Port Allen Physical: 4353 Waialo Road, Suite 5A, Eleele, HI 96705, Hanalei Physical: 5-5134 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. The scale of this place can only be comprehended by being here. - 8:00p.m. Andonce the winds pick up around midday, theres no way anyone (fins or not) is making that swim back, no matter how good a swimmer they are. Hiking and any outdoor activity can be dangerous and has many potential hazards. Keep in mind that the currents usually flow in the same direction, so if you swim over to Honopu and it was easy, it may not be as easy on the way back if the current comes from that direction (which you may not have noticed on your way there). The land on Honopu Valley is highly fertile, making it a great base for communities and even castaways! var i; The stories on this website are provided for entertainment and informational purposes only. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; WebA Bit of History for Your Na Pali Coast Tour Honopu Beach. Honopu means "conch shell" in Hawaiian. WebHonopu Beach | Kauai Boat Tours Honopu Beach & Valley One of the most dramatic and mysterious sections on the Napali Coast is Honopu, which consists of two pristine white-sand beaches, backed by steep 1,200 cliffs and separated by the famous 90 Honopu Arch. function form_visible(){ Eleele, HI, 96705. if(i=='1'){ Sponsored Content >. According to Country Livings 27 of the Most Beautiful Places In America, one of the best beaches in the country also happens to be one of the most remote. At approximately 90 feet tall, the Honopu Valley is considered the tallest peak in Kauai. else This blog post will provide a complete guide, including directions and tips on what to do when you get there. else This is where we'd advise you to stop, as the third and final portion of the ridge is very narrow and dangerous. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Very Good"; Luckily we are running tours every day (weather permitting) on a variety of different boats. Also, currents can be present even if the ocean appears calm. This blog post will provide a complete guide, including directions and tips on what to do when you get there. However, these have been omitted from this website for the best online experience for our visitors. The Honopu Valley, which is easily spotted for its distinctive natural arch is filled with stories and wonder that youll want to explore if youre planning a trip to Kauais most famous coastline. On that page, we've also posted a map of the entire area (Koke'e and Waimea State Parks) for you to download and print out at home. We didnt GPS it or anything but the open ocean swim along the rocky coast felt like a good 350-400 yards. Around the corner is a large waterfall, cascading down the sea cliff, through the arch and into the ocean. The name Honopu means conch shell in Hawaiian because of the conch-like sound the arch makes in high winds. document.write("Please Select"); It got this name because of the conch shell-like sound that the arch makes when northerly winds blow into the valley. The One Hikeable Lake In Hawaii Thats Simply Breathtaking, The One Little Known Beach In Hawaii That Is A True Utopia, One Of Hawaiis Last Remaining Freshwater Springs Is Hiding In Plain Sight, This Restaurant In Hawaii Is Surrounded By A Lagoon And Will Simply Enchant You, Youll Want To Visit This Tiny Hawaii Island Overflowing With History, The Underrated Hawaii Beach Thats Perfect For A Summer Day, This Secluded Beachfront Restaurant In Hawaii Is One Of The Most Magical Places Youll Ever Eat, Some People Call This Beach In Hawaii A Little Slice Of Paradise, Country Livings 27 of the Most Beautiful Places In America,. Suite 5A However, later studies of the valley and the found artifacts determined that all of Honopu Valleys residents were Hawaiian. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! "mainEntityOfPage": { A dramatic arch in the cliff connects two white-sand beaches, with a waterfall nearby. In 1922, visiting archaeologists found several skulls thought to be primitive, pre-Hawaiian people. Banner Ads (managed by BuySellAds) > At approximately 10 minutes or so into the hike you'll come to a junction in the trail - you'll want to bear to the right at this junction and from that point follow the most worn portion of the trail (again, look for the orange and pink ribbons). Remember to respect the quiet atmosphere and leave no trace behind as you head on to your next adventure. Could you please let me know if you can arrange a boat for a family of 4 adults to visit Honopu beach. All Rights Reserved. While the beach is difficult to access, it is only one valley past the famous Kalalau Valley and Beach, which is only accessible via a strenuous 11-mile backpacking trip. The crew was knowledgeable and helpful. Movies like King Kong, Jurassic Park, Six Days and Seven Nights, as well as Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End all feature this beautiful backdrop. WebLooking down toward the coast, the thin stretch of beach and the Honop Arch can be seen in the distance. Dora Rozet, East West Tours. Its also rumored in some circles that Honopu Valley was the last home of Kauais fabled Menuhune tribe of little people. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. else if(i=='5'){ Photo: Ben Schmit. shows = 1; Makana Charters Holo Holo Charters was voted the best boat tour in the entire U.S.! In this article, well take you through the stories surrounding this mysterious valley and equip you with tips on visiting the spot, as well as the two beaches located by the valleys fascinating arch. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=selectedText; Come voyage with us to the extraordinary Napali Coast and explore sea caves, waterfalls, and hidden beaches. Many other movies have been filmed here. So would walking the 4 miile You can really see how sheer these cliffs are here. In fact, thats what happened in After our catamaran tour departs Port Allen, located in the Hanapape Bay on the southwest side of Kauai, we head north along the west coast of Kauai, towards the Napali Coast. With swim fins and snorkels in hand, we prepared for a long swim to a secluded beach. It was just us and the occasional crab. We didnt GPS it or anything but the open ocean swim along the rocky coast felt like a good 350-400 yards. You should only attempt this swim if you are an extremely confident swimmer who is familiar with rough ocean conditions. Hiking along the shore from Haena Beach Park to Tunnels to Ke'e and back would also be a beautiful and rewarding experience. It is the largest natural arch in Hawaii and ny = document.getElementById(image); Honopu Beach is one valley past the famous Kalalau Valley and Beach, which is only accessible via a strenuous 11-mile backpacking trip. if (shows){ No landing of any aircraft or boat is allowed in Honop Valley or on its beach, so visitors must swim from an offshore boat or from neighboring Kalalau Beach. The Honopu Valley, which is easily spotted for its distinctive natural arch is filled with stories and wonder that youll want to explore if youre planning a trip to Kauais most famous coastline. WebHonopu beach and valley have been made famous by several feature films. } The two hidden and pristine white sand beaches at the end of Honopu Valley are joined by a 90-foot high arch through the base of the rocky outcropping separating them. All partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures. countfield.value = maxlimit - field.value.length; There are three major parts of the trail. With its stunning views and rich history, its an unforgettable experience that youll always treasure. At the eastern point of the bay is a high vertical sea cliff. Eventually, you'll come to a hill where the trail descends very steeply again onto the outer (third) portion of the ridge. The valley is isolated and not easily accessible except by water. Mahalo! The Holo Holo snorkel/sail was a great excursion! WebHonopu Beach | Kauai Boat Tours Honopu Beach & Valley One of the most dramatic and mysterious sections on the Napali Coast is Honopu, which consists of two pristine white-sand beaches, backed by steep 1,200 cliffs and separated by the famous 90 Honopu Arch. The writer and/or publisher of this website is not responsible for any accidents, injuries, rescues, inconvenience, or loss of life by anyone attempting any of the hikes or activities on this website. The swim is only possible in the summer months, only during low tide, and only before the winds have picked up. This was once a thriving fishing village featuring a stream near many heiau and shrines still found throughout the valley. Another interesting feature of Honopu Beach is the picturesque waterfall that falls from one of the rocks. You can also encounter waterfalls and sand dunes on the main part of the beach. Being the best company to be a part of and work for. The sheer cliff faces are scarred with lines formed bywater running down them when it rains. If you miss it, just park at Kalalau Lookout and hike the 1/4th of a mile back to the trailhead. Dora Rozet, East West Tours. Honopu means "conch shell" in Hawaiian. Make sure to bring your camera on this spectacular Kauai tour. Nualolo cliff and valley are spotted next; another fishing village thrived here due to an excellent coral reef system fronting the beach. The natural beauty of Kauai and unique landscapes on this island make it a prime spot for filming. , such as guavas and grapefruit that grows along its coast. On one side a waterfall flows onto the beach from Honopu Valley, while sand dunes can be found on both sides. For an up close and personal glimpse of the famous Honopu Sea Arch, check out this mesmerizing footage from Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. Legends aside, we know for certain that the Honopu cliffs were used as burial sites for ancient chiefs that ruled along the Napali Coast. Take that arch way off in the distance for instance. On our signature tour, well explore Kauais extraordinary Napali Coast, and then voyage across the channel to snorkel the world-class waters of Lehua Crater off the Forbidden Island of Niihau, all in one incredible day. { While there is a good bit of descent in the first mile and a half, it's not that much different than many of the ridges in the area. WebFrom $285 Niihau + Napali Super Tour On our signature tour, well explore Kauais extraordinary Napali Coast, and then voyage across the channel to snorkel the world-class waters of Lehua Crater off the Forbidden Island of Niihau, all in one incredible day. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/blank.gif"; Only the strongest, most ocean-hardened swimmers should attempt a swim to Honopu, with fins highly recommended. What a day! Our fun team is passionate about creating incredible adventures in We hope that this article has given you a wonderful image of Honopu Valley and Beach and encourages you to come out and see this natural wonder for yourself. The winds, very strong current, and waves would be against you and the distance just seems too far. And while all of Hawaiis beaches are gorgeous in their own way, some are certainly prettier than others. There are many myths surrounding this unique scar, but it is mostly credited to the volcano goddess, Pele, leaving her volcanic signature. I understand we have to swim to shore from the boat. Alternatively, you can also jump off a boat cruise and swim to shore, so long as you have the go signal and guidance from your captain. The two hidden and pristine white sand beaches at the end of Honopu Valley, are joined by a 90-foot high arch through the base of the rocky outcropping separating them. Its our responsibility to conduct business using the best practices available to preserve the integrity of the water, land, and wildlife that we have the privilege of showcasing. It can be difficult to find, but it is definitely worth the effort! Some tales talk about the valley having served as a home to Kauais lost tribe, while some involve tales of the supernatural as it served as burial grounds for Hawaiian chiefs in the past. } Carved into a valley on Kauais rugged Na Pali Coast, the popular magazine named Honopu Beach as one of the countrys most breathtaking spots, and we certainly agree. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. if(star_img=='1'){ Were obsessed and we believe that its the best thing to do on Kauai and no visit to Kauai is complete without experiencing the island from the water. We invite you to go the distance and experience the adventure of a lifetime. Great service! The cliffs directly behind Kalalau beach are known as the cathedral cliffs, for the cathedral-like spires jutting towards the heavens. Its our promise to provide the cleanest, safest & most unique ocean experience available with the highest degree of aloha spirit customer service. We invite you to join us toenjoy this special piece of paradise. So to get here, one must swim. Experienced guides have been caught in small debris slides out here and have needed help to get back up to the top of the ridge. On the third day of a recent camping trip in Kalalau, Kauai, we woke up early and walked to the end of Kalalau Beach. The rest of the crew made their way over. Up to this point the trail has continuously descended almost a thousand feet, but now the undulating peaks of the ridge require some strenuous ups-and-downs. This is rated a difficult trail based on the fact that the trial is not officially maintained. Themana here is very powerful, and many people in this area feel an eerie presence when they are here; as if they are being watched by spirit guardians. Hiking along the shore from Haena Beach Park to Tunnels to Ke'e and back would also be a beautiful and rewarding experience. Fins are also highly recommended. We are conveniently located with departures in Port Allen and Hanalei, to service guests of Kauai staying in Hanalei, Princeville, Kilauea, Kapaa, Wailua, Lihue, Koloa, Poipu, and Waimea. I followed Kurtis (@kurtisfunk) through this massive arch. The land on Honopu Valley is highly fertile, making it a great base for communities and even castaways! Kauai Sea Tours has been providing award-winning tours since 1991. It is considered to be a sacred place and is told to be the ancient burial grounds of Hawaiin chiefs. (808) 338-9980 If you do continue, use extreme caution as the trail is only two or three feet wide in places with a very steep drop off on either side and the ground itself is very crumbly and erosive. Its the hard rock thatsembedded in the more crumbly earth. At approximately 90 feet tall, the Honopu Valley is considered the tallest peak in Kauai. Kauai Sea Tours has been providing award-winning tours since 1991. if(el.style.display == 'inline'){ But setting foot on Honopu is not so easy, as boat, kayak, helicopter and other assisted landings are not permitted and there is no land access due to the steep cliffs. The waters of Niihau and Lehua are considered to be some of the best in Hawaii with over 100-feet of visibility and unique lava formations with rare endemic sea life you wont find anywhere else. selectedText = 'Very Good'; document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Fine"; There may be more legends surrounding the valley, but it does make sense for it to have served various island tribes in the past. Our fun team is passionate about creating incredible adventures in Then it was time to swim back to Kalalau Beach and cook up some food at camp. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. The arch collapsed in 1992, but the beach still retains its name. Whether you're looking for a professional hiking guide or need some maps to take along, you'll find them right here. Thanks. Experience Kauai snorkeling tours and true trade-wind catamaran sailing on Kauais Napali Coast! The crew Drew, Emily and Jess were fantastic! This first prominent cliff we will encounter on our Napali Coast tour is the Makaha ridge and valley. Hanauma Bay was once voted as the best beach in America, but wed love to hear your thoughts. Whether you are seeking an all-day ocean adventure to the Napali Coast and Niihau, a sailing adventure with snorkeling, or a romantic sunset dinner cruise; we have an option for you. With its picturesque structure, a solid minute spent looking at it in awe is enough to last a lifetime. We are conveniently located with departures in Port Allen and Hanalei, to service guests of Kauai staying in Hanalei, Princeville, Kilauea, Kapaa, Wailua, Lihue, Koloa, Poipu, and Waimea. The beach can easily be seen from a distance on Na Pali Coast boat and helicopter tours. Water was dripping down and it felt like it was raining underneath the arch.This means that the arch is constantly eroding and rocks can drop from the roof at anytime. for (var i=1; i<=5; i++) { { WebThey will have very few people so you will have a peaceful beach. Holo Holo Charters offer Kauai private boat tours to sightsee and snorkel locations like Napali Coast, Niihau, Lehua Crater, Honopu, Kalalau, and Kipu Kai. Over the years, weve earned ten consecutive TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards. Dora Rozet, East West Tours. Our premier trip aboard Holoholo begins with a continental breakfast as we head west and north to the majestic Napali Coast with waterfalls, lush valleys, and sea caves. Suite 5A "datePublished": "2022-03-16", This arch is full of water. The experienced travelers, who often recover on the nearby coastal stretches, know that you can get to the beach not only by sea. We ate a small breakfast at our campsite then walked the lengthof Kalalau Beach (pictured above) towards the West. It can be difficult to find, but it is definitely worth the effort! Download your copy of our Holo Holo means to explore, to travel, and to go! Native Hawaiians began abandoning their culture and simple lifestyle and eventually moved to more populated communities on Kauai to take advantage of emerging opportunities. In the valley, ancient burial and home sites have been uncovered, including tools, and artifacts, and evidence of a sophisticated terrace and agriculture network proves that this was once a popular community. When Hollywood needs a dramatic, exotic, tropical beach, they often head to Honopu. Get more stories delivered right to your email. In fact, this is exactly what happened in the James Bond movieThe Man With the Golden Gun. Travel in comfort and style to dramatic locations around Kauai and Hawaiis Forbidden Island of Niihau off uninhabited Lehua Crater. "@type": "Organization", WebHonopu Beach One of the most remote shores in the world, Honopu Beach, located on Kauais Na Pali Coast, can only be accessed by swimming. (Originally published in September 2015. Photo: Ben Schmit. Daily, The Honu (Sea Turtle) and Its Importance to Hawaii, 6 Tips for Photographing the Na Pali Coast, 5 Interesting Facts about the Na Pali Coast, View From the Top or From the Waters: Discover the Best Way to Explore the Na Pali Coast. The valley is isolated and not easily accessible except by water. "headline": "Honopu Beach, Kauai: A Complete Guide", It is the largest natural arch in Hawaii and Click here to Recently Voted the Best Boat Tour in the US! Switch to the light mode that's kinder on your eyes at day time. Our boats will enhance your Kauai boat tour experience, and so will our personnel. var b = document.getElementById('t0'); The natural beauty of Kauai and unique landscapes on this island make it a prime spot for filming. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Fine"; WebWe have also Kayaked the coast during Summer 3 times. No landing of any boat or aircraft is allowed on the beach or in the valley, unless they belong to Hollywood movies, of which several have been filmed here. document.write(""); WebHonopu beach and valley have been made famous by several feature films. You can see Kalalau from the top of the valley from the Kalalau Lookout point located in Kokee State Park. ~ Trusted by Millions of Hawaii Visitors Annually ~. WebHonop Valley and Beach sit along the northwest shore of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, on the Na Pali coast. The end of the valley houses two secluded small beaches collectively called Honopu beach or Cathedral Beach both believed to be spiritual spots for their calm waters and history. Since swimming to the beach is necessary to set foot on it, one must be a very strong swimmer to reach it (and wear fins). The Koke'e Lodge and Museum will also have maps available, but we'd definitely advise you to go ahead and review the map and become familiar with the area. Voyage with us today on one of our Kauai boat tours and see why we were voted in the top 10 Best Boat Tour in the US for three years in a row (2021, 2020, and 2019). WebFrom $285 Niihau + Napali Super Tour On our signature tour, well explore Kauais extraordinary Napali Coast, and then voyage across the channel to snorkel the world-class waters of Lehua Crater off the Forbidden Island of Niihau, all in one incredible day. While touring the Na Pali Coast with us, some locations may seem familiar, as if you have seen it before. Hanalei Physical: 5-5134 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714. Kauai Travel Blog Nualolo is probably steeper going down than Honopu; though Honopu does have some very steep areas. Kauai's Top Hotels, Resorts, B&Bs, & Vacation Rentals, Kauai's Best Tours, Excursions, & Adventures. Once the winds come, swimming back here to Kalalau Beach wouldve been impossible. document.getElementById('rat').value="1"; Our talented team strives to provide impeccable service and deliver extraordinary ocean experiences. By providing genuine aloha hospitality, were determined to earn and keep the reputation from our guests and our community of being the most professional and forward-thinking Kauai boat tour company, that we may exist and thrive for decades to come. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. It stands 90 feet in the air and makes a conch shell sound when the winds are right. It can be difficult to find, but it is definitely worth the effort! document.getElementById('rat').value="2"; Like all valleys along the Na Pali coast, Honopu Valleywas a home to ancient Hawaiians. As if Honopu Beach couldnt get more breathtaking, theres also a waterfall here. Honopu Valley has been called the Valley of the Lost Tribe as it was the last rumored refuge of the Menehune on Kauai. So would walking the 4 miile The trail drops about 1,400-1,950 ft. in elevation from the trailhead to the ridge; again, depending on how far you go out on the ridge. Nestled along Kauais 17-mile Na Pali Coast is a landmark valley surrounded by a beautiful mystery. For over 20 years we have been offering tours of the Na Pali coast on custom-built touring catamarans that were designed to provide the ultimate touring experience. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'to_hawaii_com-box-3','ezslot_0',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-to_hawaii_com-box-3-0');It doesn't get anymore secluded and remote than Honopu Beach on Kauai's Na Pali Coast. Tour boats and catamarans glide through the white caps. A dramatic arch in the cliff connects two white-sand beaches, with a waterfall nearby. Hawaiians enjoyed an isolated life in the valleys of Napali for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. Latitude: 22.14403388 Because Honopu Valley is isolated and not easily accessible except by water, many stories have formed about what events occurred in the area in olden times. From here the ridge descends steeply onto the ridge where the views get increasingly better as you hike up and down the hills along the ridge. The total distance depends on how far you hike out on the ridge at the end, but we estimate that to the logical and safe stopping pointit's about 2.4 miles one way. Oh and, this swim is also only possible during the summer months and when there oceans are calm. With approximately 750 miles of stunning coastline, the Hawaiian Islands are easily home to some of the best beaches in the country if not the world. But if there was one location that has seen more action than anywhere else, it is probably Honopu. Love Hawaii? It is the responsibility of the reader to use common sense and good judgment by interpreting and using the information to safely enjoy any outdoor activities. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. The natural beauty of Kauai and unique landscapes on this island make it a prime spot for filming. We've updated both travel guides with a lot of new great information for potential visitors (and those who've been a time or two as well). Check out our Google Earth Honopu Ridge Trailmap for more an overview. This article is part of a series to give you an idea for the one-of-a-kind scenery on the Na Pali Coast of Kauai. Honopu beach and valley have been made famous by several feature films. The forest/fern portion of the trail, which terminates at an overlook of the valley mostly blocked by trees. Honopu Beach was once a popular spot for filming movies and TV shows, including South Pacific and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.. Movies like King Kong, Jurassic Park, Six Days and Seven Nights, as well as Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End all feature this beautiful backdrop. } Mahalo! WebAdd Honopu Beach, on Kauais Na Pali Coast, to the list of the worlds most beautiful and most dramatic beaches. When we arrived on the beach, it was completely empty. Around the corner is a large waterfall, cascading down the sea cliff, through the arch and into the ocean. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. else if(i=='2'){ You are not allowed to land any watercraft on the island, and helicopters are also not permitted. However, these have been omitted from this website for the best online experience for our visitors. We didnt GPS it or anything but the open ocean swim along the rocky coast felt like a good 350-400 yards. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Makana Charters is a native Hawaiian family owned business that takes pride in providing the best possible experience for visitors to Kauai. Every other tour boat operating on Kauai was ordered and delivered from a faraway factory in a faraway land, but were proud to say that our companys boats were designed by our companys founder, specifically to tackle the unique and challenging ocean conditions Kauai faces as the westernmost island of the most remote island chain in the world. Kauais South Shore vs North Shore Which One to Choose? WebHonopu Ridge Trail is a 4.2 to 5 mile (round trip, depending on how far you go) hike that takes you to incredible views of Honopu Valley and a portion of the NaPali Coastline. Hanalei Physical: 5-5134 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714. selectedText = 'Fine'; The swim is only possible in the summer months, only. So for me, being surrounded by a bunch of confident swimmers was very comforting. So, which of Hawaiis countless stunning beaches do you think is the prettiest? Honopu Beach is one of the most secluded beaches that Kauai has to offer. When Napali was inhabited, it is estimated that a large population of two to four thousand Hawaiians may have lived in Kalalau at any given time. In summer months, it may be possible to walk at least part of the way from Kalalau Beach to Honopu on exposed rocks and sand. } Add Honopu Beach, on Kauais Na Pali Coast, to the list of the worlds most beautiful and most dramatic beaches. Theres a reason its known as one of the worlds most beautiful destinations. el.style.display = 'inline'; This blog post will provide a complete guide, including directions and tips on what to do when you get there. our companys ideals resonate with people and 2.) The Original Niihau + Napali Coast Boat Tour. Sticks and branches are often laid across the wrong trails, so watch for them. We recognize the proper use of the Hawaiian language including the okina [], a consonant, and the kahak [] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawaii such as Npali). WebLooking down toward the coast, the thin stretch of beach and the Honop Arch can be seen in the distance. I followed Kurtis and Sonomi (@lomilomisomi)back through the golden arch. No other company offers this amazing trip daily. They were very knowledgeable and we learned a lot of information about the island and the sea life. WebHonop Valley and Beach sit along the northwest shore of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, on the Na Pali coast. WebLooking down toward the coast, the thin stretch of beach and the Honop Arch can be seen in the distance.