Haena Beach Poke may be delicious, but raw fish does not keep well in a backpack. Print your permits ahead of time and carry them with you on the trail. The white sand beach is a mile long, and, in this seclusion, you'll have no problem picking out your own isolated spot. United States. Not supporting camping there illegally at all - but those folks are not the big problem with opala from what I've been told. The trail winds through several green valleys and ends at the cliff-lined Kalalau Beach. driving distance from Poipu to North Shore, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. Beware of this fact when exploring the caves. If you've already made it this far and won't be hiking all the way to Kalalau Beach, you might as well take the 2-mile detour (each way) to Hanakapiai Falls. These illegal residents and some overnight campers can sometimes leave mounds of trash behind in this otherwise beautiful and isolated area. After all, Kalalau Valley opens west to give you stunning views of the orange tropical sun dipping into the vast Pacific Ocean. It is well worth the jungle hike to get there. The massive arch, the empty beach, a waterfall and a sun bathing monk seal. if(el.style.display == 'inline'){ 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). 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 . Parking is limited to two parking lots and you will not want to park streetside if you are leaving your car overnight, as you may receive a ticket. A maximum stay of 5 nights is allowed in Npali Coast State Park. In between each of the talons lies a valley, and none of them are more beautiful or abundant than Kalalau. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Fine"; There was not a peep out of the couple thousand passengers on the deck. You must ascend and descend a rocky trail twice. I knew you could camp close to the beach but I didn't think on the beach. shows = 1; 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. } One of the many bountiful community gardens. Personally, I like the idea of the bikini clad sweet hearts, free drinks, and calm seas. Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. 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. These stacked rocks are all over the place in the cave. Within the valley is a group of people who have discarded the creature comforts of modern society in favor of a lifestyle based on the land. Permits are obtained via an online portal on the DLNR website here. For most backpackers in good condition, hiking the 11 miles will take a full day. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; el.style.display = 'inline'; The public beach in Cedar Key is free to use and offers a quaint spot to relax by the waves. Make sure to use the correct filter if you plan to drink the water. Be sure to purify your water as it most likely contains leptospirosis, a bacteria from urine. Hawaii strictly regulates food items that enter the state and you must declare all food products on a declaration form on the flight. } 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. [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. (808) 274-3444. Hours: 8:00a.m. } You can camp on the Kalaau Beach. field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxlimit); Waterfalls-There are a number of waterfalls in the valley. ), (Update 9/14/15: This rock was pushed into the oceanin a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. This cave is no longer accessible.). Top Ten Ways to Protect Hawaiian Monk Seals/Dolphin protection, Geography, Geology, History and Culture of Kaua'i. You'll need to purchase a camping pass for a stay in Kalalau, and they sell out months ahead of time. function noshow(star_img,rnid) And I apologize to LosAngelosAnd, I was wrong for misinterpreting their inquiry. The trailhead can be found at the very end of the road on the northern side of the island at Ke'e Beach. There are no trash receptacles in the park, and everything you take in, you will need to carry out. Here are a few examples of what you can expect: Pools-There are two main pool areas for some refreshing swimming. } Well, if you are Ben Stiller, I'd imagine it would be pretty easy to find someone to pick you up out there! ), ^ Top of page | Home | Search | Archives, Unreal Hawaii is a digital magazine for people that love the Hawaii outdoors. There have been issues with car break-ins here in the past and authorities advise caution when leaving a car overnight. Its a wonderful place to hang out a night, but during the day its actually too hot and windy. Hanakoa campsite at mile 6 gives hikers the opportunity to spend the night at the halfway point on the trail. Some beaches in the city need to be swimmable due to risky conditions of intense waves and sudden descent on the depth of seabeds. This hike is on the beginning section of the Kalalau trail, at Ke'e Beach. Kalalau Beach is more about the journey than the destination, and it's not easy to get to this secluded, beautiful and verdant beach. And as koloagirl says, you still need a camping permit. The Kauai beach with the unusual name, Donkey Beach, is a beach that comes with a lot of pluses and minuses. Upon entry to Haena SP, simply show staff your valid camping permit. We didn't GPS it or anything but the open ocean swim along the rocky coast felt like a good 350-400 yards. My husband and I recently got passes to camp on Kalalau Beach the second weekend in October. Would it still be safe during the time we are going? Signs warn hikers of dangerous rockfall near the falls, so this area is off limits for swimming. 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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. document.getElementById('rat').value="2"; document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Register in order to post your own listings! If you are a member, the Costco in Lihue sells both food and gas. Kee Beach else if(i=='2'){ Lawai Beach I was so happy I brought my sunglasses on this day. After exploring the cave and eating some snacks we spent an hour being extremely lazy. But remembers there is no reef to protect the shore, which leaves it vulnerable tolong shore currents. Please plan accordingly. The Kalalau Valley sits roughly halfway down the coast. and the farthest you can drive on the north shore. Since there are no lifeguards here and drownings have happened in the past, it is recommended to avoid swimming at Kalalau. Hena State Park is roughly 41 miles (1 1/2-hour drive) from Lihue Airport. } Weather Report says Rain, Should I panic? Its large and backs up to breathtaking views of rugged coastline and classic napali coastline. Originally built in the late 1800s, the trail serves as one of the only ways to access the beautiful Napali Coast via land. The trail and activity descriptions are given to give the reader a better understanding of what to expect while hiking and participating in activities in Hawaii. There are some companies that offer landing services, meaning they will shuttle you to and from this beach. Banner Ads (managed by BuySellAds) > After selecting your trip dates, you may experience a bit of sticker shock during the payment portion of the permit process. They live here because the valley is difficult to access and offers solitude and isolation. The area upon which the Like so many beaches on the North Shore of Kauai safety is a big issue for Ke'e Beach. If possible, I would recommend making the trek all the way to the beach to camp. There is a natural stone arch that you can walk beneath and another waterfall that you can stand under. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Fine"; 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. (Update 9/14/15: This sea cave was destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. The shelters are within a complex of old agricultural terraces where Hawaiians once planted taro. The beach sits at the foot of Kalalau Valley which is the jewel of the Na Pali Coast. Groceries, gasoline, and stove fuel are less expensive in the larger towns. 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. The trail crosses the stream well back in the valley, therefore there is no shoreline access at Hanakoa. Hanakapiai Beach to Hanakapiai FallsFour miles roundtrip and located at mile 2 on the main trail, this side trail hikes up a valley that ends at a waterfall. } Published on 10/07/2018 by Kauai Beach Scoop. During the winter and spring conditions are especially dangerous. There are no lifeguards on these beaches and help is a helicopter ride away. Swimming or wading can be dangerous, however, and is not recommended. document.getElementById('rat').value="3"; Lydgate Beach And they probably only do this in the summer, when the surf and currents are safe to swim ashore. var image; Lumahai Beach And, once you're in the valley, you're going to want to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Brenneckes Beach The poorly marked 1/2-mile trail up the east fork of the stream to Hanakoa falls has hazardous, eroded sections but affords a spectacular view of the falls. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; (808) 338-9980 In fact, Hanakoa is a hanging valley without a beach the stream exhausts itself over cliffs at the oceans edge. The trail that leads to this beach is considered the most difficult trails on the islands. The view of the valley is stunning at every point. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Excellent"; document.write(""); There is a helipad in the valley, but it is usually only used by law enforcement. Are we nuts? There are no lifeguards at Kalalau Beach, and you're an 11-mile hike from help. The stories on this website are provided for entertainment and informational purposes only. The other is the Big Pool, which isnt exactly that big, but still provides enough room for swimming around and diving in. Camp fires seem to be allowed (nearly every site has a pit) and there are pit toilets to use in two locations. Polihale Beach There is no reef to break the waves, so this beach nearly always has high surf year round. Also, please proceed with caution this is not an easy swim nor is it safe. There is a helipad in the valley, but it is usually only used by law enforcement. Did you see Todays Groupon for world resorts international? The first 2 miles of the trail, from Hena State Park to Hanakapiai Beach, make a popular day hike. Here are 21 things you should know before hiking the Kalalau Trail. To prevent overpopulation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) allows hunting on weekends in August and September. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; We walked back to the end of Kalalau Beach. Plan your trip accordingly. If you are swept past the beach, there are miles of steep cliffside before you would be able to reach shore. 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. Camping on Kauai anywhere other than designated camping areas is considered illegal. Kee Beach (pronounced Keh-AY) is located at the end of the road. Country. Its really an expert swimmer only beach. SeeSand Island site for updates. Allow a full day to complete the 8 mile round trip from Kee Beach to Hanakapiai Falls. The DLNR personnel have to haul the garbage out of there. Hanalei Pier Touching a manatee is punishable under the Manatee Sanctuary Act, with a fine of up to $500 and/or a jail term of up to 60 days. Cedar Key Public Beach at Lil Shark Park. A few people have made Kalalau Valley their permanent home, even though it is not legal. . This gap forms a channel that gets filled with water as the waves rush in. We walked the beach both days we were in Kalalau. Ben Stiller did make fun of himself for taking the easy route. milwkid9090's first answer is still the best. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! We chose to get our permits from the office closest to the airport immediately upon arriving in Kauai. Eleven miles in and eleven out. Apply for your permit about 6-12 months in advance. That means rogue waves can crash onto the beach at any moment. Facilities include a composting toilet and two roofed shelters. It's even more difficult to get on a boat to leave the valley in a surge of surf. selectedText = 'Very Good'; The trail is part of the N Pali Coast State Park which gets its name from the Hawaiian term for high cliff, na pali. Please read. Kalalau Beach is the huge chunk of sand that sits in front of Kalalau Valley. 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. The sea can appear calm here at times (like summer) making it seem safe to swim. People have drowned here from the dangerous combination of a hidden current and the cliffside surroundings. You can prepare for this by carrying a satellite beacon device which pings a distress signal if you are injured. [OAHU] UPDATED 4/12/22: Sand Island State Recreation Area WATER OFF,camping and comfort stationsCLOSED. Kalalau Trail leading to the beach The trail ends at Kalalau Beach, as the ocean comes up the cliffs at the western end. The sandbar is quite shallow here and in some spots the ocean bottom drops off quickly to overhead depths. In the summer, the caves offer shelter from the sun and wind. 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. 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. function show(star_img,rnid) Cell phone service is limited to none on the trail. Kalapaki Beach BEWARE of Beachfront Travel, also know as TBD (Travel By Design). } It is now underwater.). } The Kalalau Trail is a 22-mile out-and-back coastal hike located on the northwest side of the island of Kauai. More vegetation and another beach on the other side of the arch. he camping permits go fast, so its wise to get one a year or more in advance. countfield.value = maxlimit - field.value.length; selectedText = 'Poor'; It is difficult, strenuous , and IMO, dangerous unless in good physical shape. Ten lashes for me! for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { 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. Swimming is not recommended at Hanakapiai Beach due to dangerous rip currents and wave patterns. Kalalau Beach into Kalalau ValleyLocated near the end of the main trail, this valley trail passes through stone terraces that were used in the agriculture of taro and ends at a series of small waterfalls with swimming holes complete with a rope swing. A hat is nice to have too. 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. As a bonus, a couple of guys were selling drinks beachside out of freshly opened coconuts. Makana Charters Anini Beach. From Kalalau Beach, you can swim around the corner to Honop Beach, which is even more spectacular than Kalalau.