The Other Glass Beach

October 26, 2007 | In Beaches |

Update: now with pictures!

Today, I want to have a little fun with my readers—I hope it is fun for you, too.

I was reading a thread about the Glass Beach at Port Allen on Trip Advisor where they cover pretty much all the details: dirt road access past industrial area, old dump site by the coast, a beach literally covered in beach glass (depending on the season and tide), plenty of blue guide toting tourists by day, probably scary at night. I was thinking of replying that there’s another “glass beach” on Kaua’i, but then I figured I’d have to give detailed directions, and in a way I’d be responsible for revealing it to the hordes.

It’s another dump by the sea (probably sounded good at the time), though it has a lot less glass. But it does have lots of other little treasures reshaped by the sea, and a few engine blocks encrusted in the “limestone.” Locals probably know about this place, but for the rest of us, I lead you there in a riddle:

Go back to the place from whence you came
And follow the way to the pier.
If you get locked in, you’re only to blame
The sock and the mushroom are near.

I had actually planned on making the riddle easier, but to make it ryhme, I had to change it. To make up for that, I’ll give you a few clues (stop reading if you really want a challenge). To know what part of the island, you need to decipher the first line or recognize the vague landmarks in the other lines. Then, unless you know the area, you’ll actually have to go there and look around for those landmarks. But it should all make sense as you find your way there.

The beach itself is rather ugly, though most of the trash you see here has washed up from the sea.

If you’re not into beachcombing, there are some cool rock formations further south along the coastline, if I remember correctly.

There are some patches of “glass sand” here, just nowhere near as much as at the Glass Beach near Port Allen.

Here are some “treasures” we took home, I’m sure there are plenty more.

Let me know if you follow the riddle and make it there—or if you don’t. But if you do find it or already know where it is, please keep it a challenge and don’t reveal it here or elsewhere.