Kalalau Beach is the huge chunk of sand that sits in front of Kalalau Valley. After exploring the cave and eating some snacks we spent an hour being extremely lazy. else if(i=='4'){ } A) no one will be there to help, b) if anyone was, you'd be taking up critical medical space. If you are stopped by a park ranger you will be asked to show the permit along with photo id. Kalalau Beach into Kalalau ValleyLocated near the end of the main trail, this valley trail passes through stone terraces that were used in the agriculture of taro and ends at a series of small waterfalls with swimming holes complete with a rope swing. It is now underwater.). ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; The strong current would help by pushing them the whole way. 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. The rock was like a magnet for the girls. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. Hideaway Beach } document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Excellent"; here. In fact, Hanakoa is a hanging valley without a beach the stream exhausts itself over cliffs at the oceans edge. Make sure to use the correct filter if you plan to drink the water. See more from this series: This story was last modified on September 14, 2015. else Composting toilets are available at Hanakapiai, Hanakoa, and Kalalau. The white sand beach is a mile long, and, in this seclusion, you'll have no problem picking out your own isolated spot. This 2-mile long day hike (4 miles round trip) is moderately challenging and doesn't require extreme abilities, therefore almost anybody in a decent physical . ), (Update 9/14/15: This rock was pushed into the oceanin a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. One is the outlaw pools, which is a successive series of small pools that spill into one another. function show(star_img,rnid) [MAUI]UPDATED 1/23/23:Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area CLOSED through March 2023 (Per DOFAW). This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. document.getElementById('rat').value="4"; The beach is a prime spot for swimming and snorkeling, thanks to its relatively calm waters and a coral reef that is just a few meters offshore. el.style.display = 'none'; This was my favorite part of the trip. The beach is a beautiful place to hang out and relax, there's a stream where you can take a dip, and bathrooms if you need to stop. I didn't think you camp on the beach. Camping gear should include a lightweight sleeping bag or blanket, sleeping pad, tent with rainfly, cooking stove and fuel, water purification tablets or filter, first aid kit, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, rain gear, and biodegradable soap. You need to filter your water on the trail. This boulder is now underwatwer.). These terraces were replanted with coffee plants in the late 1800s, which are still growing throughout the valley today. #30. Theres no longer sand to walk on here. The Kalalau trail hike begins at Ka'a Beach at the end of the parking lot. } Banner Ads (managed by BuySellAds) > In the early days, a similar foot trail linked traditional Hawaiian settlements along the rugged coastline. DROWNINGS OCCUR HERE REGULARLY! 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. (Update 9/14/15: This areawas destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. Operate by the LNT principle and leave no trace behind you. Hanalei Pavilion A waterfall at the western end of the beach (Ho'ole'a Falls) provides freshwater, but before drinking it, the water must be purified (bring a water filter or water treatment tablets) due to the threat of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease. The one way price from Hanalei Bay is usually $75-100 and requires swimming a short distance to the boat. There are two inexpensive campsites near the trailhead, Haena Beach Park (closed Monday nights) and Hanalei Beach Park (open Friday and Saturday only). From the beach, the valley extends 2 miles inland, with the high plateau of Kokee State park looking down upon it. if (shows){ But, walk down the beach a bit and youll be treated to some of the coolest looking scenery youll ever see. Just like the signs around Hawaii will advise you, when in doubt, dont go out. Signs warn hikers of dangerous rockfall near the falls, so this area is off limits for swimming. var n = document.getElementById('n'+rid); By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. As you walk down the beach in Kalalau you feel like youre in a different world. The best part is that the beach will be empty but for your fellow travelers. Secure your car and limit the valuables left inside. The large waves at Kalalau Beach can make a landing by boat extremely treacherous. Waipouli Beach for (i=1; i<=star_img; i++) { Hanakapiai Beach to Hanakapiai FallsFour miles roundtrip and located at mile 2 on the main trail, this side trail hikes up a valley that ends at a waterfall. The answer is, it takes more effort to find a boat to take you there than it does to hike. There has been mention here before about companies, individuals who will pick you up from Kalalau Beach and bring you out - but I don't know if any of them are still doing that personally. Cross Kalalau Stream to the beach and the camping area. Should I split my stay between 2 locations on Kauai? Tunnels Beach, Anahola Beach 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. How has Kauai been affected by the floods? var lc; You just need to be a strong swimmer to get to it. The upper half of this trail should be hiked only in good weather to avoid dangerous flash floods and falling rocks. function showform(raid){ 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. more. The first section of the Kalalau Trail stretches from the trailhead located at Kee Beach at Haena State Park to Hanakapiai valley. } What off the beaten path activities can I do? 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. If possible, I would recommend making the trek all the way to the beach to camp. It doesnt go back too far. ), At the end of the beach theres a massive rock that looks like it fell from high above.(Update 9/14/15: This areawas destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. Dont get caught in here. The 5-6 feet of warm water make Anini the best swimming location on the island. Camping in Kalalau is allowed only behind this sand beach. Anini Beach is an oddity on Polihale Beach is spectacular by all measures of comparison and almost every description of this beach requires the use of a superlative. Npali Coast SWP camping permits are available here >, Overnight parking is available at Hena SP via Overnight Parking Reservation. And, once you're in the valley, you're going to want to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Apply for your permit about 6-12 months in advance. Youll be on the sandy shoreline of the world famous Na Pali Coast. More strenuous hiking begins as the steep switchback trail climbs 800 feet out of Hanakapiai valley. 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. There is a helipad in the valley, but it is usually only used by law enforcement. } Hiking NaPali Coast If the timing is not right for you to have such an in-depth and intensive experience; there are other ways to see the NaPali Coast by land. A maximum stay of 5 nights is allowed in Npali Coast State Park. Call at 888-409-2702 during business hours which are 7 AM to 7 PM HST. Your trip begins with a winding 2 mile trail to Hanakapi`ai Beach. It is not legal to get out of or land a motorized boat on the beach, however, it is done illegally. (808) 338-9980 You will find this beach after a 11 mile hike along the Kalalau Trail on the Napali Coast. To get a camping permit, visit http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/camping/permit_napali.cfm . If you follow blueflamingo's boating link, you'll find that no tour boats are allowed to land at Kalalau beach, only kayaks. There may be a boat with the Swedish Bikini Team, and they usually have the best refreshments on board. Heres the other thing it makes for an awesome photo. Kee is protected by a reef that makes it a safe place for snorkeling and swimming. During the winter months, huge waves crash against the cliffs. If you look on Nate Yuens blog post on the cave, you can see that sometimes people make more elaborate designs with the rocks. I think they do it on their regular tour, so the boat is full alreayd. Phone Number. } We came upon a young woman hiking fully nude who seemed completely at ease in her birthday suit. (808) 274-3444. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Fine"; } Kalalau Beach (see more photos) lies at the end of the 11-mile (17.7 km) Kalalau Trail on Kauai's north shore. Denny, with all due respect, "law enforcement friends with the DLNR" are not exactly objective observers. Most people only do the first segment of this trail, which starts on the north shore of Kauai at Kee Beach and goes to the Hanakapiai Beach. Lic# TVNC1058, Secluded and difficult to access beach on Kauai's Na Pali Coast, You should be in good physical condition to hike to the beach and not afraid of heights (the trail is narrow in some areas and involves several stream crossings), Beware of flash floods when crossing streams (don't cross if the water is too high), Kalalau Beach has rip tides, strong currents and a dangerous shorebreak, especially in the winter months, Bring all needed supplies and food with you, Mosquito repellent is a good idea to bring too. Doing this is dangerous so, maybe dont attempt this if you ever find yourself in front of this rock. milwkid9090's first answer is still the best. Password should be at least 8 characters. . Book your permits as early as possible for the best chance of getting your preferred dates. Our Terms and Conditions, which contain an arbitration provision, may be viewed here. Hanalei Pier Its the part right after you come out of the valley. It sounded amazing and the cool thing is, Cory took a risk and brought his dSLR with him in a dry bag (that orange thing hanging from his waist). The Na Pali Coast is a jewel of not only Kauai, but the entire Pacific. Day hikes beyond Hanakoa are not recommended. A password will be mailed to you! document.write("
"); We tried to soak it in as much as possible knowing that it would be quite some time before we would ever return. selectedText = 'Very Good'; Hena State Park is roughly 41 miles (1 1/2-hour drive) from Lihue Airport. Anini Beach. document.getElementById('rat').value="2"; The ledge is rocky, you're up against a cliff and the ledge drops off into deep, violent ocean water. *Clicking this link will redirect you to another website, Parking vouchers and entrance to the park can be purchased by clicking the link below. The trail traverses the Hono o Na Pali Natural Area Reserve in the small hanging valleys of Hoolulu and Waiahuakua before entering Hanakoa Valley. If your time on Kauai is limited you should definitely see it on one of our tours, whether you visit the valley or not. Side note, if you are not a member you can still eat at their outdoor walk-up food counter and it is probably the cheapest meal on the island. } Equipped with fins, they enter the water at Kalalau and swim over to the even more isolated Honopu Beach, which can only be accessed this way. We will use this opportunity to perform road grading, back filling, downed tree removal, and sand removal from the shower. Brenneckes Beach In addition to the swimming pigs, you'll also get to observe Bahamian . You do not need to be extreme athletes, but this is not a casual stroll. 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. For those with camping permits, get an early start to avoid overexertion in the midday heat. Cell phone service is limited to none on the trail. This Epic Climb in the Swiss Alps Is Mostly Terrifying -- but Also WorthIt. We are interested in making the ~1/4mi swim to Honopu Beach. (Originally published in August 2011. var el = document.getElementById('sf'); ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; You'll peer down thousands of feet into a colorful tropical landscape that is punctuated by a beautiful beach. We were pretty flippin excited to be the only people there! Waiting in a short line was well worth the $6/night price tag. It's a surreal scene. Isobutane fuel with a screw top for Jetboil, MSR, and other backpacking stoves is available at Kayak Kauai. driving distance from Poipu to North Shore, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. Pack a water filtration system such as those sold by Sawyer, Katadyn, or Steripen. and when you get to the main Kalalau Beach, the wind will have died down some. The trail takes hikers up, over and down the cathedral cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. I would like to spend one night at the Kalalau beach, but honestly, I don't feel like walking the 11 mile trail, so does anyone know if I can arrange a boat there that would pick me up the next day? Before entering the water check for any warning signs indicating hazardous conditions. Both of these excursions depart Nassau at 8:00 a.m. sharp and return from The Exumas between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. See Polipoli site for updates. It is not legal to get out of or land a motorized boat on the beach, however, it is done illegally. We were advised by a local that staying in the shallows where your feet can touch is a good precaution. Kalalau beach is about 1 mile long with plenty of trails heading back to the valley. Share your great experiences with me, please? Weather Report says Rain, Should I panic? And don't be fooled by the first Kalalau Lookout sign. } Permits are obtained via an online portal on the DLNR website here. Lumahai Beach The Kauai beach with the unusual name, Donkey Beach, is a beach that comes with a lot of pluses and minuses. Humpback whales pass by Kauai in the winter time and we were able to see several on our hike. Park. The large waves at Kalalau Beach can make a landing by boat extremely treacherous. 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. It is flanked by sheer canyon walls and it is illegal to boat or kayak there. Since there are no lifeguards here and drownings have happened in the past, it is recommended to avoid swimming at Kalalau. You may find locals living near the beach, or in the adjacent valley. Kayaking and swimming (by strong swimmers with fins) from Kalalau Beach are the only ways to reach Honop Beach. Learn more >, ADVERTISE: Beaches Kalalau beach is the obvious highlight. Commercially guided camping trips are not authorized. The trail is part of the N Pali Coast State Park which gets its name from the Hawaiian term for high cliff, na pali. The faces are sheer and you can see that boulders continuously break off.(Update 9/14/15: This areawas destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. On the third day of a recent camping trip in Kalalau, Kauai, we woke up early and walked to the end of Kalalau Beach. This hike is on the beginning section of the Kalalau trail, at Ke'e Beach. A well-chosen campsite can save you from a bad night of sleep or worse. Theres one section of the beach that gets super windy. selectedVal = '2'; Also, please proceed with caution this is not an easy swim nor is it safe. We didnt walk go in the water so it might go back much farther actually. Checking gear ahead of time could eliminate a real hassle on the trail and is worth the effort.<. Camping permits for the Npali Coast SWP (Kalalau Trail) are currently available 90-days in-advance. If you can't hike the trail, the kayak to the beach would be even more strenuous even if you could. There is the main Kalalau trail, as well as several offshoots to waterfalls and swimming holes. For all these, just ask a friendly local where to go! This gap forms a channel that gets filled with water as the waves rush in. } For a shorter hike, the first portion of the trail up to Hanakapiaai Beach is accessible for day use and does not require a permit. Go through an awesome archway to find a fresh waterfall and pool to bath in. You'll look up the giant walls of the valley, gaze upon waterfalls and you'll be greeted by abundant wild fruit trees. field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxlimit); When you walk back to camp the sun will be starting to set and the cliff faces of the Na Pali coast turn golden. A 1.8-mile trail into the valley leads to a spectacular 300-foot waterfall. You may not be able to use your cell phone to call for help in an emergency. Each of these offshoots has unique waterfalls and swimming spots. And I apologize to LosAngelosAnd, I was wrong for misinterpreting their inquiry. During the summer one can kayak out that way (one of our frequent contributors TravelerXYZ has done it) but again you can't land the kayaks.