Barking Sands Beach

Barking Sands Beach is part of the 140-acre Polihale State Park which is one of Hawaii’s longest beaches. The sand stretches for over 12 miles and includes towering sand dunes that rise to a height of 100 feet.

The movement of the masses of sand is what gave the beach its curious name. The dry grains of sand have microscopic holes that cause reverberations when they move and rub together. The sound they create is like a barking dog, hence the name.

The beach starts at Kekaha but several miles are off-limits due to the military base at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. At times access to Barking Sands Beach is restricted when there are military manoeuvers and the road is manned by a guard station. Visitors can apply for a pass ahead of time to avoid disappointment.