Na Pali Coast - tips by travel authority Howard Hillman

Na Pali Coast

a Polynesia travel wonder - in the Hawaiian Islands

Why the

Na Pali Coast

in Hawaii is special

Verdant sea cliffs gloriously soar upwards along the rugged and beautiful Na Pali Coast on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Part of the appeal is that the region is wilderness and inaccessible except by foot or boat.

The famous
Kalalau Trail

This 11-mile long cliff clinging path is not recommended except for fit, experienced hikers. Some parts become narrow with acrophobia-generating drop-offs over large jagged rocks lying far below. Those who do make the hike are rewarded with incredibly beautiful vistas.

It's not a day hike. You need to overnight backpack. You camp at trails end at the remote, no-frills, postcard-pretty Kalalau Beach.

It is possible to take a day trip by traveling over only the first 2 miles of the trail, ending at Hanakapiai Beach, which is lovely and uncrowded. Still, you need to have good hiking skills.

Getting to the

Na Pali Coast by boat

Organized sea kayak and Zodiac raft tours take you directly to Kalalau Beach on day tours.

Larger boats do disembark you on the sandy retreat, but they hug the shoreline to allow you to see up close the vast cliffscape and the isolated valleys and beaches.

Note that tours do not operate in the winter because of fierce winds and pounding waves.

Na Pali Coast
tips & insights

Pali means cliff in the Hawaiian tongue.

The coastline is about 25 kilometers (15 miles) long and the cliffs rise up to 1200 meters (4,000 feet).

If you don't wish to make the trip on foot or water, you can take a flight-seeing helicopter or airplane.

Whether you travel by sea or air, book an early departing tour because afternoon clouds can shroud the upper cliffs.

Camping at Kalalau Beach is by permit only - and availability sometimes runs out many months in advance.

Surfing, swimming and even wading is far from safe along the Na Pali Coast because of rip currents.

Major Hollywood films like South Pacific, Jurassic Park and one of the King Kongs were shot in part here.

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