can you swim at kalalau beach

Watch for the spumes of air they exhale when they surface to breathe. Also, please proceed with caution this is not an easy swim nor is it safe. When Kalalau came into view the entire boat went silent. Originally built in the late 1800s, the trail serves as one of the only ways to access the beautiful Napali Coast via land. It's even more difficult to get on a boat to leave the valley in a surge of surf. The beach is a prime spot for swimming and snorkeling, thanks to its relatively calm waters and a coral reef that is just a few meters offshore. We found that there were people taking naps in almost all of the caves so we didnt linger too long inside. Purchase a camping permit here or in person at any State Parks district office. Hena SP now requires advanced reservations for entry except for those with valid camping permits for the Npali Coast SWP. Kalalau Beach (see more photos) lies at the end of the 11-mile (17.7 km) Kalalau Trail on Kauai's north shore. You can walk to the end of the cave but youll want a flashlight if you do. Aside from environmental concerns, you will face a court date and heavy fines if you get caught. Hawaii. 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. Within the 5-night maximum, no 2 consecutive nights are allowed at Hanakoa. Book your permits as early as possible for the best chance of getting your preferred dates. We didn't GPS it or anything but the open ocean swim along the rocky coast felt like a good 350-400 yards. Since there are no lifeguards here and drownings have happened in the past, it is recommended to avoid swimming at Kalalau. We watched goats kick rocks down onto campsites near these signs. Theres no longer sand to walk on here. This small beach is no longer accessible.). image = 'qw'+rnid + i; } Keep driving until the road absolutely ends at a circular parking lot. The trail takes hikers up, over and down the cathedral cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. Camping on Kauai anywhere other than designated camping areas is considered illegal. But I will gladly be corrected if proven wrong. Infrequent widespread storms cause flash floods. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; It is still possible to kayak into and out of the beach. Day hikes beyond Hanakoa are not recommended. NOTE: It is illegal for anyone to provide commercial boat transportation for drop off/pick-up at Kalalau or Milolii camping areas. But, dont do what Corys doing here youll give your friends a heart attack. The cliffs of the Na Pali Coast look prehistoric in this area. document.write("Please Select"); This Epic Climb in the Swiss Alps Is Mostly Terrifying -- but Also WorthIt. Guava Forest-An entire grove of trees that provides an abundance of wild guava. 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. For experienced swimmers knowledgeable in local sea conditions, nearshore waters offer limited opportunities for swimming and body surfing. The stories on this website are provided for entertainment and informational purposes only. Plan on spending 10 hours in hiking boots if you do this. Anyone proceeding beyond Hanakapiai valley must possess a valid overnight camping permit. Haena Beach The Kalalau Trail on N Pali's stunning Hawaiian coast is one of the most challenging treks in the world. See more from this series: This story was last modified on September 14, 2015. Another cave down the coast has been eroded into an arch. The facilities at the beach include restrooms and showers. Kalalau beach is about 1 mile long with plenty of trails heading back to the valley. Is there something we should watch for? Those that did not have goggles are Asian so they were okay (on account of the squinty eyes). The people come together to share meals and talk story of their days adventures. In fact, Hanakoa is a hanging valley without a beach the stream exhausts itself over cliffs at the oceans edge. Campers are allowed a maximum length stay of 5 nights. (808) 274-3444. 20 Things You Should Know Before Hiking Hawaii's Kalalau Trail Ten lashes for me! Take your time and place your feet carefully and you will get through just fine. Allow a full day to complete the 8 mile round trip from Kee Beach to Hanakapiai Falls. Thus, the only way to reach it is to swim. Drinking the Water For more information read our privacy policy. Nonetheless, you'll find beach areas with calm waters to swim and even snorkel without any issues. 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. For experienced hikers in excellent shape, allow for a long day (8+ hours) to complete the round trip from Hena State Park to Hanakoa. Anyone proceeding beyond Hanakpai MUST possess a valid camping permit. The DLNR personnel have to haul the garbage out of there. 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. Kalalau Trail leading to the beach The trail ends at Kalalau Beach, as the ocean comes up the cliffs at the western end. driving distance from Poipu to North Shore, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. var selectedText = ''; 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. } var n = document.getElementById('n'+rid); Sometimes you find a tour operator willing to let you off in the water with your equipment in a dry bag. selectedVal = '5'; Kee Beach (pronounced Keh-AY) is located at the end of the road. ), ^ Top of page | Home | Search | Archives, Unreal Hawaii is a digital magazine for people that love the Hawaii outdoors. 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. Its a wonderful place to hang out a night, but during the day its actually too hot and windy. The 5-6 feet of warm water make Anini the best swimming location on the island. All rights reserved. A well-marked 2 mile trail into Kalalau Valley ends at a pool in the stream. (808) 338-9980 All rights reserved. Makana Charters is a native Hawaiian family owned business that takes pride in providing the best possible experience for visitors to Kauai. Hours: 8:00a.m. Published on 10/07/2018 by Kauai Beach Scoop. 5 Days In Kauai Sample Itinerary | Hawaii Travel Guide The trailhead can be found at the very end of the road on the northern side of the island at Ke'e Beach. 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. It is flanked by sheer canyon walls and it is illegal to boat or kayak there. Copyright 2023, State of Hawaii. Tradewind showers are more frequent during the night and early morning. Look closely at the textured valley walls and you'll see mountain goats precariously perched on high. function noshow(star_img,rnid) You do not need to hike the entire trail to get a sense of what its about. After leaving Hanakoa valley, the trail enters drier, more open land which offers little shade from the midday sun. The trail winds through several green valleys and ends at the cliff-lined Kalalau Beach. On the second day of the hike, you can explore some of the many attractions around Kalalau beach, such as the Hanakapi'ai waterfalls, the Hanakoa Falls, and the Kalalau Valley Trail. It doesnt go back too far. And don't be fooled by the first Kalalau Lookout sign. There are permanent residents in the valley that live off the land despite the fact that it is illegal. Call at 888-409-2702 during business hours which are 7 AM to 7 PM HST. That means rogue waves can crash onto the beach at any moment. Favorite Kauai Restaurants (updated November 2017), How to Eat Vegan on the Garden Isle of Kauai. Humpback whales pass by Kauai in the winter time and we were able to see several on our hike. A well-chosen campsite can save you from a bad night of sleep or worse. But because there is no legal camping in Kalalau valley, people usually say they camped "at" Kalalau beach to make the distinction. It can be ankle deep only to plunge down to the depths with no warning. shows = 1; Park. We couldnt stay for long as youneed to get back before the waves and the current pick up. As we said above, one of the best Cedar Key activities is going to the beach! image = 'qw'+rnid + i; And, once you're in the valley, you're going to want to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. 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. Though you may be tempted, please do not hike this trail without permission. When you come out of the arch you see what looks like an alien planet.(Update 9/14/15: Thisarea was destroyed in a massive landslide during the winter of 2014-2015.). Hanalei Pier If you are stopped by a park ranger you will be asked to show the permit along with photo id. Ke`e Beach | Kauai.com During the winter and spring conditions are especially dangerous. Well worth a look (and an unforgettable fruitful smell). You'll need to purchase a camping pass for a stay in Kalalau, and they sell out months ahead of time. 4516 Alawai Rd. This cave is no longer accessible.). and our For those with camping permits, get an early start to avoid overexertion in the midday heat. The falls are 300 high and hikers can swim in the large, cold pool at its base. 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. show(star_img,rid); Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. 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. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Can You Swim in Cabo San Lucas? - All You Need to Know 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. There is no cell reception, but there is a payphone. Permit holders can choose where to spend their allotted nights on the trail. 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. info@MakanaCharters.com How Long To Hike Kalalau Trail In Kauai, Hawaii The Grom Life The trail crosses Kalalau Stream near the valley mouth before ending at Kalalau Beach and a small waterfall. Those of us that didnt have sunglasses wore their swimming goggles to keep the sand out of their eyes. Wild goats are often seen along the trail route. Yet, it's also among the most rewarding. 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. Kee Beach is a safe snorkel spot when the water is calm because it is protected from large waves by a fringing reef. The trail crosses the stream well back in the valley, therefore there is no shoreline access at Hanakoa. With swim fins and snorkels in hand, we prepared for a long swim to a secluded beach. Apply for your permit about 6-12 months in advance. Though not technically allowed, the relaxed atmosphere on the trail seems to coincide with clothing optional attire. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. We will use this opportunity to perform road grading, back filling, downed tree removal, and sand removal from the shower. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Excellent"; Many hikers turn back when they reach Crawler's Ledge -- a narrow path carved into a cliff that runs for nearly a quarter-mile. After exploring the cave and eating some snacks we spent an hour being extremely lazy. The ledge is rocky, you're up against a cliff and the ledge drops off into deep, violent ocean water. Today the land is under the protection of the state of Hawaii and all forms of tourism in the area are carefully monitored. This is strictly prohibited, however difficult to enforce. This was my favorite part of the trip. We left our snorkel equipment in the trunk of our rental car and took a swim at the end of our hike. To prevent overpopulation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) allows hunting on weekends in August and September. The Kalalau Valley sits roughly halfway down the coast. One of the many bountiful community gardens. Kalalau Beach Pics & Info, Kauai, HI (43 Photos) | UnrealHawaii.com For beach and trail access you will need to reserve a park and pass or shuttle on the website www.gohaena.com, Anini Beach Beginning at Ke`e Beach and ending at Kalalau Valley, this challenging but rewarding hike, earned the Sierra Club's rating of "9" out of "10" in degree of difficulty. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'to_hawaii_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-to_hawaii_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'to_hawaii_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',130,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-to_hawaii_com-medrectangle-4-0_1'); .medrectangle-4-multi-130{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:5px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:5px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. An unmaintained 2-mile trail into Hanakapiai Valley leads to a waterfall. Swimming is not recommended at Hanakapiai Beach due to dangerous rip currents and wave patterns. This is because the valley and beach are literally surrounded by steep rock walls, so unless you feel inspired to do some lead climbing, or swim back (not recommended- see the hazards section), you pretty much have to enter and leave the way you came. They told us about how amazing Honopu Beach was. Waimea, HI 96796 } 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? You could take a boat tour down the coastline, a guided kayak excursion, or a helicopter tour. Though this article focuses on walking the Kalalau Trail, there are other ways to visit if you do not enjoy hiking or are short on time. It's even more difficult to get on a boat to leave the valley in a surge of surf. Kalalau Beach in Kauai - Hawaiian Planner In Na Pali Coast, Places by Makana ChartersJuly 25, 2016. else if(i=='2'){ All About The Bahamas' Swimming Pigs - Nassau Paradise Island document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Poor"; The summer sand beach at Hanakapiai is a popular destination for day hikers. Adjacent is a famous valley, with vast streams, pools and trails. Law enforcement also drops in to clean the valley up a bit. Lawai Beach Heres what they saw. (Originally published in August 2011. And then Jenelyn took it up another notch. Weather Report says Rain, Should I panic? ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; Many of the unforgettable sights on the Na Pali coast are only viewable from the sea, so it is well worth a look. It's a surreal scene. See Hapuna site for updates. Its really an expert swimmer only beach. Because the beach lacks a protective offshore reef to block incoming waves, high surf is common, especially during the winter months. Kalalau Beach is about 1 mile (1.6 km) long. Summer weather (May to October) normally brings steady tradewinds and occasional showers while winter weather (October to May) is less predictable. [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. The one way price from Hanalei Bay is usually $75-100 and requires swimming a short distance to the boat. Kalapaki Beach Even amongst the gorgeous sights and sounds along the entire coastline, one area stands out above the rest. Check overhanging trees for hazards from falling limbs. No camping is permitted there, but that is only what we read on the signage. All camping areas are located on shaded terraces near streams. There are no lifeguards on these beaches and help is a helicopter ride away. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=selectedText; You are always a wealth of hiking info. Npali Coast State Wilderness Park. They live in simple camps with no permanent structures, with tarps as their roofs and cooking by the flame of a fire. { This camp is located on a section of the trail that is densely forested, so space is limited and crowded.

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