Never turn your back on the ocean, an unexpected wave can knock you down and drag you out. UPDATED 2/22/23: Kalalau Trail has REOPENED. The first section of the Kalalau Trail stretches from the trailhead located at Kee Beach at Haena State Park to Hanakapiai valley. Beware of this fact when exploring the caves. As you travel north, prices go up and options are more limited. A password will be mailed to 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. After crossing the stream about a mile up the valley, the trail becomes more difficult as it meanders over rocks and fallen trees. There are no trash receptacles in the park, and everything you take in, you will need to carry out. And I apologize to LosAngelosAnd, I was wrong for misinterpreting their inquiry. Shutterstock Hawaii, Island of kauai, Na Pali Cliffs How To Hike N Pali And The Kalalau Trail Where To Camp In N Pali Coast State Wilderness Park This is because the valley and beach are literally surrounded by steep rock walls, so unless you feel inspired to do some lead climbing, or swim back (not recommended- see the hazards section), you pretty much have to enter and leave the way you came. Look closely at the textured valley walls and you'll see mountain goats precariously perched on high. } This small beach is no longer accessible.). It's better to enjoy the beach, the scenery and its caves while taking a refreshing shower in the natural waterfall. We didn't GPS it or anything but the open ocean swim along the rocky coast felt like a good 350-400 yards. Checking gear ahead of time could eliminate a real hassle on the trail and is worth the effort.<. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Good"; info@MakanaCharters.com
Kalalau Beach, though, is really worth the 11-mile hike to get there. Privacy Policy. el.style.display = 'none'; You need to bring all food and equipment with you. [MAUI]UPDATED 1/23/23:Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area CLOSED through March 2023 (Per DOFAW). Its rated a 9/10 for technical difficulty, and has many shear drop offs, narrow ledges, and never ending climbs and descents. Camping permits for the Npali Coast SWP (Kalalau Trail) are currently available 90-days in-advance. Npali Coast SWP camping permits are available here >, Overnight parking is available at Hena SP via Overnight Parking Reservation. Thus, the only way to reach it is to swim. This cave is no longer accessible.). There is a helipad in the valley, but it is usually only used by law enforcement. The cliffs of the Na Pali Coast look prehistoric in this area. Use good judgment regarding current ocean conditions and your own abilities. After this walk, I believe I now know what acupuncture feels like. See all 16 reviews. 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. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Good"; ny = document.getElementById(image); Your trip begins with a winding 2 mile trail to Hanakapi`ai Beach. For some people who come to Kalalau Beach, the long and difficult trail is not adventurous enough. Wailua Beach, Baby Beach Poipu Heres the thing youre in the middle of nowhere out here. If you look on Nate Yuens blog post on the cave, you can see that sometimes people make more elaborate designs with the rocks. Waimea Beach. Portions of the trail in this section are very narrow and the dropoff on the ocean side is severe. Since there are no lifeguards here and drownings have happened in the past, it is recommended to avoid swimming at Kalalau. This section is a popular day hike for able-bodied hikers. All rights reserved. In addition to the swimming pigs, you'll also get to observe Bahamian . In-order to access the Npali Coast State Wilderness Park as well as the Kalalau Trail, visitors have to go through Hena SP. ), At the end of the beach theres a massive rock that looks like it fell from high above.(Update 9/14/15: This areawas destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. Password should be at least 8 characters. The trail begins right after Ke'e Beach and has extreme inclines and declines and narrow footpaths, especially between the dreaded 6.5 to 8 miles (10.5 to 12.9 km) into it. Infrequent widespread storms cause flash floods. Just know that some of the campers down in Kalalau live free and believe that clothing is optional. She didnt do the hike but she was able to see the Na Pali Coast from a cruise ship. Hanalei Pier This stretch of sand extends well over a mile down the coast, with a number of caves along the way to explore. After all, Kalalau Valley opens west to give you stunning views of the orange tropical sun dipping into the vast Pacific Ocean. The best part is that the beach will be empty but for your fellow travelers. Shipwrecks Beach, Kekaha Beach This information is not intended to give specific advice on any trail. For a nonresident of Hawaii, permits at the time of writing cost $20 per person/per night. Anini Beach. Any advice is much appreciated. We were pretty flippin excited to be the only people there! } For beach and trail access you will need to reserve a park and pass or shuttle on the website www.gohaena.com, Anini Beach One is the outlaw pools, which is a successive series of small pools that spill into one another. Maybe this site can answer your question. he camping permits go fast, so its wise to get one a year or more in advance. Sometimes you find a tour operator willing to let you off in the water with your equipment in a dry bag. It can be ankle deep only to plunge down to the depths with no warning. Its really an expert swimmer only beach. Law enforcement also drops in to clean the valley up a bit. Jenelyn, Reanne and I are not strong swimmers so we stayed back. 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. Listen to weather and surf forecasts on local radio or check the surf report. document.getElementById('rat').value="3"; It is a difficult and sometimes dangerous hike. You do not need to hike the entire trail to get a sense of what its about. Many hikers turn back when they reach Crawler's Ledge -- a narrow path carved into a cliff that runs for nearly a quarter-mile. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Register in order to post your own listings! and when you get to the main Kalalau Beach, the wind will have died down some. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; This hike is on the beginning section of the Kalalau trail, at Ke'e Beach. Makana Charters
Despite a Portuguese man o war sting, quite a longer swim than expected, and considerably bigger waves then anticipated we made it (just barely)! Though you may be tempted, please do not hike this trail without permission. 4516 Alawai Rd. 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During the summer months, the water can be as calm and clear as a swimming pool. Waipouli Beach (Update 9/14/15: This sea cave was destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. Learn more >, ADVERTISE: It is now underwater.). Strong winds during the day form lines in the sand. DAY-USE RESERVATIONS OR A VALID CAMPING PERMIT, AND PARKING RESERVATIONS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO ACCESS THE KALALAU TRAIL. Should I split my stay between 2 locations on Kauai? The sea can appear calm here at times (like summer) making it seem safe to swim. When Kalalau came into view the entire boat went silent. Some dock a small boat in the town of Waimea and ride it over to Kalalau Valley to drop off passengers. It is well worth the jungle hike to get there. 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.). The one way price from Hanalei Bay is usually $75-100 and requires swimming a short distance to the boat. And how do I know that ? Nobody seems to mind, though trading modern creature comforts for a deeper connection to the land around by learning how to coexist with nature instead of profiting off it. ny = document.getElementById(image); We hope you will make the effort to explore Kalalau valley. This is the real Kalalau Valley Lookout. 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. 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. Within the 5-night maximum, no 2 consecutive nights are allowed at Hanakoa. Its wide and deep. Keep in mind that this portion of the trail is in the designated day-use area and can be accessed without a permit. Hours: 8:00a.m. Just like the signs around Hawaii will advise you, when in doubt, dont go out. Keep driving until the road absolutely ends at a circular parking lot. 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. You may not be able to use your cell phone to call for help in an emergency. }, Private and Quiet Luxury Beach House 3 minute walk to beach TVNC#5151, Hale Kahakai: Beachfront home on the Magical North Shore of Kauai, Hawaii Life Rentals presents Modern beach style vacation house, with A/C, Affordable Beach House Just Steps to the Beach Children Welcome! Then you've still got to swim into the beach, and avoid getting smashed by the rollers. Anyone proceeding beyond Hanakpai MUST possess a valid camping permit. else if(star_img=='5'){ The trail that leads to this beach is considered the most difficult trails on the islands. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; Kee Beach is a safe snorkel spot when the water is calm because it is protected from large waves by a fringing reef. The trail traverses five valleys before ending at Kalalau Beach where it is blocked by sheer, fluted cliffs. var lc; The shelters are within a complex of old agricultural terraces where Hawaiians once planted taro. But I will gladly be corrected if proven wrong. There are people who dump their opala (rubbish) back there and don't take it out - but the vast majority of them are not the illegal campers who "live" out there - but as "KauaiHiker" mentions - hunters and other folks who don't take care of the land they supposedly love. Swimming is not recommended at Hanakapiai Beach due to dangerous rip currents and wave patterns. 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. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. 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. Waimea, HI 96796
Weather Report says Rain, Should I panic? Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! You can also get to this beach via boat, which is fairly commonly done via Kayaks (with a permit). Many of the unforgettable sights on the Na Pali coast are only viewable from the sea, so it is well worth a look. When you walk back to camp the sun will be starting to set and the cliff faces of the Na Pali coast turn golden. Camp fires seem to be allowed (nearly every site has a pit) and there are pit toilets to use in two locations. else if(i=='5'){ The sandbar is quite shallow here and in some spots the ocean bottom drops off quickly to overhead depths. document.write("![](\"../../../reviews/images/blank.gif\"){kind=spacer}
"); One of the many bountiful community gardens. 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. We found that there were people taking naps in almost all of the caves so we didnt linger too long inside. See Polipoli site for updates. Here are a few examples of what you can expect: Pools-There are two main pool areas for some refreshing swimming. It is flanked by sheer canyon walls and it is illegal to boat or kayak there. 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. Phone Number. Like previous poster said, unless you have rough water experience, just don't. Especially, especially right now. 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. In between each of the talons lies a valley, and none of them are more beautiful or abundant than Kalalau. 3. You can swim in Cabo San Lucas, but only on some of its beaches. Tradewind showers are more frequent during the night and early morning. Hiking to Hanakpai Valley (2 miles in from trailhead) requires Entry and Parking Reservations at Haena. The Kalalau Trail on N Pali's stunning Hawaiian coast is one of the most challenging treks in the world. The trail winds through several green valleys and ends at the cliff-lined Kalalau Beach. Its a wonderful place to hang out a night, but during the day its actually too hot and windy. Ocean swimming is not recommended for those unfamiliar with local sea conditions. After exploring the cave and eating some snacks we spent an hour being extremely lazy. else if(star_img=='2'){ Before entering the water check for any warning signs indicating hazardous conditions. 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. Mahaulepu Beach What are good threads to read to help me plan my trip? There are three river crossings on the trail that become a flash flood hazard during heavy rainfall and may be impassable. We chose to get our permits from the office closest to the airport immediately upon arriving in Kauai. In fact, Hanakoa is a hanging valley without a beach the stream exhausts itself over cliffs at the oceans edge. Hanalei Bay is by far the largest bay on Kauai and is the heart and soul of all the beaches on the North Shore. United States. It's even more difficult to get on a boat to leave the valley in a surge of surf. Those without camping permits for Kalalau Valley are therefore prohibited from attempting the entire 22-mile round trip hike in a day. | Web usage privacy. Plan your trip accordingly. In Na Pali Coast, Places by Makana ChartersJuly 25, 2016. for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { The trail takes hikers up, over and down the cathedral cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. Facilities include a composting toilet and two roofed shelters. } Summer weather (May to October) normally brings steady tradewinds and occasional showers while winter weather (October to May) is less predictable. There are permanent residents in the valley that live off the land despite the fact that it is illegal. If you are lucky enough to witness this, they are not in distress, and should not be approached or bothered. The Kalalau Valley sits roughly halfway down the coast. These stacked rocks are all over the place in the cave. And don't be fooled by the first Kalalau Lookout sign. You'll need to purchase a camping pass for a stay in Kalalau, and they sell out months ahead of time. The reserve harbors a variety of native lowland forest plants. } 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 selectedText = ''; ), ^ Top of page | Home | Search | Archives, Unreal Hawaii is a digital magazine for people that love the Hawaii outdoors. Though not technically allowed, the relaxed atmosphere on the trail seems to coincide with clothing optional attire. Its worth while to bring a way to store water, as the water source is a good trek from the designated camp areas. Click the link below to buy a transportation ticket which also includes your entry into the park. 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. But Kalalau valley and beach are not trashed, though far from totally remote and pristine. Drinking the Water 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). See more from this series: This story was last modified on September 14, 2015. Book a full-day excursion with Harbour Safaris or Exuma Escapes. DROWNINGS OCCUR HERE REGULARLY! Millions of years of constant erosion from the sea and sky have formed a landscape that is hard to comprehend even photos (as beautiful as they are) do a poor job of fully encompassing the splendour of this area. Kee Beach
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