Save yourself from a digestive nightmare and always sanitize your water sources. To get a camping permit, visit http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/camping/permit_napali.cfm . Kee Beach is a safe snorkel spot when the water is calm because it is protected from large waves by a fringing reef. The vast majority of Kalalau Beachgoers hike the Kalalau Trail 11 miles one-way to this stunning destination. Kee Beach We walked the beach both days we were in Kalalau. In the early days, a similar foot trail linked traditional Hawaiian settlements along the rugged coastline. Along the beach, you'll find cliff walls and even some shallow caves to explore. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; The trail drops to sea level at the beaches of Hanakapiai and Kalalau. Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. selectedText = 'Very Good'; Binoculars are helpful to see them in detail. Groceries, gasoline, and stove fuel are less expensive in the larger towns. ), 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. Camp fires seem to be allowed (nearly every site has a pit) and there are pit toilets to use in two locations. else if(star_img=='2'){ The first 2 miles of the trail, from Hena State Park to Hanakapiai Beach, make a popular day hike. SeeSand Island site for updates. Well, if you are Ben Stiller, I'd imagine it would be pretty easy to find someone to pick you up out there! shows = 1; Signs warn hikers of dangerous rockfall near the falls, so this area is off limits for swimming. 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. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. The Kalalau Trail is a 22-mile out-and-back coastal hike located on the northwest side of the island of Kauai. 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. function show(star_img,rnid) Gardens-As stated earlier, there are several gardens in the valley that are a source of food for those staying there. There is a natural stone arch that you can walk beneath and another waterfall that you can stand under. 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. And, once you're in the valley, you're going to want to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Subscribe for exclusive city guides, travel videos, trip giveaways and more! Maybe dont look over the edge if you are afraid of heights. Fuji Beach Its really an expert swimmer only beach. Though not technically allowed, the relaxed atmosphere on the trail seems to coincide with clothing optional attire. Hiking to Hanakpai Valley (2 miles in from trailhead) requires Entry and Parking Reservations at Haena. Unfortunately, there's no swimming at the beach, due to strong currents. You need to filter your water on the trail. (808) 274-3444. With swim fins and snorkels in hand, we prepared for a long swim to a secluded beach. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Poor"; Shipwrecks Beach, Kekaha Beach It is flanked by sheer canyon walls and it is illegal to boat or kayak there. Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. As you walk down the beach in Kalalau you feel like youre in a different world. Well worth a look (and an unforgettable fruitful smell). 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. var selectedText = ''; } [OAHU] UPDATED 3/2/23: Keawa Heiau State Recreation Area Aiea Loop Trail isCLOSEDdue to high winds and heavy rain, the heiau area is OPEN. It is still possible to kayak into and out of the beach. }, 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! selectedText = 'Good'; Naturalists will find a number of points of interest. Haena Beach These terraces are now overgrown with a variety of alien trees, including Java Plum, guava, and occasional large mango trees. While the crew . This information is not intended to give specific advice on any trail. We would attempt to see what was beyond the beach on the following day. Anini Beach is a gorgeous blue lagoon with golden sand and shallow water along the north shore of Kauai. Permits are obtained via an online portal on the DLNR website here. There are no lifeguards on these beaches and help is a helicopter ride away. 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. Those who make the journey are rewarded by blissful solitude. Theres no longer sand to walk on here. There are plenty of other tucked-away beaches in Kauai that are not quite as hard to get to as this one, which we didn't list here because the effort-reward quotient isn't quite right. 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. Must climb rock . Jenelyn, Reanne and I are not strong swimmers so we stayed back. Tired hikers may be urged on by the panoramic view of Kalalau Valleys fluted cliffs and the coastline beyond. Guava Forest-An entire grove of trees that provides an abundance of wild guava. var n = document.getElementById('n'+rid); For most backpackers in good condition, hiking the 11 miles will take a full day. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Waterfalls-There are a number of waterfalls in the valley. This was my favorite part of the trip. A short swim around the bend will take you to the secluded Honopu Beach. Cedar Key Public Beach at Lil Shark Park. And as koloagirl says, you still need a camping permit. Another cave down the coast has been eroded into an arch. If you are lucky enough to witness this, they are not in distress, and should not be approached or bothered. Sponsored Content >. Camping in Kalalau is allowed only behind this sand beach. You won't find any facilities down here, but you will find composting toilets. Jen and Seth decided to swim down the coastline instead. We are interested in making the ~1/4mi swim to Honopu Beach. #2. This remote wilderness area is accessible on foot (or by boat) only. View of the ocean from the Kalalau Trail. { Just remember that Kalalau Beach does not have a protective reef to break the waves. Be sure to purify your water as it most likely contains leptospirosis, a bacteria from urine. 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). Hiking past the first major landmark on the Kalalau Trail, Hanakapiaai Beach at mile two, requires a permit. The swimming at this stunning beach can be rather dangerous, too. Its illegal to dock a boat or even a kayak on the beach but you can swim to it. var image; selectedVal = '3'; We're not around right now. For those with camping permits, get an early start to avoid overexertion in the midday heat. One of the many bountiful community gardens. Nonetheless, you'll find beach areas with calm waters to swim and even snorkel without any issues. Those with Npali Coast SWP Camping Permits do not need to make a Hena SP park entry reservation. Nearby there is a waterfall, that can be used to rinse off or bathe in. The area upon which the Like so many beaches on the North Shore of Kauai safety is a big issue for Ke'e Beach. 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. The authorized camping areas along the trail do not have tables or drinking water. The Kauai beach with the unusual name, Donkey Beach, is a beach that comes with a lot of pluses and minuses. We recommend making this a 3-day hike at least. Never swim in murky water and never swim in river mouths. 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. Heres the thing youre in the middle of nowhere out here. You'll need to purchase a camping pass for a stay in Kalalau, and they sell out months ahead of time. Permits are very popular and sell out well in advance, especially during summer. Lydgate Beach document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Very Good"; Did you see Todays Groupon for world resorts international? Kalalau beach is about 1 mile long with plenty of trails heading back to the valley. Kalalau Beach is more about the journey than the destination, and it's not easy to get to this secluded, beautiful and verdant 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. Beaches Kalalau beach is the obvious highlight. Hanakoa Campground to Hanakoa FallsThis campground is a quick extra mile located at the halfway point of the main trail up a valley that ends at a waterfall. More strenuous hiking begins as the steep switchback trail climbs 800 feet out of Hanakapiai valley. The hike to the beach is two miles and takes 2 hours. In the early morning wedecided to go for a nice open water swim, http://goingtogetlost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/going-to-get-lost_black-logo-e1472512038874.png, http://goingtogetlost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/commando-climb-7.jpg. } else { But Kalalau valley and beach are not trashed, though far from totally remote and pristine. Down below you'll see a light and lots of limbs strewn along the . ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; But if you abuse or harass the animal or your actions result in its . Other waterfalls will be along the journey, offering a much appreciated cold shower. There are designated camping areas, however it seems you can camp anywhere, as its not typically enforced.