North Shore Tour
Kalalau Trail, Ha’ena Beach, Hanalei and Hanalei Bay, Princeville, Anini Beach
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Duration:
6-12 hours, depending on your plans, maybe even 2 days Kalalau Trail: 4 hrs – 2 days Haena/Makua Beach: 2 hrs or more Hanalei: 1-2 hrs Hanalei Bay: 1-2 hrs Princeville: 1 hr Anini Beach: 1-2 hrs Distance: Lihue – Hanalei: 31 miles (~50 km), 1 hr Poipu-Hanalei: 44 miles (~ 71 km), 1.25 hrs Waimea-Hanalei: 54 miles (~ 87 km), 1.5 hrs Kapaa – Hanalei: 24 miles (~ 39 km), 40 min |
What to bring:
Comfy and sturdy shoes, rain gear, sunscreen and rash shirt, snorkel and beach gear, bug repellent, snacks and water, camera/underwater camera Getting here from Waimea: Take HWY 50 towards Lihue and later HWY 56/560 to the North and its end at Ke’e Beach. From Poipu: Follow Poipu Road North to Koloa and continue on Maluhia Road to the intersection of HWY 50. Make a right onto HWY 50 towards Lihue. In Lihue follow HWY 56/560 to the North and its end at Ke’e Beach. |
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1st stop: Na Pali Coast and Kalalau Trail The NaPali Coast is the most beautiful sight on Kauai and more or less only accessible by boat. However, hiking the Kalaulau Trail is a must do to experience the beauty of the emerald coast as close as possible. From the path you have epic views over the steep cliffs, the turqoise crystal clear water, and depending on the length of your hike you even can access remote beaches. By following HWY 560 to the North and its far end you reach Ke’e Beach where the trailhead starts to the left. Before starting the hike prepare yourself with rain gear, sturdy shoes, and a lot of water. Link to the trail map: http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/pdf/brochures/KalalauTrail.pdf |
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I highly recommend to start early into the day to do the full 2 day hike or just a section within a few hours. The small parking lot at Ke’e Beach that is known for exceptional snorkeling fills up fast and the trail is getting packed the later you arrive.
The first 4 miles of the trail are called Hanakapi’ai Trail. It first winds up steep the emerald cliff through a lush forest with huge roots. After just a mile you approach a breathtaking outlook over Ha’ena Beach and NaPali Coast. Then it continues another mile over a narrow and sometimes quite slippery trail along the cliff before it descends to a river and Hanakapi’ai Beach. You have to cross the river to access the beach. Be careful since flashfloods are common and take warning signs seriously. Furthermore refrain from swimming in the ocean since the current is very strong and rough.
If you like to extend the hike for about 2 more miles to Hanakapi’ai Valley or even further along Kalalau Trail to Kalalau Beach (plus 9 miles one-way), follow the trailhead that goes off at the river. On Kalalau Trail you will face very narrow sections on the high cliffs and a slippery path. The trail from Ke’e Beach has a length of 11 miles per direction. You either can do the hike within 14 hours with a steady pace in a day or have the possibility to camp e.g. at Kalalau Beach. The camping requires a permit you have to apply for in advance.
If you love to snorkel spend some time at Ke’e Beach. The lagoon is popular with colorful fish. Often sea turtles and sometimes even reef sharks find their way to the shore. Those who didn’t get enough from hiking NaPali Coast can walk off to the right along the shore towards Ha’ena. From the small path you have beautiful views towards NaPali Coast when you turn around.
The first 4 miles of the trail are called Hanakapi’ai Trail. It first winds up steep the emerald cliff through a lush forest with huge roots. After just a mile you approach a breathtaking outlook over Ha’ena Beach and NaPali Coast. Then it continues another mile over a narrow and sometimes quite slippery trail along the cliff before it descends to a river and Hanakapi’ai Beach. You have to cross the river to access the beach. Be careful since flashfloods are common and take warning signs seriously. Furthermore refrain from swimming in the ocean since the current is very strong and rough.
If you like to extend the hike for about 2 more miles to Hanakapi’ai Valley or even further along Kalalau Trail to Kalalau Beach (plus 9 miles one-way), follow the trailhead that goes off at the river. On Kalalau Trail you will face very narrow sections on the high cliffs and a slippery path. The trail from Ke’e Beach has a length of 11 miles per direction. You either can do the hike within 14 hours with a steady pace in a day or have the possibility to camp e.g. at Kalalau Beach. The camping requires a permit you have to apply for in advance.
If you love to snorkel spend some time at Ke’e Beach. The lagoon is popular with colorful fish. Often sea turtles and sometimes even reef sharks find their way to the shore. Those who didn’t get enough from hiking NaPali Coast can walk off to the right along the shore towards Ha’ena. From the small path you have beautiful views towards NaPali Coast when you turn around.
2nd stop: Ha’ena/Makua Beach
Driving back towards Hanalei you come along Ha’ena Beach. The beach is bad for swimming but the scenery is beautiful and worth to take some pics - if the weather permits it. From Ha’ena Beach you can walk over to beautiful Makua Beach aka Tunnels Beach within 15 minutes. A hook-shaped reef attracts plenty of fish and other sea life that lives in arches and tunnels that go through the huge reef. Furthermore the swimming is good too since the water is calm and shallow most of the time. The best access is to park your car at Ha’ena and walk to Tunnels along the shore.
3rd stop: Hanalei and Hanalei Bay
After leaving Ha’ena Beach you drive towards the famous and panoramic Hanaelei Bay that might have caught your view on your way to Ke’e Beach before.
Hanalei is a quaint little town that preserved its old plantation charme over the years. Taro farming is popular in this area and from Hanalei Lookout close to Princeville Center you have a nice view over the wide fields with the green heart shaped plants.
Park your car and stroll through the cute little shops and along the beautiful old buildings, like the little teal colored church. Walk down to the bay and Hanalei Pier, which was built in 1892 and became famous through the movie “South Pacific”. Enjoy the magnificient scenery with the lush and green mountains in the back from the local gathering place.
The little town is a popular hide-away for celebraties so keep your eyes open while exploring the area.
After leaving Ha’ena Beach you drive towards the famous and panoramic Hanaelei Bay that might have caught your view on your way to Ke’e Beach before.
Hanalei is a quaint little town that preserved its old plantation charme over the years. Taro farming is popular in this area and from Hanalei Lookout close to Princeville Center you have a nice view over the wide fields with the green heart shaped plants.
Park your car and stroll through the cute little shops and along the beautiful old buildings, like the little teal colored church. Walk down to the bay and Hanalei Pier, which was built in 1892 and became famous through the movie “South Pacific”. Enjoy the magnificient scenery with the lush and green mountains in the back from the local gathering place.
The little town is a popular hide-away for celebraties so keep your eyes open while exploring the area.
4th stop: Princeville
Next to Hanalei follows Princeville a former coffee plantation that was replaced with the finest resort town on the island of Kauai.
The name Princeville is based on the Hawaiian crown prince, Prince Albert Edward. In the 1860s the area was known for sugar plantations, cattle, and coffee plantations but most of it gave way to huge high-class resorts, like the Westin and St. Regis, luxurious vacation homes, two championship golf courses, and outdoor activities like ziplining and horse back riding.
Besides, guests shop in the several hotel boutiques and the large Princeville Shopping Center with small shops and a good selection of restaurants.
5th stop: Anini Beach
Leaving Princeville you come along a wealthy residential neighborhood that adjoins beautiful Anini Beach. To access the beach make a left into Kalihiwai Road and another left into Anini Road. The beach is protected by the longest reef in Hawaii and very safe for swimmers and popular with windsurfers. Although you might think the snorkeling must be epic here because of the reef, it isn’t. Most of the time the water is pretty cloudy so I recommend coming here for swimming and sunbathing and people watching since the area is not only known for its rich residents but celebrities as well.
Leaving Princeville you come along a wealthy residential neighborhood that adjoins beautiful Anini Beach. To access the beach make a left into Kalihiwai Road and another left into Anini Road. The beach is protected by the longest reef in Hawaii and very safe for swimmers and popular with windsurfers. Although you might think the snorkeling must be epic here because of the reef, it isn’t. Most of the time the water is pretty cloudy so I recommend coming here for swimming and sunbathing and people watching since the area is not only known for its rich residents but celebrities as well.
6th stop: Kilauea Lighthouse, http://www.kilauealighthouse.org/
Further along HWY 56 you enter the small town of Kilauea. At the far cliff edge on Kilauea Road lies the lighthouse. This spot is the northernmost point of all Hawaiian Islands. The lighthouse was built from 1912-1913 with the largest lens of its kind before an automatic lower light beacon replaced it in the 1970’s.
From the lighthouse you have a scenic view over the shore and can watch different sea birds in the adjacent wildlife refuge like red-footed boobies (yes, that’s their name) and Laysan albatrosses.
Enjoy the evening in one of the tiny restaurants in Hanalei or in upscale Princeville or drive back to your accommodation. If you are too tired Kilauea Fish Market is a great place to get fresh fish for a good price.
If you didn’t hike the whole day and have some time to spent before sunset you can combine this trip with the East Shore Tour.
Further along HWY 56 you enter the small town of Kilauea. At the far cliff edge on Kilauea Road lies the lighthouse. This spot is the northernmost point of all Hawaiian Islands. The lighthouse was built from 1912-1913 with the largest lens of its kind before an automatic lower light beacon replaced it in the 1970’s.
From the lighthouse you have a scenic view over the shore and can watch different sea birds in the adjacent wildlife refuge like red-footed boobies (yes, that’s their name) and Laysan albatrosses.
Enjoy the evening in one of the tiny restaurants in Hanalei or in upscale Princeville or drive back to your accommodation. If you are too tired Kilauea Fish Market is a great place to get fresh fish for a good price.
If you didn’t hike the whole day and have some time to spent before sunset you can combine this trip with the East Shore Tour.
