HONOLULU (KHON2) — If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, you might be wondering which island to visit. It depends on who you’re going with. Is it only you, a couple or your whole family? What fun things do you want to do?
Maybe you’re dreaming of relaxing on the beach, hiking, surfing, checking out volcanoes or scuba diving.
If you choose to visit the island of Kauai, also known as The Garden Isle, there’s a beautiful place you won’t want to miss: Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park. This area has some of the most amazing views in the world, with giant green sea cliffs that rise up to 4,000 feet high.
The park’s main trail, called the Kalalau Trail, is an 11-mile (one-way) hike through five different valleys, waterfalls and tropical forests. It ends at a quiet, beautiful beach called Kalalau Beach.
The hike is very challenging and best for experienced hikers. If you want to hike the full trail and camp overnight, you’ll need a permit, and it costs $35 per night (or visitors to Hawaii and $25 per night for residents. You can camp for up to 5 nights.
If you’re not ready for a big hike, don’t worry! There’s a shorter option. You can take a 2-mile hike from Ke’e Beach in Hāʻena State Park to Hanakapi’ai Beach. Just be careful. While the beach looks great, the waves can be dangerous; so, it’s best not to swim.
If you keep going another two miles, you’ll reach Hanakapi’ai Falls, a tall waterfall deep in the forest. The trail can be muddy and slippery, so be extra careful.
To hike in this park, you need to make a reservation ahead of time. It costs $5 per person to enter Hāʻena State Park. If you drive, parking is $10, or you can ride a shuttle for $40 per person.
The best time to visit is in the summer, when the weather is dry. From November to March, it rains a lot, and the trails can be muddy or even closed because of flooding. Before you go, always check the weather and trail conditions. If you’re hiking alone, be sure to follow safety tips and let someone know your plans.
Not into hiking? No problem! You can still see the Nāpali Coast from the sky or sea. Since some places you can’t get to by foot, a helicopter tour gives you amazing views of waterfalls, mountains and cliffs. Or you can take a boat tour to see sea caves, cliffs and maybe even dolphins or turtles.