can you swim at kalalau beach

But Kalalau valley and beach are not trashed, though far from totally remote and pristine. Permit holders can choose where to spend their allotted nights on the trail. During the winter months, huge waves crash against the cliffs. It is protected from the deeper ocean by one one of the longest reefs in Kauai. The next day was another bright and beautiful one. Subscribe for exclusive city guides, travel videos, trip giveaways and more! jebett, this isn't Hanakapae Beach the OP is talking about. 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 is a helipad in the valley, but it is usually only used by law enforcement. A well-marked 2 mile trail into Kalalau Valley ends at a pool in the stream. Print your permits ahead of time and carry them with you on the trail. From the beach, the valley extends 2 miles inland, with the high plateau of Kokee State park looking down upon it. } My husband and I recently got passes to camp on Kalalau Beach the second weekend in October. document.write("Please Select"); Your trip begins with a winding 2 mile trail to Hanakapi`ai Beach. Thus, the only way to reach it is to swim. ny = document.getElementById(image); 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. 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. milwkid9090's first answer is still the best. Youll want a shirt or wrap to cover yourself from the stinging sand. ny = document.getElementById(image); document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Very Good"; DISCLAIMER: UnrealHawaii.com is an independent resource for Hawaii focused content. Kalalau beach is about 1 mile long with plenty of trails heading back to the valley. The one way price from Hanalei Bay is usually $75-100 and requires swimming a short distance to the boat. 12 Best Beaches in Kauai - Which One is Your Perfect Spot? Though you may be tempted, please do not hike this trail without permission. The strong current would help by pushing them the whole way. Expect delays in reaching the upper areas of the park, including Awaawapuhi Trail, Kalalau Lookout, and Pihea Lookout and Trailhead. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Fine"; Its really an expert swimmer only beach. } Kee Beach is also the beginning of the Napali Coast and the Kalalau trail that leads to Hanakapiai and Kalalau Beach. Ten lashes for me! [OAHU] UPDATED 4/12/22: Sand Island State Recreation Area WATER OFF,camping and comfort stationsCLOSED. countfield.value = maxlimit - field.value.length; Look closely at the textured valley walls and you'll see mountain goats precariously perched on high. Dont get caught in here. Florida manatees: What's legal, what isn't, what to do if you see one I would pass on the pakalolo tent living homesteaders in the Kalalau Valley who deposit huge tall piles of trash throughout the area. Many hikers turn back when they reach Crawler's Ledge -- a narrow path carved into a cliff that runs for nearly a quarter-mile. 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. Hena SP now requires advanced reservations for entry except for those with valid camping permits for the Npali Coast SWP. There are designated camping areas, however it seems you can camp anywhere, as its not typically enforced. 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. Kalalau beach is about 1 mile long with plenty of trails heading back to the valley. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; Denny, with all due respect, "law enforcement friends with the DLNR" are not exactly objective observers. Its like being in the desert. Those in tip top shape can do it in 8 hours, those more average take 10+. Many of the months during the year, beach landings there would be dangerous due to rough surf . 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. View of the ocean from the Kalalau Trail. Please read. 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. The trail traverses the Hono o Na Pali Natural Area Reserve in the small hanging valleys of Hoolulu and Waiahuakua before entering Hanakoa Valley. Other waterfalls will be along the journey, offering a much appreciated cold shower. Anini Beach. and the farthest you can drive on the north shore. Camping permits for the Npali Coast SWP (Kalalau Trail) are currently available 90-days in-advance. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. You must ascend and descend a rocky trail twice. In the early days, a similar foot trail linked traditional Hawaiian settlements along the rugged coastline. You'll also be forced to camp in the valley as the hike is too long and dangerous for an out-and-back trip in a single day. When you walk back to camp the sun will be starting to set and the cliff faces of the Na Pali coast turn golden. Hawaii Beach Guide | Hawaii.com Those who make the journey are rewarded by blissful solitude. When Kalalau came into view the entire boat went silent. The reserve harbors a variety of native lowland forest plants. The Kalalau Trail is one of the adventurous hiking trails in the world. Kayaking from a boat tour to Kalalau Beach - Kauai Forum Copyright 2023, State of Hawaii. So if you're afraid of heights, you may not like this trail, especially around the middle of it. Don't Look Down! Humpback whales pass by Kauai in the winter time and we were able to see several on our hike. The Best Secret Beaches in Kauai, Hawaii - Matador Network We chose to get our permits from the office closest to the airport immediately upon arriving in Kauai. Password should be at least 8 characters. Jenelyn, Reanne and I are not strong swimmers so we stayed back. An unmaintained 2-mile trail into Hanakapiai Valley leads to a waterfall. function show(star_img,rnid) We are interested in making the ~1/4mi swim to Honopu Beach. Your feet will be sore, but beachside camping with ample space makes it worth the extra walking. There have been issues with car break-ins here in the past and authorities advise caution when leaving a car overnight. We were unaware of sharks and pretty much all the dangerous obstacles. (Originally published in August 2011. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! if(star_img=='1'){ If you've already made it this far and won't be hiking all the way to Kalalau Beach, you might as well take the 2-mile detour (each way) to Hanakapiai Falls. 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. By using our application you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, including the transfer of your personal data to the United States from your country of residence (if different). Then make some friends with the adventurers around you while you enjoy one of the last sunsets in the United States. This beach is the end of the walkable coastline. 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. Contact the Department of State Parks, (808) 587-0300, weekdays 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You'll need to purchase a camping pass for a stay in Kalalau, and they sell out months ahead of time. Those that did not have goggles are Asian so they were okay (on account of the squinty eyes). After selecting your trip dates, you may experience a bit of sticker shock during the payment portion of the permit process. These stacked rocks are all over the place in the cave. The best part is that the beach will be empty but for your fellow travelers. They told us about how amazing Honopu Beach was. 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Then you've still got to swim into the beach, and avoid getting smashed by the rollers. for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { Lawai Beach It is still possible to kayak into and out of the beach. The park will REOPEN by 3:00 PM on Friday 3/3/23. There are no trash receptacles in the park, and everything you take in, you will need to carry out. It is up to each individual to know their limits, abilities and level of expertise before attempting any outdoor activity. During summer, sea caves just beyond the waterfall provide popular camping shelters, but winter surf removes much of the beach and enters the caves. 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. Tucked a few hundred yards down the coast is one of the more inaccessible beaches in Hawaii, known as Honopu beach. Questions? DAY-USE RESERVATIONS OR A VALID CAMPING PERMIT, AND PARKING RESERVATIONS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO ACCESS THE KALALAU TRAIL. But remembers there is no reef to protect the shore, which leaves it vulnerable tolong shore currents. Wailua Beach, Baby Beach Poipu Well, if you are Ben Stiller, I'd imagine it would be pretty easy to find someone to pick you up out there! Cookie Notice for (var i=1; i<=5; i++) { In the early morning wedecided to go for a nice open water swim,fins are an absolute must! Hiking Kauai: The Kalalau Trail - The Trek We were pretty flippin excited to be the only people there! The swimming at this stunning beach can be rather dangerous, too. 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. And it's absolutely wonderful to take a dip in Queen's Bath after enjoying the turtles inside Turtle Cove. 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. And they probably only do this in the summer, when the surf and currents are safe to swim ashore. 4516 Alawai Rd. Many of the unforgettable sights on the Na Pali coast are only viewable from the sea, so it is well worth a look. The sandbar is quite shallow here and in some spots the ocean bottom drops off quickly to overhead depths. Click on the Boating Na Pali link to see a list of boating companies that have permits to land - perhaps they would do a private charter: http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/kauai/napali_boating.cfm. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Its wide and deep. They are all worth exploring if you have the time. Kalalau Campground, Npali Coast, HI: 7 Hipcamper Reviews And 13 Photos Those of us that didnt have sunglasses wore their swimming goggles to keep the sand out of their eyes. 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. Groceries, gasoline, and stove fuel are less expensive in the larger towns. Walking the first half mile will reward you with excellent views of the coast. Listen to weather and surf forecasts on local radio or check the surf report. *Clicking this link will redirect you to another website, Parking vouchers and entrance to the park can be purchased by clicking the link below. Kalalau Trail leading to the beach The trail ends at Kalalau Beach, as the ocean comes up the cliffs at the western end. But, that doesnt mean you need to stop here. else Though not technically allowed, the relaxed atmosphere on the trail seems to coincide with clothing optional attire. 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. 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. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; Just remember that Kalalau Beach does not have a protective reef to break the waves. In fact, Hanakoa is a hanging valley without a beach the stream exhausts itself over cliffs at the oceans edge. lc=rid; [MAUI] UPDATED 1/26/23:Iao Valley State Monument CLOSED August 2022through April 15, 2023. else Kealia Beach Summer weather (May to October) normally brings steady tradewinds and occasional showers while winter weather (October to May) is less predictable. 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. Campers are allowed a maximum length stay of 5 nights. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance, and no later than the day before your visit*. else if(star_img=='3'){ Hanakapiai Trail | Kauai.com Never allow small children to swim or play in water unattended. Allow 3 to 4 hours to complete the round-trip hike to Hanakapiai Beach. Ben Stiller did make fun of himself for taking the easy route. Camping in Kalalau is allowed only behind this sand beach. 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. } You won't find any facilities down here, but you will find composting toilets. Its rated a 9/10 for technical difficulty, and has many shear drop offs, narrow ledges, and never ending climbs and descents. var i; There are no facilities on the beach, except for composting toilets. The faces are sheer and you can see that boulders continuously break off.(Update 9/14/15: This areawas destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. Poke may be delicious, but raw fish does not keep well in a backpack. Year-round residents like green sea turtles, dolphin, albatross birds, and endangered Hawaiian monk seals also live off the coast. 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. Maybe dont look over the edge if you are afraid of heights. Pack a water filtration system such as those sold by Sawyer, Katadyn, or Steripen. The last thing you'll want when going on a . document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Excellent"; Take your time and place your feet carefully and you will get through just fine. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=" "; We tried to soak it in as much as possible knowing that it would be quite some time before we would ever return. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Poor"; Both green sea turtles and monk seals haul out on the beaches during the day to rest and warm themselves in the sun. The trailhead is located in Hena State Park at the northwest end of Khi Highway (Route 56). For more information, please see our Well worth a look (and an unforgettable fruitful smell). There is a natural stone arch that you can walk beneath and another waterfall that you can stand under. They live here because the valley is difficult to access and offers solitude and isolation. We saw campers and their tents and also talked to hikers, and campers, who accomplished this feat to this beach, and I say that reverently. Walk up the short hill. If you see an advertisement for commercial camping along the Npali Coast, it is likely illegal. #3. The trail crosses Kalalau Stream near the valley mouth before ending at Kalalau Beach and a small waterfall. Save yourself from a digestive nightmare and always sanitize your water sources. You can walk to the end of the cave but youll want a flashlight if you do. And it actually appears that theres a third part to this boulder behind it. var el = document.getElementById('sf'); There is a helipad in the valley, but it is usually only used by law enforcement. You do not need to be extreme athletes, but this is not a casual stroll. 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. About a mile up the valley, the . Lightweight hiking shoes with good traction are popular. Gardens-As stated earlier, there are several gardens in the valley that are a source of food for those staying there. The white sand beach is a mile long, and, in this seclusion, you'll have no problem picking out your own isolated spot. Upon entry to Haena SP, simply show staff your valid camping permit. There is always work to be done in the garden, so if you are going to enjoy some food, lending a hand for an hour or so would be much appreciated and would go a long way for the gardens long-term vitality. NOTE: It is illegal for anyone to provide commercial boat transportation for drop off/pick-up at Kalalau or Milolii camping areas. My husband and I are both in shape and good swimmers, and would be making the attempt very early morning with fins and a snorkel. selectedVal = '3'; Checking gear ahead of time could eliminate a real hassle on the trail and is worth the effort.<. Observe from a distance and use the zoom on your camera. Beaches Kalalau beach is the obvious highlight. This trail passes through extensive agricultural terraces where Hawaiians grew taro, the staple crop, from ancient times until about 1920. Pack your backpacking stove, however, stove fuel is not permitted on any airplane and will need to be purchased on the island. This gap forms a channel that gets filled with water as the waves rush in. Tradewind showers are more frequent during the night and early morning. Theres no longer sand to walk on here. } Tunnels Beach, Anahola Beach Shipwrecks Beach, Kekaha Beach Click the link below to buy a transportation ticket which also includes your entry into the park. Permits cost $10 per person per night. It appears Hawaii Tourism doesn't want people to visit Kauai, Trip Report 2- Outings, Entertainment, Attractions, Kauai St regis or Big Island Four seasons. A maximum stay of 5 nights is allowed in Npali Coast State Park. And how do I know that ? 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. 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. Walk-ins permitted. The Kalalau trail hike begins at Ka'a Beach at the end of the parking lot. Not supporting camping there illegally at all - but those folks are not the big problem with opala from what I've been told. Country. Drinking the Water Jenelyn, Reanne and I are not strong swimmers so we stayed back. Cory and Troy picked them off the rocks in between waves. Composting toilets are available at Hanakapiai, Hanakoa, and Kalalau. And I apologize to LosAngelosAnd, I was wrong for misinterpreting their inquiry. You are always a wealth of hiking info. There are also wild goats, pigs, deer, fish, lobster, and shellfish for people to eat as local as it gets. Plan on spending 10 hours in hiking boots if you do this. Not only is the trail narrow in some places, but it can also be slippery because of loose rocks or if it has recently rained. After selecting the date and time of your visit, youll be able to select the number of entry or parking vouchers required. Kalalau Beach - Wikipedia 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. [OAHU] UPDATED 2/28/23: Kaena Point State Park Mokuleia Section The vehicle access road will continue to beCLOSED due to heavy rains and saturated road conditions. Kalalau Trail (Kauai) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor The trail and activity descriptions are given to give the reader a better understanding of what to expect while hiking and participating in activities in Hawaii. Within the 5-night maximum, no 2 consecutive nights are allowed at Hanakoa. 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. The Beach Youll be on the sandy shoreline of the world famous Na Pali Coast. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Kayak or Sail the Na Pali Coast, Kapaa, Hawaii The surf and rip currents are variable and often extremely treacherous, but worst in winter when high surf conditions prevail. That means rogue waves can crash onto the beach at any moment. Hiking and any outdoor activity can be dangerous and has many potential hazards. else if(i=='3'){ And sunglasses. var n = document.getElementById('n'+rid); } Then they told everyone to go out on the observation deck. Lumahai Beach The hike to the beach is two miles and takes 2 hours. Call ahead to make sure they have them in stock. This hike is on the beginning section of the Kalalau trail, at Ke'e Beach. You'll also find a natural shower in the form of Ho'ole'a Falls at the western end of the beach. Hiking The Kalalau Trail: The Ultimate Guide - Wandering Wheatleys If you are stopped by a park ranger you will be asked to show the permit along with photo id. for (i=1; i<=star_img; 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. If you are a member, the Costco in Lihue sells both food and gas. Should I split my stay between 2 locations on Kauai? Despite a Portuguese man o war sting, quite a longer swim than expected, and considerably bigger waves then anticipated we made it (just barely)! In addition to the swimming pigs, you'll also get to observe Bahamian . Swimming is not recommended at Hanakapiai Beach due to dangerous rip currents and wave patterns. Yes as daisies. As you walk down the beach in Kalalau you feel like youre in a different world. Parking at Hena State Park is limited to 100 stalls, so we recommend taking the Kauai North Shore Shuttle. Check overhanging trees for hazards from falling limbs. There is the main Kalalau trail, as well as several offshoots to waterfalls and swimming holes. Kalalau Beach is about 1 mile (1.6 km) long. You can walk into them to explore and take cover from the wind. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; { This is where you'll meet some of the permanent residents as well as other campers in the valley. It is a minimum 3-day round-trip journey for most people to hike all the way to Kalalau and back, which means that you have to be well outfitted and prepared for the journey.