Want to bathe like royalty at Queen’s Bath? Sorry; access denied through winter

Kaua‘i Fire Department — in an effort to protect public safety — reports that the access gate to Queen’s Bath in Princeville is closed, and it will remain shuttered through winter.

“Access to the gate is closed due to hazardous ocean conditions and anticipation of the winter season,” said Kaua‘i Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson in an announcement about the closure.

The beautiful — yet dangerous — tide pool located along the Garden Island’s North Shore is a popular tourist destination.

It often fools you into thinking it’s nothing more than a big, natural hot tub with crystal clear blue water, waiting to welcome you in with the already many other visitors floating about inside during summertime.

During the winter months, and pretty much any time, Kaua‘i Travel Blog says pounding surf and unexpected large waves can make the pool extremely dangerous — a “makeshift” sign nearby warns there have been almost 30 drownings at Queen’s Bath in the past.

It can be a danger zone — unexpected rogue and large waves can knock you off the rocks and sweep you out to sea — and the blog says it should be treated as such at all times.

“We urge the public that entry in these hazardous conditions can result in injuries or drownings, and neglecting these warnings places our first responders’ lives unnecessarily at risk,” Gibson said in the Kaua‘i Fire Department release.

Speak to a Kaua‘i County lifeguard at any lifeguard station, visit the Safe Beach Day website or call Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau at 808-241-4984 for up-to-date information about Kaua‘i ocean conditions and ocean safety.