| Objective: Cruising the Na Pali Coastline of Kauai Location: Kauai, Hawaii, Pacific Ocean Distance: 60.6 miles (round-trip) Trip Length: 4 hours Terrain: Ocean, mountainous coastline |
Kauai’s lush valleys and rainforests provide exotic backdrops for Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and South Pacific. The legendary Na Pali coast is the crown jewel of Kauai. However, getting to Honopu Beach is extremely challenging because there are no roads along its 17-mile stretch. The dangerous 22-mile round-trip Kalalau Trail has rocky currents below and slippery paths flooded from above. Even then, you still need to swim through terrifying surf from Kalalau Beach to Honopu Beach. Hiking to Kalepa Ridge takes you to the end of Honopu Valley, but you won’t see it from the water. Kayaking takes four hours in both directions and remember that boats cannot land on the beach. Your best options are cruising the Na Pali Coastline by boat or flying in a helicopter.
| Two if by Sea | Kauai’s Leeward Side | Na Pali Coast | Open-Ceiling Cave | Waimea Canyon | Dolphins | Video Tour |
Two if by Sea
We charter a fishing boat to take us from Waimea to Honopu Beach. From the Waimea Landing State Recreation Pier, all nine of us board the boat, plus our two guides and captain. The twin Yamaha 200-hp outboard engines roar like a loud motorcycle. Remember to bring warm jackets as it can get windy. This is a two-hour cruise to Honopu Beach and another two back to Waimea. So, you should consider a boat with a toilet if this is an issue. The boat is clearly capable of handling Kauai’s rough waters. Again, you may require Dramamine if you have people who get motion sickness.
Kauai’s Leeward Side
The first half of the trip is next to the leeward side of Kauai. With less rainfall and more sunshine, the land is brown and rusty. If you go inland, you can check out Waimea Canyon’s red and brown crags. After about 15 miles, you can see the end of the road at Polihale State Park.
Na Pali Coast
When you reach Kauai’s northwestern coast, your jaws will drop. The Na Pali Coast is a symphony of geological delights. From the water, you have the best views of this natural temple. A vertical wall of stone rises 4,000 feet from the ocean’s edge.
Ancient Polynesians first settled the treacherous Na Pali Coast, which is still so wild and remote. Our boat slows down and stops a few hundred yards in front of Honopu Beach. This is the ultimate natural monument – spires, fins, and arches. Nature has painted these imposing rock towers and cliffs with a vivid melted crayon box glaze. This is what happens when rainbows turn to stone.
At 90’ tall, Honopu Arch dramatically splits the beach into two. Sacred and remote Honopu Valley has burial sites within its cliffs for ancient Hawaiian royalty (Ali’i). Their powerful mana (life force) still watches over this majestic place.
Pukalani: Open-Ceiling Cave
On the return trip from Honopu Beach, the boat passes through a “mouse hole” entrance into a sea cave. As Hawaiian reggae echoes throughout, the boat spins around the cave, which looks like a cereal bowl or round chimney.
A large circular opening in the ceiling allows sunlight to filter down to the bright teal water. Long ago, a portion of the ceiling fell to the center of the donut. Now it serves as a fitting pedestal for resting mermaids.
Dolphins
The ocean is stuffed to the gills with diving dolphins and flying fish reaching for the sky.
Waimea Canyon
On your drive back, take a quick stop in Waimea Canyon State Park. Waimea Canyon is ten miles long and up to 3,000 feet deep. The giant red canyon was shaped by two geological events. First, there was the collapse of the volcano that formed Kauai, which left a giant depression containing black basalt lava. Second, the Waimea River carved the canyon’s basalt, covering it with red soil. One of the wettest spots on Earth, Mount Waiʻaleʻale, provides rainwater that further erodes the gorge.
Video Tour
Above Waimea Canyon: