var el = document.getElementById('sf'); Call ahead to make sure they have them in stock. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; 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. function textCounter(field, countfield, maxlimit) { There was not a peep out of the couple thousand passengers on the deck. A few people have made Kalalau Valley their permanent home, even though it is not legal. The Kalalau Trail is an in-and-out trail, meaning you have to return the way you came. Call at 888-409-2702 during business hours which are 7 AM to 7 PM HST. It's illegal to dock a boat or even a kayak on the beach but you can swim to it. var i; Other inhabitants of the valley include feral goats. There are no lifeguards at Kalalau Beach, and you're an 11-mile hike from help. 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. 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. See all 16 reviews. 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). Watch for the spumes of air they exhale when they surface to breathe. See Hapuna site for updates. Never turn your back on the ocean, an unexpected wave can knock you down and drag you out. The ocean engulfs the beach and carves caves into the young rock. These stacked rocks are all over the place in the cave. 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. I think they do it on their regular tour, so the boat is full alreayd. 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. Country. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Excellent"; Simply drive up to Waimea Canyon through Kokee all the way to the end of the road. Cookie Notice The sand at Cedar Key Beach is soft and the water is shallow, so it's safe for the whole family. for (i=1; i<=star_img; i++) { Composting toilets are available at Hanakapiai, Hanakoa, and Kalalau. Salt Pond Beach It is still possible to kayak into and out of the beach. Purchase a camping permit here or in person at any State Parks district office. View of the ocean from the Kalalau Trail. You are always a wealth of hiking info. Call at 888-409-2702 during business hours which are 7 AM to 7 PM HST. It is flanked by sheer canyon walls and it is illegal to boat or kayak there. Native and introduced tropical plant species abound. } For some people who come to Kalalau Beach, the long and difficult trail is not adventurous enough. But I will gladly be corrected if proven wrong. Because I have law enforcement friends with the DLNR who fly in with helos, and clean the place up, as the permanent reisidents run off to hide in the jungle. Denny, with all due respect, "law enforcement friends with the DLNR" are not exactly objective observers. The facilities at the beach include restrooms and showers. You just need to be a strong swimmer to get to it. } Sometimes they even rise completely out of the water in a jump known as a breach. I didn't think you camp on the beach. Mahaulepu Beach After all, Kalalau Valley opens west to give you stunning views of the orange tropical sun dipping into the vast Pacific Ocean. Listen to weather and surf forecasts on local radio or check the surf report. Password should be at least 8 characters. It doesnt go back too far. After crossing the stream about a mile up the valley, the trail becomes more difficult as it meanders over rocks and fallen trees. Swimming is not recommended at Hanakapiai Beach due to dangerous rip currents and wave patterns. And it's absolutely wonderful to take a dip in Queen's Bath after enjoying the turtles inside Turtle Cove. Poke may be delicious, but raw fish does not keep well in a backpack. From Kalalau Beach, you can swim around the corner to Honop Beach, which is even more spectacular than Kalalau. It is not legal to get out of or land a motorized boat on the beach, however, it is done illegally. On the final day of the Kalalau Trail, you . Then you've still got to swim into the beach, and avoid getting smashed by the rollers. 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. Use extreme caution when swimming atthis beach. Jenelyn, Reanne and I are not strong swimmers so we stayed back. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; Cell phone service is limited to none on the trail. And how do I know that ? If youre a good swimmer, theres a hidden beach called Honopu Beach right around that bend. This is the cleanest fresh water on the island, so it's great for a shower. 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. We're not around right now. You can prepare for this by carrying a satellite beacon device which pings a distress signal if you are injured. Waiting in a short line was well worth the $6/night price tag. 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. Throughout the year, temperatures seldom drop below 60F. ), 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 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. Some pre-planning is necessary to hike the entire trail. We didnt walk go in the water so it might go back much farther actually. #3. This beach is fairly private due to the difficult trek to it. 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. In addition to the swimming pigs, you'll also get to observe Bahamian . The first 2 miles of the trail, from Hena State Park to Hanakapiai Beach, make a popular day hike. See more from this series: This story was last modified on September 14, 2015. info@MakanaCharters.com Those of us that didnt have sunglasses wore their swimming goggles to keep the sand out of their eyes. Side note, if you are not a member you can still eat at their outdoor walk-up food counter and it is probably the cheapest meal on the island. The view of the valley is stunning at every point. [HAWAII] UPDATED 1/20/23: Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area WATER OFFLINE in the park, facilities impacted. In the early days, a similar foot trail linked traditional Hawaiian settlements along the rugged coastline. 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). The trail drops to sea level at the beaches of Hanakapiai and Kalalau. The DLNR personnel have to haul the garbage out of there. DROWNINGS OCCUR HERE REGULARLY! } Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! 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. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Very Good"; Along the beach, you'll find cliff walls and even some shallow caves to explore. Parking at Hena State Park is limited to 100 stalls, so we recommend taking the Kauai North Shore Shuttle. 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. 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. Learn more >, ADVERTISE: This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. milwkid9090's first answer is still the best. The Na Pali Coast is a jewel of not only Kauai, but the entire Pacific. function noshow(star_img,rnid) Also, please proceed with caution this is not an easy swim nor is it safe. 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. For more information read our privacy policy. Book a full-day excursion with Harbour Safaris or Exuma Escapes. Thanks Hiker. 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. Those who make the journey are rewarded by blissful solitude. Go through an awesome archway to find a fresh waterfall and pool to bath in. Is there something we should watch for? It is not legal to get out of or land a motorized boat on the beach, however, it is done illegally. People have drowned here from the dangerous combination of a hidden current and the cliffside surroundings. } [MAUI]UPDATED 1/23/23:Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area CLOSED through March 2023 (Per DOFAW). Since the trail is quite long, most people who visit Kalalau Beach plan to stay overnight. Heed these warnings! But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap. Kee Beach is a safe snorkel spot when the water is calm because it is protected from large waves by a fringing reef. } Down below you'll see a light and lots of limbs strewn along the . Permits cost $10 per person per night. } You can swim in Cabo San Lucas, but only on some of its beaches. The beach sits at the foot of Kalalau Valley which is the jewel of the Na Pali Coast. The trail that leads to this beach is considered the most difficult trails on the islands. Jenelyn, Reanne and I are not strong swimmers so we stayed back. Our Terms and Conditions, which contain an arbitration provision, may be viewed here. Money is irrelevant, instead people rely on the barter system and gifting one another for their exchanges. { And they probably only do this in the summer, when the surf and currents are safe to swim ashore. As a bonus, a couple of guys were selling drinks beachside out of freshly opened coconuts. Campers are allowed a maximum length stay of 5 nights. Many of the unforgettable sights on the Na Pali coast are only viewable from the sea, so it is well worth a look. Day hikes beyond Hanakoa are not recommended. Tory and Cory appeared to be tired from the swim but Seth and Jen (both swimmers in high school) looked fresh as daisies. Kee Beach else if(star_img=='5'){ Because the beach lacks a protective offshore reef to block incoming waves, high surf is common, especially during the winter months. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; ny = document.getElementById(image); document.write("

"); #2. Lydgate Beach The 11-mile trail is graded but almost never level as it crosses above towering sea cliffs and through lush tropical valleys. for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { The rock was like a magnet for the girls. Must climb rock . These terraces are now overgrown with a variety of alien trees, including Java Plum, guava, and occasional large mango trees. document.getElementById('rat').value="2"; When it rains, which on Kauai is all of the time, portions of the trail get muddy and sloppy. One is the outlaw pools, which is a successive series of small pools that spill into one another. Kee Beach (pronounced Keh-AY) is located at the end of the road. After selecting the date and time of your visit, youll be able to select the number of entry or parking vouchers required. Please plan accordingly. Theres one section of the beach that gets super windy. The Kalalau Trail is a 22-mile out-and-back coastal hike located on the northwest side of the island of Kauai. 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. A well-chosen campsite can save you from a bad night of sleep or worse. Hanalei Pavilion Hiking and any outdoor activity can be dangerous and has many potential hazards. document.getElementById('rat').value="1"; In the early morning wedecided to go for a nice open water swim,fins are an absolute must! ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; It's a surreal scene. We came upon a young woman hiking fully nude who seemed completely at ease in her birthday suit. This special spot is beautiful at sunset. The lookout allows you to walk right to the valley's edge. Contact the Department of State Parks, (808) 587-0300, weekdays 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. } Waterfalls-There are a number of waterfalls in the valley. We are interested in making the ~1/4mi swim to Honopu Beach. else if(i=='3'){ It's even more difficult to get on a boat to leave the valley in a surge of surf. If you see an advertisement for commercial camping along the Npali Coast, it is likely illegal. var b = document.getElementById('t0'); Hanakoa campsite at mile 6 gives hikers the opportunity to spend the night at the halfway point on the trail. The Kalalau Valley sits roughly halfway down the coast. But, walk down the beach a bit and youll be treated to some of the coolest looking scenery youll ever see. We were advised by a local that staying in the shallows where your feet can touch is a good precaution. Beware of this fact when exploring the caves. This gap forms a channel that gets filled with water as the waves rush in. The trail winds through several green valleys and ends at the cliff-lined Kalalau Beach. We were pretty flippin excited to be the only people there! he camping permits go fast, so its wise to get one a year or more in advance. } What are some free things to do on Kauai? Most we spoke with ourselves included, recommend hiking all 11 miles in one day. field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxlimit); For more information, please see our This is strictly prohibited, however difficult to enforce. Originally built in the late 1800s, the trail serves as one of the only ways to access the beautiful Napali Coast via land. Though this article focuses on walking the Kalalau Trail, there are other ways to visit if you do not enjoy hiking or are short on time. After this walk, I believe I now know what acupuncture feels like. All rights reserved. The one way price from Hanalei Bay is usually $75-100 and requires swimming a short distance to the boat. And it actually appears that theres a third part to this boulder behind it. 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. Another cave down the coast has been eroded into an arch. During the winter and spring conditions are especially dangerous. Shaded campsites are available beneath the trees behind the beach. Its wide and deep. We chose to get our permits from the office closest to the airport immediately upon arriving in Kauai. There are also wild goats, pigs, deer, fish, lobster, and shellfish for people to eat as local as it gets. Kiahuna Beach 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. And don't be fooled by the first Kalalau Lookout sign. This stretch of sand extends well over a mile down the coast, with a number of caves along the way to explore. 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