If you’re searching for an escape that lets you enjoy the incredible nature in Hawaii without the crowds, look no further than Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) Barking Sands! Whether you want tranquil relaxation or adrenaline-filled adventure, this lesser-known military recreation area is the perfect spot. PMRF Barking Sands is a naval base on the island of Kauai, and it offers beach cottages, plus a hotel-style facility.
Learn all about PMRF Barking Sands from guest contributor and Navy retiree, Michael Scott, who recently stayed in the beach cottages with his wife. Then, use your benefits to book an epic military vacation to the “Garden Isle” of Hawaii!
About PMRF Barking Sands
PMRF Barking Sands (also “PMRF” or “Barking Sands”) is on the west coast of Kauai, almost as far west as you can go. The U.S. Army first acquired 549 acres of land to create the base in 1940, and since then, it has increased in size.
The base was passed to the Air Force and finally the U.S. Navy in 1956. Today PMRF is the world’s largest training range.
Lodging and Facilities at PMRF Barking Sands
PMRF Barking Sands has the only military vacation rentals on Kauai. This Navy MWR recreational lodging consists of 25 beach cottages located along Majors Bay and 22 rooms at the Menehune Inn, located farther inland on the base.
| Related Reading: Staying at Kilauea Military Camp Cottages in Volcanoes National Park
Most of the beach cottages at PMRF have two or three bedrooms and sleep up to six people (there is also a VIP cottage that sleeps 8). Half of the beach cottages are oceanfront, and half are ocean view. They are all fully furnished, including a full equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, and an outdoor barbecue grill.
The cottages are nearly 2 miles from the base facilities, such as the NEX, MWR office, and gas station.
The rooms at the Menehune Inn are standard hotel rooms that can accommodate up to two adults. The Inn is across from the NEX.
While staying at PMRF, you can use base facilities, including the fitness center, outdoor pool, free outdoor movie theater, golf driving range, and recreational equipment rental.
Due to its secluded location, PMRF is designated an “isolated and remote facility,” meaning that some amenities found on larger bases may not exist on this base.
The lone dining facility on PMRF is Shenanigans, which has limited lunch and dinner hours from Tuesday through Friday and dinner only on Saturday. The town of Waimea, about 8 miles down the coast, has a variety of restaurants and grocery stores.
Our Stay at the Barking Sands Beach Cottages
At the time of our initial reservation, the oceanfront cottages were booked, so we opted for one of the ocean view cottages, which are set back farther from the beach.
A few weeks prior to our arrival we were contacted by the front desk to ask if we wanted an upgrade to an oceanfront cabin, which we gladly took.
We stayed in 1105 (top left corner of this map). The waterline was about 120 yards from the porch. The first 60 yards is a Shearwater seabirds protected area and the second 60 yards is beautiful golden sand.
Our 2-bedroom cottage was an open concept floor plan with the living area, kitchen, and dining area all in one large room. While the cottage had some wear and tear, it was clean and comfortable.
During our stay we booked two trips through the MWR Tickets and Travel office: a raft/snorkel tour up the Na Pali coast and a kayak/hike to Secret Falls. The tour guides were great and provided much history about the locations.
Pro tips: If you take the raft tour, try to sit on the port side of the raft. This will give you the best views going up the coast. Sit near the steering wheel, close to the captain, so you can better hear the narration of the tour. On the way back, the afternoon waves are much rougher, so the back of the boat is a somewhat smoother ride.
Eligibility and Reservations
PMRF Barking Sands is a Navy Gateways facility. Eligibility is open to active duty, reservists, retirees, DoD civilians, and others. The full list of eligible patrons is here.
| Related Reading; Check out 15 other Navy recreation facilities!
Active duty personnel can make reservations 12 months in advance. All others can reserve up to 6 months in advance.
Although the DOD lodging website has a search function for availability, it’s best to call Barking Sands directly at 808-335-4697 or 808-335-4752. This is also the best option to get the latest rates.
At the time of this writing, the Menehune Inn was $115. The oceanfront and ocean view cottages were $140 and $130, respectively.
Barking Sands is busy year-round. However, according to the front desk staff, the best chance of finding availability is during the months of October and November.
Getting to PMRF Barking Sands
We flew a commercial airline into Lihue airport, which is on the East coast of Kauai, about 32 miles (50 minute drive) from the base.
Although there is a public transportation system, the routes do not go to PMRF, so we rented a car at Lihue airport.
Things to Do and See in Kauai
While fun in the sun and relaxation may be all you need, the MWR Tickets and Travel office, located in the Community Recreation Center, provides discounts to area attractions. They also offer organized tours similar to the ones we took. Contact them for the current schedule.
The base MWR rents beach chairs, boogie boards, surfboards, snorkel gear, kayaks, golf clubs, camping equipment and more.
Nearby points of interest include Polihale State Park (7.5 miles north), Waimea Canyon State Park (20 miles NE), and Poipu Beach (29 miles SE).
Ready for Your Hawaii Escape?
From relaxing on your porch watching the sunset, boogie boarding in the blue ocean just yards from your cottage, or using this Navy MWR facility as your base to explore the rest of Kauai, PMRF Barking Sands has something for everyone.
Use your military ID card for an incredible vacation at one of the most beautiful places in Hawaii!
Author Bio: CPO Michael Scott, USN/R, Ret. served six years in the US Navy before joining the Naval Reserves. He enjoys travelling with his wife of 28 years and is looking forward to flying Space A with her when he reaches full retirement in a few years. In the meantime, they both enjoy earning and traveling on miles and points. Michael can be reached at michael72688@gmail.com.
Aloha and thank you Stephanie for sending me this. I retired here in Hawaii on Oahu and I love Kauai. It is my favorite Island and i have always wanted to stay at the missile range at Barking Sands. I use to walk along the beaches out there. Someday, I will stay at Barking Sands. I am so fortunate to live in Hawaii.
You are well-positioned to take advantage of last-minute cancellations! If you stay at Barking Sands, let us know what you think!
Thanks for all the suggestions. My first trip was Travis to Hawaii. Planning many more. So all the information is helpful
Great info, thanks for posting. I’ve read quite a few reviews, but haven’t seen anything about what the actual water activities are like at Barking Sands. Is it relatively safe to swim and play? We will be visiting in winter months (Jan/Feb). Once you reach the water, is it rocky or sandy like the beach? What about Snorkeling or boogie boarding there?
Thanks for the assist!
Hi Ian,
The beach is all sand and has a very gradual drop off. I think I went 25 feet out and the water was still only 2.5 feet deep. Because we had other activities scheduled we did not rent a boogie board, but it certainly would have been fun. I would consider it safe to swim. There are no lifeguards. I don’t know how good the snorkeling is, but the crew at the MWR office is very helpful and could probably give you some great insight.
Thanks for the quick feedback! I really appreciate it. Mahalo!
Thank you for posting Stephanie. Question – do they have pots, pans and cooking utensils in the cottages? Also, are there grills near the beach front cottages? We are staying there first week of April. Thank you in advance!
Hi Sam – All cottages have full-equipped kitchens with pots, utensils, etc. and they all have BBQ grills. Enjoy!
Hello,
Great article. We have taken your advice and have stayed at the Hale Koa as well as the Army cottages on the Big Island. Now planning a trip for this coming September to Kauai. I wasn’t able to secure all the days we needed at the cottages (just the last two days of our trip). Im seeing something about a hotel style option on base, the Menehune Inn, I cant find much on it, its not on Google maps either and no reviews. Can you tell me anything about it? Is it a Navy Lodge type thing? Thanks for any info you can provide.
Lance
Hi Lance,
The Menehune Inn has 22 rooms with queen size beds. It is designed for two people per room. It is located across from the Exchange, on the left side of the main road when your drive on the base. You can find out more information by calling 808-335-4752 or 808-335-4697 M-F 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sat-Sun 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (all local time). Thanks.
Do these units have AC?
What about connecting rooms for families with teens?
I’m not finding a link to view more details or photos. Did I miss that?
The FAQs tab on the webpage linked from the article addresses some of those questions about the cottages. The bedroomss are air conditioned. In a cottage, you won’t have connecting rooms. The DOD Lodging website has pictures.