selectedText = 'Very Good'; Keep driving until the road absolutely ends at a circular parking lot. Beware of this fact when exploring the caves. var i; else if(star_img=='2'){ But, walk down the beach a bit and youll be treated to some of the coolest looking scenery youll ever see. Though not technically allowed, the relaxed atmosphere on the trail seems to coincide with clothing optional attire. Unfortunately, there's no swimming at the beach, due to strong currents. function form_visible(){ There was not a peep out of the couple thousand passengers on the deck. else if(i=='3'){ These terraces are now overgrown with a variety of alien trees, including Java Plum, guava, and occasional large mango trees. Maybe dont look over the edge if you are afraid of heights. 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. Start early as it gets warm and the trail is challenging enough without afternoon sun the entire time. | Web usage privacy. Parking at Hena State Park is limited to 100 stalls, so we recommend taking the Kauai North Shore Shuttle. Nearby there is a waterfall, that can be used to rinse off or bathe in. You'll also have to pay for the expensive helicopter ride if you need to be rescued. Some beaches in the city need to be swimmable due to risky conditions of intense waves and sudden descent on the depth of seabeds. Use good judgment regarding current ocean conditions and your own abilities. and our United States. and the farthest you can drive on the north shore. The trail takes hikers up, over and down the cathedral cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. } for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { Kee Beach In the summer, the caves offer shelter from the sun and wind. Kalalau Beach Na Pali Coast. var shows = 0; We were pretty flippin excited to be the only people there! The strong current would help by pushing them the whole way. 10 Best Things to Do in Cedar Key FL You Shouldn't Miss Thus, the only way to reach it is to swim. Make sure to use the correct filter if you plan to drink the water. 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. At the beach, you may see topless sunbathers or a naked surfer. When it rains, which on Kauai is all of the time, portions of the trail get muddy and sloppy. Polihale Beach ny = document.getElementById(image); There are two inexpensive campsites near the trailhead, Haena Beach Park (closed Monday nights) and Hanalei Beach Park (open Friday and Saturday only). 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. Can You Swim in Cabo San Lucas? - All You Need to Know Not supporting camping there illegally at all - but those folks are not the big problem with opala from what I've been told. Call at 888-409-2702 during business hours which are 7 AM to 7 PM HST. Swimming or wading can be dangerous, however, and is not recommended. This special spot is beautiful at sunset. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Shaded campsites are available beneath the trees behind the beach. Kalalau Beach (see more photos) lies at the end of the 11-mile (17.7 km) Kalalau Trail on Kauai's north shore. (808) 274-3444. selectedText = 'Poor'; Permits are very popular and sell out well in advance, especially during summer. The people come together to share meals and talk story of their days adventures. 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). 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. There are few coveted spots between the trail and the beach, but most are under the trees inland of the trail, but only about 50 feet from the sand. Travel light. Denny, with all due respect, "law enforcement friends with the DLNR" are not exactly objective observers. 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. } Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance, and no later than the day before your visit*. mobile app. Then make some friends with the adventurers around you while you enjoy one of the last sunsets in the United States. The facilities at the beach include restrooms and showers. Cedar Key Public Beach at Lil Shark Park. Be sure to purify your water as it most likely contains leptospirosis, a bacteria from urine. Gardens-As stated earlier, there are several gardens in the valley that are a source of food for those staying there. 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. The mud is slippery and may slow down your hiking time. } Brenneckes Beach Hikers have perished on this stretch of the hike, so you should only cross if you're physically fit and there's plenty of sunlight. Because I have law enforcement friends with the DLNR who fly in with helos, and clean the place up, as the permanent reisidents run off to hide in the jungle. The cliffs of the Na Pali Coast look prehistoric in this area. 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. Weather Report says Rain, Should I panic? To prevent overpopulation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) allows hunting on weekends in August and September. Permits are obtained via an online portal on the DLNR website here. The Best Family Friendly Things To Do in LasVegas, Where To Spend Nine Perfect Days in Croatia, New Zealands South Island Is Pure Magic: 6 Natural Wonders You Need ToSee, How To Experience The Rich Black History of Montgomery, Alabama, 11 Things To See, Do, and Eat in Bratislava, Slovakia, How To Experience Undeveloped Beaches and Fresh Seafood In Panama CityBeach, How To Explore Savannah Through the City's New Electric, Open-Roof Cruisers, From Sparkles To Champagne Elevator Rides: What You Need To Know Before Visiting the Eiffel Tower, 10 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting Angkor Wat, Winter Is Actually a Great Time To Visit Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Download the If you look closely at the photo above, you can see them in the water. It is the responsibility of the reader to use common sense and good judgment by interpreting and using the information to safely enjoy any outdoor activities. DROWNINGS OCCUR HERE REGULARLY! document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=" "; Within the valley itself, there are many things to see and do. (Update 9/14/15: This sea cave was destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. Make reservations at www.gohaena.com. She told me that when the ship got to Kalalau it slowed down and did a U-turn. The one way price from Hanalei Bay is usually $75-100 and requires swimming a short distance to the boat. Secure your car and limit the valuables left inside. Near the Hanakoa Stream crossing, a rest area offers a stop for weary backpackers and hikers. document.getElementById('rat').value="4"; image = 'qw'+rnid + i; This beach is the end of the walkable coastline. On the north end of the valley is New beach (or Summer beach) the sand collects in the summer to make a nice stretch of beach, but in the winter the swell washes it all away. Its large and backs up to breathtaking views of rugged coastline and classic napali coastline. 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. For more information, please see our These terraces were replanted with coffee plants in the late 1800s, which are still growing throughout the valley today. Thanks Hiker. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! Which, in consideration, is less than you would be paying for a beach-side hotel room. Hena State Park is roughly 41 miles (1 1/2-hour drive) from Lihue Airport. A well-marked 2 mile trail into Kalalau Valley ends at a pool in the stream. All rights reserved. During winter months, dangerous conditions include high surf and strong currents. Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. Well, if you are Ben Stiller, I'd imagine it would be pretty easy to find someone to pick you up out there! When Kalalau came into view the entire boat went silent. Hiking past the first major landmark on the Kalalau Trail, Hanakapiaai Beach at mile two, requires a permit. This cave is no longer accessible.). document.write(""); The Kauai beach with the unusual name, Donkey Beach, is a beach that comes with a lot of pluses and minuses. }, 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! Swimming, Snorkeling, Kids, Relaxing, Watching sunset. Kalalau Beach is the huge chunk of sand that sits in front of Kalalau Valley. There are permanent residents in the valley that live off the land despite the fact that it is illegal. 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 5-6 feet of warm water make Anini the best swimming location on the island. I knew you could camp close to the beach but I didn't think on the beach. We walked back to the end of Kalalau Beach. The one way price from Hanalei Bay is usually $75-100 and requires swimming a short distance to the boat. Npali Coast State Wilderness Park. We were able to obtain a permit three months before our trip in January, however, summer permits reportedly fill up more quickly. Other waterfalls will be along the journey, offering a much appreciated cold shower. A password will be mailed to you! } ), ^ Top of page | Home | Search | Archives, Unreal Hawaii is a digital magazine for people that love the Hawaii outdoors. 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. As we said above, one of the best Cedar Key activities is going to the beach! 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. Swimming is not recommended at Hanakapiai Beach due to dangerous rip currents and wave patterns. People have drowned here from the dangerous combination of a hidden current and the cliffside surroundings. You need to filter your water on the trail. } Even with this type of device, help is most likely hours away. Free Travel Planners for Hawaii & each island, Websites & links for travel sites, attractions, restaurants, maps, lodging & more. Hawaiian monk seals also live off the coast. To get a camping permit, visit http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/camping/permit_napali.cfm . Infrequent widespread storms cause flash floods. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Print your permits ahead of time and carry them with you on the trail. Fuji Beach Checking gear ahead of time could eliminate a real hassle on the trail and is worth the effort.<. There are three river crossings on the trail that become a flash flood hazard during heavy rainfall and may be impassable. UPDATED 2/22/23: Kalalau Trail has REOPENED. What off the beaten path activities can I do? document.getElementById('rat').value="1"; You could take a boat tour down the coastline, a guided kayak excursion, or a helicopter tour. - 8:00p.m. } View of the ocean from the Kalalau Trail. Money is irrelevant, instead people rely on the barter system and gifting one another for their exchanges. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; The public beach in Cedar Key is free to use and offers a quaint spot to relax by the waves. Hanakapiai Trail | Kauai.com And blueflamingo, I wouldn't hike it either. There is no reef to break the waves, so this beach nearly always has high surf year round. 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. These campsites are run by the County of Kauai and operate on a different reservation system. [KAUAI] Kkee State Park - Beginning TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023, road repair work will be conducted along Kkee Road between the meadow/lodge area and the first Kalalau Lookout. } else { Feral goats have been seen roaming the beach and valley, and contribute to the leptospirosis in the streams and waterfall. Published on 10/07/2018 by Kauai Beach Scoop. You can walk to the end of the cave but youll want a flashlight if you do. And sunglasses. function noshow(star_img,rnid) The Kalalau Trail is a 22-mile out-and-back coastal hike located on the northwest side of the island of Kauai. 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 no roads that take you to the valley. Purchase a camping permit here or in person at any State Parks district office. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Excellent"; else if(i=='2'){ Due to increasing popularity, the state limits how many permits are released every day. Do not loiter beneath the waterfall or near cliff faces as there is a constant danger of falling rocks. The Kalalau trail hike begins at Ka'a Beach at the end of the parking lot. And I apologize to LosAngelosAnd, I was wrong for misinterpreting their inquiry. Contact the Department of State Parks, (808) 587-0300, weekdays 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Even amongst the gorgeous sights and sounds along the entire coastline, one area stands out above the rest. Walk-ins permitted. From here, trails lead through the rest of the valley. The Kalalau Trail on N Pali's stunning Hawaiian coast is one of the most challenging treks in the world.