The Na Pali Coast State Park is located along the northwestern coast
of Kauai. It is a great place to “rough it” and go on an
adventurous hike. The area is dramatic in scope, with four-thousand foot
cliffs (known as “pali” in Hawaiian) towering above crystal clear
waters. Below, a coral reef is home to an amazing show of colorful
tropical fish.
This stretch of coastline is a wilderness area of 6,175 acres,
consisting of cliffs that define an untamed region of deep and
narrow valleys that end at the sea. Waterfalls and swift streams cut
through the valleys as they have for eons. Remains of ancient
Hawaiians can still be found in places.
The park is inaccessible to automobiles, but exploring can be done
by hiking, kayaking, boating and even by helicopter. Snorkeling in
the secluded coves is a popular activity, and if you travel between
January and April, you’re likely to catch sight of the Pacific
humpback whales. The Kalalau Trail provides the only land access.
It’s an eleven-mile hike through five major valleys before reaching
Kalalau Beach.
The “Forbidden Island” of
Niihau is across the channel, a primitive
place of no modern technology. Niihau is inhabited by Native
Hawaiians only, but visitors are allowed to snorkel along the
pristine coastline of the island. It is one of the best snorkeling
locations in the world, as the water is unpolluted and clear.
Camping on the Na Pali Coast is allowed with permits. Hiking permits
are required to hike beyond Hanakapi‘ai Valley. No drinking water is
available. Water from streams must be treated. Visitors must take
all their trash with them when they leave. There is no entrance fee
to the Na Pali State Park; the fee for camping permits is $10 per
person.
Na Pali Coast State Park in Bullet Points
6,175 acres, filled with towering sea cliffs and deep valleys
Kalalau Trail offers the only land access, no cars can drive
on Kauai's north shore to the Na Pali Coast
Popular place among hikers and campers
Na Pali Coast State Park Location
Address: Northwestern shore (end of Hwy 56), Hanalei, Kauai, HI 96714
To-Hawaii.com is a complete
Hawaii travel and
vacation guide, including sightseeing tips
and reviews of Hawaii beaches, attractions, hotels and resorts,
shopping, activities, restaurants, weddings, car rentals and more,
on all Hawaiian Islands - Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island, Molokai and
Lanai.
