Sometimes you find a tour operator willing to let you off in the water with your equipment in a dry bag. But Kalalau valley and beach are not trashed, though far from totally remote and pristine. This special spot is beautiful at sunset. I don't if that service is available for everyone, but I remember thinking what an "easy" way to hike the whole trail without going round trip. Permits are very popular and sell out well in advance, especially during summer. With swim fins and snorkels in hand, we prepared for a long swim to a secluded beach. But because there is no legal camping in Kalalau valley, people usually say they camped "at" Kalalau beach to make the distinction. It is sometimes safer to trek through the mud than trying to find a less messy path around it. Well worth a look (and an unforgettable fruitful smell). [MAUI]UPDATED 1/23/23:Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area CLOSED through March 2023 (Per DOFAW). The one way price from Hanalei Bay is usually $75-100 and requires swimming a short distance to the boat. if(star_img=='1'){ This is strictly prohibited, however difficult to enforce. This information is not intended to give specific advice on any trail. } else { Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Travel light. for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { The swimming at this stunning beach can be rather dangerous, too. Even if there was an unautthorized boat, or raft, the OP did not happen to mention the time of year that they were planning on camping at the Kalalau Valley. You'll peer down thousands of feet into a colorful tropical landscape that is punctuated by a beautiful beach. When you finally get to the beach, you'll marvel at the hikers that have carried 50+ pounds of gear across the hike and over the ledge. For experienced swimmers knowledgeable in local sea conditions, nearshore waters offer limited opportunities for swimming and body surfing. Keep in mind that this portion of the trail is in the designated day-use area and can be accessed without a permit. Each of these offshoots has unique waterfalls and swimming spots. And how do I know that ? function mark(star_img,rid) [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. Share your great experiences with me, please? For those with camping permits, get an early start to avoid overexertion in the midday heat. Lic# TVNC1058, Secluded and difficult to access beach on Kauai's Na Pali Coast, You should be in good physical condition to hike to the beach and not afraid of heights (the trail is narrow in some areas and involves several stream crossings), Beware of flash floods when crossing streams (don't cross if the water is too high), Kalalau Beach has rip tides, strong currents and a dangerous shorebreak, especially in the winter months, Bring all needed supplies and food with you, Mosquito repellent is a good idea to bring too. In-order to access the Npali Coast State Wilderness Park as well as the Kalalau Trail, visitors have to go through Hena SP. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; Camping fees for Npali Coast are $25 per person per night (Hawaii residents), $35 per person per night (non-residents). Hena State Park is roughly 41 miles (1 1/2-hour drive) from Lihue Airport. Poipu Beach You do not need to hike the entire trail to get a sense of what its about. Never turn your back on the ocean. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Excellent"; The last thing you'll want when going on a . Lawai 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. Kalalau beach is about 1 mile long with plenty of trails heading back to the valley. for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { This is the real Kalalau Valley Lookout. 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. You can walk into them to explore and take cover from the wind. Some pre-planning is necessary to hike the entire trail. There are no lifeguards at Kalalau Beach, and you're an 11-mile hike from help. All camping areas are located on shaded terraces near streams. Infrequent widespread storms cause flash floods. Kee Beach is a safe snorkel spot when the water is calm because it is protected from large waves by a fringing reef. 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 . These terraces are now overgrown with a variety of alien trees, including Java Plum, guava, and occasional large mango trees. Thus, the only way to reach it is to swim. The summer sand beach at Hanakapiai is a popular destination for day hikers. Composting toilets are available at Hanakapiai, Hanakoa, and Kalalau. var image; It is a difficult and sometimes dangerous hike. If your time on Kauai is limited you should definitely see it on one of our tours, whether you visit the valley or not. After selecting the date and time of your visit, youll be able to select the number of entry or parking vouchers required. } Are we nuts? As you walk down the beach youll encounter several caves. lc=rid; ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; for (i=1; i<=star_img; i++) { There is nothing worse than getting to camp and realizing there is a hole in your tent or your water filter is not working. Please read. Along the beach, you'll find cliff walls and even some shallow caves to explore. The massive arch, the empty beach, a waterfall and a sun bathing monk seal. Secure your car and limit the valuables left inside. 2023 Kauai Beaches. Our Terms and Conditions, which contain an arbitration provision, may be viewed here. Phone Number. Law enforcement often helicopter in to check permits. Npali Coast SWP camping permits are available here >, Overnight parking is available at Hena SP via Overnight Parking Reservation. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; But if you abuse or harass the animal or your actions result in its . The stories on this website are provided for entertainment and informational purposes only. I didn't think you camp on the beach. Makana Charters Its like being in the desert. Wild goats are often seen along the trail route. They were up there within a few seconds. I have a good friend who camps at Kalalau every Christmastime for many, many years. The Kalalau Valley Trail is a 2-mile hike upvalley over former kalo (taro) terraces with several stream Don't Look Down! After crossing the stream about a mile up the valley, the trail becomes more difficult as it meanders over rocks and fallen trees. As a bonus, a couple of guys were selling drinks beachside out of freshly opened coconuts. This gap forms a channel that gets filled with water as the waves rush in. Never turn your back on the ocean, an unexpected wave can knock you down and drag you out. It is well worth the jungle hike to get there. if(i=='1'){ The trail takes hikers up, over and down the cathedral cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. You may recognize the coast from the film Jurassic Park where it is featured during the opening helicopter scene. 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. In addition to the swimming pigs, you'll also get to observe Bahamian . Anyone proceeding beyond Hanakapiai valley must possess a valid overnight camping permit. In addition, there is a shallow sand bar that runs parallel to the beach but in spots the ocean floor abruptly drops to levels above your head. They live in simple camps with no permanent structures, with tarps as their roofs and cooking by the flame of a fire. You definitely do not want to swim when this is the case. 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. Denny, with all due respect, "law enforcement friends with the DLNR" are not exactly objective observers. Ten lashes for me! Empty, untouched beach On your mark, get set, go Tucked a few hundred yards down the coast is one of the more inaccessible beaches in Hawaii, known as Honopu beach. Plan your trip accordingly. countfield.value = maxlimit - field.value.length; Due to increasing popularity, the state limits how many permits are released every day. It doesnt go back too far. Isobutane fuel with a screw top for Jetboil, MSR, and other backpacking stoves is available at Kayak Kauai. You need to bring all food and equipment with you. A few people have made Kalalau Valley their permanent home, even though it is not legal. Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. Should I split my stay between 2 locations on Kauai? And it's absolutely wonderful to take a dip in Queen's Bath after enjoying the turtles inside Turtle Cove. Your feet will be sore, but beachside camping with ample space makes it worth the extra walking. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; Those with Npali Coast SWP Camping Permits do not need to make a Hena SP park entry reservation. Waimea Beach. They told us about how amazing Honopu Beach was. Heed these warnings! Equipped with fins, they enter the water at Kalalau and swim over to the even more isolated Honopu Beach, which can only be accessed this way. Many of the unforgettable sights on the Na Pali coast are only viewable from the sea, so it is well worth a look. The authorized camping areas along the trail do not have tables or drinking water. var ny; You can swim in Cabo San Lucas, but only on some of its beaches. You won't find any facilities down here, but you will find composting toilets. It is now underwater.). We pulled in around 7 AM the morning of our hike and were rewarded with a good parking spot close to the trailhead. Keep driving until the road absolutely ends at a circular parking lot. 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). 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. Tradewind showers are more frequent during the night and early morning. These illegal residents and some overnight campers can sometimes leave mounds of trash behind in this otherwise beautiful and isolated area. 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. 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 (Update 9/14/15: This sea cave was destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. | Web usage privacy. The vast majority of Kalalau Beachgoers hike the Kalalau Trail 11 miles one-way to this stunning destination. It's a surreal scene. Feral goats have been seen roaming the beach and valley, and contribute to the leptospirosis in the streams and waterfall. Check the website here for trail updates and closures. There are permanent residents in the valley that live off the land despite the fact that it is illegal. Walk up the short hill. On the final day of the Kalalau Trail, you . For more information read our privacy policy. more. 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. If you see an advertisement for commercial camping along the Npali Coast, it is likely illegal. function form_visible(){ 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. Despite a Portuguese man o war sting, quite a longer swim than expected, and considerably bigger waves then anticipated we made it (just barely)! You are always a wealth of hiking info. The trail winds through several green valleys and ends at the cliff-lined Kalalau Beach. Kalalau Beach, though, is really worth the 11-mile hike to get there. While the crew was away we explored the rock garden and wet cave over here. Get in touch with us today to book your tour! You must ascend and descend a rocky trail twice. I was so happy I brought my sunglasses on this day. For treating minor injuries, carry a first-aid kit with you and learn some of the basics. 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. It is up to each individual to know their limits, abilities and level of expertise before attempting any outdoor activity. 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.). Thus, the only way to reach it is to swim. The facilities at the beach include restrooms and showers. } It is not legal to get out of or land a motorized boat on the beach, however, it is done illegally. You can camp on the Kalaau Beach. But, that doesnt mean you need to stop here. This small beach is no longer accessible.). Please check the Kalalau trail safety concerns before you go hiking. We didn't GPS it or anything but the open ocean swim along the rocky coast felt like a good 350-400 yards. Except that theres an ocean next to you. The ocean engulfs the beach and carves caves into the young rock. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap. Swimming or wading can be dangerous, however, and is not recommended. Theres no longer sand to walk on here. Maybe this site can answer your question. Listen to weather and surf forecasts on local radio or check the surf report. } Contact the Department of State Parks, (808) 587-0300, weekdays 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Permit holders can choose where to spend their allotted nights on the trail. Hanalei Pier } for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { 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. This was my favorite part of the trip. [OAHU] UPDATED 3/2/23: Puu o Mahuka Heiau State Monument IsCLOSED due to high winds and heavy rain. Kalalau beach is about 1 mile long with plenty of trails heading back to the valley. More vegetation and another beach on the other side of the arch. On the plus side, it is Anini Beach is a narrow sliver of a beach that extends along Kauai's North Shore for somewhat over two miles. You do not need to be extreme athletes, but this is not a casual stroll. There have been issues with car break-ins here in the past and authorities advise caution when leaving a car overnight. 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. When I got back from Kalalau I went to get a haircut. 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.
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