As a bonus, a couple of guys were selling drinks beachside out of freshly opened coconuts. And don't be fooled by the first Kalalau Lookout sign. Don't Look Down! You'll peer down thousands of feet into a colorful tropical landscape that is punctuated by a beautiful beach. 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. Hiking and any outdoor activity can be dangerous and has many potential hazards. 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.). The view of the valley is stunning at every point. 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. This is the real Kalalau Valley Lookout. Then make some friends with the adventurers around you while you enjoy one of the last sunsets in the United States. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; There is a helipad in the valley, but it is usually only used by law enforcement. selectedText = 'Very Good'; 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. For experienced swimmers knowledgeable in local sea conditions, nearshore waters offer limited opportunities for swimming and body surfing. But because there is no legal camping in Kalalau valley, people usually say they camped "at" Kalalau beach to make the distinction. and our Heed these warnings! Here are a few examples of what you can expect: Pools-There are two main pool areas for some refreshing swimming. 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). 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. selectedVal = '4'; We couldnt stay for long as youneed to get back before the waves and the current pick up. A 1.8-mile trail into the valley leads to a spectacular 300-foot waterfall. You need to filter your water on the trail. Heres what they saw. There are also wild goats, pigs, deer, fish, lobster, and shellfish for people to eat as local as it gets. Click on the Boating Na Pali link to see a list of boating companies that have permits to land - perhaps they would do a private charter: http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/kauai/napali_boating.cfm. During summer, sea caves just beyond the waterfall provide popular camping shelters, but winter surf removes much of the beach and enters the caves. From here, trails lead through the rest of the valley. At the end is a pool. More strenuous hiking begins as the steep switchback trail climbs 800 feet out of Hanakapiai valley. There are some companies that offer landing services, meaning they will shuttle you to and from this beach. Nearby there is a waterfall, that can be used to rinse off or bathe in. 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. Infrequent widespread storms cause flash floods. Some beaches in the city need to be swimmable due to risky conditions of intense waves and sudden descent on the depth of seabeds. This is the final post in a 5-part series on Kalalau. If you are lucky enough to witness this, they are not in distress, and should not be approached or bothered. Due to increasing popularity, the state limits how many permits are released every day. Pack your backpacking stove, however, stove fuel is not permitted on any airplane and will need to be purchased on the island. The white sand beach is a mile long, and, in this seclusion, you'll have no problem picking out your own isolated spot. 2023 Kauai Beaches. I think they do it on their regular tour, so the boat is full alreayd. document.getElementById('rat').value="1"; 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. What are some free things to do on Kauai? Anyone proceeding beyond Hanakapiai valley must possess a valid overnight camping permit. if (shows){ Both green sea turtles and monk seals haul out on the beaches during the day to rest and warm themselves in the sun. for (var i=1; i<=5; i++) { It doesnt go back too far. Theres no longer sand to walk on here. Money is irrelevant, instead people rely on the barter system and gifting one another for their exchanges. Just remember that Kalalau Beach does not have a protective reef to break the waves. document.write("
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"); document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=" "; var b = document.getElementById('t0'); ), (Update 9/14/15: This rock was pushed into the oceanin a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. It is up to each individual to know their limits, abilities and level of expertise before attempting any outdoor activity. There are no lifeguards on these beaches and help is a helicopter ride away. 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. Phone Number. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'to_hawaii_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-to_hawaii_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'to_hawaii_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',130,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-to_hawaii_com-medrectangle-4-0_1'); .medrectangle-4-multi-130{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:5px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:5px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Also, there are strong rip and alongshore currents, which may be difficult to spot, even if the ocean appears calm. Travel light. A well-marked 2 mile trail into Kalalau Valley ends at a pool in the stream. If you are swept past the beach, there are miles of steep cliffside before you would be able to reach shore. Guava Forest-An entire grove of trees that provides an abundance of wild guava. Haena Beach In the early morning wedecided to go for a nice open water swim, http://goingtogetlost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/going-to-get-lost_black-logo-e1472512038874.png, http://goingtogetlost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/commando-climb-7.jpg. The authorized camping areas along the trail do not have tables or drinking water. And, once you're in the valley, you're going to want to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Throughout the year, temperatures seldom drop below 60F. Apply for your permit about 6-12 months in advance. And then, after a few seconds passed, all you could hear was a barrage of *click-click-clicks* from cameras. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; The trailhead is located in Hena State Park at the northwest end of Khi Highway (Route 56). var lc; { This gap forms a channel that gets filled with water as the waves rush in. There are falling rock hazards at the Kalalau Beach campsites along the cliff walls. Most prefer life in the valley to the busy day-to-day life on the outside where the simple pleasures of living off the land are nearly impossible. Along the beach, you'll find cliff walls and even some shallow caves to explore. 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. Kalalau beach is about 1 mile long with plenty of trails heading back to the valley. and when you get to the main Kalalau Beach, the wind will have died down some. There are plenty of other tucked-away beaches in Kauai that are not quite as hard to get to as this one, which we didn't list here because the effort-reward quotient isn't quite right. Makana Charters
Never allow small children to swim or play in water unattended. Its wide and deep. You won't find any facilities down here, but you will find composting toilets. else if(star_img=='2'){ } Kalalau Beach Na Pali Coast. Jenelyn, Reanne and I are not strong swimmers so we stayed back. document.getElementById('rat').value="4"; You can drink this water, but you must treat or boil the water beforehand. Its like being in the desert. The last thing you'll want when going on a . else if(star_img=='4'){ Sponsored Content >. #30. Save yourself from a digestive nightmare and always sanitize your water sources. The trail can be experienced in pieces and the most popular section of this trail is from Ke`e to Hanakapi`ai , where you will find a lush river valley. Country. This cave is no longer accessible.). UPDATED 2/22/23: Kalalau Trail has REOPENED. Commercially guided camping trips are not authorized. Pack a water filtration system such as those sold by Sawyer, Katadyn, or Steripen. waves can be dangerous - avoid swimming due to riptides and currents. . } The trail is one of the most difficult in the Hawaiian Islands, which limits visitors to the beach. Many rare native plants grow along the trail. We watched goats kick rocks down onto campsites near these signs. NOTE: A valid camping permit is required for anyone hiking beyond Hanakapiai Valley. 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. field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxlimit); ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; Kee is protected by a reef that makes it a safe place for snorkeling and swimming. Hanakoa Campground to Hanakoa FallsThis campground is a quick extra mile located at the halfway point of the main trail up a valley that ends at a waterfall. For experienced hikers in excellent shape, allow for a long day (8+ hours) to complete the round trip from Hena State Park to Hanakoa. The one way price from Hanalei Bay is usually $75-100 and requires swimming a short distance to the boat. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! Hiking past the first major landmark on the Kalalau Trail, Hanakapiaai Beach at mile two, requires a permit. This boulder is now underwatwer.). Permit holders can choose where to spend their allotted nights on the trail. Copyright 2023, State of Hawaii. These stacked rocks are all over the place in the cave. Nobody seems to mind, though trading modern creature comforts for a deeper connection to the land around by learning how to coexist with nature instead of profiting off it. Contact the Department of State Parks, (808) 587-0300, weekdays 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. People hear about the difficult hike to a beautiful beach, and ask how to get to that place without all the effort. For some people who come to Kalalau Beach, the long and difficult trail is not adventurous enough. #3. You definitely do not want to swim when this is the case. Camping permits for the Npali Coast SWP (Kalalau Trail) are currently available 90-days in-advance. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. The ocean engulfs the beach and carves caves into the young rock. We didnt walk go in the water so it might go back much farther actually. lc=rid; 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. jebett, this isn't Hanakapae Beach the OP is talking about. var shows = 0; } The trail winds through several green valleys and ends at the cliff-lined Kalalau Beach. 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. Hanalei Pine Trees See Hapuna site for updates. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Excellent"; Tired hikers may be urged on by the panoramic view of Kalalau Valleys fluted cliffs and the coastline beyond. BEWARE of Beachfront Travel, also know as TBD (Travel By Design). 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. Published on 10/07/2018 by Kauai Beach Scoop. If you follow blueflamingo's boating link, you'll find that no tour boats are allowed to land at Kalalau beach, only kayaks. Beaches Kalalau beach is the obvious highlight. Likewise, commercial guided-camping trips (boat and hiking) are also illegal. If you can't hike the trail, the kayak to the beach would be even more strenuous even if you could. We were pretty flippin excited to be the only people there! Those of us that didnt have sunglasses wore their swimming goggles to keep the sand out of their eyes. 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. } Sometimes you find a tour operator willing to let you off in the water with your equipment in a dry bag. But this can be dangerous as the beach here features a short break, and there is unpredictable and shallow sandbar, not to mention illegal. The 5-6 feet of warm water make Anini the best swimming location on the island. The trailhead can be found at the very end of the road on the northern side of the island at Ke'e Beach. The other is the Big Pool, which isnt exactly that big, but still provides enough room for swimming around and diving in. and the farthest you can drive on the north shore. Camping fees for Npali Coast are $25 per person per night (Hawaii residents), $35 per person per night (non-residents). The ledge is rocky, you're up against a cliff and the ledge drops off into deep, violent ocean water. She didnt do the hike but she was able to see the Na Pali Coast from a cruise ship. else if(star_img=='5'){ 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. The summer sand beach at Hanakapiai is a popular destination for day hikers. 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. In addition to the swimming pigs, you'll also get to observe Bahamian . 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. The Kalalau trail hike begins at Ka'a Beach at the end of the parking lot. document.getElementById('rat').value=selectedVal; 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. Also, please proceed with caution this is not an easy swim nor is it safe. The trail crosses the stream well back in the valley, therefore there is no shoreline access at Hanakoa. It's even more difficult to get on a boat to leave the valley in a surge of surf. See Polipoli site for updates. Do not loiter beneath the waterfall or near cliff faces as there is a constant danger of falling rocks. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Very Good"; 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. (808) 274-3444. We walked the beach both days we were in Kalalau. We were unaware of sharks and pretty much all the dangerous obstacles. Watch for the spumes of air they exhale when they surface to breathe. We chose to get our permits from the office closest to the airport immediately upon arriving in Kauai. It is sometimes safer to trek through the mud than trying to find a less messy path around it. Learn more >, ADVERTISE: Those that did not have goggles are Asian so they were okay (on account of the squinty eyes). document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Fine"; Except that theres an ocean next to you. 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. The answer is, it takes more effort to find a boat to take you there than it does to hike. Denny, with all due respect, "law enforcement friends with the DLNR" are not exactly objective observers. There are no lifeguards at Kalalau Beach, and you're an 11-mile hike from help. Hena State Park is roughly 41 miles (1 1/2-hour drive) from Lihue Airport. Poke may be delicious, but raw fish does not keep well in a backpack. Checking gear ahead of time could eliminate a real hassle on the trail and is worth the effort.<. For more information, please see our They live in simple camps with no permanent structures, with tarps as their roofs and cooking by the flame of a fire. The trail traverses the Hono o Na Pali Natural Area Reserve in the small hanging valleys of Hoolulu and Waiahuakua before entering Hanakoa Valley. These terraces are now overgrown with a variety of alien trees, including Java Plum, guava, and occasional large mango trees. } 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). he camping permits go fast, so its wise to get one a year or more in advance. 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. Its a wonderful place to hang out a night, but during the day its actually too hot and windy. Today the land is under the protection of the state of Hawaii and all forms of tourism in the area are carefully monitored. This beach is the end of the walkable coastline. [KAUAI] Kkee State Park - Beginning TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023, road repair work will be conducted along Kkee Road between the meadow/lodge area and the first Kalalau Lookout. Theres no longer sand to walk on here. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Some of these year-round residents hike out of the valley every couple of months to get supplies. In the early days, a similar foot trail linked traditional Hawaiian settlements along the rugged coastline. *Camping permits for Npali Coast SWP often sell-out quickly, particularly during the summer months. Subscribe for exclusive city guides, travel videos, trip giveaways and more! These terraces were replanted with coffee plants in the late 1800s, which are still growing throughout the valley today. [OAHU] UPDATED 3/2/23: Puu o Mahuka Heiau State Monument IsCLOSED due to high winds and heavy rain. In between each of the talons lies a valley, and none of them are more beautiful or abundant than Kalalau. Nonetheless, you'll find beach areas with calm waters to swim and even snorkel without any issues. Now you can sit back and enjoy yet another epic sunset. Thanks so much. Humpback whales pass by Kauai in the winter time and we were able to see several on our hike. It is difficult, strenuous , and IMO, dangerous unless in good physical shape. There is the main Kalalau trail, as well as several offshoots to waterfalls and swimming holes. I knew you could camp close to the beach but I didn't think on the beach. It is now underwater.). If possible, I would recommend making the trek all the way to the beach to camp. There are no trash receptacles in the park, and everything you take in, you will need to carry out. var i; document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Very Good"; While the crew . 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. It's better to enjoy the beach, the scenery and its caves while taking a refreshing shower in the natural waterfall. 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. Get answers to your questions about Kauai. Shaded campsites are available beneath the trees behind the beach. Kiahuna Beach Composting toilets are available at Hanakapiai, Hanakoa, and Kalalau. Tory and Cory appeared to be tired from the swim but Seth and Jen (both swimmers in high school) looked fresh as daisies. Get in touch with us today to book your tour! el.style.display = 'inline'; Which, in consideration, is less than you would be paying for a beach-side hotel room. See all 16 reviews. Cross Kalalau Stream to the beach and the camping area. Not supporting camping there illegally at all - but those folks are not the big problem with opala from what I've been told. The strong current would help by pushing them the whole way. Day hikes beyond Hanakoa are not recommended. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance, and no later than the day before your visit*.