tube that had collapsed and been filled with fresh water in Kalapana on Hawaii Island, was destroyed by the 1980 Kilauea lava flows.
While the name may not have been adopted until 30-some years ago, it is quite fitting: the saltwater pool was used by royalty for bathing, and as a place of relaxation for ali’i who needed to wash away their stress.
The natural wonder was once known for a mound with the most concentrated complex of petroglyphs in Hawaii, but has since been popularized by a variety of guide books, which often fail to address the necessary safety concerns associated with hanging out in the bath.
In addition to the potential for drowning, the short path leading to the pool and the rocky terrain makes sprained ankles, bruises, and cuts commonplace amongst pool-goers.
The bath was closed to the public briefly in 2002 after a lawsuit against the county, but was reopened with disclaimers and signs to remove any county liability – which, unfortunately, most people choose to ignore.
This particular sign was not installed by the county, but by a concerned citizen who wants to warn others that swimming in this picturesque pool can be deadly.
Adventurers who aren’t scared off by the dangers associated with accessing the Queen’s Bath should always check the surf report before you head out – if the tallest waves are predicted to be less than four feet tall, the bath will e relatively safe to swim in.
To witness first-hand the risks associated with Queen’s Bath without actually putting yourself in danger, check out this scary video uploaded by Viral Videos Stuff at the end of May.
As the temperatures in Hawaii rise, surf conditions get calmer, and summer vacationers arrive, we can’t tell you that hanging out at Queen’s Bath should be avoided, but we would like you be aware of the potential risks, and remind you to always check the surf reports, heed caution, never play near the lava’s edge, and don’t turn your back on the ocean. Be careful out there, my fellow Hawaii adventurers.
Megan is a freelance journalist residing near Honolulu, Hawaii. She is obsessed with hiking, beach trips, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
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