Start early as it gets warm and the trail is challenging enough without afternoon sun the entire time. You won't find any facilities down here, but you will find composting toilets. As a bonus, a couple of guys were selling drinks beachside out of freshly opened coconuts. In fact, Hanakoa is a hanging valley without a beach the stream exhausts itself over cliffs at the oceans edge. I tried hinting to Jenelyn and Reanne that it might not be safe to climb it but to no avail. function noshow(star_img,rnid) We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. There are no roads that take you to the valley. Feral goats have been seen roaming the beach and valley, and contribute to the leptospirosis in the streams and waterfall. Daily, Get in touch with us today to book your tour, The Honu (Sea Turtle) and Its Importance to Hawaii, 6 Tips for Photographing the Na Pali Coast, 5 Interesting Facts about the Na Pali Coast, View From the Top or From the Waters: Discover the Best Way to Explore the Na Pali Coast. Throughout the year, temperatures seldom drop below 60F. This remarkably beautiful beach has been the scene To learn about the cookies we use and information about your preferences and opt-out choices, please review our Privacy Policy 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 If possible, I would recommend making the trek all the way to the beach to camp. Lydgate Beach } Camp fires seem to be allowed (nearly every site has a pit) and there are pit toilets to use in two locations. [KAUAI] UPDATED 3/2/23: Polihale State Park Is CLOSED until further notice due to an electrical outage that has put the water pump out of service. For those with camping permits, get an early start to avoid overexertion in the midday heat. A hat is nice to have too. The sea can appear calm here at times (like summer) making it seem safe to swim. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; DISCLAIMER: UnrealHawaii.com is an independent resource for Hawaii focused content. Kee Beach } document.getElementById('rat').value=selectedVal; (Update 9/14/15: This sea cave was destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. You need to filter your water on the trail. ), 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. You may not be able to use your cell phone to call for help in an emergency. Tory and Cory appeared to be tired from the swim but Seth and Jen (both swimmers in high school) looked fresh as daisies. NOTE: It is illegal for anyone to provide commercial boat transportation for drop off/pick-up at Kalalau or Milolii camping areas. Walk-ins permitted. We hope you will make the effort to explore Kalalau valley. Aside from environmental concerns, you will face a court date and heavy fines if you get caught. 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It is not legal to get out of or land a motorized boat on the beach, however, it is done illegally. Makana Charters Contact the Department of State Parks, (808) 587-0300, weekdays 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You can camp on the Kalaau Beach. What are some free things to do on Kauai? They live in simple camps with no permanent structures, with tarps as their roofs and cooking by the flame of a fire. There are some companies that offer landing services, meaning they will shuttle you to and from this beach. 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. You must ascend and descend a rocky trail twice. Dont get caught in here. Check overhanging trees for hazards from falling limbs. I didn't think you camp on the beach. 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. } Hiking and any outdoor activity can be dangerous and has many potential hazards. 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. Kee is protected by a reef that makes it a safe place for snorkeling and swimming. var selectedText = ''; 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. It doesnt go back too far. el.style.display = 'none'; And don't be fooled by the first Kalalau Lookout sign. Watch for the spumes of air they exhale when they surface to breathe. Also, please proceed with caution this is not an easy swim nor is it safe. We were unaware of sharks and pretty much all the dangerous obstacles. Portions of the trail in this section are very narrow and the dropoff on the ocean side is severe. There is no cell reception, but there is a payphone. And they probably only do this in the summer, when the surf and currents are safe to swim ashore. Adjacent is a famous valley, with vast streams, pools and trails. The trail drops to sea level at the beaches of Hanakapiai and Kalalau. It's better to enjoy the beach, the scenery and its caves while taking a refreshing shower in the natural waterfall. This camp is located on a section of the trail that is densely forested, so space is limited and crowded. More vegetation and another beach on the other side of the arch. Is there something we should watch for? else if(i=='4'){ Tour boats do stop at Nualolo Kai on the Na Pali coast. There are also wild goats, pigs, deer, fish, lobster, and shellfish for people to eat as local as it gets. Kalalau Beach is about 1 mile (1.6 km) long. Just like the signs around Hawaii will advise you, when in doubt, dont go out. Favorite Kauai Restaurants (updated November 2017), How to Eat Vegan on the Garden Isle of Kauai. Print your permits ahead of time and carry them with you on the trail. for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { } It can be recognized by the relatively recent landslide and house-sized boulder near the beach. For most backpackers in good condition, hiking the 11 miles will take a full day. There is a natural stone arch that you can walk beneath and another waterfall that you can stand under. Thus, the only way to reach it is to swim. selectedText = 'Excellent'; Those in tip top shape can do it in 8 hours, those more average take 10+. When you walk back to camp the sun will be starting to set and the cliff faces of the Na Pali coast turn golden. 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. It is flanked by sheer canyon walls and it is illegal to boat or kayak there. Weather Report says Rain, Should I panic? This system helps protect the land from overuse and degradation. The trailhead can be found at the very end of the road on the northern side of the island at Ke'e Beach. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; Tradewind showers are more frequent during the night and early morning. So if you're afraid of heights, you may not like this trail, especially around the middle of it. var ny; Hawaiian monk seals also live off the coast. 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. Be sure to purify your water as it most likely contains leptospirosis, a bacteria from urine. Lightweight hiking shoes with good traction are popular. Call at 888-409-2702 during business hours which are 7 AM to 7 PM HST. They told us about how amazing Honopu Beach was. The rock was like a magnet for the girls. 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. Hiking past the first major landmark on the Kalalau Trail, Hanakapiaai Beach at mile two, requires a permit. Commercially guided camping trips are not authorized. Video Shows Tourists Almost Lose Kids To Huge Waves at The Eddie While Ignoring Lifeguard Pleas To Get Back, Heres How To Visit Niihau, Hawaiis Forbidden Island, The 17 Most Underrated Honeymoon Destinations in the US, The 13 Best Places To Go Hiking in Hawaii, The Worlds Most Dangerous Footpath Is Now Totally Safe To Hike, Abiqua Falls Is a Secret Waterfall Hidden Deep in the Oregon Forest, Best Hikes With Stunning Views in the Ozark Mountains, 7 Easy Hikes on Oahu, Hawaii, That Are Perfect for Kids. Honopu Beach now requires swimming a good 300 or more yards to access the beach.). mobile app. selectedVal = '5'; Never allow small children to swim or play in water unattended. Even amongst the gorgeous sights and sounds along the entire coastline, one area stands out above the rest. Carrying trekking poles was also immensely helpful in balancing on the more slippery portions. Pack foods that cook easily in boiling water and store well unrefrigerated. There is a helipad in the valley, but it is usually only used by law enforcement. You can drink this water, but you must treat or boil the water beforehand. There are no facilities on the beach, except for composting toilets. Use good judgment regarding current ocean conditions and your own abilities. } But Kalalau valley and beach are not trashed, though far from totally remote and pristine. If you are stopped by a park ranger you will be asked to show the permit along with photo id. Make sure to use the correct filter if you plan to drink the water. Brenneckes Beach Kayaking and swimming (by strong swimmers with fins) from Kalalau Beach are the only ways to reach Honop Beach. Those without camping permits for Kalalau Valley are therefore prohibited from attempting the entire 22-mile round trip hike in a day. When it rains, which on Kauai is all of the time, portions of the trail get muddy and sloppy. Youll be on the sandy shoreline of the world famous Na Pali Coast. We watched goats kick rocks down onto campsites near these signs. This gap forms a channel that gets filled with water as the waves rush in. It's illegal to dock a boat or even a kayak on the beach but you can swim to it. 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. Are we nuts? Any advice is much appreciated. 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. There are two inexpensive campsites near the trailhead, Haena Beach Park (closed Monday nights) and Hanalei Beach Park (open Friday and Saturday only). ny = document.getElementById(image); ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; It is still possible to kayak into and out of the beach. And how do I know that ? There are falling rock hazards at the Kalalau Beach campsites along the cliff walls. Thanks so much. In the early morning wedecided to go for a nice open water swim,fins are an absolute must! Plan your trip accordingly. I would pass on the pakalolo tent living homesteaders in the Kalalau Valley who deposit huge tall piles of trash throughout the area. How has Kauai been affected by the floods? The Kalalau Valley Trail is a 2-mile hike upvalley over former kalo (taro) terraces with several stream For beach and trail access you will need to reserve a park and pass or shuttle on the website www.gohaena.com, Anini Beach var i; (808) 338-9980 Allow a full day to complete the 8 mile round trip from Kee Beach to Hanakapiai Falls. What off the beaten path activities can I do? Maybe dont look over the edge if you are afraid of heights. Then make some friends with the adventurers around you while you enjoy one of the last sunsets in the United States. Jen and Seth decided to swim down the coastline instead. Along the beach, you'll find cliff walls and even some shallow caves to explore. I have no idea what they charge. milwkid9090's first answer is still the best. Don't Look Down! Many rare native plants grow along the trail. selectedText = 'Very Good'; This was my favorite part of the trip. 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).