Country. Composting toilets are available at Hanakapiai, Hanakoa, and Kalalau. Its really an expert swimmer only beach. Heres the thing youre in the middle of nowhere out here. document.getElementById('rat').value="5"; There is no cell reception, but there is a payphone. Tradewind showers are more frequent during the night and early morning. We planned our trip in advance and it was very beneficial. Kiahuna Beach This small beach is no longer accessible.). Florida manatees: What's legal, what isn't, what to do if you see one After this walk, I believe I now know what acupuncture feels like. There is the main Kalalau trail, as well as several offshoots to waterfalls and swimming holes. The answer is, it takes more effort to find a boat to take you there than it does to hike. [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. PDF Kalalau Trail - Department of Land and Natural Resources Salt Pond Beach We found that there were people taking naps in almost all of the caves so we didnt linger too long inside. } It's a surreal scene. Hiking Kauai: The Kalalau Trail - The Trek It is a minimum 3-day round-trip journey for most people to hike all the way to Kalalau and back, which means that you have to be well outfitted and prepared for the journey. If you can't hike the trail, the kayak to the beach would be even more strenuous even if you could. [OAHU] UPDATED 3/2/23: Puu o Mahuka Heiau State Monument IsCLOSED due to high winds and heavy rain. We tried to soak it in as much as possible knowing that it would be quite some time before we would ever return. Throughout the year, temperatures seldom drop below 60F. See all 16 reviews. It's better to enjoy the beach, the scenery and its caves while taking a refreshing shower in the natural waterfall. 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. Must climb rock . Kalalau Beach, Kauai (Update 9/14/15: This sea cave was destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. Yet, it's also among the most rewarding. Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. I also can't imagine a boat company traveling the coast to land there and retrieve campers and do it safely and at a profit. In the early morning wedecided to go for a nice open water swim,fins are an absolute must! Hello. lc=rid; While the crew . The beach is a beautiful place to hang out and relax, there's a stream where you can take a dip, and bathrooms if you need to stop. 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). Expect delays in reaching the upper areas of the park, including Awaawapuhi Trail, Kalalau Lookout, and Pihea Lookout and Trailhead. Even with this type of device, help is most likely hours away. Also, please proceed with caution this is not an easy swim nor is it safe. When it rains, which on Kauai is all of the time, portions of the trail get muddy and sloppy. Video Shows Tourists Almost Lose Kids To Huge Waves at The Eddie While Ignoring Lifeguard Pleas To Get Back, Heres How To Visit Niihau, Hawaiis Forbidden Island, The 17 Most Underrated Honeymoon Destinations in the US, The 13 Best Places To Go Hiking in Hawaii, The Worlds Most Dangerous Footpath Is Now Totally Safe To Hike, Abiqua Falls Is a Secret Waterfall Hidden Deep in the Oregon Forest, Best Hikes With Stunning Views in the Ozark Mountains, 7 Easy Hikes on Oahu, Hawaii, That Are Perfect for Kids. There is a helipad in the valley, but it is usually only used by law enforcement. Though you may be tempted, please do not hike this trail without permission. } | Web usage privacy. As a bonus, a couple of guys were selling drinks beachside out of freshly opened coconuts. (Update 9/14/15: This areawas destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. - 8:00p.m. People have drowned here from the dangerous combination of a hidden current and the cliffside surroundings. document.getElementById('rat').value="3"; I tried hinting to Jenelyn and Reanne that it might not be safe to climb it but to no avail. mobile app. 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. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. The best part is that the beach will be empty but for your fellow travelers. Are we nuts? If you google Ben Stiller on David Letterman you can see a clip of him on Dave telling about a company that took him by boat to the end of the trail and then hiking the 11 miles to Ke'e. The writer and/or publisher of this website is not responsible for any accidents, injuries, rescues, inconvenience, or loss of life by anyone attempting any of the hikes or activities on this website. var b = document.getElementById('t0'); It is well worth the jungle hike to get there. Likewise, commercial guided-camping trips (boat and hiking) are also illegal. Its large and backs up to breathtaking views of rugged coastline and classic napali coastline. It doesnt go back too far. 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. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Good"; ), ^ Top of page | Home | Search | Archives, Unreal Hawaii is a digital magazine for people that love the Hawaii outdoors. Adjacent is a famous valley, with vast streams, pools and trails. Na Pali Coast Guide - Hike & Boat Npali - Capt Andy's image = 'qw'+rnid + i; Thus, the only way to reach it is to swim. How Long To Hike Kalalau Trail In Kauai, Hawaii The Grom Life Hawaiian monk seals also live off the coast. Camping permits for the Npali Coast SWP (Kalalau Trail) are currently available 90-days in-advance. Permits are very popular and sell out well in advance, especially during summer. And as koloagirl says, you still need a camping permit. You do not need to hike the entire trail to get a sense of what its about. Anyone proceeding beyond Hanakapiai valley must possess a valid overnight camping permit. [MAUI]UPDATED 1/23/23:Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area CLOSED through March 2023 (Per DOFAW). Privacy Policy. Kalalau beach is about 1 mile long with plenty of trails heading back to the valley. Observe from a distance and use the zoom on your camera. Banner Ads (managed by BuySellAds) > The public beach in Cedar Key is free to use and offers a quaint spot to relax by the waves. 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. Jenelyn, Reanne and I are not strong swimmers so we stayed back. Law enforcement often helicopter in to check permits. There are no lifeguards on these beaches and help is a helicopter ride away. el.style.display = 'inline'; The ledge is rocky, you're up against a cliff and the ledge drops off into deep, violent ocean water. This is the cleanest fresh water on the island, so it's great for a shower. For more information, please see our 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. After exploring the cave and eating some snacks we spent an hour being extremely lazy. There are no roads that take you to the valley. http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/hiking_kauai/kalalau_hike.php. As you can expect, Tunnels Beach is . As you walk down the beach in Kalalau you feel like you're in a different world. She didnt do the hike but she was able to see the Na Pali Coast from a cruise ship. You can walk to the end of the cave but youll want a flashlight if you do. Kee Beach (pronounced Keh-AY) is located at the end of the road. We hope you will make the effort to explore Kalalau valley. We were able to obtain a permit three months before our trip in January, however, summer permits reportedly fill up more quickly. The trail that leads to this beach is considered the most difficult trails on the islands. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Another cave down the coast has been eroded into an arch. For most backpackers in good condition, hiking the 11 miles will take a full day. 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. The trail crosses the stream well back in the valley, therefore there is no shoreline access at Hanakoa. Denny, with all due respect, "law enforcement friends with the DLNR" are not exactly objective observers. 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. You do not need to be extreme athletes, but this is not a casual stroll. . function show(star_img,rnid) If you are a member, the Costco in Lihue sells both food and gas. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; ny = document.getElementById(image); } If you are stopped by a park ranger you will be asked to show the permit along with photo id. Hideaway Beach This was my favorite part of the trip. Within the 5-night maximum, no 2 consecutive nights are allowed at Hanakoa. 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. 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 . 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. The authorized camping areas along the trail do not have tables or drinking water. Kalalau Beach is the huge chunk of sand that sits in front of Kalalau Valley. 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. Hikers have perished on this stretch of the hike, so you should only cross if you're physically fit and there's plenty of sunlight. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The trail drops to sea level at the beaches of Hanakapiai and Kalalau. document.getElementById('rat').value="4"; Secure your car and limit the valuables left inside. Yes Good For Swimming, Snorkeling, Kids, Relaxing, Watching sunset 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. Lumahai Beach Kalalau Beach | Kauai Beach Scoop We're not around right now. Doing this is dangerous so, maybe dont attempt this if you ever find yourself in front of this rock. Ke`e Beach | Kauai.com We are interested in making the ~1/4mi swim to Honopu Beach. ny = document.getElementById(image); Don't Look Down! Park. Allow a full day to complete the 8 mile round trip from Kee Beach to Hanakapiai Falls. function form_visible(){ How can I take a shelter dog on a field trip? Nonetheless, you'll find beach areas with calm waters to swim and even snorkel without any issues. It can be ankle deep only to plunge down to the depths with no warning. Password should be at least 8 characters. Book a full-day excursion with Harbour Safaris or Exuma Escapes. A waterfall at the western end of the beach (Ho'ole'a Falls) provides freshwater, but before drinking it, the water must be purified (bring a water filter or water treatment tablets) due to the threat of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease. for (i=1; i<=star_img; i++) { If you get a late start or are a slower hiker, this may be a good option for you. Kalalau Beach Na Pali Coast. You just need to be a strong swimmer to get to it. The Kalalau Trail is a 22-mile out-and-back coastal hike located on the northwest side of the island of Kauai. Kalalau Beach Pics & Info, Kauai, HI (43 Photos) | UnrealHawaii.com document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Fine"; for (var i=1; i<=5; i++) { var shows = 0; Lydgate Beach And how do I know that ? } if(i=='1'){ 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. jebett, this isn't Hanakapae Beach the OP is talking about. Maybe this site can answer your question. From Kalalau Beach, you can swim around the corner to Honop Beach, which is even more spectacular than Kalalau. A valid Npali Coast SWP camping permit grants access to Hena SP. There are also wild goats, pigs, deer, fish, lobster, and shellfish for people to eat as local as it gets. [MAUI] UPDATED 1/26/23:Iao Valley State Monument CLOSED August 2022through April 15, 2023. I have no idea what they charge. Sponsored Content >. ), 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. When we got to the end of the beach, Seth, Jen, Jen, Cory and Troy put on some fins and swam out. There are no facilities on the beach, except for composting toilets. And I apologize to LosAngelosAnd, I was wrong for misinterpreting their inquiry. return; Its a wonderful place to hang out a night, but during the day its actually too hot and windy. 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.). and the farthest you can drive on the north shore. It's illegal to dock a boat or even a kayak on the beach but you can swim to it. Its like being in the desert. Use good judgment regarding current ocean conditions and your own abilities. See Polipoli site for updates. el.style.display = 'none'; We will use this opportunity to perform road grading, back filling, downed tree removal, and sand removal from the shower.