Barking Sands

Barking Sands is a wide beach on Kauai's west coast with golden sand extending for many miles across a low-lying coastal area. Tall dunes form a natural ridge between the shoreline and the inland terrain, creating a distinctive sandy landscape.

The United States military took control of the area in 1940 and developed operations during World War II that continue to shape access today. The presence of a military facility remains an important part of the site's modern history.

Native Hawaiians called this place Keonekani o Nohili, which refers to the sand's ability to make sounds. The name reflects how important these acoustic properties were to the people who lived here long before modern times.

You need to get advance permission before visiting this beach because of the nearby military facility and ongoing operations. It is worth checking the requirements ahead of time rather than arriving without the necessary access arrangements.

The sand produces sounds that resemble dog barks when you walk across it, thanks to tiny hollow spaces inside each grain. This unusual noise happens because of the sand's special composition and is most noticeable when you walk briskly over the surface.