Polihale Beach For beach and trail access you will need to reserve a park and pass or shuttle on the website www.gohaena.com, Anini Beach We chose to get our permits from the office closest to the airport immediately upon arriving in Kauai. In the early morning wedecided to go for a nice open water swim,fins are an absolute must! If you see an advertisement for commercial camping along the Npali Coast, it is likely illegal. Hena State Park is roughly 41 miles (1 1/2-hour drive) from Lihue Airport. Sponsored Content >. As you travel north, prices go up and options are more limited. The rock was like a magnet for the girls. Pack foods that cook easily in boiling water and store well unrefrigerated. Listen to weather and surf forecasts on local radio or check the surf report. 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. From what I've read the swim grows longer after summer as the current shifts and beach shrinks. And how do I know that ? A well-chosen campsite can save you from a bad night of sleep or worse. Within the 5-night maximum, no 2 consecutive nights are allowed at Hanakoa. This special spot is beautiful at sunset. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; { And then, after a few seconds passed, all you could hear was a barrage of *click-click-clicks* from cameras. Theres one section of the beach that gets super windy. A well-marked 2 mile trail into Kalalau Valley ends at a pool in the stream. [HAWAII] UPDATED 1/20/23: Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area WATER OFFLINE in the park, facilities impacted. ), 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. . function mark(star_img,rid) Must climb rock . Free Travel Planners for Hawaii & each island, Websites & links for travel sites, attractions, restaurants, maps, lodging & more. For experienced swimmers knowledgeable in local sea conditions, nearshore waters offer limited opportunities for swimming and body surfing. Kealia Beach document.write("
"); The trailhead is located in Hena State Park at the northwest end of Khi Highway (Route 56). I have a good friend who camps at Kalalau every Christmastime for many, many years. 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. Except that theres an ocean next to you. These campsites are run by the County of Kauai and operate on a different reservation system. Strong winds during the day form lines in the sand. Here are 21 things you should know before hiking the Kalalau Trail. 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. #30. document.write("
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"); Within the valley itself, there are many things to see and do. Save yourself from a digestive nightmare and always sanitize your water sources. And eventually, our companions returned from their adventure.(Update 9/14/15: This areawas destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. Yes as daisies. *Camping permits for Npali Coast SWP often sell-out quickly, particularly during the summer months. Country. The Kalalau trail hike begins at Ka'a Beach at the end of the parking lot. There is a natural stone arch that you can walk beneath and another waterfall that you can stand under. You just need to be a strong swimmer to get to it. 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. } I would pass on the pakalolo tent living homesteaders in the Kalalau Valley who deposit huge tall piles of trash throughout the area. The beach sits at the foot of Kalalau Valley which is the jewel of the Na Pali Coast. You'll need to purchase a camping pass for a stay in Kalalau, and they sell out months ahead of time. Jenelyn, Reanne and I are not strong swimmers so we stayed back. I told Hayleen, the lady that cuts my hair, about my trip and she said that Kalalau was one of her favorite places. Also, there are strong rip and alongshore currents, which may be difficult to spot, even if the ocean appears calm. I suppose they woud pick you up as well, but you'd have to talk to them. The 11-mile trail is graded but almost never level as it crosses above towering sea cliffs and through lush tropical valleys. Some pre-planning is necessary to hike the entire trail. The stream at the beach can be crossed relatively easily by going bouldering down to the coast depending on the tide and water flow on the stream. [MAUI] UPDATED 1/26/23:Iao Valley State Monument CLOSED August 2022through April 15, 2023. Here are a few examples of what you can expect: Pools-There are two main pool areas for some refreshing swimming. For a nonresident of Hawaii, permits at the time of writing cost $20 per person/per night. } And it actually appears that theres a third part to this boulder behind it. Kalalau Trail leading to the beach The trail ends at Kalalau Beach, as the ocean comes up the cliffs at the western end. The trail crosses the stream well back in the valley, therefore there is no shoreline access at Hanakoa. Also, please proceed with caution this is not an easy swim nor is it safe. The trail winds through several green valleys and ends at the cliff-lined Kalalau Beach. We hope you will make the effort to explore Kalalau valley. Thus, the only way to reach it is to swim. Kalalau Beach, though, is really worth the 11-mile hike to get there. Our Terms and Conditions, which contain an arbitration provision, may be viewed here. 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Hanalei Pavilion Not only is the trail narrow in some places, but it can also be slippery because of loose rocks or if it has recently rained. Nearby there is a waterfall, that can be used to rinse off or bathe in. Law enforcement also drops in to clean the valley up a bit. 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. For more information read our privacy policy. The Kalalau Valley sits roughly halfway down the coast. Not supporting camping there illegally at all - but those folks are not the big problem with opala from what I've been told. } document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Poor"; Your trip begins with a winding 2 mile trail to Hanakapi`ai Beach. This is the final post in a 5-part series on Kalalau. This is the cleanest fresh water on the island, so it's great for a shower. if(i<= selectedVal) With swim fins and snorkels in hand, we prepared for a long swim to a secluded beach. In between each of the talons lies a valley, and none of them are more beautiful or abundant than Kalalau. Its rated a 9/10 for technical difficulty, and has many shear drop offs, narrow ledges, and never ending climbs and descents. Favorite Kauai Restaurants (updated November 2017), How to Eat Vegan on the Garden Isle of Kauai. During winter months, dangerous conditions include high surf and strong currents. You need to bring all food and equipment with you. A password will be mailed to you! Call at 888-409-2702 during business hours which are 7 AM to 7 PM HST. Because the beach lacks a protective offshore reef to block incoming waves, high surf is common, especially during the winter months. Youll want a shirt or wrap to cover yourself from the stinging sand. Please read. DISCLAIMER: UnrealHawaii.com is an independent resource for Hawaii focused content. They were up there within a few seconds. Most we spoke with ourselves included, recommend hiking all 11 miles in one day. document.getElementById('rat').value="3"; It is not legal to get out of or land a motorized boat on the beach, however, it is done illegally. This section is a popular day hike for able-bodied hikers. Campers are allowed a maximum length stay of 5 nights. Book your permits as early as possible for the best chance of getting your preferred dates. You do not need to be extreme athletes, but this is not a casual stroll. (Update 9/14/15: This sea cave was destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. The ocean engulfs the beach and carves caves into the young rock. Before entering the water check for any warning signs indicating hazardous conditions. selectedText = 'Poor'; selectedVal = '1'; image = 'qw'+rnid + i; So, I was wondering from someone who has perhaps done it recently, what the experience was like? You can also get to this beach via boat, which is fairly commonly done via Kayaks (with a permit). document.getElementById('rat').value=selectedVal; Adjacent is a famous valley, with vast streams, pools and trails. The facilities at the beach include restrooms and showers. driving distance from Poipu to North Shore, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. If your time on Kauai is limited you should definitely see it on one of our tours, whether you visit the valley or not. From the beach, the valley extends 2 miles inland, with the high plateau of Kokee State park looking down upon it. 6. 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. 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. The massive arch, the empty beach, a waterfall and a sun bathing monk seal. When Kalalau came into view the entire boat went silent. Check the website here for trail updates and closures. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'to_hawaii_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-to_hawaii_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'to_hawaii_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',130,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-to_hawaii_com-medrectangle-4-0_1'); .medrectangle-4-multi-130{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:5px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:5px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}.