Napali Coast on Kauai in Hawaii


A self-supported trip created by diannagail

Trip Overview

This 17 mile paddle traverses the spectacular North West coast of Kauai the �Garden Island.� Put in is at Haena Beach park. This is a long and at times challenging adventure. Participants should be in good physical condition. The seas can be rough and seasickness medicine is recommended. Along the way we explored legendary sea caves, cascading waterfalls and viewed majestic Kalalau and Honopu valleys while en route to our lunch stop at, Milolii. While at Miloli, the last inhabited Hawaiian fishing village, some of us swam in the warm clear water, collected seashells, hiked to a nearby waterfall, and some simply rested in the shade of the trees.

We launched our kayaks once more, for the final leg of our journey and headed towards the largest beach in the state of Hawaii, Polihale State Park, on the south side of the island. There was a van, stocked with cold drinks, waiting for the group riding back to Hanalei on the north shore.

Since I was staying on the south end of the island, and didn't want to make the drive twice, I took the van up to the put in spot in the early morning, and then it was just a short drive back to my lodging at the end of the day.

It's a wonderful trip, part ocean kayaking, part wave surfing, since the current goes south along the coast, and we were riding that current.

Outfitting:

Check out their web site for more detail, photos and information (http://napalikayak.com).

Fees:

Trip cost is $175 + 11.6% state parks use fee.

Directions:

Hanalei is on the north shore of Kauai, approximately a one hour drive north-west from Lihue, where the airport is located.

Trip Details

  • Skill Level: Advanced
  • Water Type: Open Water/Ocean

Trip Location