can you swim at kalalau beach

The ocean engulfs the beach and carves caves into the young rock. You can drink this water, but you must treat or boil the water beforehand. and when you get to the main Kalalau Beach, the wind will have died down some. See Hapuna site for updates. 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? info@MakanaCharters.com She didnt do the hike but she was able to see the Na Pali Coast from a cruise ship. Its large and backs up to breathtaking views of rugged coastline and classic napali coastline. On the third day of a recent camping trip in Kalalau, Kauai, we woke up early and walked to the end of Kalalau Beach. Before entering the water check for any warning signs indicating hazardous conditions. } (808) 338-9980 There are some companies that offer landing services, meaning they will shuttle you to and from this beach. Npali Coast State Wilderness Park. While the crew . Jenelyn, Reanne and I are not strong swimmers so we stayed back. We were pretty flippin excited to be the only people there! It can be recognized by the relatively recent landslide and house-sized boulder near the beach. 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. Is there something we should watch for? Hideaway Beach Poipu Beach } 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. Humpback whales pass by Kauai in the winter time and we were able to see several on our hike. Theres no longer sand to walk on here. They often sell out and some people make reservations up to a year in advance. Please plan accordingly. 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. Pack foods that cook easily in boiling water and store well unrefrigerated. You'll be fined if you do not have one. Those who make the journey are rewarded by blissful solitude. Learn more >, ADVERTISE: Hanalei Pier } Plan your trip accordingly. I didn't think you camp on the beach. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; Cedar Key Public Beach at Lil Shark Park. Lightweight hiking shoes with good traction are popular. Lic# TVNC1058, Secluded and difficult to access beach on Kauai's Na Pali Coast, You should be in good physical condition to hike to the beach and not afraid of heights (the trail is narrow in some areas and involves several stream crossings), Beware of flash floods when crossing streams (don't cross if the water is too high), Kalalau Beach has rip tides, strong currents and a dangerous shorebreak, especially in the winter months, Bring all needed supplies and food with you, Mosquito repellent is a good idea to bring too. This gap forms a channel that gets filled with water as the waves rush in. If you look on Nate Yuens blog post on the cave, you can see that sometimes people make more elaborate designs with the rocks. 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. But, dont do what Corys doing here youll give your friends a heart attack. else if(i=='3'){ Would it still be safe during the time we are going? Nobody seems to mind, though trading modern creature comforts for a deeper connection to the land around by learning how to coexist with nature instead of profiting off it. There are three river crossings on the trail that become a flash flood hazard during heavy rainfall and may be impassable. Call ahead to make sure they have them in stock. But I will gladly be corrected if proven wrong. This cave is no longer accessible.). The trail traverses the Hono o Na Pali Natural Area Reserve in the small hanging valleys of Hoolulu and Waiahuakua before entering Hanakoa Valley. More vegetation and another beach on the other side of the arch. else This beach is fairly private due to the difficult trek to it. Those without camping permits for Kalalau Valley are therefore prohibited from attempting the entire 22-mile round trip hike in a day. } This Epic Climb in the Swiss Alps Is Mostly Terrifying -- but Also WorthIt. The shelters are within a complex of old agricultural terraces where Hawaiians once planted taro. Any advice is much appreciated. Cory and Troy picked them off the rocks in between waves. Never turn your back on the ocean, an unexpected wave can knock you down and drag you out. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Good"; Camp fires seem to be allowed (nearly every site has a pit) and there are pit toilets to use in two locations. Video Shows Tourists Almost Lose Kids To Huge Waves at The Eddie While Ignoring Lifeguard Pleas To Get Back, Heres How To Visit Niihau, Hawaiis Forbidden Island, The 17 Most Underrated Honeymoon Destinations in the US, The 13 Best Places To Go Hiking in Hawaii, The Worlds Most Dangerous Footpath Is Now Totally Safe To Hike, Abiqua Falls Is a Secret Waterfall Hidden Deep in the Oregon Forest, Best Hikes With Stunning Views in the Ozark Mountains, 7 Easy Hikes on Oahu, Hawaii, That Are Perfect for Kids. el.style.display = 'inline'; Its a wonderful place to hang out a night, but during the day its actually too hot and windy. For experienced swimmers knowledgeable in local sea conditions, nearshore waters offer limited opportunities for swimming and body surfing. var i; This is strictly prohibited, however difficult to enforce. Adjacent is a famous valley, with vast streams, pools and trails. Hawaiian monk seals also live off the coast. If you follow blueflamingo's boating link, you'll find that no tour boats are allowed to land at Kalalau beach, only kayaks. Also, there are strong rip and alongshore currents, which may be difficult to spot, even if the ocean appears calm. Brenneckes Beach Beaches Kalalau beach is the obvious highlight. Dont pack any food items. There is a helipad in the valley, but it is usually only used by law enforcement. The trail takes hikers up, over and down the cathedral cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance, and no later than the day before your visit*. Tunnels Beach, Anahola Beach Even with this type of device, help is most likely hours away. Kalalau beach is about 1 mile long with plenty of trails heading back to the valley. Tradewind showers are more frequent during the night and early morning. This remote wilderness area is accessible on foot (or by boat) only. } document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Fine"; image = 'qw'+rnid + i; Simply drive up to Waimea Canyon through Kokee all the way to the end of the road. el.style.display = 'none'; They were up there within a few seconds. You definitely do not want to swim when this is the case. 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. Book your permits as early as possible for the best chance of getting your preferred dates. Hanalei Pine Trees You'll peer down thousands of feet into a colorful tropical landscape that is punctuated by a beautiful beach. What off the beaten path activities can I do? *Camping permits for Npali Coast SWP often sell-out quickly, particularly during the summer months. The strong current would help by pushing them the whole way. Click the link below to buy a transportation ticket which also includes your entry into the park. Just like the signs around Hawaii will advise you, when in doubt, dont go out. Haena Beach We didnt walk go in the water so it might go back much farther actually. if(el.style.display == 'inline'){ The Kalalau Trail on N Pali's stunning Hawaiian coast is one of the most challenging treks in the world. And as koloagirl says, you still need a camping permit. But this can be dangerous as the beach here features a short break, and there is unpredictable and shallow sandbar, not to mention illegal. This small beach is no longer accessible.). Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. Its wide and deep. It is not legal to get out of or land a motorized boat on the beach, however, it is done illegally. 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. We couldnt stay for long as youneed to get back before the waves and the current pick up. Theres one section of the beach that gets super windy. Shaded campsites are available beneath the trees behind the beach. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Very Good"; Heres the other thing it makes for an awesome photo. 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. While the Kalalau Beach at the end of the trail is considered safe for swimming, the first beach you encounter on the trail, Hanakapiai Beach, is not. var selectedVal = ''; Top Ten Ways to Protect Hawaiian Monk Seals/Dolphin protection, Geography, Geology, History and Culture of Kaua'i. { My husband and I recently got passes to camp on Kalalau Beach the second weekend in October. During the winter months, huge waves crash against the cliffs. This is the real Kalalau Valley Lookout. } Checking gear ahead of time could eliminate a real hassle on the trail and is worth the effort.<. (Update 9/14/15: This areawas destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. 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. Allow 3 to 4 hours to complete the round-trip hike to Hanakapiai Beach. The large waves at Kalalau Beach can make a landing by boat extremely treacherous. 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. The sunset was going to set soon so we headed back to the camp. else if(i=='5'){ Hena SP now requires advanced reservations for entry except for those with valid camping permits for the Npali Coast SWP. Here are 21 things you should know before hiking the Kalalau Trail. selectedText = 'Poor'; 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. Are we nuts? Your trip begins with a winding 2 mile trail to Hanakapi`ai Beach. Banner Ads (managed by BuySellAds) > Portions of the trail in this section are very narrow and the dropoff on the ocean side is severe. We found that there were people taking naps in almost all of the caves so we didnt linger too long inside. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Register in order to post your own listings! Anyone proceeding beyond Hanakapiai valley must possess a valid overnight camping permit. 3. Composting toilets are available at Hanakapiai, Hanakoa, and Kalalau. The DLNR personnel have to haul the garbage out of there. We're not around right now. } field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxlimit); The trailhead is located in Hena State Park at the northwest end of Khi Highway (Route 56). [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. This is where you'll meet some of the permanent residents as well as other campers in the valley. Some beaches in the city need to be swimmable due to risky conditions of intense waves and sudden descent on the depth of seabeds. Secure your car and limit the valuables left inside. If you visit these side trips, make sure to factor the additional miles into your hiking plan. Other inhabitants of the valley include feral goats. document.getElementById('rat').value="1"; 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. 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. Which, in consideration, is less than you would be paying for a beach-side hotel room. Milwkid, I don't know why you would think the OP is joking - this question does get asked occasionally (hell, I wouldn't want to hike the whole 11 miles, either). Maybe dont look over the edge if you are afraid of heights. Because the beach lacks a protective offshore reef to block incoming waves, high surf is common, especially during the winter months. 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. We will use this opportunity to perform road grading, back filling, downed tree removal, and sand removal from the shower. } A maximum stay of 5 nights is allowed in Npali Coast State Park. 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). When I got back from Kalalau I went to get a haircut. It's even more difficult to get on a boat to leave the valley in a surge of surf. All rights reserved. It is up to each individual to know their limits, abilities and level of expertise before attempting any outdoor activity. Kalalau beach is about 1 mile long with plenty of trails heading back to the valley. Makana Charters is a native Hawaiian family owned business that takes pride in providing the best possible experience for visitors to Kauai. 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 people come together to share meals and talk story of their days adventures. I have a good friend who camps at Kalalau every Christmastime for many, many years. 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 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 . Pack a water filtration system such as those sold by Sawyer, Katadyn, or Steripen. The swimming at this stunning beach can be rather dangerous, too. She told me that when the ship got to Kalalau it slowed down and did a U-turn. You won't find any facilities down here, but you will find composting toilets. Polihale Beach Permits cost $10 per person per night. Drinking the Water The other is the Big Pool, which isnt exactly that big, but still provides enough room for swimming around and diving in. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. jebett, this isn't Hanakapae Beach the OP is talking about. var lc; And I apologize to LosAngelosAnd, I was wrong for misinterpreting their inquiry. The Kalalau Trail is a 22-mile out-and-back coastal hike located on the northwest side of the island of Kauai. Sometimes they even rise completely out of the water in a jump known as a breach. Facilities include a composting toilet and two roofed shelters. Also, there are strong rip and alongshore currents, which may be difficult to spot, even if the ocean appears calm. Thanks so much. And they probably only do this in the summer, when the surf and currents are safe to swim ashore. } Gardens-As stated earlier, there are several gardens in the valley that are a source of food for those staying there. The sandbar is quite shallow here and in some spots the ocean bottom drops off quickly to overhead depths. Did you see Todays Groupon for world resorts international? Most we spoke with ourselves included, recommend hiking all 11 miles in one day. BEWARE of Beachfront Travel, also know as TBD (Travel By Design). Get answers to your questions about Kauai. And blueflamingo, I wouldn't hike it either. Hawaii. } else { if(i=='1'){ Its worth while to bring a way to store water, as the water source is a good trek from the designated camp areas. From the beach, the valley extends 2 miles inland, with the high plateau of Kokee State park looking down upon it. Take your time and place your feet carefully and you will get through just fine. The Kauai beach with the unusual name, Donkey Beach, is a beach that comes with a lot of pluses and minuses. Use extreme caution, especially during wet weather. Camping fees for Npali Coast are $25 per person per night (Hawaii residents), $35 per person per night (non-residents). Native and introduced tropical plant species abound. A valid Npali Coast SWP camping permit grants access to Hena SP. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=" "; milwkid9090's first answer is still the best. ny = document.getElementById(image); 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. Be sure to purify your water as it most likely contains leptospirosis, a bacteria from urine. It doesnt go back too far. Honopu Beach now requires swimming a good 300 or more yards to access the beach.). We chose to get our permits from the office closest to the airport immediately upon arriving in Kauai. They are all worth exploring if you have the time. var shows = 0; Ben Stiller did make fun of himself for taking the easy route. } Hanalei Bay is by far the largest bay on Kauai and is the heart and soul of all the beaches on the North Shore. document.getElementById('rat').value="4"; Seeaosite for updates. Kee is protected by a reef that makes it a safe place for snorkeling and swimming. The trail crosses the stream well back in the valley, therefore there is no shoreline access at Hanakoa. Use good judgment regarding current ocean conditions and your own abilities. ), (Update 9/14/15: This rock was pushed into the oceanin a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. After all, Kalalau Valley opens west to give you stunning views of the orange tropical sun dipping into the vast Pacific Ocean. Follow the tunnel until you reach the room that's lit up with a blue hue this is the one you'll need to find the rebreather. But remembers there is no reef to protect the shore, which leaves it vulnerable tolong shore currents. Now you can sit back and enjoy yet another epic sunset. 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. Many hikers turn back when they reach Crawler's Ledge -- a narrow path carved into a cliff that runs for nearly a quarter-mile. The trail is part of the N Pali Coast State Park which gets its name from the Hawaiian term for high cliff, na pali. Kalalau Beach, though, is really worth the 11-mile hike to get there. The facilities at the beach include restrooms and showers. 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. if (shows){ Expect delays in reaching the upper areas of the park, including Awaawapuhi Trail, Kalalau Lookout, and Pihea Lookout and Trailhead. Plan on spending 10 hours in hiking boots if you do this. After this walk, I believe I now know what acupuncture feels like. It is a difficult and sometimes dangerous hike. Lydgate Beach Down below you'll see a light and lots of limbs strewn along the . Upon entry to Haena SP, simply show staff your valid camping permit. Then you've still got to swim into the beach, and avoid getting smashed by the rollers. There is the main Kalalau trail, as well as several offshoots to waterfalls and swimming holes. Queen's Bath is VERY DANGEROUS! 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. If your time on Kauai is limited you should definitely see it on one of our tours, whether you visit the valley or not. Unfortunately, there's no swimming at the beach, due to strong currents. The 11-mile trail is graded but almost never level as it crosses above towering sea cliffs and through lush tropical valleys. Jen and Seth decided to swim down the coastline instead. Law enforcement often helicopter in to check permits. The beach sits at the foot of Kalalau Valley which is the jewel of the Na Pali Coast. } Favorite Kauai Restaurants (updated November 2017), How to Eat Vegan on the Garden Isle of Kauai. The Kalalau Valley Trail is a 2-mile hike upvalley over former kalo (taro) terraces with several stream here. Hiking past the first major landmark on the Kalalau Trail, Hanakapiaai Beach at mile two, requires a permit. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=" "; 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. ny = document.getElementById(image); selectedText = 'Excellent'; The next day was another bright and beautiful one. Ten lashes for me! See all 16 reviews. Despite a Portuguese man o war sting, quite a longer swim than expected, and considerably bigger waves then anticipated we made it (just barely)! A hat is nice to have too. There is no cell reception, but there is a payphone. Like previous poster said, unless you have rough water experience, just don't. Especially, especially right now. The area upon which the Like so many beaches on the North Shore of Kauai safety is a big issue for Ke'e Beach. In fact, Hanakoa is a hanging valley without a beach the stream exhausts itself over cliffs at the oceans edge. The Kalalau trail hike begins at Ka'a Beach at the end of the parking lot. Jenelyn, Reanne and I are not strong swimmers so we stayed back. It is flanked by sheer canyon walls and it is illegal to boat or kayak there. The best part is that the beach will be empty but for your fellow travelers. (Update 9/14/15: This areawas destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015. document.getElementById('rat').value="2"; Those in tip top shape can do it in 8 hours, those more average take 10+. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! Empty, untouched beach On your mark, get set, go Tucked a few hundred yards down the coast is one of the more inaccessible beaches in Hawaii, known as Honopu beach. There is a natural stone arch that you can walk beneath and another waterfall that you can stand under. We pulled in around 7 AM the morning of our hike and were rewarded with a good parking spot close to the trailhead. Binoculars are helpful to see them in detail. (808) 274-3444. Anini Beach is a gorgeous blue lagoon with golden sand and shallow water along the north shore of Kauai. No camping is permitted there, but that is only what we read on the signage. The one way price from Hanalei Bay is usually $75-100 and requires swimming a short distance to the boat. Look closely at the textured valley walls and you'll see mountain goats precariously perched on high. function textCounter(field, countfield, maxlimit) { { In the early morning wedecided to go for a nice open water swim,fins are an absolute must! selectedText = 'Fine'; The trail that leads to this beach is considered the most difficult trails on the islands. Camping in Kalalau is allowed only behind this sand beach. Then they told everyone to go out on the observation deck. 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. Kalalau Beach Na Pali Coast. Kalapaki Beach You can walk into them to explore and take cover from the wind. lc=rid; Likewise, commercial guided-camping trips (boat and hiking) are also illegal. 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. Use extreme caution when swimming atthis beach. var el = document.getElementById('sf'); Pack your backpacking stove, however, stove fuel is not permitted on any airplane and will need to be purchased on the island. 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. } Personally, I like the idea of the bikini clad sweet hearts, free drinks, and calm seas. function show(star_img,rnid) Mahaulepu Beach The vast majority of Kalalau Beachgoers hike the Kalalau Trail 11 miles one-way to this stunning destination. Tucked a few hundred yards down the coast is one of the more inaccessible beaches in Hawaii, known as Honopu beach. Cell phone service is limited to none on the trail. Originally built in the late 1800s, the trail serves as one of the only ways to access the beautiful Napali Coast via land. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. selectedVal = '1'; When we got to the end of the beach, Seth, Jen, Jen, Cory and Troy put on some fins and swam out. Waimea, HI 96796 DROWNINGS OCCUR HERE REGULARLY! }else{ 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.

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