West Shore Tour
Hanapepe, Waimea, Waimea Canyon, Polihale Beach
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Duration:
depending on your plans, about 8-12 hours Hanapepe: 30 min Waimea Canyon: 2-6 hours, depending on your hikes Waimea: 1 hr Polihale Beach: 1-2hrs Distance: Hanalei - Waimea: 54 miles (~ 87 km), 1.5 hrs Lihue – Waimea: 24 miles (~ 39 km), 40 min Poipu – Waimea: 19 miles (~ 31 km), 40 min |
What to bring:
sturdy shoes, sunscreen, bug repellent, water and food, camera Coming from Hanelei/Lihue: Use HWY 560/56 and merge in Lihue onto HWY 50 to Eleele and Waimea. In Waimea make a right onto Waimea Canyon Drive/Route 550 that turns into Kokee Road and enter the State Park. Getting here from Poipu: Take Poipu Road and leave the roundabout at the 2nd exit onto Ala Kalanikaumaka Street. Follow the street until Koloa Road/Route 530 and turn left. Koloa Road merges onto HWY 50 and brings you to Waimea (left). In Waimea make a right onto Waimea Canyon Drive/Route 550 that turns into Kokee Road and enter the State Park. |
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1st stop: Hanapepe
Driving to the West the town of Eleele isn’t worth a stop except you want to shop some groceries. Its small harbor is often the departure for NaPali Coast and Nihau boat trips but anything else than beautiful. As soon as you enter the town you are looking at a rusty factory in the harbor area and a huge supermarket. Nevertheless the shoreline is beautiful and best to look at from a boat. Behind Eleele follows Hanapepe a rustic historic town with beautiful old plantation buildings along Main Street. Back in the 1800s Chinese rice farmers founded the small town and it became a hot spot for opium dens over the decades until the 1930s. In the 1900s it was then popular with sailors and GIs. By today it transformed into an artist hotspot. Every Friday from 6-9pm the town celebrates its artists with a Friday Art Night. During that time all galleries and art studios open their doors to visitors. |
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2nd stop: Waimea
With the first visit of Captain Cook at the West Shore of Kauai in 1778 the small town became a historic seaport on the archipelago. A copy of the English Captain Cook statue, that is located in the town center, reminds of the historic landing that changed the islands history. The actual landing site of the famous explorer is located at Lucy Wright Beach Park behind the river crossing of HWY 50.
The closer you get to Waimea on HWY 50 the redder become the sand and rocks. This area is known for the red dirt, characteristic for rusted ancient lava rocks. Within the small town is a shop selling shirts colored with red dirt. Those aren’t fashionable at all but should be taken as a hint since the red dirt is almost not removable from shoes or clothing!
If you are planning to explore NaPali Coast and are looking for an adventurous way to do so I highly recommend booking a high speed rafting boat tour with NaPali Explorer. The company departures from Waimea Harbor and reaches the coastline in a blink.
With the first visit of Captain Cook at the West Shore of Kauai in 1778 the small town became a historic seaport on the archipelago. A copy of the English Captain Cook statue, that is located in the town center, reminds of the historic landing that changed the islands history. The actual landing site of the famous explorer is located at Lucy Wright Beach Park behind the river crossing of HWY 50.
The closer you get to Waimea on HWY 50 the redder become the sand and rocks. This area is known for the red dirt, characteristic for rusted ancient lava rocks. Within the small town is a shop selling shirts colored with red dirt. Those aren’t fashionable at all but should be taken as a hint since the red dirt is almost not removable from shoes or clothing!
If you are planning to explore NaPali Coast and are looking for an adventurous way to do so I highly recommend booking a high speed rafting boat tour with NaPali Explorer. The company departures from Waimea Harbor and reaches the coastline in a blink.
3rd stop: Waimea Canyon
From the center of Waimea, next to Captain Cook Memorial Park goes off Waimea Canyon Road. Enjoy the drive along the scenic route and don’t hesitate to stop from time to time to take pictures from the beautiful valley and lookouts over the gorge.
The largest canyon in the Pacific is nicknamed “Little Grand Canyon” and has a length of 10 miles, is up to 1 mile wide, and 3,500 ft deep. It is located within Kokee State Park and visitors have the choice between 45 miles of trails to explore the breathtaking area. Waimea Canyon was formed by Waimea River that has its source at Mount Wai’ale’ale, erosion and the collapse of the volcano that formed Kauai.
At the Ranger’s Station, next to Kokee Museum you get maps and latest info about the weather, trail conditions, and closures. Fill up your gas latest in Waimea since there are no gas stations around (a roundtrip from Waimea is about 40 miles) and take a warm layer with you since the temperatures vary from those at sea level.
The most beautiful hike in my opinion is the Canyon Trail, a moderate to strenuous 3.5 miles roundtrip (3-4 hrs) down to Waipo’o Falls. The scenic trail goes off between the 14- and 15-mile marker on HWY 550 in Koke’e State Park. If you have a 4WD consider driving down the dirt road to the parking lot. This saves you some declines and later inclines and is a lot of fun.
After passing the forest you end up at a ledge that opens a panoramic view into the canyon. Follow the rim down to a narrow path and later to a waterfall and basin. From there you can enjoy the view towards the other side of the canyon. Be prepared for some muddy stretches and bring a lot of water! Protect yourself against the sun!
Waimea Canyon Trail Map: http://www.hawaii-guide.com/files/eMaps/kauai_kokee_and_waimea_trail_map.pdf
Many others recommend Kukui Trail, a difficult 5 miles roundtrip 2000 ft down to the canyon floor at the West side. From the steep path you have several scenic lookouts over the canyon and waterfalls along the way.
More trails through Kokee State Park are listed under the following link with a State Park trail map: http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/pdf/brochures/TrailsOfKokee.pdf
Those who do not want to hike but also don’t want to miss any off the canyon’s beauty will find breathtaking lookouts along Kokee Road. The best ones are:
Waimea Canyon Lookout
This is the first impression you can have over the amazing canyon panorama. The parking lot is located between milemarker 10 and 11 on Waimea Canyon Road.
Puu Hina Hina Lookout
This one is spectacular and jaw dropping since you are located at the end of the gorge looking through the canyon down to the ocean – if the weather permits it. This incredible lookout is located at milemarker 13.
Kalalau Lookout
If you want to look down to the famous film location of “Jurassic Park”, “Six days Seven Nights” or “Pirates of the Carribean” you have to stop at Kalalau Lookout. The lookout is located 4,000 ft above the lush deep carved valley at milemarker 23. Unfortunately the amazing scenery depends on the weather and an unspectacular grayish cloudwall isn’t uncommon. Locals say the best visibility is in the morning after 8am, however, I came up here twice and couldn’t see anything…
Puu o Kila Lookout
Similar to Kalalau Lookout you have a jawdropping view over Kalalau Valley. Just follow Route 550 to its end at milemarker 19.
This is the first impression you can have over the amazing canyon panorama. The parking lot is located between milemarker 10 and 11 on Waimea Canyon Road.
Puu Hina Hina Lookout
This one is spectacular and jaw dropping since you are located at the end of the gorge looking through the canyon down to the ocean – if the weather permits it. This incredible lookout is located at milemarker 13.
Kalalau Lookout
If you want to look down to the famous film location of “Jurassic Park”, “Six days Seven Nights” or “Pirates of the Carribean” you have to stop at Kalalau Lookout. The lookout is located 4,000 ft above the lush deep carved valley at milemarker 23. Unfortunately the amazing scenery depends on the weather and an unspectacular grayish cloudwall isn’t uncommon. Locals say the best visibility is in the morning after 8am, however, I came up here twice and couldn’t see anything…
Puu o Kila Lookout
Similar to Kalalau Lookout you have a jawdropping view over Kalalau Valley. Just follow Route 550 to its end at milemarker 19.
4th stop: Polihale State Park
Back at sea level I highly recommend to drive to the westernmost beach on Kauai the Polihale State Park. This beach adjoins the beautiful NaPali Coast and offers a 17-mile long sand stretch with high dunes. Since the current and break is very strong you should refrain from swimming here if this isn’t your strength!
The area is only accessible with a 4WD although drivers of common rental cars distress the cars down here. In the early morning swarms of dolphins frequent the shore close to the beginning of NaPali Coast and during the weekend many locals camp here with their families.
On the way to the far end of the road you come along a huge monkey tree. If you turn left and continue to the end of the road you reach Queen’s Pond. A small reef protects the area and makes Queen’s Pond to the only place on Polihale Beach safe enough to swim.
Ni’Hau
Nihau is a privately owned island West of Kauai. In general the public is not allowed to access Nihau, the reason for the island’s nickname “the forbidden island”. Some operators offer boat tours from Eleele to cruise the shore but most of them do not have a landing permit. Thankfully a few years ago the owners started to offer ½ day guided tours on the island, kind of pricey but the only way to get access.
In 1864 Elizabeth McHutchison Sinclair purchased Nihau with 350 inhabitants from Kamehameha V. Until today the spoken language is Hawaiian and all 130 residents live and get meat for free. There are no cars on the island and until a few decades ago the descendants from Mrs Sinclair, family Robinson, even banned radios and TVs from the small island. The residents use horses or bikes to commute and often travel to Kauai for medical help, to get to school or work.
The island makes its income with a small navy installation and lately started half-day tours.
Nihau Tours offers the island tour including a helicopter ride: http://65.61.16.97/Niihau/Tours.asp
Boat Tours with a landing permit are available over Holo Holo Charters: http://www.holoholokauaiboattours.com/
Nihau is a privately owned island West of Kauai. In general the public is not allowed to access Nihau, the reason for the island’s nickname “the forbidden island”. Some operators offer boat tours from Eleele to cruise the shore but most of them do not have a landing permit. Thankfully a few years ago the owners started to offer ½ day guided tours on the island, kind of pricey but the only way to get access.
In 1864 Elizabeth McHutchison Sinclair purchased Nihau with 350 inhabitants from Kamehameha V. Until today the spoken language is Hawaiian and all 130 residents live and get meat for free. There are no cars on the island and until a few decades ago the descendants from Mrs Sinclair, family Robinson, even banned radios and TVs from the small island. The residents use horses or bikes to commute and often travel to Kauai for medical help, to get to school or work.
The island makes its income with a small navy installation and lately started half-day tours.
Nihau Tours offers the island tour including a helicopter ride: http://65.61.16.97/Niihau/Tours.asp
Boat Tours with a landing permit are available over Holo Holo Charters: http://www.holoholokauaiboattours.com/
NaPali Coast
Those of you who want to see the magnificient coastline of Kauai should book a boat, rafting or sailing tour departing from Waimea or Eleele. You can expect the best view, a busy sea life with dolphins and turtles, and calmest water conditions in the morning. Towards the afternoon the waves are getting bumpier, in particular in front of Polihale State Park, and the sea life disappears.
Rafting boat operators:
Na Pali Explorer, Waimea - http://www.napali-explorer.com/
Captain Andy’s Sailing - http://www.napali.com/
Sailing/ boat tours:
Captain Andy’s Sailing - http://www.napali.com/
Holo Holo Charters - http://www.holoholokauaiboattours.com/
Those of you who want to see the magnificient coastline of Kauai should book a boat, rafting or sailing tour departing from Waimea or Eleele. You can expect the best view, a busy sea life with dolphins and turtles, and calmest water conditions in the morning. Towards the afternoon the waves are getting bumpier, in particular in front of Polihale State Park, and the sea life disappears.
Rafting boat operators:
Na Pali Explorer, Waimea - http://www.napali-explorer.com/
Captain Andy’s Sailing - http://www.napali.com/
Sailing/ boat tours:
Captain Andy’s Sailing - http://www.napali.com/
Holo Holo Charters - http://www.holoholokauaiboattours.com/