Na Pali Coast State Park | Kauai Hawaii

NaPali Coast By Land

By far the most popular way to hike the NaPali Coast is on the Kalalau Trail which begins at Kee Beach.  11 miles of hiking through both large and small valleys, snaking one's way around cliff faces, enjoying amazing views, and exerting a lot of energy will take you all the way to Kalalau Valley, the official end of the trail.  It is a minimum 3-day round-trip journey for most people to hike all the way to Kalalau and back, which means that you have to be well outfitted and prepared for the journey.

Hiking NaPali Coast

If the timing is not right for you to have such an in-depth and intensive experience; there are other ways to see the NaPali Coast by land. Taking a shorter hike to Hanakapiai Beach or Hanakapiai Falls is a very popular option which many people choose. For avid hikers who prefer to get another perspective, there are multiple trails along the ridgetops above the NaPali Coast. These trails are not for the faint of heart; hiking along the tops of the Pali often entails coming close to the edge of 2500’ sheer drops.  For people who enjoy cliff edge, panoramic views it is an experience that is well worth the effort.

Driving NaPali Coast

Finally, if you are not a hiker, you can see the NaPali Coast by driving to Polihale Beach or Kee Beach where you have stunning views down the coastline or by driving past Waimea Canyon in Kokee State Park and stopping at either the Kalalau Lookout or Pu’u o Kila overlook which is the start of the Pihea Trail. Both of these overlooks take you to the back of Kalalau Valley where you can peer down on one of the most spectacular valleys in all of Hawaii. 

Kalalau Trail: The Full 11-Mile Hike

The Kalalau Trail runs 11 miles from Ke'e Beach to Kalalau Valley along the Na Pali Coast. Most people don't do the whole thing — and for good reason. The trail is steep, exposed, narrow in places, and requires at least 3 days round-trip with camping. But for experienced backpackers, it is one of the most spectacular hikes in the world.

Permits: Required for anyone going past Hanakapiai (mile 2). Get them through the DLNR Go Wild system. Day permits and camping permits sell out weeks ahead during summer. Cost is $35/night for camping, $10 for day use beyond Hanakapiai.

Trail breakdown by section:

• Ke'e Beach to Hanakapiai Beach (2 mi): The most popular section. Moderate difficulty with some steep switchbacks. No permit required for this stretch. Allow 1.5-2 hours each way.
• Hanakapiai Beach to Hanakapiai Falls (4 mi roundtrip side trail): A muddy but rewarding detour to a 300-foot waterfall. Add 3-4 hours. Requires permit.
• Hanakapiai to Hanakoa (4 mi): Gets serious. Exposed cliffs, narrow sections, stream crossings. This is where casual hikers turn back.
• Hanakoa to Kalalau Beach (5 mi): The most challenging and most beautiful section. Cliffside trail with sheer drops, but the payoff is an isolated valley with a white sand beach framed by 4,000-foot cliffs.

Shorter Na Pali Hikes (No Multi-Day Commitment)

You don't need to backpack for days to experience Na Pali. Two shorter options:

• Hanakapiai Beach (4 mi roundtrip): The first 2 miles of the Kalalau Trail take you to a beautiful (but dangerous for swimming) beach. This is the most accessible Na Pali hiking experience and does not require a permit.
• Pihea Trail to Alaka'i Swamp (8 mi roundtrip): Approaches Na Pali from above via Kokee State Park. You won't reach the coastline, but the views from the cliff edge into Kalalau Valley are staggering. Boardwalk through a cloud forest at 4,000 feet.

NaPali Coast By Sea

Traditionally, the NaPali Coast was accessed by sea via the gateway at Polihale. Canoes would travel along what used to be inland waterways in a large estuary between Waimea and Mana (the springs that provided the freshwater to this delicate environment were plugged and diverted in the 1950s to make way for large-scale agri-business), then continue along the NaPali Coast to the settlements at Miloli’i and Nu’alolo Kai. All along the NaPali Coast, valleys are named for the features seen from the ocean, such as Ho’olulu (the sheltering place) and Waiahuakua (the water altar of the Gods). There are multiple sea caves, waterfalls, and other fascinating features along the NaPali Coast, and even if you have hiked the coast many times, exploring it by sea is a fantastic and original experience.

Today, most people who explore the NaPali Coast by sea choose to either go on a motorized vessel or by kayak. Most motorized tours depart from the west side near Port Allen and include snorkeling as part of the day.  Many of the tour boats stop at Treasures Beach for their snorkel and do a quick drive-by of one of the most amazing sights in all of Hawaii – Nu’alolo Kai.  If you are going to spend a day on the water along the NaPali Coast, make sure that you go with a company that stops at Nu’alolo Kai and allows time for both snorkeling and exploring the fantastic archaeological site there.  

Another thing to be aware of is that most of the sailing catamarans which operate along the NaPali Coast are under motor for the entire morning as they head upwind and then motor sail back down the coast to Port Allen.  It is still an enjoyable experience, as the large catamaran provides plenty of room to move around on deck; however, they are too big to take their boats into the open ceiling cave, which is one of the highlights of tours on smaller boats.

Na Pali Coast Boat Tour Comparison

Three types of Na Pali boat tours run from Kauai's west side. Each gives a different experience:

*Winter swells can cancel boat tours on short notice, especially zodiac/raft tours. Catamarans handle rougher seas better.

Most tours depart from Port Allen (Ele'ele) on Kauai's south/west shore, about 30 minutes from Poipu and 50 minutes from Lihue airport. Book at least 2-3 weeks ahead for summer dates.

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Kayak NaPali Coast

If you are in relatively good physical condition and are more adventurous in nature, you may want to consider taking a kayak tour along the NaPali Coast. It is truly an incredible experience to paddle in and out of the sea caves and stare up at the massive cliffs above you.  The kayak tours all start in Ha’ena and end in Polihale. On most days this means that you are going with the wind and the swell; however, this is not always the case. They usually stop for lunch at Miloli’i, which is a wonderful stretch of white sand protected by a reef.  

NaPali Coast by Air

The aerial view of the NaPali Coast is also incredible and dramatic. Numerous helicopter tour companies operate on Kauai and almost all of them plan a flight path that includes winding in and out of several of the major valleys along the NaPali Coast.  After flying up Waimea Canyon, the pilot will fly out to the NaPali Coast somewhere near to Makaha Ridge and then turn right taking you back to the North Shore.  

Na Pali Coast Helicopter Tours

A helicopter tour is the only way to see the interior valleys of the Na Pali Coast — places like the "Jurassic Park" waterfall (Manawaiopuna Falls) and the hanging valleys that were home to ancient Hawaiian communities. Most flights last 45-60 minutes and cover Na Pali, Waimea Canyon, and the island's interior waterfalls in a single loop.

Expect to pay $250-$350 per person. Doors-off flights are available from some operators for serious photographers — they cost $25-$50 more but deliver dramatically better photos with no glare. Book the earliest morning slot for the clearest skies; afternoon flights often contend with clouds building along the cliffs.

Flights depart from Lihue Airport (most common) or Port Allen. All operators are FAA-certified and fly the same routes, so the main differentiator is aircraft type (A-Star vs. MD 500) and doors-on vs. doors-off.

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Best Time to Visit the Na Pali Coast

Summer (May - September)

The prime window. Ocean swells drop to 2-4 feet on the north shore, which means boat tours run consistently and kayaking the coastline becomes possible. This is the only season for zodiac/raft tours that explore sea caves up close. The Kalalau Trail is drier and less muddy. Downside: it's peak season, so book everything well ahead.

Winter (October - April)

North Pacific swells regularly push 10-20 feet along the Na Pali Coast, canceling most boat tours (catamarans have a better chance of running than zodiacs). Kayaking is out. But winter brings two advantages: humpback whale sightings from boat tours and helicopter flights, and fewer crowds on the Kalalau Trail. Helicopter tours run year-round regardless of ocean conditions.

Shoulder Months (April and October)

The sweet spot. April usually has calm enough seas for boat tours with spring pricing. October still has lingering summer conditions before the big winter swells arrive. Either month gives you a strong shot at good weather with thinner crowds than July-August.

Na Pali Coast Permits & Logistics

Hiking permits (Kalalau Trail beyond mile 2): Reserve through the Hawaii DLNR Go Wild system. Day-use permits cost $10/person. Camping permits cost $35/night/person. Summer dates sell out 30+ days ahead.

Boat and helicopter tours: No visitor permits required — just book with an operator.

Kayaking: Permitted May 15 through September 7 only (State of Hawaii seasonal restriction). Landing permits required for camping at Miloli’i or Kalalau. Most visitors book guided kayak tours rather than going solo — it's a serious open-ocean paddle.

Getting to the trailhead: Ke’e Beach / Ha’ena State Park requires a parking reservation ($10/car) or shuttle ($35/person roundtrip) through the Go Ha’ena reservation system. Reservations open 30 days in advance and sell out fast.

Rental car note: You'll need a car to reach Ke’e Beach (north) or Polihale (west). The drive from Lihue airport to Ke’e Beach is about 1 hour 15 minutes. Compare Kauai rental car rates.