ny = document.getElementById(image); else After selecting your trip dates, you may experience a bit of sticker shock during the payment portion of the permit process. It appears Hawaii Tourism doesn't want people to visit Kauai, Trip Report 2- Outings, Entertainment, Attractions, Kauai St regis or Big Island Four seasons. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; Upon entry to Haena SP, simply show staff your valid camping permit. Carrying trekking poles was also immensely helpful in balancing on the more slippery portions. It's even more difficult to get on a boat to leave the valley in a surge of surf. If you are swept past the beach, there are miles of steep cliffside before you would be able to reach shore. [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. Permits can only be picked up in person at several locations listed on their site. Just like the signs around Hawaii will advise you, when in doubt, dont go out. Kayak or Sail the Na Pali Coast, Kapaa, Hawaii 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. 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. Pack a water filtration system such as those sold by Sawyer, Katadyn, or Steripen. On the north end of the valley is New beach (or Summer beach) the sand collects in the summer to make a nice stretch of beach, but in the winter the swell washes it all away. var selectedVal = ''; Signs warn hikers of dangerous rockfall near the falls, so this area is off limits for swimming. 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. There are two inexpensive campsites near the trailhead, Haena Beach Park (closed Monday nights) and Hanalei Beach Park (open Friday and Saturday only). The sandbar is quite shallow here and in some spots the ocean bottom drops off quickly to overhead depths. function showform(raid){ Maybe dont look over the edge if you are afraid of heights. A maximum stay of 5 nights is allowed in Npali Coast State Park. Humpback whales pass by Kauai in the winter time and we were able to see several on our hike. The Kalalau Trail on N Pali's stunning Hawaiian coast is one of the most challenging treks in the world. Division of State Parks | Kalalau Trail - Hawaii shows = 1; Na Pali Coast Guide - Hike & Boat Npali - Capt Andy's 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. Anini Beach. View of the ocean from the Kalalau Trail. Keep in mind that this portion of the trail is in the designated day-use area and can be accessed without a permit. If you look closely at the photo above, you can see them in the water. She told me that when the ship got to Kalalau it slowed down and did a U-turn. } The other is the Big Pool, which isnt exactly that big, but still provides enough room for swimming around and diving in. But Kalalau valley and beach are not trashed, though far from totally remote and pristine. If you look on Nate Yuens blog post on the cave, you can see that sometimes people make more elaborate designs with the rocks. She didnt do the hike but she was able to see the Na Pali Coast from a cruise ship. Haena Beach Maybe take this into consideration before doing a double backflip off a waterfall. } } function form_visible(){ What are some free things to do on Kauai? We would attempt to see what was beyond the beach on the following day. Lawai Beach You need to bring all food and equipment with you. var b = document.getElementById('t0'); See Polipoli site for updates. This system helps protect the land from overuse and degradation. function textCounter(field, countfield, maxlimit) { After selecting the date and time of your visit, youll be able to select the number of entry or parking vouchers required. Kalalau beach is about 1 mile long with plenty of trails heading back to the valley. Other inhabitants of the valley include feral goats. 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. This boulder is now underwatwer.). Heres the thing youre in the middle of nowhere out here. You'll look up the giant walls of the valley, gaze upon waterfalls and you'll be greeted by abundant wild fruit trees. } Lumahai Beach See more from this series: This story was last modified on September 14, 2015. Honopu Beach | UnrealHawaii.com But if you abuse or harass the animal or your actions result in its . Kalalau Beach is more about the journey than the destination, and it's not easy to get to this secluded, beautiful and verdant beach. The vast majority of Kalalau Beachgoers hike the Kalalau Trail 11 miles one-way to this stunning destination. Theres no longer sand to walk on here. Some of these year-round residents hike out of the valley every couple of months to get supplies. The trail begins right after Ke'e Beach and has extreme inclines and declines and narrow footpaths, especially between the dreaded 6.5 to 8 miles (10.5 to 12.9 km) into it. The trail traverses the Hono o Na Pali Natural Area Reserve in the small hanging valleys of Hoolulu and Waiahuakua before entering Hanakoa Valley. See Hapuna site for updates. Hiking past the first major landmark on the Kalalau Trail, Hanakapiaai Beach at mile two, requires a permit. There are three river crossings on the trail that become a flash flood hazard during heavy rainfall and may be impassable. selectedVal = '3'; Even with this type of device, help is most likely hours away. If possible, I would recommend making the trek all the way to the beach to camp. The sea can appear calm here at times (like summer) making it seem safe to swim. Eleven miles in and eleven out. 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. else if(i=='2'){ When I got back from Kalalau I went to get a haircut. Camping at Kalalau: Permits from the Department of State Parks are required to camp anywhere on the Na Pali Coast, including Kalalau, and space is limited, so apply far in advance. 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 . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Register in order to post your own listings! If your time on Kauai is limited you should definitely see it on one of our tours, whether you visit the valley or not. Kiahuna Beach In Na Pali Coast, Places by Makana ChartersJuly 25, 2016. Poipu Beach Hello. The people come together to share meals and talk story of their days adventures. The one way price from Hanalei Bay is usually $75-100 and requires swimming a short distance to the boat. They told us about how amazing Honopu Beach was. Weather Report says Rain, Should I panic? var i; Since the trail is quite long, most people who visit Kalalau Beach plan to stay overnight. var selectedText = ''; The mud is slippery and may slow down your hiking time. Expect delays in reaching the upper areas of the park, including Awaawapuhi Trail, Kalalau Lookout, and Pihea Lookout and Trailhead. As you walk down the beach in Kalalau you feel like you're in a different world. Permits are very popular and sell out well in advance, especially during summer. Two days after we finished our hike, the trail was closed for almost a week due to flash flooding and the warning was posted in a red banner at the top of the web page. Makana Charters is a native Hawaiian family owned business that takes pride in providing the best possible experience for visitors to Kauai. Check the website here for trail updates and closures. Hiking The Kalalau Trail: The Ultimate Guide - Wandering Wheatleys Npali Coast State Wilderness Park. 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. These terraces are now overgrown with a variety of alien trees, including Java Plum, guava, and occasional large mango trees. The facilities at the beach include restrooms and showers. Phone Number. How has Kauai been affected by the floods? As you travel north, prices go up and options are more limited. Doing this is dangerous so, maybe dont attempt this if you ever find yourself in front of this rock. Which, in consideration, is less than you would be paying for a beach-side hotel room. Thus, the only way to reach it is to swim. Hike N Pali: A Guide To This 12-Hour Hike - TheTravel } Summer weather (May to October) normally brings steady tradewinds and occasional showers while winter weather (October to May) is less predictable. In the early morning wedecided to go for a nice open water swim,fins are an absolute must! As you walk down the beach in Kalalau you feel like youre in a different world. Hawaiian monk seals also live off the coast. Hanalei Pier The Kalalau Valley - 5 Things To Do In The Jewel of Napali for (var i=1; i<=5; i++) { Drinking the Water You do not need to hike the entire trail to get a sense of what its about. 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. You can swim in Cabo San Lucas, but only on some of its beaches. There is a natural stone arch that you can walk beneath and another waterfall that you can stand under. 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. Hanalei Pine Trees We didnt walk go in the water so it might go back much farther actually. Hanalei Bay is by far the largest bay on Kauai and is the heart and soul of all the beaches on the North Shore. Another cave down the coast has been eroded into an arch. Polihale Beach Each of these offshoots has unique waterfalls and swimming spots. I didn't think you camp on the beach. Permit holders can choose where to spend their allotted nights on the trail. During the winter months, huge waves crash against the cliffs. 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. Anyone proceeding beyond Hanakapiai valley must possess a valid overnight camping permit. Pack foods that cook easily in boiling water and store well unrefrigerated. ny = document.getElementById(image); [Kauai] Swimming to Honopu Beach from Kalalau : r/HawaiiVisitors - reddit There are falling rock hazards at the Kalalau Beach campsites along the cliff walls. These valleys are sacred ground to the Hawaiian people and it is our responsibility as hikers to make a conscious effort to preserve and protect the land. Both of these excursions depart Nassau at 8:00 a.m. sharp and return from The Exumas between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. For more information read our privacy policy. Kalalau Beach Pics & Info, Kauai, HI (43 Photos) | UnrealHawaii.com For most backpackers in good condition, hiking the 11 miles will take a full day. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=selectedText; Go through an awesome archway to find a fresh waterfall and pool to bath in. and the farthest you can drive on the north shore. You can prepare for this by carrying a satellite beacon device which pings a distress signal if you are injured. Denny, with all due respect, "law enforcement friends with the DLNR" are not exactly objective observers. You may not be able to use your cell phone to call for help in an emergency. You can walk into them to explore and take cover from the wind. With swim fins and snorkels in hand, we prepared for a long swim to a secluded beach. Waiting in a short line was well worth the $6/night price tag. jebett, the designated campsites are right behind Kalalau beach. On the plus side, it is Anini Beach is a narrow sliver of a beach that extends along Kauai's North Shore for somewhat over two miles. Facilities include a composting toilet and two roofed shelters. document.getElementById('rat').value="5"; For treating minor injuries, carry a first-aid kit with you and learn some of the basics. Unreal Hawaii is not affiliated with the state of Hawaii. Isobutane fuel with a screw top for Jetboil, MSR, and other backpacking stoves is available at Kayak Kauai.