document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=" "; Within the 5-night maximum, no 2 consecutive nights are allowed at Hanakoa. The people come together to share meals and talk story of their days adventures. For treating minor injuries, carry a first-aid kit with you and learn some of the basics. Lydgate Beach Waipouli Beach Password should be at least 8 characters. 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. 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. The authorized camping areas along the trail do not have tables or drinking water. 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. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. But this can be dangerous as the beach here features a short break, and there is unpredictable and shallow sandbar, not to mention illegal. You can walk to the end of the cave but youll want a flashlight if you do. You may not be able to use your cell phone to call for help in an emergency. selectedText = 'Excellent'; The first 2 miles of the trail, from Hena State Park to Hanakapiai Beach, make a popular day hike. Camping fees for Npali Coast are $25 per person per night (Hawaii residents), $35 per person per night (non-residents). From Kalalau Beach, you can swim around the corner to Honop Beach, which is even more spectacular than Kalalau. Kalalau beach is about 1 mile long with plenty of trails heading back to the valley. Law enforcement also drops in to clean the valley up a bit. Please check the Kalalau trail safety concerns before you go hiking. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; 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. We recommend making this a 3-day hike at least. Its illegal to dock a boat or even a kayak on the beach but you can swim to it. Some beaches in the city need to be swimmable due to risky conditions of intense waves and sudden descent on the depth of seabeds. The sand at Cedar Key Beach is soft and the water is shallow, so it's safe for the whole family. The ledge is rocky, you're up against a cliff and the ledge drops off into deep, violent ocean water. The trail takes hikers up, over and down the cathedral cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; 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. There have been issues with car break-ins here in the past and authorities advise caution when leaving a car overnight. The 5-6 feet of warm water make Anini the best swimming location on the island. 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Expect delays in reaching the upper areas of the park, including Awaawapuhi Trail, Kalalau Lookout, and Pihea Lookout and Trailhead. This was my favorite part of the trip. for (var i=1; i<=5; i++) { function showform(raid){ For a nonresident of Hawaii, permits at the time of writing cost $20 per person/per night. After leaving Hanakoa valley, the trail enters drier, more open land which offers little shade from the midday sun. Also, please proceed with caution this is not an easy swim nor is it safe. { I tried hinting to Jenelyn and Reanne that it might not be safe to climb it but to no avail. All rights reserved. and the farthest you can drive on the north shore. 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. This was my favorite part of the trip. Day hikes beyond Hanakoa are not recommended. And then Cory slipped on his grippy aqua-socks and climbed straight up the crack. The surf and rip currents are variable and often extremely treacherous, but worst in winter when high surf conditions prevail. if(i<= selectedVal) After all, Kalalau Valley opens west to give you stunning views of the orange tropical sun dipping into the vast Pacific Ocean. 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). Jenelyn, Reanne and I are not strong swimmers so we stayed back. document.getElementById('rat').value="5"; Hours: 8:00a.m. #3. The shelters are within a complex of old agricultural terraces where Hawaiians once planted taro. Because the beach lacks a protective offshore reef to block incoming waves, high surf is common, especially during the winter months. var selectedText = ''; Its rated a 9/10 for technical difficulty, and has many shear drop offs, narrow ledges, and never ending climbs and descents. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. That means rogue waves can crash onto the beach at any moment. 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. If your time on Kauai is limited you should definitely see it on one of our tours, whether you visit the valley or not. 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. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. As you travel north, prices go up and options are more limited. selectedVal = '3'; At the end is a pool. 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. We will use this opportunity to perform road grading, back filling, downed tree removal, and sand removal from the shower. A password will be mailed to you! . But if you abuse or harass the animal or your actions result in its . You'll need to purchase a camping pass for a stay in Kalalau, and they sell out months ahead of time. I don't know if there are companies regularly drop people off, but start at the state parks website: Here's the specific link for camping along the trail: http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/kauai/napali.cfm. Drinking the Water Anini Beach is a gorgeous blue lagoon with golden sand and shallow water along the north shore of Kauai. Book your permits as early as possible for the best chance of getting your preferred dates. Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. You'll also have to pay for the expensive helicopter ride if you need to be rescued. The trail crosses Kalalau Stream near the valley mouth before ending at Kalalau Beach and a small waterfall. Swimming is not recommended at Hanakapiai Beach due to dangerous rip currents and wave patterns. Originally built in the late 1800s, the trail serves as one of the only ways to access the beautiful Napali Coast via land. lc=rid; The trailhead can be found at the very end of the road on the northern side of the island at Ke'e Beach. . Mahaulepu Beach selectedVal = '2'; The trail traverses the Hono o Na Pali Natural Area Reserve in the small hanging valleys of Hoolulu and Waiahuakua before entering Hanakoa Valley. 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. Hiking past the first major landmark on the Kalalau Trail, Hanakapiaai Beach at mile two, requires a permit. If you're staying in Nassau Paradise Island, set aside a full day to visit the swimming pigs. Yes as daisies. Cell phone service is limited to none on the trail. 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. 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. Commercially guided camping trips are not authorized. else Its like being in the desert. jebett, the designated campsites are right behind Kalalau beach. As you can expect, Tunnels Beach is . We walked back to the end of Kalalau Beach. Call at 888-409-2702 during business hours which are 7 AM to 7 PM HST. 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. Other waterfalls will be along the journey, offering a much appreciated cold shower. document.getElementById('rat').value="3"; document.getElementById('rat').value=selectedVal; document.write(""); 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. 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. Here are 21 things you should know before hiking the Kalalau Trail. Never swim in murky water and never swim in river mouths. Plan your trip accordingly. We left our snorkel equipment in the trunk of our rental car and took a swim at the end of our hike. Infrequent widespread storms cause flash floods. Thus, the only way to reach it is to swim. You won't find any facilities down here, but you will find composting toilets. High surf pounds the shore creating extremely turbulent waters. Then you've still got to swim into the beach, and avoid getting smashed by the rollers. Portions of the trail in this section are very narrow and the dropoff on the ocean side is severe. Book a full-day excursion with Harbour Safaris or Exuma Escapes. 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. 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. The trail that leads to this beach is considered the most difficult trails on the islands. The Beach function noshow(star_img,rnid) Since there are no lifeguards here and drownings have happened in the past, it is recommended to avoid swimming at Kalalau. There are falling rock hazards at the Kalalau Beach campsites along the cliff walls. For all these, just ask a friendly local where to go! Despite the fact that many would fail to understand why these people would live this way by choice, they are truly happy in their natural surroundings. Permits are obtained via an online portal on the DLNR website here. They live in simple camps with no permanent structures, with tarps as their roofs and cooking by the flame of a fire. countfield.value = maxlimit - field.value.length; } They are all worth exploring if you have the time. We found that there were people taking naps in almost all of the caves so we didnt linger too long inside. She didnt do the hike but she was able to see the Na Pali Coast from a cruise ship. If you are a member, the Costco in Lihue sells both food and gas. 3. NOTE: A valid camping permit is required for anyone hiking beyond Hanakapiai Valley. You'll also be forced to camp in the valley as the hike is too long and dangerous for an out-and-back trip in a single day. There are no trash receptacles in the park, and everything you take in, you will need to carry out. You do not need to be extreme athletes, but this is not a casual stroll. While the crew . Its the part right after you come out of the valley. A maximum stay of 5 nights is allowed in Npali Coast State Park. show(star_img,rid); We couldnt stay for long as youneed to get back before the waves and the current pick up. ), 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 cliffs of the Na Pali Coast look prehistoric in this area. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap. Doing this is dangerous so, maybe dont attempt this if you ever find yourself in front of this rock. There is a helipad in the valley, but it is usually only used by law enforcement. Carrying trekking poles was also immensely helpful in balancing on the more slippery portions. In the early morning wedecided to go for a nice open water swim,fins are an absolute must! The 11-mile trail is graded but almost never level as it crosses above towering sea cliffs and through lush tropical valleys. Beginning at Ke`e Beach and ending at Kalalau Valley, this challenging but rewarding hike, earned the Sierra Club's rating of "9" out of "10" in degree of difficulty. Year-round residents like green sea turtles, dolphin, albatross birds, and endangered Hawaiian monk seals also live off the coast. After crossing the stream about a mile up the valley, the trail becomes more difficult as it meanders over rocks and fallen trees. and our Signs warn hikers of dangerous rockfall near the falls, so this area is off limits for swimming. The Kalalau Trail is one of the adventurous hiking trails in the world. We were advised by a local that staying in the shallows where your feet can touch is a good precaution. Thus, the only way to reach it is to swim. for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { (Update 9/14/15: This areawas destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. selectedText = 'Very Good'; Secure your car and limit the valuables left inside. To get a camping permit, visit http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/camping/permit_napali.cfm . } If you are stopped by a park ranger you will be asked to show the permit along with photo id. When Kalalau came into view the entire boat went silent. Seeaosite for updates. Feral goats have been seen roaming the beach and valley, and contribute to the leptospirosis in the streams and waterfall. return; The first section of the Kalalau Trail stretches from the trailhead located at Kee Beach at Haena State Park to Hanakapiai valley. Questions? [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. Waiting in a short line was well worth the $6/night price tag. Waterfalls-There are a number of waterfalls in the valley. It's better to enjoy the beach, the scenery and its caves while taking a refreshing shower in the natural waterfall. selectedText = 'Fine'; [MAUI]UPDATED 1/23/23:Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area CLOSED through March 2023 (Per DOFAW). 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. Yes, there are illegal campers there, some of them do leave trash. The Kalalau Trail is a 22-mile out-and-back coastal hike located on the northwest side of the island of Kauai. This beach is the end of the walkable coastline. If you look on Nate Yuens blog post on the cave, you can see that sometimes people make more elaborate designs with the rocks. More vegetation and another beach on the other side of the arch. Except that theres an ocean next to you. But I will gladly be corrected if proven wrong. This is the cleanest fresh water on the island, so it's great for a shower. Checking gear ahead of time could eliminate a real hassle on the trail and is worth the effort.<. Allow a full day to complete the 8 mile round trip from Kee Beach to Hanakapiai Falls. Due to increasing popularity, the state limits how many permits are released every day. var ny; Likewise, commercial guided-camping trips (boat and hiking) are also illegal. If you visit these side trips, make sure to factor the additional miles into your hiking plan. When it rains, which on Kauai is all of the time, portions of the trail get muddy and sloppy. Take your time and place your feet carefully and you will get through just fine. Pack your backpacking stove, however, stove fuel is not permitted on any airplane and will need to be purchased on the island. Native and introduced tropical plant species abound. Kalapaki Beach If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Just like the signs around Hawaii will advise you, when in doubt, dont go out. 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. Anyone proceeding beyond Hanakapiai valley must possess a valid overnight camping permit. { 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. You need to bring all food and equipment with you. The trail narrows to a couple of feet in some sections with a sheer cliff on one side and a steep drop to the Pacific on the other. The lookout allows you to walk right to the valley's edge. If you look closely at the photo above, you can see them in the water. The hike to the beach is two miles and takes 2 hours. If youre a good swimmer, theres a hidden beach called Honopu Beach right around that bend. selectedVal = '4'; Do not loiter beneath the waterfall or near cliff faces as there is a constant danger of falling rocks. My husband and I recently got passes to camp on Kalalau Beach the second weekend in October. var image; document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Very Good"; Never allow small children to swim or play in water unattended. Camping in Kalalau is allowed only behind this sand beach. The trail to Hanakapiai falls and beyond Hanakapiai is recommended for experienced hikers only. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; What off the beaten path activities can I do? We hope you will make the effort to explore Kalalau valley. Call ahead to make sure they have them in stock. Should I split my stay between 2 locations on Kauai? (808) 274-3444. Pack foods that cook easily in boiling water and store well unrefrigerated. There are even several community gardens throughout the valley, giving the people sustenance without a reliance on the outside world. The ocean engulfs the beach and carves caves into the young rock. This small beach is no longer accessible.). image = 'qw'+rnid + i; 6. Unreal Hawaii is not affiliated with the state of Hawaii. She said that even the babies were quiet. Permits can only be picked up in person at several locations listed on their site. Tunnels Beach, Anahola Beach Hanakoa campsite at mile 6 gives hikers the opportunity to spend the night at the halfway point on the trail. This is the real Kalalau Valley Lookout. And they probably only do this in the summer, when the surf and currents are safe to swim ashore. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; } If you follow blueflamingo's boating link, you'll find that no tour boats are allowed to land at Kalalau beach, only kayaks. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; 4516 Alawai Rd. 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. At the beach, you may see topless sunbathers or a naked surfer. 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.