(Be warned they may tryto dissuade you from doing the hike since it's not an officialtrail). 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). The experienced travelers, who often recover on the nearby coastal stretches, know that you can get to the beach not only by sea. The remote beach features a 90-foot natural arch in the middle that is large enough to fly a helicopter through. During our brief time exploring Honopu Beach, I tried to keep in mind how lucky I was to be here.If you factor in the effort it takes to get to Kalalau, and that you then have to swim a few hundred yards to access this beach, Honopu is really hard to get to. var selectedText = ''; We point out the most famous sea cave along the way, the Open Ceiling Cave. But if there was one location that has seen more action than anywhere else, it is probably Honopu. Recently Voted the Best Boat Tour in the US! Say yes to adventure and come explore with us4,000-foot cliffs, emerald valleys, secluded beaches, sea caves, lava tubes, dolphins, whales, snorkeling, sailing, sunsets, and much more! Another interesting feature of Honopu Beach is the picturesque waterfall that falls from one of the rocks. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; Tours 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. We happened to have triathletes, ocean safety certified folks, surfers and a former water polo player in our group. With the rugged scenery, waterfalls, beaches, and much more, it is easy to see why. Once at Kalalau Beach, some choose to strap on their fins, grab a snorkel, and make the 400-yard swim to Honopu. It can be difficult to find, but it is definitely worth the effort! if (shows){ Keep an eye out for the orange and pink ribbons that others have tied up to mark the trail. ", The swim is only possible in the summer months, only during low tide, and only before the winds have picked up. In fact, thats what happened in the 1976 movie Acapulco Gold. These cliffs were created millions of years ago when Kauai was formed and have since been shaped by years of withstanding the elements. A visible X slashed into the high part of the cliff helps you easily recognize Nualolo. Breakfast, lunch, and beverages are included in this action-packed adventure for the whole family. 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. Tour boats and catamarans glide through the white caps. Click here to Recently Voted the Best Boat Tour in the US! Remember to respect the quiet atmosphere and leave no trace behind as you head on to your next adventure. It is considered to be a sacred place and is told to be the ancient burial grounds of Hawaiin chiefs. Honopu means "conch shell" in Hawaiian. There was a massive landslide this past winter and a couple hundred yards of Kalalau Beach is now gone. This made the swim to Honopu that much longer and it made having a snorkel and fins that much more important. Its the hard rock thatsembedded in the more crumbly earth. But if there was one location that has seen more action than anywhere else, it is probably Honopu. Wearing long pants is a great way to get through the ferns (we personally love convertible cargo pants). 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. Honopu Valley and Beach 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. Honopu Beach is one valley past the famous Kalalau Valley and Beach, which is only accessible via a strenuous 11-mile backpacking trip. The only way to get to Honopu is by swimming, either from Kalalau Beach or from a boat. The Holo Holo snorkel/sail was a great excursion! ny = document.getElementById(image); Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Waimea, HI 96796 } Friends, winning the title of#1Best Boat Tour in America is a major affirmation that 1.) for (var i=1; i<=5; i++) { The swim is only possible in the summer months, only. See, Hawaiians believed that their chiefs were direct descendants of gods and that their bones contained powerful amounts of the gods mana or life force. If we missed ourwindow of opportunity, we would have to wait at Honopu until the evening when the winds finally die down. These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. The crew was knowledgeable and helpful. Photo: Ben Schmit. 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. At the eastern point of the bay is a high vertical sea cliff. Honopu beach and valley have been made famous by several feature films. Napali Coast Once the winds come, swimming back here to Kalalau Beach wouldve been impossible. There are large waves that crash against cliffs, strong rip currents, and around 400 yards of swimming. Kauai's Top Hotels, Resorts, B&Bs, & Vacation Rentals, Kauai's Best Tours, Excursions, & Adventures. document.write("Please Select"); Sponsored Content >. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. WebHonop Valley and Beach sit along the northwest shore of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, on the Na Pali coast. This beach is named after the Honopu Arch, a natural rock arch that used to be located here. document.getElementById('rat').value="1"; So would walking the 4 miile WebAdd Honopu Beach, on Kauais Na Pali Coast, to the list of the worlds most beautiful and most dramatic beaches. Great activity for families. However, these have been omitted from this website for the best online experience for our visitors. document.getElementById('rat').value="3"; It can be difficult to find, but it is definitely worth the effort! 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. A dramatic arch in the cliff connects two white-sand beaches, with a waterfall nearby. Sea Caves to Visit on Kauai 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. WebHonopu beach and valley have been made famous by several feature films. And while all of Hawaiis beaches are gorgeous in their own way, some are certainly prettier than others. Honopu Beach selectedVal = '3'; WebAdd Honopu Beach, on Kauais Na Pali Coast, to the list of the worlds most beautiful and most dramatic beaches. Known as The Valley of the Lost Tribe, Honopu was once home to hundreds of native Hawaiians who lived in relative isolation from the rest of the island. Honopu means "conch shell" in Hawaiian. Then, cross the 17-mile Kaulakahi Channel to Hawaiis Forbidden Island of Niihau to do some world-class snorkeling at Lehua Crater. On one side a waterfall flows onto the beach from Honopu Valley. On the other side of the Honopu arch is anotherbeach. Our boats will enhance your Kauai boat tour experience, and so will our personnel. What a day! Honopu Beach This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Click here to The Original Niihau + Napali Coast Boat Tour, Click here to Learn more about niihau tours, Click here to Learn more about kauai tours, Click here to Learn more about niihau island, Click here to Learn more about the napali coast, Click here to Learn more about snorkeling, This first prominent cliff we will encounter on our, Honopu beach and valley have been made famous by several feature films. 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. | Web usage privacy. } This Jurassic-like wonderland features two coves, separated by a massive rock arch, and is set against towering 1,200-foot sea cliffs. Honopu beach The sailing was especially a fun experience. Well, the only way to legally access it is by swimming. The top of the valley can be accessed by a variety of hikes as well if youre in for the challenge. It is said this cave once had a weak roof structure that eventually collapsed, creating a skylight effect into the cave. Could you please let me know if you can arrange a boat for a family of 4 adults to visit Honopu beach. Honopu Beach. Our destination wasHonopu Beach, one of the most incredible beaches in Hawaii. Since 1997, Holo Holo Charters has taken people on unforgettable adventures to Kauais, world-famous Napali Coast and remote locations like Lehua Crater off the Forbidden Island of Niihau. It is the largest natural arch in Hawaii and for (i=1; i<=star_img; i++) { WebWe have also Kayaked the coast during Summer 3 times. Overall though, we feel the trail is fairly easy to follow and is well marked. Hours: 8:00a.m. if (field.value.length > maxlimit) our companys ideals resonate with people and 2.) document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Good"; Honopu consists of two beaches that are connected by the Arch which stands 90 feet tall and is 124 feet wide. This belief is the source of many Hawaiian legends and myths, which wed love to give you a glimpse of. At approximately 90 feet tall, the Honopu Valley is considered the tallest peak in Kauai. (Originally published in September 2015. Napali Coast Honopu Beach is as hard to get to as it is dramatic. 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. Honopu Beach When you do get to Honopu Beach, make sure to keep in mind that it is treated by the locals as a sacred piece of Hawaiian culture. "mainEntityOfPage": { This arch is full of water. The area is a place of ancient temples and burial grounds for Hawaiian royalty. Honop Valley - Wikipedia Get more stories delivered right to your email. Providing the highest degree of quality customer service available in the industry. Another interesting feature of Honopu Beach is the picturesque waterfall that falls from one of the rocks. Honopu means "conch shell" in Hawaiian. } We ate a small breakfast at our campsite then walked the lengthof Kalalau Beach (pictured above) towards the West. Every single day, from sunrise to sunset, Kauais coasts sing a unique symphony of natural wonder. For example, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. It can be difficult to find, but it is definitely worth the effort! A lot of people, though they might bestrong, can get panic attacks when swimming in the open ocean. 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. Whether you're looking for a professional hiking guide or need some maps to take along, you'll find them right here. document.getElementById('rat').value="5"; From the water, this arch looks modest in size, but that is only when compared to the massive landscape that surrounds it. It can be difficult to find, but it is definitely worth the effort! Our fun team is passionate about creating incredible adventures in In any event, you may want to consult the rangers at Koke'e VC before heading out on this hike. function mark(star_img,rid) 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. Honopu Beach On the third day of a recent camping trip in Kalalau, Kauai, we woke up early and walked to the end of Kalalau Beach. Honop Valley - Wikipedia var i; Travel in comfort and style to dramatic locations around Kauai and Hawaiis Forbidden Island of Niihau off uninhabited Lehua Crater. With swim fins and snorkels in hand, we prepared for a long swim to a secluded beach. Being burial grounds for Hawaiian royalty, its essential that you remain sensitive to your surroundings while visiting the beach. (808) 338-9980 were succeeding in realizing those ideals. 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. You can see dykes running through the arch when you look up. Honopu 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. With the rugged scenery, waterfalls, beaches, and much more, it is easy to see why. Also, currents can be present even if the ocean appears calm. selectedText = 'Fine'; although you can not land on the beach, it is still enjoyable getting real close and taking in how majestic Honopu is. Honopu Beach The sheer cliff faces are scarred with lines formed bywater running down them when it rains. else if(i=='5'){ As we emerged from the water on Honopu Beach, we saw that we were surrounded by towering cliffs. Check out our Google Earth Honopu Ridge Trailmap for more an overview. Reading about it is one thing, but to truly enjoy the beauty, power, and serenity of a place as special as Honopu and the rest of the Na Pali Coast, you will have to see it for yourself. Voyage to the Napali Coast and let us wine you and dine you, as we sail off into the sunset on our gorgeous & comfortable 50 catamaran, Leila. Honopu Beach. The steep cliffs (pali) surrounding the valley and beach kept the area protected from outside intruders. 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. No road or even a hiking trail leads to it. With the rugged scenery, waterfalls, beaches, and much more, it is easy to see why. 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. Fins are also highly recommended. Aloha! The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. This story was last modified on September 14, 2015. document.write("
"); Honopu Valley and Beach But if there was one location that has seen more action than anywhere else, it is probably Honopu. The crew Drew, Emily and Jess were fantastic! Tour We invite you to go the distance and experience the adventure of a lifetime. Honopu Beach, USA Honopu Beach is one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches on Kauai. Remnants of Hawaiian life can still be found in this area, including a rope ladder that connected the beach to the valley. It basically fell into the ocean. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; Honopu means "conch shell" in Hawaiian. 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. 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.