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. I was so happy I brought my sunglasses on this day. function mark(star_img,rid) On our trip, we found that the first few miles, due to heavy foot traffic, were in the worst shape, and trail conditions majorly improved further down the trail. } Contact the Department of State Parks, (808) 587-0300, weekdays 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Here are 21 things you should know before hiking the Kalalau Trail. [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. All rights reserved. As a bonus, a couple of guys were selling drinks beachside out of freshly opened coconuts. Be sure to purify your water as it most likely contains leptospirosis, a bacteria from urine. How can I take a shelter dog on a field trip? After crossing the stream about a mile up the valley, the trail becomes more difficult as it meanders over rocks and fallen trees. Kayaking and swimming (by strong swimmers with fins) from Kalalau Beach are the only ways to reach Honop Beach. Hike N Pali: A Guide To This 12-Hour Hike - TheTravel Law enforcement also drops in to clean the valley up a bit. During the summer months, the water can be as calm and clear as a swimming pool. If you are swept past the beach, there are miles of steep cliffside before you would be able to reach shore. BEWARE of Beachfront Travel, also know as TBD (Travel By Design). The sandbar is quite shallow here and in some spots the ocean bottom drops off quickly to overhead depths. } Use good judgment regarding current ocean conditions and your own abilities. The rest of us, Reanne, Cory, Troy, Jenelyn and I walked it back to the cracked boulder. Well, if you are Ben Stiller, I'd imagine it would be pretty easy to find someone to pick you up out there! Many rare native plants grow along the trail. See more from this series: This story was last modified on September 14, 2015. { These illegal residents and some overnight campers can sometimes leave mounds of trash behind in this otherwise beautiful and isolated area. Camping gear should include a lightweight sleeping bag or blanket, sleeping pad, tent with rainfly, cooking stove and fuel, water purification tablets or filter, first aid kit, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, rain gear, and biodegradable soap. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Good"; Get in touch with us today to book your tour! You must either boat, helicopter or hike to this secluded destination, but that doesn't mean you can't catch a sneak peak without all the effort. The best part is that the beach will be empty but for your fellow travelers. 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. The Kalalau Valley sits roughly halfway down the coast. Within the valley itself, there are many things to see and do. Heed these warnings! else One of the many bountiful community gardens. Haena Beach The summer sand beach at Hanakapiai is a popular destination for day hikers. This beach is the end of the walkable coastline. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Poor"; Jen and Seth decided to swim down the coastline instead. There is no cell reception, but there is a payphone. For all these, just ask a friendly local where to go! Never turn your back on the ocean, an unexpected wave can knock you down and drag you out. Hello. There are some companies that offer landing services, meaning they will shuttle you to and from this beach. Kiahuna Beach Watch for the spumes of air they exhale when they surface to breathe. return; Favorite Kauai Restaurants (updated November 2017), How to Eat Vegan on the Garden Isle of Kauai. [MAUI] UPDATED 1/26/23:Iao Valley State Monument CLOSED August 2022through April 15, 2023. Lumahai Beach You can camp on the Kalaau Beach. After selecting your trip dates, you may experience a bit of sticker shock during the payment portion of the permit process. Swimming, Snorkeling, Kids, Relaxing, Watching sunset. Call at 888-409-2702 during business hours which are 7 AM to 7 PM HST. Just like the signs around Hawaii will advise you, when in doubt, dont go out. We were pretty flippin excited to be the only people there! 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. We left our snorkel equipment in the trunk of our rental car and took a swim at the end of our hike. } Do not loiter beneath the waterfall or near cliff faces as there is a constant danger of falling rocks. It is 11 miles to get to Kalalau Beach - so if you are talking about going there and having someone pick you up and bring you back You'll still have to hike 11 miles to get there - difficult trail - especially past Hanakoa, and you will need a permit from the State to camp there, even for one night. selectedVal = '5'; 10 Best Things to Do in Cedar Key FL You Shouldn't Miss You'll be fined if you do not have one. Down below you'll see a light and lots of limbs strewn along the . You can also get to this beach via boat, which is fairly commonly done via Kayaks (with a permit). This hike is on the beginning section of the Kalalau trail, at Ke'e Beach. After exploring the cave and eating some snacks we spent an hour being extremely lazy. And then Jenelyn took it up another notch. Cross Kalalau Stream to the beach and the camping area. In the summer, the caves offer shelter from the sun and wind. } var b = document.getElementById('t0'); It is flanked by sheer canyon walls and it is illegal to boat or kayak there. Its wide and deep. if(el.style.display == 'inline'){ The trail crosses Kalalau Stream near the valley mouth before ending at Kalalau Beach and a small waterfall. You do not need to hike the entire trail to get a sense of what its about. Waimea Beach. The trail is part of the N Pali Coast State Park which gets its name from the Hawaiian term for high cliff, na pali.You may recognize the coast from the film Jurassic Park where it is featured . The trail takes hikers up, over and down the cathedral cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. While the crew . Campers are allowed a maximum length stay of 5 nights. But because there is no legal camping in Kalalau valley, people usually say they camped "at" Kalalau beach to make the distinction. In-order to access the Npali Coast State Wilderness Park as well as the Kalalau Trail, visitors have to go through Hena SP. Tired hikers may be urged on by the panoramic view of Kalalau Valleys fluted cliffs and the coastline beyond. What are some free things to do on Kauai? Na Pali Coast State Park Information & More - Hawaii Guide var image; DAY-USE RESERVATIONS OR A VALID CAMPING PERMIT, AND PARKING RESERVATIONS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO ACCESS THE KALALAU TRAIL. Hawaii Beach Guide | Hawaii.com Most we spoke with ourselves included, recommend hiking all 11 miles in one day. Anini Beach is a gorgeous blue lagoon with golden sand and shallow water along the north shore of Kauai. During winter months, dangerous conditions include high surf and strong currents. Walking the first half mile will reward you with excellent views of the coast. 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. 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 vast majority of Kalalau Beachgoers hike the Kalalau Trail 11 miles one-way to this stunning destination. 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 to the end of the cave but youll want a flashlight if you do. The shelters are within a complex of old agricultural terraces where Hawaiians once planted taro. 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). ny = document.getElementById(image); I didn't think you camp on the beach. This is the cleanest fresh water on the island, so it's great for a shower. Salt Pond Beach For those with camping permits, get an early start to avoid overexertion in the midday heat. Phone Number. There is no reef to break the waves, so this beach nearly always has high surf year round. The 5-6 feet of warm water make Anini the best swimming location on the island. Kalalau Trail Kauai - Hiking to the Hanakapiai Beach and Back Npali Coast State Wilderness Park. A maximum stay of 5 nights is allowed in Npali Coast State Park. Throughout the year, temperatures seldom drop below 60F. It is well worth the jungle hike to get there. You are always a wealth of hiking info. Book your permits as early as possible for the best chance of getting your preferred dates. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=" "; Hawaii strictly regulates food items that enter the state and you must declare all food products on a declaration form on the flight. Another cave down the coast has been eroded into an arch. Even with this type of device, help is most likely hours away. Some pre-planning is necessary to hike the entire trail. Those with Npali Coast SWP Camping Permits do not need to make a Hena SP park entry reservation. Tunnels Beach, Anahola Beach You may not be able to use your cell phone to call for help in an emergency. Sometimes you find a tour operator willing to let you off in the water with your equipment in a dry bag. Even amongst the gorgeous sights and sounds along the entire coastline, one area stands out above the rest. 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). Its large and backs up to breathtaking views of rugged coastline and classic napali coastline. The trailhead is located in Hena State Park at the northwest end of Khi Highway (Route 56). Just know that some of the campers down in Kalalau live free and believe that clothing is optional. Ocean swimming is not recommended for those unfamiliar with local sea conditions. So if you're afraid of heights, you may not like this trail, especially around the middle of it. var selectedVal = ''; Strong winds during the day form lines in the sand. How has Kauai been affected by the floods? Signs warn hikers of dangerous rockfall near the falls, so this area is off limits for swimming. for (i=1; i<=star_img; i++) { and when you get to the main Kalalau Beach, the wind will have died down some. Hiking and any outdoor activity can be dangerous and has many potential hazards. The beach is a beautiful place to hang out and relax, there's a stream where you can take a dip, and bathrooms if you need to stop. The Kauai beach with the unusual name, Donkey Beach, is a beach that comes with a lot of pluses and minuses. See Polipoli site for updates. Youll want a shirt or wrap to cover yourself from the stinging sand. function form_visible(){ ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; There are no facilities on the beach, except for composting toilets. Check overhanging trees for hazards from falling limbs. The strong current would help by pushing them the whole way. We found that there were people taking naps in almost all of the caves so we didnt linger too long inside. There is a natural stone arch that you can walk beneath and another waterfall that you can stand under. A few people have made Kalalau Valley their permanent home, even though it is not legal. Drinking the Water 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. } else { The writer and/or publisher of this website is not responsible for any accidents, injuries, rescues, inconvenience, or loss of life by anyone attempting any of the hikes or activities on this website. Lightweight hiking shoes with good traction are popular. At the end is a pool. Permits cost $10 per person per night. } Weather Report says Rain, Should I panic? 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. We tried to soak it in as much as possible knowing that it would be quite some time before we would ever return. document.write("

"); Its worth while to bring a way to store water, as the water source is a good trek from the designated camp areas. Should I split my stay between 2 locations on Kauai? The large waves at Kalalau Beach can make a landing by boat extremely treacherous. Hours: 8:00a.m. [Kauai] Swimming to Honopu Beach from Kalalau : r/HawaiiVisitors - reddit function noshow(star_img,rnid) For experienced hikers in excellent shape, allow for a long day (8+ hours) to complete the round trip from Hena State Park to Hanakoa. The only way to access the valley is either by boat or hiking the 11-mile Kalalau trail there are no roads or airstrips here and only government helicopters are authorized to land. If possible, I would recommend making the trek all the way to the beach to camp. Two days after we finished our hike, the trail was closed for almost a week due to flash flooding and the warning was posted in a red banner at the top of the web page. 4516 Alawai Rd. NOTE: It is illegal for anyone to provide commercial boat transportation for drop off/pick-up at Kalalau or Milolii camping areas. 2023 Kauai Beaches. There are two inexpensive campsites near the trailhead, Haena Beach Park (closed Monday nights) and Hanalei Beach Park (open Friday and Saturday only). The DLNR personnel have to haul the garbage out of there. Originally built in the late 1800s, the trail serves as one of the only ways to access the beautiful Napali Coast via land. Gardens-As stated earlier, there are several gardens in the valley that are a source of food for those staying there. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=" "; #2. 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. There are no roads that take you to the valley. Did you see Todays Groupon for world resorts international? 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. The massive arch, the empty beach, a waterfall and a sun bathing monk seal. Composting toilets are available at Hanakapiai, Hanakoa, and Kalalau. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; I have no idea what they charge. 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. Your trip begins with a winding 2 mile trail to Hanakapi`ai Beach. Most of the year the high surf prevents boats from accessing the shore, which means the only way in is to make the trek by foot. For beach and trail access you will need to reserve a park and pass or shuttle on the website www.gohaena.com, Anini Beach And then, after a few seconds passed, all you could hear was a barrage of *click-click-clicks* from cameras. The one way price from Hanalei Bay is usually $75-100 and requires swimming a short distance to the boat. 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. Call at 888-409-2702 during business hours which are 7 AM to 7 PM HST. Click the link below to buy a transportation ticket which also includes your entry into the park. Pack foods that cook easily in boiling water and store well unrefrigerated. And, once you're in the valley, you're going to want to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. On the third day of a recent camping trip in Kalalau, Kauai, we woke up early and walked to the end of Kalalau Beach. I suppose they woud pick you up as well, but you'd have to talk to them. My husband and I recently got passes to camp on Kalalau Beach the second weekend in October. Parking at Hena State Park is limited to 100 stalls, so we recommend taking the Kauai North Shore Shuttle. You may recognize the coast from the film Jurassic Park where it is featured during the opening helicopter scene. Save yourself from a digestive nightmare and always sanitize your water sources. It is 11 miles to get to Kalalau Beach - so if you are talking about going there and having someone pick you up and bring you back.. You'll still have to hike 11 miles to get there - difficult trail - especially past Hanakoa, and you will need a permit from the State to camp there, even for one night. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; The Na Pali Coast is a jewel of not only Kauai, but the entire Pacific. Feral goats have been seen roaming the beach and valley, and contribute to the leptospirosis in the streams and waterfall. It can be ankle deep only to plunge down to the depths with no warning. When you walk back to camp the sun will be starting to set and the cliff faces of the Na Pali coast turn golden. Isobutane fuel with a screw top for Jetboil, MSR, and other backpacking stoves is available at Kayak Kauai. 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. Is The Name Bodhi Cultural Appropriation, Which Counties In Colorado Have Emissions Testing?, Articles C