The swimming at this stunning beach can be rather dangerous, too. Published on 10/07/2018 by Kauai Beach Scoop. 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. They were up there within a few seconds. Those without camping permits for Kalalau Valley are therefore prohibited from attempting the entire 22-mile round trip hike in a day. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; Thanks Hiker. selectedText = 'Very Good'; (Update 9/14/15: This sea cave was destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. We walked back to the end of Kalalau Beach. That means rogue waves can crash onto the beach at any moment. And how do I know that ? During winter months, dangerous conditions include high surf and strong currents. and our The trail narrows to a couple of feet in some sections with a sheer cliff on one side and a steep drop to the Pacific on the other. [OAHU] UPDATED 4/12/22: Sand Island State Recreation Area WATER OFF,camping and comfort stationsCLOSED. Waimea Beach. Any advice is much appreciated. A few people have made Kalalau Valley their permanent home, even though it is not legal. Each of these offshoots has unique waterfalls and swimming spots. The one way price from Hanalei Bay is usually $75-100 and requires swimming a short distance to the boat. You need to bring all food and equipment with you. By using our application you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, including the transfer of your personal data to the United States from your country of residence (if different). } 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. There are two inexpensive campsites near the trailhead, Haena Beach Park (closed Monday nights) and Hanalei Beach Park (open Friday and Saturday only). It's illegal to dock a boat or even a kayak on the beach but you can swim to it. Free Travel Planners for Hawaii & each island, Websites & links for travel sites, attractions, restaurants, maps, lodging & more. We're not around right now. for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { Theres one section of the beach that gets super windy. Makana Charters is a native Hawaiian family owned business that takes pride in providing the best possible experience for visitors to Kauai. function noshow(star_img,rnid) Please check the Kalalau trail safety concerns before you go hiking. Walking the first half mile will reward you with excellent views of the coast. 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. This is where you'll meet some of the permanent residents as well as other campers in the valley. Swimming or wading can be dangerous, however, and is not recommended. On the second day of the hike, you can explore some of the many attractions around Kalalau beach, such as the Hanakapi'ai waterfalls, the Hanakoa Falls, and the Kalalau Valley Trail. The sunset was going to set soon so we headed back to the camp. document.getElementById('rat').value="5"; Must climb rock . Kalalau Beach is more about the journey than the destination, and it's not easy to get to this secluded, beautiful and verdant beach. if(i=='1'){ Its illegal to dock a boat or even a kayak on the beach but you can swim to it. Heres the other thing it makes for an awesome photo. Though this article focuses on walking the Kalalau Trail, there are other ways to visit if you do not enjoy hiking or are short on time. document.write("![](\"../../../reviews/images/blank.gif\")
"); I don't if that service is available for everyone, but I remember thinking what an "easy" way to hike the whole trail without going round trip. 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. Its a wonderful place to hang out a night, but during the day its actually too hot and windy. Infrequent widespread storms cause flash floods. When Kalalau came into view the entire boat went silent. Hideaway Beach ), ^ Top of page | Home | Search | Archives, Unreal Hawaii is a digital magazine for people that love the Hawaii outdoors. } Heres what they saw. From the beach, the valley extends 2 miles inland, with the high plateau of Kokee State park looking down upon it. Allow a full day to complete the 8 mile round trip from Kee Beach to Hanakapiai Falls. 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 . Youll be on the sandy shoreline of the world famous Na Pali Coast. if(star_img=='1'){ Keep in mind that this portion of the trail is in the designated day-use area and can be accessed without a permit. else if(i=='4'){ Maybe this site can answer your question. Shipwrecks Beach, Kekaha Beach I suppose they woud pick you up as well, but you'd have to talk to them. What off the beaten path activities can I do? else if(star_img=='2'){ } Naturalists will find a number of points of interest. Sometimes you find a tour operator willing to let you off in the water with your equipment in a dry bag. 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). Makana Charters
It is flanked by sheer canyon walls and it is illegal to boat or kayak there. Questions? I knew you could camp close to the beach but I didn't think on the beach. More vegetation and another beach on the other side of the arch. 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. This camp is located on a section of the trail that is densely forested, so space is limited and crowded. The massive arch, the empty beach, a waterfall and a sun bathing monk seal. There are even several community gardens throughout the valley, giving the people sustenance without a reliance on the outside world. Not only is the trail narrow in some places, but it can also be slippery because of loose rocks or if it has recently rained. Because I have law enforcement friends with the DLNR who fly in with helos, and clean the place up, as the permanent reisidents run off to hide in the jungle. All rights reserved. Hello. driving distance from Poipu to North Shore, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. See Polipoli site for updates. United States. Drinking the Water The last thing you'll want when going on a . 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. If youre a good swimmer, theres a hidden beach called Honopu Beach right around that bend. Upon entry to Haena SP, simply show staff your valid camping permit. Never allow small children to swim or play in water unattended. 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. She said that even the babies were quiet. selectedVal = '4'; You do not need to be extreme athletes, but this is not a casual stroll. There are people who dump their opala (rubbish) back there and don't take it out - but the vast majority of them are not the illegal campers who "live" out there - but as "KauaiHiker" mentions - hunters and other folks who don't take care of the land they supposedly love. Sometimes they even rise completely out of the water in a jump known as a breach. Also, there are strong rip and alongshore currents, which may be difficult to spot, even if the ocean appears calm. It is difficult, strenuous , and IMO, dangerous unless in good physical shape. If you follow blueflamingo's boating link, you'll find that no tour boats are allowed to land at Kalalau beach, only kayaks. With swim fins and snorkels in hand, we prepared for a long swim to a secluded beach. I was so happy I brought my sunglasses on this day. She told me that when the ship got to Kalalau it slowed down and did a U-turn. The Kalalau trail hike begins at Ka'a Beach at the end of the parking lot. Kalalau beach is about 1 mile long with plenty of trails heading back to the valley. Tour boats do stop at Nualolo Kai on the Na Pali coast. | Web usage privacy. As a bonus, a couple of guys were selling drinks beachside out of freshly opened coconuts. We didnt walk go in the water so it might go back much farther actually. }else{ }, Private and Quiet Luxury Beach House 3 minute walk to beach TVNC#5151, Hale Kahakai: Beachfront home on the Magical North Shore of Kauai, Hawaii Life Rentals presents Modern beach style vacation house, with A/C, Affordable Beach House Just Steps to the Beach Children Welcome! waves can be dangerous - avoid swimming due to riptides and currents. We chose to get our permits from the office closest to the airport immediately upon arriving in Kauai. The public beach in Cedar Key is free to use and offers a quaint spot to relax by the waves. There are some companies that offer landing services, meaning they will shuttle you to and from this beach. 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. UPDATED 2/22/23: Kalalau Trail has REOPENED. NOTE: It is illegal for anyone to provide commercial boat transportation for drop off/pick-up at Kalalau or Milolii camping areas. and the farthest you can drive on the north shore. This small beach is no longer accessible.). ny = document.getElementById(image); Youll want a shirt or wrap to cover yourself from the stinging sand. More strenuous hiking begins as the steep switchback trail climbs 800 feet out of Hanakapiai valley. Its like being in the desert. My husband and I recently got passes to camp on Kalalau Beach the second weekend in October. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; As you walk down the beach youll encounter several caves. Follow the tunnel until you reach the room that's lit up with a blue hue this is the one you'll need to find the rebreather. Kee is protected by a reef that makes it a safe place for snorkeling and swimming. Please read. { This was my favorite part of the trip. You just need to be a strong swimmer to get to it. While the crew . Pack a water filtration system such as those sold by Sawyer, Katadyn, or Steripen. Unfortunately, there's no swimming at the beach, due to strong currents. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Very Good"; Down below you'll see a light and lots of limbs strewn along the . 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. The people come together to share meals and talk story of their days adventures. You must ascend and descend a rocky trail twice. 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. This information is not intended to give specific advice on any trail. selectedVal = '2'; document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Fine"; The trail and activity descriptions are given to give the reader a better understanding of what to expect while hiking and participating in activities in Hawaii. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. It is not legal to get out of or land a motorized boat on the beach, however, it is done illegally. Today the land is under the protection of the state of Hawaii and all forms of tourism in the area are carefully monitored. selectedText = 'Good'; All rights reserved. Native and introduced tropical plant species abound. [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. Make sure to use the correct filter if you plan to drink the water. Operate by the LNT principle and leave no trace behind you. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Poor"; The Kalalau Trail on N Pali's stunning Hawaiian coast is one of the most challenging treks in the world. Tory and Cory appeared to be tired from the swim but Seth and Jen (both swimmers in high school) looked fresh as daisies. You must either boat, helicopter or hike to this secluded destination, but that doesn't mean you can't catch a sneak peak without all the effort. When it rains, which on Kauai is all of the time, portions of the trail get muddy and sloppy. Hanalei Pavilion Adjacent is a famous valley, with vast streams, pools and trails. if(el.style.display == 'inline'){ It's even more difficult to get on a boat to leave the valley in a surge of surf. Camp fires seem to be allowed (nearly every site has a pit) and there are pit toilets to use in two locations. Permits are obtained via an online portal on the DLNR website here. Even with this type of device, help is most likely hours away. function show(star_img,rnid) document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=" "; Camping fees for Npali Coast are $25 per person per night (Hawaii residents), $35 per person per night (non-residents). else if(star_img=='3'){ A valid Npali Coast SWP camping permit grants access to Hena SP. } It doesnt go back too far. See Hapuna site for updates. Poipu Beach Camping fees for Npali Coast are $25 per person per night (Hawaii residents), $35 per person per night (non-residents). The upper half of this trail should be hiked only in good weather to avoid dangerous flash floods and falling rocks.
"); I don't if that service is available for everyone, but I remember thinking what an "easy" way to hike the whole trail without going round trip. 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. Its a wonderful place to hang out a night, but during the day its actually too hot and windy. Infrequent widespread storms cause flash floods. When Kalalau came into view the entire boat went silent. Hideaway Beach ), ^ Top of page | Home | Search | Archives, Unreal Hawaii is a digital magazine for people that love the Hawaii outdoors. } Heres what they saw. From the beach, the valley extends 2 miles inland, with the high plateau of Kokee State park looking down upon it. Allow a full day to complete the 8 mile round trip from Kee Beach to Hanakapiai Falls. 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 . Youll be on the sandy shoreline of the world famous Na Pali Coast. if(star_img=='1'){ Keep in mind that this portion of the trail is in the designated day-use area and can be accessed without a permit. else if(i=='4'){ Maybe this site can answer your question. Shipwrecks Beach, Kekaha Beach I suppose they woud pick you up as well, but you'd have to talk to them. What off the beaten path activities can I do? else if(star_img=='2'){ } Naturalists will find a number of points of interest. Sometimes you find a tour operator willing to let you off in the water with your equipment in a dry bag. 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). Makana Charters
It is flanked by sheer canyon walls and it is illegal to boat or kayak there. Questions? I knew you could camp close to the beach but I didn't think on the beach. More vegetation and another beach on the other side of the arch. 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. This camp is located on a section of the trail that is densely forested, so space is limited and crowded. The massive arch, the empty beach, a waterfall and a sun bathing monk seal. There are even several community gardens throughout the valley, giving the people sustenance without a reliance on the outside world. Not only is the trail narrow in some places, but it can also be slippery because of loose rocks or if it has recently rained. Because I have law enforcement friends with the DLNR who fly in with helos, and clean the place up, as the permanent reisidents run off to hide in the jungle. All rights reserved. Hello. driving distance from Poipu to North Shore, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. See Polipoli site for updates. United States. Drinking the Water The last thing you'll want when going on a . 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. If youre a good swimmer, theres a hidden beach called Honopu Beach right around that bend. Upon entry to Haena SP, simply show staff your valid camping permit. Never allow small children to swim or play in water unattended. 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. She said that even the babies were quiet. selectedVal = '4'; You do not need to be extreme athletes, but this is not a casual stroll. There are people who dump their opala (rubbish) back there and don't take it out - but the vast majority of them are not the illegal campers who "live" out there - but as "KauaiHiker" mentions - hunters and other folks who don't take care of the land they supposedly love. Sometimes they even rise completely out of the water in a jump known as a breach. Also, there are strong rip and alongshore currents, which may be difficult to spot, even if the ocean appears calm. It is difficult, strenuous , and IMO, dangerous unless in good physical shape. If you follow blueflamingo's boating link, you'll find that no tour boats are allowed to land at Kalalau beach, only kayaks. With swim fins and snorkels in hand, we prepared for a long swim to a secluded beach. I was so happy I brought my sunglasses on this day. She told me that when the ship got to Kalalau it slowed down and did a U-turn. The Kalalau trail hike begins at Ka'a Beach at the end of the parking lot. Kalalau beach is about 1 mile long with plenty of trails heading back to the valley. Tour boats do stop at Nualolo Kai on the Na Pali coast. | Web usage privacy. As a bonus, a couple of guys were selling drinks beachside out of freshly opened coconuts. We didnt walk go in the water so it might go back much farther actually. }else{ }, Private and Quiet Luxury Beach House 3 minute walk to beach TVNC#5151, Hale Kahakai: Beachfront home on the Magical North Shore of Kauai, Hawaii Life Rentals presents Modern beach style vacation house, with A/C, Affordable Beach House Just Steps to the Beach Children Welcome! waves can be dangerous - avoid swimming due to riptides and currents. We chose to get our permits from the office closest to the airport immediately upon arriving in Kauai. The public beach in Cedar Key is free to use and offers a quaint spot to relax by the waves. There are some companies that offer landing services, meaning they will shuttle you to and from this beach. 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. UPDATED 2/22/23: Kalalau Trail has REOPENED. NOTE: It is illegal for anyone to provide commercial boat transportation for drop off/pick-up at Kalalau or Milolii camping areas. and the farthest you can drive on the north shore. This small beach is no longer accessible.). ny = document.getElementById(image); Youll want a shirt or wrap to cover yourself from the stinging sand. More strenuous hiking begins as the steep switchback trail climbs 800 feet out of Hanakapiai valley. Its like being in the desert. My husband and I recently got passes to camp on Kalalau Beach the second weekend in October. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; As you walk down the beach youll encounter several caves. Follow the tunnel until you reach the room that's lit up with a blue hue this is the one you'll need to find the rebreather. Kee is protected by a reef that makes it a safe place for snorkeling and swimming. Please read. { This was my favorite part of the trip. You just need to be a strong swimmer to get to it. While the crew . Pack a water filtration system such as those sold by Sawyer, Katadyn, or Steripen. Unfortunately, there's no swimming at the beach, due to strong currents. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Very Good"; Down below you'll see a light and lots of limbs strewn along the . 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. The people come together to share meals and talk story of their days adventures. You must ascend and descend a rocky trail twice. 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. This information is not intended to give specific advice on any trail. selectedVal = '2'; document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Fine"; The trail and activity descriptions are given to give the reader a better understanding of what to expect while hiking and participating in activities in Hawaii. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. It is not legal to get out of or land a motorized boat on the beach, however, it is done illegally. Today the land is under the protection of the state of Hawaii and all forms of tourism in the area are carefully monitored. selectedText = 'Good'; All rights reserved. Native and introduced tropical plant species abound. [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. Make sure to use the correct filter if you plan to drink the water. Operate by the LNT principle and leave no trace behind you. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Poor"; The Kalalau Trail on N Pali's stunning Hawaiian coast is one of the most challenging treks in the world. Tory and Cory appeared to be tired from the swim but Seth and Jen (both swimmers in high school) looked fresh as daisies. You must either boat, helicopter or hike to this secluded destination, but that doesn't mean you can't catch a sneak peak without all the effort. When it rains, which on Kauai is all of the time, portions of the trail get muddy and sloppy. Hanalei Pavilion Adjacent is a famous valley, with vast streams, pools and trails. if(el.style.display == 'inline'){ It's even more difficult to get on a boat to leave the valley in a surge of surf. Camp fires seem to be allowed (nearly every site has a pit) and there are pit toilets to use in two locations. Permits are obtained via an online portal on the DLNR website here. Even with this type of device, help is most likely hours away. function show(star_img,rnid) document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=" "; Camping fees for Npali Coast are $25 per person per night (Hawaii residents), $35 per person per night (non-residents). else if(star_img=='3'){ A valid Npali Coast SWP camping permit grants access to Hena SP. } It doesnt go back too far. See Hapuna site for updates. Poipu Beach Camping fees for Npali Coast are $25 per person per night (Hawaii residents), $35 per person per night (non-residents). The upper half of this trail should be hiked only in good weather to avoid dangerous flash floods and falling rocks.