Tory and Cory appeared to be tired from the swim but Seth and Jen (both swimmers in high school) looked fresh as daisies. Wailua Beach, Baby Beach Poipu They are all worth exploring if you have the time. Yes as daisies. Swimming is not recommended at Hanakapiai Beach due to dangerous rip currents and wave patterns. Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. During the winter months, huge waves crash against the cliffs. The DLNR personnel have to haul the garbage out of there. The reserve harbors a variety of native lowland forest plants. The area upon which the Like so many beaches on the North Shore of Kauai safety is a big issue for Ke'e Beach. Originally built in the late 1800s, the trail serves as one of the only ways to access the beautiful Napali Coast via land. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; Pack a water filtration system such as those sold by Sawyer, Katadyn, or Steripen. function textCounter(field, countfield, maxlimit) { We are interested in making the ~1/4mi swim to Honopu Beach. Kee Beach (pronounced Keh-AY) is located at the end of the road. There are no trash receptacles in the park, and everything you take in, you will need to carry out. The best part is that the beach will be empty but for your fellow travelers. Within the valley itself, there are many things to see and do. After exploring the cave and eating some snacks we spent an hour being extremely lazy. 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. Kealia Beach They were up there within a few seconds. In addition, there is a shallow sand bar that runs parallel to the beach but in spots the ocean floor abruptly drops to levels above your head. else if(i=='3'){ There is no reef to break the waves, so this beach nearly always has high surf year round. More vegetation and another beach on the other side of the arch. We found that there were people taking naps in almost all of the caves so we didnt linger too long inside. Is there something we should watch for? These terraces are now overgrown with a variety of alien trees, including Java Plum, guava, and occasional large mango trees. You can camp on the Kalaau Beach. This gap forms a channel that gets filled with water as the waves rush in. Binoculars are helpful to see them in detail. Today the land is under the protection of the state of Hawaii and all forms of tourism in the area are carefully monitored. This hike is on the beginning section of the Kalalau trail, at Ke'e Beach. field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxlimit); They live here because the valley is difficult to access and offers solitude and isolation. The Kalalau trail hike begins at Ka'a Beach at the end of the parking lot. The ocean engulfs the beach and carves caves into the young rock. DAY-USE RESERVATIONS OR A VALID CAMPING PERMIT, AND PARKING RESERVATIONS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO ACCESS THE KALALAU TRAIL. document.write("
"); The Na Pali Coast is a jewel of not only Kauai, but the entire Pacific. 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. http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/hiking_kauai/kalalau_hike.php. A few people have made Kalalau Valley their permanent home, even though it is not legal. UPDATED 2/22/23: Kalalau Trail has REOPENED. Youll be on the sandy shoreline of the world famous Na Pali Coast. Waimea Beach. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Call at 888-409-2702 during business hours which are 7 AM to 7 PM HST. Summer weather (May to October) normally brings steady tradewinds and occasional showers while winter weather (October to May) is less predictable. But remembers there is no reef to protect the shore, which leaves it vulnerable tolong shore currents. The Kalalau Valley - 5 Things To Do In The Jewel of Napali There have been issues with car break-ins here in the past and authorities advise caution when leaving a car overnight. else if(star_img=='2'){ Kalalau Beach (see more photos) lies at the end of the 11-mile (17.7 km) Kalalau Trail on Kauai's north shore. Even amongst the gorgeous sights and sounds along the entire coastline, one area stands out above the rest. There is nothing worse than getting to camp and realizing there is a hole in your tent or your water filter is not working. For experienced hikers in excellent shape, allow for a long day (8+ hours) to complete the round trip from Hena State Park to Hanakoa. You are always a wealth of hiking info. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Very Good"; Eleven miles in and eleven out. selectedVal = '1'; Unreal Hawaii is not affiliated with the state of Hawaii. It doesnt go back too far. It is not legal to get out of or land a motorized boat on the beach, however, it is done illegally. Kalalau Beach Pics & Info, Kauai, HI (43 Photos) | UnrealHawaii.com If you can't hike the trail, the kayak to the beach would be even more strenuous even if you could. Kalalau Trail leading to the beach The trail ends at Kalalau Beach, as the ocean comes up the cliffs at the western end. Since the trail is quite long, most people who visit Kalalau Beach plan to stay overnight. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! document.write("
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"); Its illegal to dock a boat or even a kayak on the beach but you can swim to it. 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. 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. All About The Bahamas' Swimming Pigs - Nassau Paradise Island Make sure to use the correct filter if you plan to drink the water. Camping permits for the Npali Coast SWP (Kalalau Trail) are currently available 90-days in-advance. We watched goats kick rocks down onto campsites near these signs. In addition to the swimming pigs, you'll also get to observe Bahamian . Beware of this fact when exploring the caves. After leaving Hanakoa valley, the trail enters drier, more open land which offers little shade from the midday sun. We came upon a young woman hiking fully nude who seemed completely at ease in her birthday suit. lc=rid; The short break makes for big waves, especially during the winter season, and the sandbar can be unpredictable. [OAHU] UPDATED 3/2/23: Keawa Heiau State Recreation Area Aiea Loop Trail isCLOSEDdue to high winds and heavy rain, the heiau area is OPEN. You do not need to hike the entire trail to get a sense of what its about. Florida manatees: What's legal, what isn't, what to do if you see one Even with this type of device, help is most likely hours away. From here, trails lead through the rest of the valley. Another cave down the coast has been eroded into an arch. We walked the beach both days we were in Kalalau. info@MakanaCharters.com
(Originally published in August 2011. This was my favorite part of the trip. We didn't GPS it or anything but the open ocean swim along the rocky coast felt like a good 350-400 yards. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Excellent"; 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? Weather Report says Rain, Should I panic? Yes, there are illegal campers there, some of them do leave trash. If possible, I would recommend making the trek all the way to the beach to camp. When you walk back to camp the sun will be starting to set and the cliff faces of the Na Pali coast turn golden. And eventually, our companions returned from their adventure.(Update 9/14/15: This areawas destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. You need to bring all food and equipment with you. Privacy Policy. Kalalau Beach Na Pali Coast. 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. Check overhanging trees for hazards from falling limbs. 2023 Kauai Beaches. You'll also find a natural shower in the form of Ho'ole'a Falls at the western end of the beach. . Click the link below to buy a transportation ticket which also includes your entry into the park. More strenuous hiking begins as the steep switchback trail climbs 800 feet out of Hanakapiai valley. It is flanked by sheer canyon walls and it is illegal to boat or kayak there. function show(star_img,rnid) Those that did not have goggles are Asian so they were okay (on account of the squinty eyes). for (i=1; i<=star_img; i++) { Kalalau Beach is more about the journey than the destination, and it's not easy to get to this secluded, beautiful and verdant beach. We chose to get our permits from the office closest to the airport immediately upon arriving in Kauai. Make reservations at www.gohaena.com. She said that even the babies were quiet. Allow a full day to complete the 8 mile round trip from Kee Beach to Hanakapiai Falls. See Polipoli site for updates. Na Pali Coast Guide - Hike & Boat Npali - Capt Andy's document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=" "; The trail is one of the most difficult in the Hawaiian Islands, which limits visitors to the beach. This camp is located on a section of the trail that is densely forested, so space is limited and crowded. It's better to enjoy the beach, the scenery and its caves while taking a refreshing shower in the natural waterfall. 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. Lydgate Beach The authorized camping areas along the trail do not have tables or drinking water. Just like the signs around Hawaii will advise you, when in doubt, dont go out. When you come out of the arch you see what looks like an alien planet.(Update 9/14/15: Thisarea was destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015.). Its like being in the desert. Lawai Beach It is not legal to get out of or land a motorized boat on the beach, however, it is done illegally. Cookie Notice If you've already made it this far and won't be hiking all the way to Kalalau Beach, you might as well take the 2-mile detour (each way) to Hanakapiai Falls. function form_visible(){ What are some free things to do on Kauai? Shutterstock Hawaii, Island of kauai, Na Pali Cliffs How To Hike N Pali And The Kalalau Trail Where To Camp In N Pali Coast State Wilderness Park Maybe dont look over the edge if you are afraid of heights. Facilities include a composting toilet and two roofed shelters. There are even several community gardens throughout the valley, giving the people sustenance without a reliance on the outside world. } 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. Phone Number. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; Questions? Its a wonderful place to hang out a night, but during the day its actually too hot and windy. The sea can appear calm here at times (like summer) making it seem safe to swim. The trail winds through several green valleys and ends at the cliff-lined Kalalau Beach. } Plan your trip accordingly. Your trip begins with a winding 2 mile trail to Hanakapi`ai Beach. We tried to soak it in as much as possible knowing that it would be quite some time before we would ever return. 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 can walk to the end of the cave but youll want a flashlight if you do. Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. if(i=='1'){ Hiking past the first major landmark on the Kalalau Trail, Hanakapiaai Beach at mile two, requires a permit. Sometimes they even rise completely out of the water in a jump known as a breach. Jen and Seth decided to swim down the coastline instead. And then Cory slipped on his grippy aqua-socks and climbed straight up the crack.
