Tunnels Beach, Anahola Beach As a bonus, a couple of guys were selling drinks beachside out of freshly opened coconuts. 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. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. You can walk into them to explore and take cover from the wind. It sounded amazing and the cool thing is, Cory took a risk and brought his dSLR with him in a dry bag (that orange thing hanging from his waist). var image; The massive arch, the empty beach, a waterfall and a sun bathing monk seal. Law enforcement often helicopter in to check permits. What are some free things to do on Kauai? As you walk down the beach youll encounter several caves. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=" "; The ledge is rocky, you're up against a cliff and the ledge drops off into deep, violent ocean water. Drinking the Water Jen and Seth decided to swim down the coastline instead. 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. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Good"; Make sure to use the correct filter if you plan to drink the water. In addition to the swimming pigs, you'll also get to observe Bahamian . View of the ocean from the Kalalau Trail. If you get a late start or are a slower hiker, this may be a good option for you. Despite a Portuguese man o war sting, quite a longer swim than expected, and considerably bigger waves then anticipated we made it (just barely)! Since there are no lifeguards here and drownings have happened in the past, it is recommended to avoid swimming at Kalalau. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; Fuji Beach el.style.display = 'inline'; Save yourself from a digestive nightmare and always sanitize your water sources. Your feet will be sore, but beachside camping with ample space makes it worth the extra walking. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=selectedText; Down below you'll see a light and lots of limbs strewn along the . 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. selectedVal = '5'; The mud is slippery and may slow down your hiking time. if(i=='1'){ For most backpackers in good condition, hiking the 11 miles will take a full day. The DLNR personnel have to haul the garbage out of there. Tucked a few hundred yards down the coast is one of the more inaccessible beaches in Hawaii, known as Honopu beach. 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. Subscribe for exclusive city guides, travel videos, trip giveaways and more! The trail crosses the stream well back in the valley, therefore there is no shoreline access at Hanakoa. For a nonresident of Hawaii, permits at the time of writing cost $20 per person/per night. These stacked rocks are all over the place in the cave. You'll peer down thousands of feet into a colorful tropical landscape that is punctuated by a beautiful beach. Do not loiter beneath the waterfall or near cliff faces as there is a constant danger of falling rocks. selectedVal = '4'; 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. for (var i=1; i<=5; i++) { Carrying trekking poles was also immensely helpful in balancing on the more slippery portions. Observe from a distance and use the zoom on your camera. Start the hike as early as possible so you're ahead of the day hikers and have ample time to finish the hike before dark. If you look closely at the photo above, you can see them in the water. Heres the thing youre in the middle of nowhere out here. 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. Hours: 8:00a.m. *Camping permits for Npali Coast SWP often sell-out quickly, particularly during the summer months. In the summer, the caves offer shelter from the sun and wind. Humpback whales pass by Kauai in the winter time and we were able to see several on our hike. } There is nothing worse than getting to camp and realizing there is a hole in your tent or your water filter is not working. Print your permits ahead of time and carry them with you on the trail. Those of us that didnt have sunglasses wore their swimming goggles to keep the sand out of their eyes. The people come together to share meals and talk story of their days adventures. Kee Beach The Beach A few people have made Kalalau Valley their permanent home, even though it is not legal. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. You'll be fined if you do not have one. [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. Even amongst the gorgeous sights and sounds along the entire coastline, one area stands out above the rest. In-order to access the Npali Coast State Wilderness Park as well as the Kalalau Trail, visitors have to go through Hena SP. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Excellent"; The trail to Hanakapiai falls and beyond Hanakapiai is recommended for experienced hikers only. We left our snorkel equipment in the trunk of our rental car and took a swim at the end of our hike. After selecting the date and time of your visit, youll be able to select the number of entry or parking vouchers required. Ten lashes for me! Seeaosite for updates. The reserve harbors a variety of native lowland forest plants. 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. If you're staying in Nassau Paradise Island, set aside a full day to visit the swimming pigs. These illegal residents and some overnight campers can sometimes leave mounds of trash behind in this otherwise beautiful and isolated area. Never turn your back on the ocean, an unexpected wave can knock you down and drag you out. See Polipoli site for updates. var el = document.getElementById('sf'); There are lots of details to consider when planning this hike and having a strategy ahead of time will make sure you have time for everything you want to see. The area upon which the Like so many beaches on the North Shore of Kauai safety is a big issue for Ke'e Beach. Walk-ins permitted. Those with Npali Coast SWP Camping Permits do not need to make a Hena SP park entry reservation. It's illegal to dock a boat or even a kayak on the beach but you can swim to it. Throughout the year, temperatures seldom drop below 60F. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Because the beach lacks a protective offshore reef to block incoming waves, high surf is common, especially during the winter months. Nearby there is a waterfall, that can be used to rinse off or bathe in. Groceries, gasoline, and stove fuel are less expensive in the larger towns. Naturalists will find a number of points of interest. The trail traverses the Hono o Na Pali Natural Area Reserve in the small hanging valleys of Hoolulu and Waiahuakua before entering Hanakoa Valley. 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. Hiking NaPali Coast If the timing is not right for you to have such an in-depth and intensive experience; there are other ways to see the NaPali Coast by land. Camping in Kalalau is allowed only behind this sand beach. Hideaway Beach } And then, after a few seconds passed, all you could hear was a barrage of *click-click-clicks* from cameras. You need to filter your water on the trail. 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. Also, please proceed with caution this is not an easy swim nor is it safe. Thus, the only way to reach it is to swim. Get in touch with us today to book your tour! Lightweight hiking shoes with good traction are popular. So if you're afraid of heights, you may not like this trail, especially around the middle of it. You are always a wealth of hiking info. Many of the unforgettable sights on the Na Pali coast are only viewable from the sea, so it is well worth a look. This stretch of sand extends well over a mile down the coast, with a number of caves along the way to explore. document.getElementById('rat').value="2"; During summer, sea caves just beyond the waterfall provide popular camping shelters, but winter surf removes much of the beach and enters the caves. return; One is the outlaw pools, which is a successive series of small pools that spill into one another. Did you see Todays Groupon for world resorts international? #30. The one way price from Hanalei Bay is usually $75-100 and requires swimming a short distance to the boat. } 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. Also, there are strong rip and alongshore currents, which may be difficult to spot, even if the ocean appears calm. It is difficult, strenuous , and IMO, dangerous unless in good physical shape. Maybe this site can answer your question. Composting toilets are available at Hanakapiai, Hanakoa, and Kalalau. If you follow blueflamingo's boating link, you'll find that no tour boats are allowed to land at Kalalau beach, only kayaks. To prevent overpopulation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) allows hunting on weekends in August and September. Permits are very popular and sell out well in advance, especially during summer. It is the responsibility of the reader to use common sense and good judgment by interpreting and using the information to safely enjoy any outdoor activities. Password should be at least 8 characters. But, that doesnt mean you need to stop here. They were up there within a few seconds. They live in simple camps with no permanent structures, with tarps as their roofs and cooking by the flame of a fire. 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. And how do I know that ? I told Hayleen, the lady that cuts my hair, about my trip and she said that Kalalau was one of her favorite places. Campers are allowed a maximum length stay of 5 nights. An unmaintained 2-mile trail into Hanakapiai Valley leads to a waterfall. he camping permits go fast, so its wise to get one a year or more in advance. What are good threads to read to help me plan my trip? The answer is, it takes more effort to find a boat to take you there than it does to hike. 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. But I will gladly be corrected if proven wrong. If you can't hike the trail, the kayak to the beach would be even more strenuous even if you could. lc=rid; 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. Parking at Hena State Park is limited to 100 stalls, so we recommend taking the Kauai North Shore Shuttle. If you are swept past the beach, there are miles of steep cliffside before you would be able to reach shore. 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. This is strictly prohibited, however difficult to enforce. For beach and trail access you will need to reserve a park and pass or shuttle on the website www.gohaena.com, Anini Beach The trail crosses Kalalau Stream near the valley mouth before ending at Kalalau Beach and a small waterfall. As you travel north, prices go up and options are more limited. [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. } } A 1.8-mile trail into the valley leads to a spectacular 300-foot waterfall. Kealia Beach else if(i=='5'){ Cedar Key Public Beach at Lil Shark Park.