Camping permits for the Npali Coast SWP (Kalalau Trail) are currently available 90-days in-advance. 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. Carrying trekking poles was also immensely helpful in balancing on the more slippery portions. Then make some friends with the adventurers around you while you enjoy one of the last sunsets in the United States. It is protected from the deeper ocean by one one of the longest reefs in Kauai. SeeSand Island site for updates. The Kalalau Valley - 5 Things To Do In The Jewel of Napali } This remote wilderness area is accessible on foot (or by boat) only. Within the valley itself, there are many things to see and do. High surf pounds the shore creating extremely turbulent waters. Hanakapiai Trail | Kauai.com The Beach selectedVal = '2'; Hello. The trail is part of the N Pali Coast State Park which gets its name from the Hawaiian term for high cliff, na pali.You may recognize the coast from the film Jurassic Park where it is featured . Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. But, that doesnt mean you need to stop here. 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. function mark(star_img,rid) Its the part right after you come out of the valley. #2. See Polipoli site for updates. There are no lifeguards on these beaches and help is a helicopter ride away. Heed these warnings! 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. If you see an advertisement for commercial camping along the Npali Coast, it is likely illegal. Jenelyn, Reanne and I are not strong swimmers so we stayed back. Top Ten Ways to Protect Hawaiian Monk Seals/Dolphin protection, Geography, Geology, History and Culture of Kaua'i. And then Jenelyn took it up another notch. Walk-ins permitted. I didn't think you camp on the beach. Lumahai Beach The facilities at the beach include restrooms and showers. 12 Best Beaches in Kauai - Which One is Your Perfect Spot? So if you're afraid of heights, you may not like this trail, especially around the middle of it. But Kalalau valley and beach are not trashed, though far from totally remote and pristine. Law enforcement often helicopter in to check permits. And then, after a few seconds passed, all you could hear was a barrage of *click-click-clicks* from cameras. When Kalalau came into view the entire boat went silent. This stretch of sand extends well over a mile down the coast, with a number of caves along the way to explore. 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. Humpback whales pass by Kauai in the winter time and we were able to see several on our hike. Na Pali Coast Guide - Hike & Boat Npali - Capt Andy's The Kalalau Trail is one of the adventurous hiking trails in the world. The trail winds through several green valleys and ends at the cliff-lined Kalalau Beach. 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. Within the 5-night maximum, no 2 consecutive nights are allowed at Hanakoa. This beach is the end of the walkable coastline. Use good judgment regarding current ocean conditions and your own abilities. This is the final post in a 5-part series on Kalalau. Milwkid, I don't know why you would think the OP is joking - this question does get asked occasionally (hell, I wouldn't want to hike the whole 11 miles, either). Swimming or wading can be dangerous, however, and is not recommended. A few people have made Kalalau Valley their permanent home, even though it is not legal. All About The Bahamas' Swimming Pigs - Nassau Paradise Island Other waterfalls will be along the journey, offering a much appreciated cold shower. } Published on 10/07/2018 by Kauai Beach Scoop. Share your great experiences with me, please? When we got to the end of the beach, Seth, Jen, Jen, Cory and Troy put on some fins and swam out. 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. milwkid9090's first answer is still the best. The trail to Hanakapiai falls and beyond Hanakapiai is recommended for experienced hikers only. Cookie Notice Those of us that didnt have sunglasses wore their swimming goggles to keep the sand out of their eyes. You can also get to this beach via boat, which is fairly commonly done via Kayaks (with a permit). And, once you're in the valley, you're going to want to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Though you may be tempted, please do not hike this trail without permission. See all 16 reviews. Call at 888-409-2702 during business hours which are 7 AM to 7 PM HST. Look closely at the textured valley walls and you'll see mountain goats precariously perched on high. Cedar Key Public Beach at Lil Shark Park. for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { The view of the valley is stunning at every point. Also, please proceed with caution this is not an easy swim nor is it safe. } Honopu Beach | UnrealHawaii.com 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). [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. for (var i=1; i<=5; i++) { Sometimes they even rise completely out of the water in a jump known as a breach. 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. Just know that some of the campers down in Kalalau live free and believe that clothing is optional. selectedText = 'Good'; Those in tip top shape can do it in 8 hours, those more average take 10+. *Clicking this link will redirect you to another website, Parking vouchers and entrance to the park can be purchased by clicking the link below. Law enforcement also drops in to clean the valley up a bit. Kalalau Beach, though, is really worth the 11-mile hike to get there. Since the trail is quite long, most people who visit Kalalau Beach plan to stay overnight. Waiting in a short line was well worth the $6/night price tag. Infrequent widespread storms cause flash floods. Thanks so much. More vegetation and another beach on the other side of the arch. Ocean swimming is not recommended for those unfamiliar with local sea conditions. selectedText = 'Poor'; The reserve harbors a variety of native lowland forest plants. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Excellent"; There are three river crossings on the trail that become a flash flood hazard during heavy rainfall and may be impassable. This system helps protect the land from overuse and degradation. else if(star_img=='5'){ Permit holders can choose where to spend their allotted nights on the trail. Kalalau Beach - Wikipedia 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
Get in touch with us today to book your tour! All rights reserved. Those that did not have goggles are Asian so they were okay (on account of the squinty eyes). There are no facilities on the beach, except for composting toilets. 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. Call ahead to make sure they have them in stock. The white sand beach is a mile long, and, in this seclusion, you'll have no problem picking out your own isolated spot. The mud is slippery and may slow down your hiking time. For all these, just ask a friendly local where to go! One is the outlaw pools, which is a successive series of small pools that spill into one another. - 8:00p.m. Before entering the water check for any warning signs indicating hazardous conditions. Because the beach lacks a protective offshore reef to block incoming waves, high surf is common, especially during the winter months. 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. Ben Stiller did make fun of himself for taking the easy route. The other is the Big Pool, which isnt exactly that big, but still provides enough room for swimming around and diving in. Check the website here for trail updates and closures. Because the beach lacks a protective offshore reef to block incoming waves, high surf is common, especially during the winter months. [MAUI] UPDATED 1/26/23:Iao Valley State Monument CLOSED August 2022through April 15, 2023. Click the link below to buy a transportation ticket which also includes your entry into the park. You can walk into them to explore and take cover from the wind. Maybe take this into consideration before doing a double backflip off a waterfall. if (shows){ 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. View of the ocean from the Kalalau Trail. As you walk down the beach youll encounter several caves. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. The most spectacular being over 1,000 feet tall! The first section of the Kalalau Trail stretches from the trailhead located at Kee Beach at Haena State Park to Hanakapiai valley. Many of the months during the year, beach landings there would be dangerous due to rough surf . The public beach in Cedar Key is free to use and offers a quaint spot to relax by the waves. You must ascend and descend a rocky trail twice. ny = document.getElementById(image); The cliffs of the Na Pali Coast look prehistoric in this area. 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. At the beach, you may see topless sunbathers or a naked surfer. } The trailhead is located in Hena State Park at the northwest end of Khi Highway (Route 56). Which, in consideration, is less than you would be paying for a beach-side hotel room. Wild goats are often seen along the trail route. ny = document.getElementById(image); We're not around right now. We couldnt stay for long as youneed to get back before the waves and the current pick up. } This information is not intended to give specific advice on any trail. These stacked rocks are all over the place in the cave. Now you can sit back and enjoy yet another epic sunset. For experienced swimmers knowledgeable in local sea conditions, nearshore waters offer limited opportunities for swimming and body surfing. document.getElementById('rat').value="3"; How has Kauai been affected by the floods? Contact the Department of State Parks, (808) 587-0300, weekdays 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. As you walk down the beach in Kalalau you feel like you're in a different world. After exploring the cave and eating some snacks we spent an hour being extremely lazy. Heres the thing youre in the middle of nowhere out here. Password should be at least 8 characters. The trail takes hikers up, over and down the cathedral cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. Those with Npali Coast SWP Camping Permits do not need to make a Hena SP park entry reservation. The beach sits at the foot of Kalalau Valley which is the jewel of the Na Pali Coast. Makana Charters
Heres what they saw. Yet, it's also among the most rewarding. Then you've still got to swim into the beach, and avoid getting smashed by the rollers. selectedVal = '1'; It's a surreal scene. Get answers to your questions about Kauai. Swim to Honopu Beach from Kalalau Beach - Get Lost document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Very Good"; Beaches - Kalalau beach is the obvious highlight. Npali Coast State Wilderness Park. You need to bring all food and equipment with you. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=" "; Observe from a distance and use the zoom on your camera. 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. 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. (808) 274-3444. You can prepare for this by carrying a satellite beacon device which pings a distress signal if you are injured. We hope you will make the effort to explore Kalalau valley. When you walk back to camp the sun will be starting to set and the cliff faces of the Na Pali coast turn golden. It can be recognized by the relatively recent landslide and house-sized boulder near the beach. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; This section is a popular day hike for able-bodied hikers. 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.). } else { Go through an awesome archway to find a fresh waterfall and pool to bath in. Theres no longer sand to walk on here. Hawaii Beach Guide | Hawaii.com Its a wonderful place to hang out a night, but during the day its actually too hot and windy. 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 you can't hike the trail, the kayak to the beach would be even more strenuous even if you could. Tory and Cory appeared to be tired from the swim but Seth and Jen (both swimmers in high school) looked fresh as daisies. It is a difficult and sometimes dangerous hike. Kee Beach is also the beginning of the Napali Coast and the Kalalau trail that leads to Hanakapiai and Kalalau Beach. There is no reef to break the waves, so this beach nearly always has high surf year round. The Kalalau Valley sits roughly halfway down the coast. Kalalau Beach, Kauai The trail winds through several green valleys and ends at the cliff-lined Kalalau Beach. A well-marked 2 mile trail into Kalalau Valley ends at a pool in the stream. As you travel north, prices go up and options are more limited. As you walk down the beach in Kalalau you feel like youre in a different world. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Register in order to post your own listings! el.style.display = 'inline'; waves can be dangerous - avoid swimming due to riptides and currents. People hear about the difficult hike to a beautiful beach, and ask how to get to that place without all the effort. Honopu Beach now requires swimming a good 300 or more yards to access the beach.). More strenuous hiking begins as the steep switchback trail climbs 800 feet out of Hanakapiai valley. You may not be able to use your cell phone to call for help in an emergency. State. (808) 338-9980
Subscribe for exclusive city guides, travel videos, trip giveaways and more! 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. [OAHU] UPDATED 4/12/22: Sand Island State Recreation Area WATER OFF,camping and comfort stationsCLOSED. For a nonresident of Hawaii, permits at the time of writing cost $20 per person/per night. These campsites are run by the County of Kauai and operate on a different reservation system. If you look on Nate Yuens blog post on the cave, you can see that sometimes people make more elaborate designs with the rocks. And then Cory slipped on his grippy aqua-socks and climbed straight up the crack. Though exact dates vary between sources, in the past, Native Hawaiians lived and worked in the valleys, cultivating taro and harvesting fish from the sea. Hiking past the first major landmark on the Kalalau Trail, Hanakapiaai Beach at mile two, requires a permit. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. It is not legal to get out of or land a motorized boat on the beach, however, it is done illegally. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Fine"; This camp is located on a section of the trail that is densely forested, so space is limited and crowded. var n = document.getElementById('n'+rid); 20 Things You Should Know Before Hiking Hawaii's Kalalau Trail The vast majority of Kalalau Beachgoers hike the Kalalau Trail 11 miles one-way to this stunning destination. Jenelyn, Reanne and I are not strong swimmers so we stayed back. In the summer, the caves offer shelter from the sun and wind. You definitely do not want to swim when this is the case. Aside from environmental concerns, you will face a court date and heavy fines if you get caught. Never turn your back on the ocean. show(star_img,rid); During summer, sea caves just beyond the waterfall provide popular camping shelters, but winter surf removes much of the beach and enters the caves. We didnt walk go in the water so it might go back much farther actually. The stream at the beach can be crossed relatively easily by going bouldering down to the coast depending on the tide and water flow on the stream. Listen to weather and surf forecasts on local radio or check the surf report. The shelters are within a complex of old agricultural terraces where Hawaiians once planted taro. There are even several community gardens throughout the valley, giving the people sustenance without a reliance on the outside world. he camping permits go fast, so its wise to get one a year or more in advance. var b = document.getElementById('t0'); 3. The strong current would help by pushing them the whole way. A 1.8-mile trail into the valley leads to a spectacular 300-foot waterfall. var image; . { Kiahuna Beach Naturalists will find a number of points of interest. No camping is permitted there, but that is only what we read on the signage. There are permanent residents in the valley that live off the land despite the fact that it is illegal. Start early as it gets warm and the trail is challenging enough without afternoon sun the entire time. And don't be fooled by the first Kalalau Lookout sign. You do not need to hike the entire trail to get a sense of what its about. In-order to access the Npali Coast State Wilderness Park as well as the Kalalau Trail, visitors have to go through Hena SP. Its illegal to dock a boat or even a kayak on the beach but you can swim to it. if(star_img=='1'){ Though not technically allowed, the relaxed atmosphere on the trail seems to coincide with clothing optional attire. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Fine"; Kealia Beach Phone Number. We will use this opportunity to perform road grading, back filling, downed tree removal, and sand removal from the shower.