Then you've still got to swim into the beach, and avoid getting smashed by the rollers. } During the winter months, huge waves crash against the cliffs. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; There are no trash receptacles in the park, and everything you take in, you will need to carry out. function textCounter(field, countfield, maxlimit) { else if(star_img=='4'){ It is now underwater.). 12 Best Beaches in Kauai - Which One is Your Perfect Spot? Check the website here for trail updates and closures. selectedVal = '4'; Cedar Key Public Beach at Lil Shark Park. This beach is the end of the walkable coastline. The last thing you'll want when going on a . Each of these offshoots has unique waterfalls and swimming spots. This camp is located on a section of the trail that is densely forested, so space is limited and crowded. Kayaking from a boat tour to Kalalau Beach - Kauai Forum There have been issues with car break-ins here in the past and authorities advise caution when leaving a car overnight. Despite the fact that many would fail to understand why these people would live this way by choice, they are truly happy in their natural surroundings. Yes, there are illegal campers there, some of them do leave trash. Its really an expert swimmer only beach. Kalalau Beach (see more photos) lies at the end of the 11-mile (17.7 km) Kalalau Trail on Kauai's north shore. Humpback whales pass by Kauai in the winter time and we were able to see several on our 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. 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. ), ^ Top of page | Home | Search | Archives, Unreal Hawaii is a digital magazine for people that love the Hawaii outdoors. Hours: 8:00a.m. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. } Hiking to Hanakpai Valley (2 miles in from trailhead) requires Entry and Parking Reservations at Haena. Except that theres an ocean next to you. When Kalalau came into view the entire boat went silent. Cory and Troy picked them off the rocks in between waves. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Good"; Hanakoa campsite at mile 6 gives hikers the opportunity to spend the night at the halfway point on the trail. Jenelyn, Reanne and I are not strong swimmers so we stayed back. } else { } Most we spoke with ourselves included, recommend hiking all 11 miles in one day. Also, there are strong rip and alongshore currents, which may be difficult to spot, even if the ocean appears calm. This beach is fairly private due to the difficult trek to it. During summer, sea caves just beyond the waterfall provide popular camping shelters, but winter surf removes much of the beach and enters the caves. As you travel north, prices go up and options are more limited. 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). We were pretty flippin excited to be the only people there! Ocean swimming is not recommended for those unfamiliar with local sea conditions. Law enforcement often helicopter in to check permits. It is still possible to kayak into and out of the beach. The trail drops to sea level at the beaches of Hanakapiai and Kalalau. But this can be dangerous as the beach here features a short break, and there is unpredictable and shallow sandbar, not to mention illegal. Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. It is protected from the deeper ocean by one one of the longest reefs in Kauai. The strong current would help by pushing them the whole way. The Kalalau Trail is a 22-mile out-and-back coastal hike located on the northwest side of the island of Kauai. Permits are obtained via an online portal on the DLNR website here. Swimming is not recommended at Hanakapiai Beach due to dangerous rip currents and wave patterns. Kalalau Beach Na Pali Coast. We walked back to the end of Kalalau Beach. Permit holders can choose where to spend their allotted nights on the trail. You'll be fined if you do not have one. Never allow small children to swim or play in water unattended. When we got to the end of the beach, Seth, Jen, Jen, Cory and Troy put on some fins and swam out. Observe from a distance and use the zoom on your camera. There are even several community gardens throughout the valley, giving the people sustenance without a reliance on the outside world. ny = document.getElementById(image); But if you abuse or harass the animal or your actions result in its . Keep in mind that this portion of the trail is in the designated day-use area and can be accessed without a permit. You may find locals living near the beach, or in the adjacent valley. The Kalalau Trail is a 22-mile out-and-back coastal hike located on the northwest side of the island of Kauai. ), Walk along the Na Pali Coast to the end of the beach for an amazing view.(Update 9/14/15: This area wasdestroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. The mud is slippery and may slow down your hiking time. Its like being in the desert. Anini Beach is a gorgeous blue lagoon with golden sand and shallow water along the north shore of Kauai. The sunset was going to set soon so we headed back to the camp. Thanks so much. 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. function mark(star_img,rid) And it's absolutely wonderful to take a dip in Queen's Bath after enjoying the turtles inside Turtle Cove. else if(i=='4'){ If you get a late start or are a slower hiker, this may be a good option for you. We walked the beach both days we were in Kalalau. It's even more difficult to get on a boat to leave the valley in a surge of surf. Hello. selectedVal = '2'; }, 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! Wailua Beach, Baby Beach Poipu Hawaiian monk seals also live off the coast. An unmaintained 2-mile trail into Hanakapiai Valley leads to a waterfall. You can walk into them to explore and take cover from the wind. While the crew . (Update 9/14/15: This areawas destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. Kayak the Na Pali Coast, The Mount Everest of Sea Kayaking - Hawaii.com (Update 9/14/15: This sea cave was destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. 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. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; Even if there was an unautthorized boat, or raft, the OP did not happen to mention the time of year that they were planning on camping at the Kalalau Valley. UPDATED 2/22/23: Kalalau Trail has REOPENED. Its illegal to dock a boat or even a kayak on the beach but you can swim to it. These stacked rocks are all over the place in the cave. var shows = 0; See Hapuna site for updates. Ke`e Beach | Kauai.com Kalalau Beach, though, is really worth the 11-mile hike to get there. 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. Salt Pond Beach Use extreme caution when swimming atthis beach. Those with Npali Coast SWP Camping Permits do not need to make a Hena SP park entry reservation. 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. The most spectacular being over 1,000 feet tall! if(i=='1'){ Na Pali Coast State Park Information & More - Hawaii Guide As a bonus, a couple of guys were selling drinks beachside out of freshly opened coconuts. Drinking the Water var i; There are falling rock hazards at the Kalalau Beach campsites along the cliff walls. For some people who come to Kalalau Beach, the long and difficult trail is not adventurous enough. countfield.value = maxlimit - field.value.length; You will find this beach after a 11 mile hike along the Kalalau Trail on the Napali Coast. Anini Beach. If possible, I would recommend making the trek all the way to the beach to camp. Free Travel Planners for Hawaii & each island, Websites & links for travel sites, attractions, restaurants, maps, lodging & more. The summer sand beach at Hanakapiai is a popular destination for day hikers. All rights reserved. A password will be mailed to you! NOTE: A valid camping permit is required for anyone hiking beyond Hanakapiai Valley. Theres no longer sand to walk on here. 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). In the early morning wedecided to go for a nice open water swim,fins are an absolute must! Heres the other thing it makes for an awesome photo. *Clicking this link will redirect you to another website, Parking vouchers and entrance to the park can be purchased by clicking the link below. Use good judgment regarding current ocean conditions and your own abilities. el.style.display = 'inline'; Pack your backpacking stove, however, stove fuel is not permitted on any airplane and will need to be purchased on the island. And then, after a few seconds passed, all you could hear was a barrage of *click-click-clicks* from cameras. We will use this opportunity to perform road grading, back filling, downed tree removal, and sand removal from the shower. I suppose they woud pick you up as well, but you'd have to talk to them. Denny, with all due respect, "law enforcement friends with the DLNR" are not exactly objective observers. 2023 Kauai Beaches. These terraces were replanted with coffee plants in the late 1800s, which are still growing throughout the valley today. What off the beaten path activities can I do? Nonetheless, you'll find beach areas with calm waters to swim and even snorkel without any issues. List of properly permitted vacation rentals, not condos - 8/15/2017, Weather Questions start here Pls/Best Time of Year to Visit Kauai, How to make reservations at Haena State Park / Ke'e Beach. BEWARE of Beachfront Travel, also know as TBD (Travel By Design). Isobutane fuel with a screw top for Jetboil, MSR, and other backpacking stoves is available at Kayak Kauai. { 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. Please read. Hanakapiai Trail | Kauai.com Naturalists will find a number of points of interest. Kayaking and swimming (by strong swimmers with fins) from Kalalau Beach are the only ways to reach Honop Beach. (808) 274-3444. For a nonresident of Hawaii, permits at the time of writing cost $20 per person/per night. Many hikers turn back when they reach Crawler's Ledge -- a narrow path carved into a cliff that runs for nearly a quarter-mile. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Sponsored Content >. 10 Best Things to Do in Cedar Key FL You Shouldn't Miss document.getElementById('rat').value="5"; Camping in Kalalau is allowed only behind this sand beach. Make sure to use the correct filter if you plan to drink the water. The trailhead is located in Hena State Park at the northwest end of Khi Highway (Route 56). You just need to be a strong swimmer to get to it. And as koloagirl says, you still need a camping permit. And I apologize to LosAngelosAnd, I was wrong for misinterpreting their inquiry. Other inhabitants of the valley include feral goats. All rights reserved. Nearby there is a waterfall, that can be used to rinse off or bathe in. There is no cell reception, but there is a payphone. The Kalalau Trail is one of the adventurous hiking trails in the world. View of the ocean from the Kalalau Trail. If you see an advertisement for commercial camping along the Npali Coast, it is likely illegal. Waipouli Beach From the beach, the valley extends 2 miles inland, with the high plateau of Kokee State park looking down upon it. A valid Npali Coast SWP camping permit grants access to Hena SP. var image; for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { But remembers there is no reef to protect the shore, which leaves it vulnerable tolong shore currents. It is the responsibility of the reader to use common sense and good judgment by interpreting and using the information to safely enjoy any outdoor activities. { It is flanked by sheer canyon walls and it is illegal to boat or kayak there. 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. We pulled in around 7 AM the morning of our hike and were rewarded with a good parking spot close to the trailhead. So if you're afraid of heights, you may not like this trail, especially around the middle of it. selectedVal = '3'; There are no facilities on the beach, except for composting toilets. } Well, if you are Ben Stiller, I'd imagine it would be pretty easy to find someone to pick you up out there! They were up there within a few seconds. Strong winds during the day form lines in the sand. Check overhanging trees for hazards from falling limbs. show(star_img,rid); I tried hinting to Jenelyn and Reanne that it might not be safe to climb it but to no avail. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! DISCLAIMER: UnrealHawaii.com is an independent resource for Hawaii focused content. } They live here because the valley is difficult to access and offers solitude and isolation. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance, and no later than the day before your visit*. You need to filter your water on the trail. 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. Camping fees for Npali Coast are $25 per person per night (Hawaii residents), $35 per person per night (non-residents). The surf and rip currents are variable and often extremely treacherous, but worst in winter when high surf conditions prevail. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Fine"; ny = document.getElementById(image); Commercially guided camping trips are not authorized. } Even with this type of device, help is most likely hours away. Camping is allowed on the beach, but permits are required. Camping permits for the Npali Coast SWP (Kalalau Trail) are currently available 90-days in-advance. She said that even the babies were quiet. One is the outlaw pools, which is a successive series of small pools that spill into one another. Empty, untouched beach On your mark, get set, go Tucked a few hundred yards down the coast is one of the more inaccessible beaches in Hawaii, known as Honopu beach. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Poor"; During the winter and spring conditions are especially dangerous. 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. If you can't hike the trail, the kayak to the beach would be even more strenuous even if you could. I have a good friend who camps at Kalalau every Christmastime for many, many years. Shipwrecks Beach, Kekaha Beach ny = document.getElementById(image); } var selectedText = '';