She told me that when the ship got to Kalalau it slowed down and did a U-turn. The falls are 300 high and hikers can swim in the large, cold pool at its base. Those without camping permits for Kalalau Valley are therefore prohibited from attempting the entire 22-mile round trip hike in a day. Within the valley is a group of people who have discarded the creature comforts of modern society in favor of a lifestyle based on the land. The trail takes hikers up, over and down the cathedral cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. Camping on Kauai anywhere other than designated camping areas is considered illegal. function show(star_img,rnid) For more information read our privacy policy. Those who make the journey are rewarded by blissful solitude. In addition to the swimming pigs, you'll also get to observe Bahamian . Year-round residents like green sea turtles, dolphin, albatross birds, and endangered Hawaiian monk seals also live off the coast. State. (808) 338-9980
They often sell out and some people make reservations up to a year in advance. You can see some effects from from high usage (I won't say overuse because permits are already limited), but it is still very nice there. waves can be dangerous - avoid swimming due to riptides and currents. You must ascend and descend a rocky trail twice. The view of the valley is stunning at every point. Must climb rock . (Originally published in August 2011. And then Cory slipped on his grippy aqua-socks and climbed straight up the crack. You can prepare for this by carrying a satellite beacon device which pings a distress signal if you are injured. field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxlimit); else if(i=='4'){ Many of the unforgettable sights on the Na Pali coast are only viewable from the sea, so it is well worth a look. Within the valley itself, there are many things to see and do. Be sure to purify your water as it most likely contains leptospirosis, a bacteria from urine. You do not need to hike the entire trail to get a sense of what its about. The poorly marked 1/2-mile trail up the east fork of the stream to Hanakoa falls has hazardous, eroded sections but affords a spectacular view of the falls. As you walk down the beach in Kalalau you feel like you're in a different world. We found that there were people taking naps in almost all of the caves so we didnt linger too long inside. Hiking to Hanakpai Valley (2 miles in from trailhead) requires Entry and Parking Reservations at Haena. Hawaiian monk seals also live off the coast. This is because the valley and beach are literally surrounded by steep rock walls, so unless you feel inspired to do some lead climbing, or swim back (not recommended- see the hazards section), you pretty much have to enter and leave the way you came. The 5-6 feet of warm water make Anini the best swimming location on the island. Therefore, the only way to legally hike the trail in its entirety is to do so with a permit, and they can be difficult to obtain. This is the real Kalalau Valley Lookout. This cave is no longer accessible.). Its illegal to dock a boat or even a kayak on the beach but you can swim to it. [KAUAI] UPDATED 3/2/23: Polihale State Park Is CLOSED until further notice due to an electrical outage that has put the water pump out of service. At the end of the beach is a point where you can swim or kayak around to Honopu - another amazing beach that has been in a number of movies. Ten lashes for me! You can also get to this beach via boat, which is fairly commonly done via Kayaks (with a permit). But I will gladly be corrected if proven wrong. Camping in Kalalau is allowed only behind this sand beach. As you walk down the beach youll encounter several caves. There is a helipad in the valley, but it is usually only used by law enforcement. Country. Password should be at least 8 characters. But there are also local hunters (and I have seen them leave trash in Waimea Canyon) as well as people who come in on private boats with tons of gear, and I bet some of them leave trash too (and not all of them have permits either). At Kalalau beach, you hike as far as possible on the beach, and then ideally go under a cave arch and arrive on the last beach. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; Haena Beach } This remarkably beautiful beach has been the scene To learn about the cookies we use and information about your preferences and opt-out choices, please review our Privacy Policy
It is a minimum 3-day round-trip journey for most people to hike all the way to Kalalau and back, which means that you have to be well outfitted and prepared for the journey. Wailua Beach, Baby Beach Poipu Like previous poster said, unless you have rough water experience, just don't. Especially, especially right now. Wild goats are often seen along the trail route. and the farthest you can drive on the north shore. In the early days, a similar foot trail linked traditional Hawaiian settlements along the rugged coastline. During summer, sea caves just beyond the waterfall provide popular camping shelters, but winter surf removes much of the beach and enters the caves. The facilities at the beach include restrooms and showers. Travel light. Most of the year the high surf prevents boats from accessing the shore, which means the only way in is to make the trek by foot. Pack foods that cook easily in boiling water and store well unrefrigerated. (808) 274-3444. We walked the beach both days we were in Kalalau. Maybe this site can answer your question. Nobody seems to mind, though trading modern creature comforts for a deeper connection to the land around by learning how to coexist with nature instead of profiting off it. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Excellent"; Check overhanging trees for hazards from falling limbs. It's illegal to dock a boat or even a kayak on the beach but you can swim to it. You can walk into them to explore and take cover from the wind. var selectedText = ''; The most spectacular being over 1,000 feet tall! If you visit these side trips, make sure to factor the additional miles into your hiking plan. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Fine"; Top Ten Ways to Protect Hawaiian Monk Seals/Dolphin protection, Geography, Geology, History and Culture of Kaua'i. else if(star_img=='2'){ } There is no reef to break the waves, so this beach nearly always has high surf year round. Kalalau beach is about 1 mile long with plenty of trails heading back to the valley. for (var i=1; i<=5; i++) { Anini Beach. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. When you walk back to camp the sun will be starting to set and the cliff faces of the Na Pali coast turn golden. Npali Coast SWP camping permits are available here >, Overnight parking is available at Hena SP via Overnight Parking Reservation. Subscribe for exclusive city guides, travel videos, trip giveaways and more! This stretch of sand extends well over a mile down the coast, with a number of caves along the way to explore. The Kalalau Trail is an in-and-out trail, meaning you have to return the way you came. Both green sea turtles and monk seals haul out on the beaches during the day to rest and warm themselves in the sun. And, once you're in the valley, you're going to want to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. We were unaware of sharks and pretty much all the dangerous obstacles. *Clicking this link will redirect you to another website, Parking vouchers and entrance to the park can be purchased by clicking the link below. Expect delays in reaching the upper areas of the park, including Awaawapuhi Trail, Kalalau Lookout, and Pihea Lookout and Trailhead. This was my favorite part of the trip. The lookout allows you to walk right to the valley's edge. 2023 Kauai Beaches. And as koloagirl says, you still need a camping permit. Cory and Troy picked them off the rocks in between waves. Just remember that Kalalau Beach does not have a protective reef to break the waves. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; Get answers to your questions about Kauai. Plan on spending 10 hours in hiking boots if you do this. The next day was another bright and beautiful one. document.write("![](\"../../../reviews/images/blank.gif\"){kind=spacer}
"); Hawaii. There are no trash receptacles in the park, and everything you take in, you will need to carry out. Since the trail is quite long, most people who visit Kalalau Beach plan to stay overnight. 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She said that even the babies were quiet. Start the hike as early as possible so you're ahead of the day hikers and have ample time to finish the hike before dark. Tucked a few hundred yards down the coast is one of the more inaccessible beaches in Hawaii, known as Honopu beach. Are we nuts? You may recognize the coast from the film Jurassic Park where it is featured during the opening helicopter scene. milwkid9090's first answer is still the best. Would it still be safe during the time we are going? Touching a manatee is punishable under the Manatee Sanctuary Act, with a fine of up to $500 and/or a jail term of up to 60 days. Hanalei Pier Never allow small children to swim or play in water unattended. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap. and our Beaches - Kalalau beach is the obvious highlight. My husband and I are both in shape and good swimmers, and would be making the attempt very early morning with fins and a snorkel. [KAUAI] Kkee State Park - Beginning TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023, road repair work will be conducted along Kkee Road between the meadow/lodge area and the first Kalalau Lookout. A valid Npali Coast SWP camping permit grants access to Hena SP. Just know that some of the campers down in Kalalau live free and believe that clothing is optional. For more information, please see our Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! Strong winds during the day form lines in the sand. The only way to access the valley is either by boat or hiking the 11-mile Kalalau trail there are no roads or airstrips here and only government helicopters are authorized to land. The trail winds through several green valleys and ends at the cliff-lined Kalalau Beach. We planned our trip in advance and it was very beneficial. var shows = 0; Campers are allowed a maximum length stay of 5 nights. Contact the Department of State Parks, (808) 587-0300, weekdays 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Unfortunately, there's no swimming at the beach, due to strong currents. This is the cleanest fresh water on the island, so it's great for a shower. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=selectedText; Those of us that didnt have sunglasses wore their swimming goggles to keep the sand out of their eyes. Kealia Beach } selectedVal = '2'; Daily, Get in touch with us today to book your tour, The Honu (Sea Turtle) and Its Importance to Hawaii, 6 Tips for Photographing the Na Pali Coast, 5 Interesting Facts about the Na Pali Coast, View From the Top or From the Waters: Discover the Best Way to Explore the Na Pali Coast. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Take your time and place your feet carefully and you will get through just fine. Call at 888-409-2702 during business hours which are 7 AM to 7 PM HST. You will find this beach after a 11 mile hike along the Kalalau Trail on the Napali Coast. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; Anyone proceeding beyond Hanakpai MUST possess a valid camping permit. Permits cost $10 per person per night. | Web usage privacy. } Shipwrecks Beach, Kekaha Beach Checking gear ahead of time could eliminate a real hassle on the trail and is worth the effort.<. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Poor"; for (i=1; i<=star_img; i++) { You can drink this water, but you must treat or boil the water beforehand. After selecting the date and time of your visit, youll be able to select the number of entry or parking vouchers required. It is not legal to get out of or land a motorized boat on the beach, however, it is done illegally. else if(i=='2'){ A password will be mailed to you! Upon entry to Haena SP, simply show staff your valid camping permit. United States. lc=rid; I didn't think you camp on the beach. Hanakoa campsite at mile 6 gives hikers the opportunity to spend the night at the halfway point on the trail. What off the beaten path activities can I do? There are no roads that take you to the valley. Guava Forest-An entire grove of trees that provides an abundance of wild guava. All camping areas are located on shaded terraces near streams. The trail is one of the most difficult in the Hawaiian Islands, which limits visitors to the beach. Hena SP now requires advanced reservations for entry except for those with valid camping permits for the Npali Coast SWP. Makana Charters
We didn't GPS it or anything but the open ocean swim along the rocky coast felt like a good 350-400 yards. } [OAHU] UPDATED 2/28/23: Kaena Point State Park Mokuleia Section The vehicle access road will continue to beCLOSED due to heavy rains and saturated road conditions. So if you're afraid of heights, you may not like this trail, especially around the middle of it. How has Kauai been affected by the floods? If you get a late start or are a slower hiker, this may be a good option for you. They live in simple camps with no permanent structures, with tarps as their roofs and cooking by the flame of a fire. document.getElementById('rat').value="2"; document.getElementById('rat').value=selectedVal; (Update 9/14/15: This sea cave was destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. The Kalalau Trail is a 22-mile out-and-back coastal hike located on the northwest side of the island of Kauai. Denny, with all due respect, "law enforcement friends with the DLNR" are not exactly objective observers. Hena State Park is roughly 41 miles (1 1/2-hour drive) from Lihue Airport. selectedVal = '1'; A short swim around the bend will take you to the secluded Honopu Beach. he camping permits go fast, so its wise to get one a year or more in advance. SeeSand Island site for updates. driving distance from Poipu to North Shore, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. selectedVal = '3'; var lc; To prevent overpopulation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) allows hunting on weekends in August and September. Before entering the water check for any warning signs indicating hazardous conditions. After this walk, I believe I now know what acupuncture feels like. The trail drops to sea level at the beaches of Hanakapiai and Kalalau. From what I've read the swim grows longer after summer as the current shifts and beach shrinks. Theres one section of the beach that gets super windy. Despite a Portuguese man o war sting, quite a longer swim than expected, and considerably bigger waves then anticipated we made it (just barely)! There are no lifeguards on these beaches and help is a helicopter ride away. The trail begins right after Ke'e Beach and has extreme inclines and declines and narrow footpaths, especially between the dreaded 6.5 to 8 miles (10.5 to 12.9 km) into it. Eleven miles in and eleven out. This camp is located on a section of the trail that is densely forested, so space is limited and crowded. The answer is, it takes more effort to find a boat to take you there than it does to hike. Start early as it gets warm and the trail is challenging enough without afternoon sun the entire time. On our trip, we found that the first few miles, due to heavy foot traffic, were in the worst shape, and trail conditions majorly improved further down the trail. } info@MakanaCharters.com
The trail crosses Kalalau Stream near the valley mouth before ending at Kalalau Beach and a small waterfall. The Na Pali Coast is a jewel of not only Kauai, but the entire Pacific. var i; Drinking the Water Anini Beach is a gorgeous blue lagoon with golden sand and shallow water along the north shore of Kauai. } Throughout the year, temperatures seldom drop below 60F. It is 11 miles to get to Kalalau Beach - so if you are talking about going there and having someone pick you up and bring you back.. You'll still have to hike 11 miles to get there - difficult trail - especially past Hanakoa, and you will need a permit from the State to camp there, even for one night. Aside from environmental concerns, you will face a court date and heavy fines if you get caught. Tory and Cory appeared to be tired from the swim but Seth and Jen (both swimmers in high school) looked fresh as daisies. When you finally get to the beach, you'll marvel at the hikers that have carried 50+ pounds of gear across the hike and over the ledge. Yes Good For Swimming, Snorkeling, Kids, Relaxing, Watching sunset Advance reservations are now required for all vehicles, walk-in entry, and shuttle riders visiting Hena State Park, as well as for day hikers accessing the Kalalau Trail. Native and introduced tropical plant species abound. } Cell phone service is limited to none on the trail. Kee Beach A maximum stay of 5 nights is allowed in Npali Coast State Park. And they probably only do this in the summer, when the surf and currents are safe to swim ashore. else if(star_img=='3'){ Portions of the trail in this section are very narrow and the dropoff on the ocean side is severe. { It appears Hawaii Tourism doesn't want people to visit Kauai, Trip Report 2- Outings, Entertainment, Attractions, Kauai St regis or Big Island Four seasons. There are no facilities on the beach, except for composting toilets. There are falling rock hazards at the Kalalau Beach campsites along the cliff walls. Kalalau Beach (see more photos) lies at the end of the 11-mile (17.7 km) Kalalau Trail on Kauai's north shore. There are few coveted spots between the trail and the beach, but most are under the trees inland of the trail, but only about 50 feet from the sand. As we said above, one of the best Cedar Key activities is going to the beach! Another cave down the coast has been eroded into an arch. Sometimes they even rise completely out of the water in a jump known as a breach. And it's absolutely wonderful to take a dip in Queen's Bath after enjoying the turtles inside Turtle Cove. You'll also be forced to camp in the valley as the hike is too long and dangerous for an out-and-back trip in a single day. Kalalau Beach is very secluded, only with those brave and fit enough to get to the beach via man powered boat or expert hiking trails. (Update 9/14/15: This areawas destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. Tour boats do stop at Nualolo Kai on the Na Pali coast. Click on the Boating Na Pali link to see a list of boating companies that have permits to land - perhaps they would do a private charter: http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/kauai/napali_boating.cfm. It's better to enjoy the beach, the scenery and its caves while taking a refreshing shower in the natural waterfall. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; function form_visible(){ Please read. Share your great experiences with me, please? The Kalalau Trail on N Pali's stunning Hawaiian coast is one of the most challenging treks in the world. And how do I know that ? The stories on this website are provided for entertainment and informational purposes only. The last thing you'll want when going on a . . There are designated camping areas, however it seems you can camp anywhere, as its not typically enforced. Shopping is limited on Kauai and it is best to bring as many specialty items as possible with you on your flight such as your tent, sleeping bag, and trekking poles. Yet, it's also among the most rewarding. But if you abuse or harass the animal or your actions result in its . We pulled in around 7 AM the morning of our hike and were rewarded with a good parking spot close to the trailhead. shows = 1; NOTE: A valid camping permit is required for anyone hiking beyond Hanakapiai Valley. Kee Beach is also the beginning of the Napali Coast and the Kalalau trail that leads to Hanakapiai and Kalalau Beach. I tried hinting to Jenelyn and Reanne that it might not be safe to climb it but to no avail. It is well worth the jungle hike to get there. This was my favorite part of the trip. We're not around right now. } Don't Look Down! return; el.style.display = 'none'; There is always work to be done in the garden, so if you are going to enjoy some food, lending a hand for an hour or so would be much appreciated and would go a long way for the gardens long-term vitality. We saw campers and their tents and also talked to hikers, and campers, who accomplished this feat to this beach, and I say that reverently. If you google Ben Stiller on David Letterman you can see a clip of him on Dave telling about a company that took him by boat to the end of the trail and then hiking the 11 miles to Ke'e. We hope you will make the effort to explore Kalalau valley. Video Shows Tourists Almost Lose Kids To Huge Waves at The Eddie While Ignoring Lifeguard Pleas To Get Back, Heres How To Visit Niihau, Hawaiis Forbidden Island, The 17 Most Underrated Honeymoon Destinations in the US, The 13 Best Places To Go Hiking in Hawaii, The Worlds Most Dangerous Footpath Is Now Totally Safe To Hike, Abiqua Falls Is a Secret Waterfall Hidden Deep in the Oregon Forest, Best Hikes With Stunning Views in the Ozark Mountains, 7 Easy Hikes on Oahu, Hawaii, That Are Perfect for Kids. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. show(star_img,rid); But remembers there is no reef to protect the shore, which leaves it vulnerable tolong shore currents. If your time on Kauai is limited you should definitely see it on one of our tours, whether you visit the valley or not. A hat is nice to have too. We left our snorkel equipment in the trunk of our rental car and took a swim at the end of our hike. They live here because the valley is difficult to access and offers solitude and isolation. This hike is on the beginning section of the Kalalau trail, at Ke'e Beach. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; Unreal Hawaii is not affiliated with the state of Hawaii. for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { Dont pack any food items. Allow 3 to 4 hours to complete the round-trip hike to Hanakapiai Beach. They were up there within a few seconds. } else { And it actually appears that theres a third part to this boulder behind it. In the early morning wedecided to go for a nice open water swim,fins are an absolute must! } Learn more >, ADVERTISE: But, that doesnt mean you need to stop here. While the Kalalau Beach at the end of the trail is considered safe for swimming, the first beach you encounter on the trail, Hanakapiai Beach, is not. For over 20 years we have been offering tours of the Na Pali coast on custom-built touring catamarans that were designed to provide the ultimate touring experience.
