This is the final post in a 5-part series on Kalalau. Eleven miles in and eleven out. Top Ten Ways to Protect Hawaiian Monk Seals/Dolphin protection, Geography, Geology, History and Culture of Kaua'i. The surf and rip currents are variable and often extremely treacherous, but worst in winter when high surf conditions prevail. And sunglasses. Composting toilets are available at Hanakapiai, Hanakoa, and Kalalau. It can be ankle deep only to plunge down to the depths with no warning. So if you're afraid of heights, you may not like this trail, especially around the middle of it. As you travel north, prices go up and options are more limited. In the early days, a similar foot trail linked traditional Hawaiian settlements along the rugged coastline. The cliffs of the Na Pali Coast look prehistoric in this area. } 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. } Look closely at the textured valley walls and you'll see mountain goats precariously perched on high. }else{ document.getElementById('rat').value="5"; If possible, I would recommend making the trek all the way to the beach to camp. We were able to obtain a permit three months before our trip in January, however, summer permits reportedly fill up more quickly. 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. shows = 1; See Polipoli site for updates. If you look closely at the photo above, you can see them in the water. Subscribe for exclusive city guides, travel videos, trip giveaways and more! Waterfalls-There are a number of waterfalls in the valley. Upon entry to Haena SP, simply show staff your valid camping permit. Call ahead to make sure they have them in stock. function textCounter(field, countfield, maxlimit) { 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. Having a rock roll through your tent or crack you on the noggin may negatively impact your trip. They live in simple camps with no permanent structures, with tarps as their roofs and cooking by the flame of a fire. The Kalalau Trail is a 22-mile out-and-back coastal hike located on the northwest side of the island of Kauai. For some people who come to Kalalau Beach, the long and difficult trail is not adventurous enough. It is sometimes safer to trek through the mud than trying to find a less messy path around it. And don't be fooled by the first Kalalau Lookout sign. And then Cory slipped on his grippy aqua-socks and climbed straight up the crack. Both of these excursions depart Nassau at 8:00 a.m. sharp and return from The Exumas between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. 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 . This small beach is no longer accessible.). document.getElementById('rat').value="2"; After selecting the date and time of your visit, youll be able to select the number of entry or parking vouchers required. This camp is located on a section of the trail that is densely forested, so space is limited and crowded. We walked the beach both days we were in Kalalau. ), ^ Top of page | Home | Search | Archives, Unreal Hawaii is a digital magazine for people that love the Hawaii outdoors. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; [MAUI] UPDATED 1/26/23:Iao Valley State Monument CLOSED August 2022through April 15, 2023. I have no idea what they charge. Naturalists will find a number of points of interest. [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. Never swim in murky water and never swim in river mouths. var selectedVal = ''; Signs warn hikers of dangerous rockfall near the falls, so this area is off limits for swimming. We're not around right now. The sea can appear calm here at times (like summer) making it seem safe to swim. It's even more difficult to get on a boat to leave the valley in a surge of surf. Beware of this fact when exploring the caves. My husband and I recently got passes to camp on Kalalau Beach the second weekend in October. For a nonresident of Hawaii, permits at the time of writing cost $20 per person/per night. Those who make the journey are rewarded by blissful solitude. We chose to get our permits from the office closest to the airport immediately upon arriving in Kauai. It is difficult, strenuous , and IMO, dangerous unless in good physical shape. Npali Coast State Wilderness Park. Kalalau Trail leading to the beach The trail ends at Kalalau Beach, as the ocean comes up the cliffs at the western end. How has Kauai been affected by the floods? Your feet will be sore, but beachside camping with ample space makes it worth the extra walking. 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. I would like to spend one night at the Kalalau beach, but honestly, I don't feel like walking the 11 mile trail, so does anyone know if I can arrange a boat there that would pick me up the next day? Travel light. It's a surreal scene. I knew you could camp close to the beach but I didn't think on the beach. Cell phone service is limited to none on the trail. var image; As you walk down the beach in Kalalau you feel like you're in a different world. No camping is permitted there, but that is only what we read on the signage. Camp fires seem to be allowed (nearly every site has a pit) and there are pit toilets to use in two locations. lc=rid; These campsites are run by the County of Kauai and operate on a different reservation system. Save yourself from a digestive nightmare and always sanitize your water sources. Please read. But remembers there is no reef to protect the shore, which leaves it vulnerable tolong shore currents. If you look on Nate Yuens blog post on the cave, you can see that sometimes people make more elaborate designs with the rocks. From the beach, the valley extends 2 miles inland, with the high plateau of Kokee State park looking down upon it. The large waves at Kalalau Beach can make a landing by boat extremely treacherous. [MAUI]UPDATED 1/23/23:Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area CLOSED through March 2023 (Per DOFAW). Indeed, they are living the sustainable life that many in modern society have realized we need to aim for albeit with no modern amenities such as electricity, plumbing, and mass communication. Theres one section of the beach that gets super windy. The rugged, inaccessible coast is made up of a series of green cathedral cliffs that reach out into the ocean like the talons of an island-sized dragon. Anini Beach is a gorgeous blue lagoon with golden sand and shallow water along the north shore of Kauai. Even with this type of device, help is most likely hours away. Polihale Beach Lydgate Beach selectedText = 'Fine'; Touching a manatee is punishable under the Manatee Sanctuary Act, with a fine of up to $500 and/or a jail term of up to 60 days. There are no facilities on the beach, except for composting toilets. 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. It is still possible to kayak into and out of the beach. High surf pounds the shore creating extremely turbulent waters. #30. . Kee is protected by a reef that makes it a safe place for snorkeling and swimming. Makana Charters is a native Hawaiian family owned business that takes pride in providing the best possible experience for visitors to Kauai. function noshow(star_img,rnid) else But if you abuse or harass the animal or your actions result in its . 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. } Free Travel Planners for Hawaii & each island, Websites & links for travel sites, attractions, restaurants, maps, lodging & more. Hanalei Pavilion If you see an advertisement for commercial camping along the Npali Coast, it is likely illegal. Near the Hanakoa Stream crossing, a rest area offers a stop for weary backpackers and hikers. You need to bring all food and equipment with you. All camping areas are located on shaded terraces near streams. The Kalalau Valley sits roughly halfway down the coast. } #2. Not supporting camping there illegally at all - but those folks are not the big problem with opala from what I've been told. You need to filter your water on the trail. You will find this beach after a 11 mile hike along the Kalalau Trail on the Napali Coast. Shaded campsites are available beneath the trees behind the beach. The trail traverses five valleys before ending at Kalalau Beach where it is blocked by sheer, fluted cliffs. Hideaway Beach 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. We came upon a young woman hiking fully nude who seemed completely at ease in her birthday suit. Yes Good For Swimming, Snorkeling, Kids, Relaxing, Watching sunset Advance reservations are now required for all vehicles, walk-in entry, and shuttle riders visiting Hena State Park, as well as for day hikers accessing the Kalalau Trail. Be sure to purify your water as it most likely contains leptospirosis, a bacteria from urine. Ben Stiller did make fun of himself for taking the easy route. At the end is a pool. Hena State Park is roughly 41 miles (1 1/2-hour drive) from Lihue Airport. Within the valley itself, there are many things to see and do. A 1.8-mile trail into the valley leads to a spectacular 300-foot waterfall. Since the trail is quite long, most people who visit Kalalau Beach plan to stay overnight. After selecting your trip dates, you may experience a bit of sticker shock during the payment portion of the permit process. Which, in consideration, is less than you would be paying for a beach-side hotel room. People hear about the difficult hike to a beautiful beach, and ask how to get to that place without all the effort. 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. In Na Pali Coast, Places by Makana ChartersJuly 25, 2016. Thus, the only way to reach it is to swim. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Gardens-As stated earlier, there are several gardens in the valley that are a source of food for those staying there. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap. There have been issues with car break-ins here in the past and authorities advise caution when leaving a car overnight. These terraces are now overgrown with a variety of alien trees, including Java Plum, guava, and occasional large mango trees. Like previous poster said, unless you have rough water experience, just don't. Especially, especially right now. For beach and trail access you will need to reserve a park and pass or shuttle on the website www.gohaena.com, Anini Beach document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=selectedText; You may find locals living near the beach, or in the adjacent valley. Theres no longer sand to walk on here. I would pass on the pakalolo tent living homesteaders in the Kalalau Valley who deposit huge tall piles of trash throughout the area. This hike is on the beginning section of the Kalalau trail, at Ke'e Beach. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. (Originally published in August 2011. Humpback whales pass by Kauai in the winter time and we were able to see several on our hike. #3. You can walk to the end of the cave but youll want a flashlight if you do. (Update 9/14/15: This areawas destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. Each of these offshoots has unique waterfalls and swimming spots. The trail takes hikers up, over and down the cathedral cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. Cookie Notice There is a helipad in the valley, but it is usually only used by law enforcement. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Kee Beach (pronounced Keh-AY) is located at the end of the road. What off the beaten path activities can I do? Camping is allowed on the beach, but permits are required. We couldnt stay for long as youneed to get back before the waves and the current pick up. Feral goats have been seen roaming the beach and valley, and contribute to the leptospirosis in the streams and waterfall. Both green sea turtles and monk seals haul out on the beaches during the day to rest and warm themselves in the sun. Kee Beach is a safe snorkel spot when the water is calm because it is protected from large waves by a fringing reef. Yes, there are illegal campers there, some of them do leave trash. You can camp on the Kalaau Beach. he camping permits go fast, so its wise to get one a year or more in advance. Many of the months during the year, beach landings there would be dangerous due to rough surf . A valid Npali Coast SWP camping permit grants access to Hena SP. Facilities include a composting toilet and two roofed shelters. *Clicking this link will redirect you to another website. 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. The reserve harbors a variety of native lowland forest plants. There are even several community gardens throughout the valley, giving the people sustenance without a reliance on the outside world. 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 Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. Though not technically allowed, the relaxed atmosphere on the trail seems to coincide with clothing optional attire. Another cave down the coast has been eroded into an arch. But because there is no legal camping in Kalalau valley, people usually say they camped "at" Kalalau beach to make the distinction. Doing this is dangerous so, maybe dont attempt this if you ever find yourself in front of this rock. else if(star_img=='2'){ For a shorter hike, the first portion of the trail up to Hanakapiaai Beach is accessible for day use and does not require a permit. Maybe this site can answer your question. var ny; Permits are obtained via an online portal on the DLNR website here. 6. The Kalalau Trail is one of the adventurous hiking trails in the world. } To get a camping permit, visit http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/camping/permit_napali.cfm . Beaches - Kalalau beach is the obvious highlight. NOTE: It is illegal for anyone to provide commercial boat transportation for drop off/pick-up at Kalalau or Milolii camping areas. We watched goats kick rocks down onto campsites near these signs. It's even more difficult to get on a boat to leave the valley in a surge of surf. Originally built in the late 1800s, the trail serves as one of the only ways to access the beautiful Napali Coast via land. A well-marked 2 mile trail into Kalalau Valley ends at a pool in the stream. Heres what they saw. The ocean engulfs the beach and carves caves into the young rock. List of properly permitted vacation rentals, not condos - 8/15/2017, Weather Questions start here Pls/Best Time of Year to Visit Kauai, How to make reservations at Haena State Park / Ke'e Beach. There are permanent residents in the valley that live off the land despite the fact that it is illegal. Just remember that Kalalau Beach does not have a protective reef to break the waves. The white sand beach is a mile long, and, in this seclusion, you'll have no problem picking out your own isolated spot. Year-round residents like green sea turtles, dolphin, albatross birds, and endangered Hawaiian monk seals also live off the coast. That means rogue waves can crash onto the beach at any moment. Thanks so much. They are all worth exploring if you have the time. Shopping is limited on Kauai and it is best to bring as many specialty items as possible with you on your flight such as your tent, sleeping bag, and trekking poles. for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { We were pretty flippin excited to be the only people there! Camping permits for the Npali Coast SWP (Kalalau Trail) are currently available 90-days in-advance. if (field.value.length > maxlimit) Simply drive up to Waimea Canyon through Kokee all the way to the end of the road. Tory and Cory appeared to be tired from the swim but Seth and Jen (both swimmers in high school) looked fresh as daisies. Keep in mind that this portion of the trail is in the designated day-use area and can be accessed without a permit. The trail is part of the N Pali Coast State Park which gets its name from the Hawaiian term for high cliff, na pali. For those with camping permits, get an early start to avoid overexertion in the midday heat. selectedText = 'Poor'; document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Good"; Yet, it's also among the most rewarding. Did you see Todays Groupon for world resorts international? *Clicking this link will redirect you to another website, Parking vouchers and entrance to the park can be purchased by clicking the link below. Some beaches in the city need to be swimmable due to risky conditions of intense waves and sudden descent on the depth of seabeds. So, I was wondering from someone who has perhaps done it recently, what the experience was like? Though exact dates vary between sources, in the past, Native Hawaiians lived and worked in the valleys, cultivating taro and harvesting fish from the sea. Questions? At Kalalau beach, you hike as far as possible on the beach, and then ideally go under a cave arch and arrive on the last beach. Kalalau Beach Na Pali Coast. DAY-USE RESERVATIONS OR A VALID CAMPING PERMIT, AND PARKING RESERVATIONS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO ACCESS THE KALALAU TRAIL. During the winter months, huge waves crash against the cliffs. And as koloagirl says, you still need a camping permit. [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. There is no cell reception, but there is a payphone. selectedVal = '3'; } Infrequent widespread storms cause flash floods. The trail that leads to this beach is considered the most difficult trails on the islands. Drinking the Water The DLNR personnel have to haul the garbage out of there. 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. A well-chosen campsite can save you from a bad night of sleep or worse. For more information read our privacy policy. The Kalalau Valley Trail is a 2-mile hike upvalley over former kalo (taro) terraces with several stream Ocean swimming is not recommended for those unfamiliar with local sea conditions. To prevent overpopulation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) allows hunting on weekends in August and September. The summer sand beach at Hanakapiai is a popular destination for day hikers. Personally, I like the idea of the bikini clad sweet hearts, free drinks, and calm seas. Make reservations at www.gohaena.com. This was my favorite part of the trip. 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. Throughout the year, temperatures seldom drop below 60F. for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { If you visit these side trips, make sure to factor the additional miles into your hiking plan. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; An unmaintained 2-mile trail into Hanakapiai Valley leads to a waterfall. Observe from a distance and use the zoom on your camera. A waterfall at the western end of the beach (Ho'ole'a Falls) provides freshwater, but before drinking it, the water must be purified (bring a water filter or water treatment tablets) due to the threat of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease. Nonetheless, you'll find beach areas with calm waters to swim and even snorkel without any issues. From what I've read the swim grows longer after summer as the current shifts and beach shrinks. Park. These terraces were replanted with coffee plants in the late 1800s, which are still growing throughout the valley today. In fact, Hanakoa is a hanging valley without a beach the stream exhausts itself over cliffs at the oceans edge. The beach sits at the foot of Kalalau Valley which is the jewel of the Na Pali Coast. Most prefer life in the valley to the busy day-to-day life on the outside where the simple pleasures of living off the land are nearly impossible.
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