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. Port Allen Physical: 4353 Waialo Road, Suite 5A, Eleele, HI 96705, Hanalei Physical: 5-5134 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714. It basically fell into the ocean. The rest of the crew made their way over. 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. With swim fins and snorkels in hand, we prepared for a long swim to a secluded beach. A dramatic arch in the cliff connects two white-sand beaches, with a waterfall nearby. The shoreline area of Nualolo Aina was once a fishing village ringed by steep sea cliffs. But if there was one location that has seen more action than anywhere else, it is probably Honopu. } 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. Tours On our Kauai boat tours, we help guests fully appreciate and absorb Kauais natural beauty, while respecting the islands water, wildlife, land, people, and traditions, with our eco-friendly and meticulously maintained Kauai-built boats and talented staff. if(i<= selectedVal) } Honopu Valley and Beach Hawaiians enjoyed an isolated life in the valleys of Napali for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. Tour ~ Trusted by Millions of Hawaii Visitors Annually ~. 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. Copyright 2023 Guide of US, LLC. Honopu Beach is one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches on Kauai. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Very Good"; Legends aside, we know for certain that the Honopu cliffs were used as burial sites for ancient chiefs that ruled along the Napali Coast. else if(star_img=='2'){ The Original Niihau + Napali Coast Boat Tour. The natural beauty of Kauai and unique landscapes on this island make it a prime spot for filming. var selectedVal = ''; "author": { Eleele, HI, 96705. WebWe have also Kayaked the coast during Summer 3 times. I followed Kurtis (@kurtisfunk) through this massive arch. Being burial grounds for Hawaiian royalty, its essential that you remain sensitive to your surroundings while visiting the beach. for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { else Photo: Ben Schmit. Wasnt a lot to see snorkeling, but it was still fun. Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. The channel between Kauai and Niihau is very deep and offers the best opportunity to see an abundance of sea life that resides in these Hawaiian waters. WebHonopu beach and valley have been made famous by several feature films. Dora Rozet, East West Tours. Over the years, weve earned ten consecutive TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards. (808) 338-9980 ", Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Good"; Hours: 8:00a.m. This leads to the question, How do you get to Honopu Beach?. 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. WebA Bit of History for Your Na Pali Coast Tour Honopu Beach. selectedVal = '4'; } 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. The views from the end of the second portion of the trail are fantastic, and they won't get much better further out. for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { Honopu Beach 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). Port Allen Physical: 4353 Waialo Road, Suite 5A, Eleele, HI 96705, Hanalei Physical: 5-5134 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714. With the rugged scenery, waterfalls, beaches, and much more, it is easy to see why. In fact, the only legal way to access it is to swim to it. There are many myths surrounding this unique scar, but it is mostly credited to the volcano goddess, Pele, leaving her volcanic signature. WebA Bit of History for Your Na Pali Coast Tour Honopu Beach. 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. This tribe was believed to consist of Marquesans, who were Polynesians originally from Tahiti. So would walking the 4 miile else if(star_img=='5'){ Honopu Beach WebHonopu actually consists of two beaches, which are backed by majestic 1200-foot (365 m) high sea cliffs and separated by the Honopu arch. WebThe beach guests can visit the two parts of the beach thanks to the small natural arch formed in the rock. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. Just as beautiful as the valleys surroundings are the legends that have formed from its mysterious location. This was once a thriving fishing village featuring a stream near many heiau and shrines still found throughout the valley. 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. ), ^ Top of page | Home | Search | Archives, Unreal Hawaii is a digital magazine for people that love the Hawaii outdoors. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License, Camping at Kalalau requires someserious planning as camping permits go fast.Permits area available on. Kauais South Shore vs North Shore Which One to Choose? The scale of this place can only be comprehended by being here. This cliff is easily distinguished, as it hosts radar and tracking equipment and cellular phone sites you can see from a distance. Everything is larger than it appears once you walk up to it. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Poor"; el.style.display = 'inline'; ny = document.getElementById(image); It got this name because of the conch shell-like sound that the arch makes when northerly winds blow into the valley. In fact, thats what happened in the 1976 movie Acapulco Gold. We realize the importance and continue to use them outside of the online platform. Honopu Ridge Trail We enjoyed Honopu Beach for an hour or so. For example, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Booking a tour with the Na Pali Riders is a fantastic way to get the most out of your visit and see what Kauais coastlines have to offer. else if(i=='2'){ Honopu Beach is one valley past the famous Kalalau Valley and Beach, which is only accessible via a strenuous 11-mile backpacking trip. 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). As if Honopu Beach couldnt get more breathtaking, theres also a waterfall here. 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). It is said this cave once had a weak roof structure that eventually collapsed, creating a skylight effect into the cave. Unless youre a triathlete or an experienced open ocean swimmer, this swim would not be possible without a snorkel and fins.I brought a small dry bag and strapped it to my leg to carry by camera gear. 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. 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. One could survive in the area simply on the large amount of wild fruit, such as guavas and grapefruit that grows along its coast. Honopu Beach if(star_img=='1'){ Hanalei Physical: 5-5134 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714. If you find yourself at a stream bed (the left fork), go back and take the other fork which continues out onto the ridge. In Adventure, Places by Makana ChartersMay 10, 2021Leave a Comment. Learn about the best time to visit Kauai , Our Kauai travel tips & recommendations , Explore Kauai Hotels & Resorts Search Now. Movies like, After viewing all the famous sites of Napali, the captain points the boat west toward the, Click here to visit Niihau & Napali Boat Tour, Click here to email reservations@holoholocharters.com, Click here to view location Port Allen Marina Center 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. ny.src="../../../reviews/images/star.gif"; Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. Call Us: 808-742-6331 | Text Us: 808-639-2052. Another interesting feature of Honopu Beach is the picturesque waterfall that falls from one of the rocks. Honopu Beach At the eastern point of the bay is a high vertical sea cliff. "@id": "https://www.napaliriders.com/a-complete-guide-to-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. Honopu Beach is one valley past the famous Kalalau Valley and Beach, which is only accessible via a strenuous 11-mile backpacking trip. We didnt GPS it or anything but the open ocean swim along the rocky coast felt like a good 350-400 yards. A dramatic arch in the cliff connects two white-sand beaches, with a waterfall nearby. "dateModified": "2022-10-21" So an early start was a must. 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. The Holo Holo snorkel/sail was a great excursion! Great activity for families. Our fun team is passionate about creating incredible adventures in document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Fine"; In our opinion, it is one of the best though roughest hikes on Kauai. countfield.value = maxlimit - field.value.length; Holo Holo means to explore, to travel, and to go! } WebHonopu beach and valley have been made famous by several feature films. Honopu means "conch shell" in Hawaiian. It can be difficult to find, but it is definitely worth the effort! Movies filmed at Honopu include the 1976 remake of King Kong, Six Days Seven Nights, Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides and Honeymoon in Vegas. Experience Kauai snorkeling tours and true trade-wind catamaran sailing on Kauais Napali Coast! Sand dunes can be found on both sides! The restrictions on beach landings are due to the beaches and valley being sacred in Hawaiian culture. selectedText = 'Very Good'; 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. Click here to Recently Voted the Best Boat Tour in the US! In 1922, visiting archaeologists found several skulls thought to be primitive, pre-Hawaiian people. Honopu beach So for me, being surrounded by a bunch of confident swimmers was very comforting. At approximately 90 feet tall, the Honopu Valley is considered the tallest peak in Kauai. 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. The Honopu Arch is one of the best parts of Honopu Beach. Explore the beauty and adventure on one of our Kauai boat tours to the Napali Coast, Niihau and Lehua Crater. The forest/fern portion of the trail, which terminates at an overlook of the valley mostly blocked by trees. We did not linger under the arch for very long. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! The stories on this website are provided for entertainment and informational purposes only. Being the best company to be a part of and work for. } 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. Click here to Recently Voted the Best Boat Tour in the US! (See pre-landslide views of Kalalau Beach.) WebHonopu Arch is one of the most amazing sights you will see along the Napali Coast. WebWe have also Kayaked the coast during Summer 3 times. The vertical faces were even more dramatic than those at Kalalau. Oh and, this swim is also only possible during the summer months and when there oceans are calm. Honopu Beach (Originally published in September 2015. The trail and activity descriptions are given to give the reader a better understanding of what to expect while hiking and participating in activities in Hawaii. Well, the only way to legally access it is by swimming. Suite 5A Plenty to eat and drink and the group size was just great. selectedVal = '3'; (Be warned they may tryto dissuade you from doing the hike since it's not an officialtrail). Tours var shows = 0; The sailing was especially a fun experience. Much evidence of their life is still found today. 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. Providing a solidly positive impact on both our ocean resources and our island community. In this article, well take you through the stories surrounding Honopu Valley and equip you with tips on visiting the spot. Remnants of Hawaiian life can still be found in this area, including a rope ladder that connected the beach to the valley. This is rated a difficult trail based on the fact that the trial is not officially maintained. This first prominent cliff we will encounter on our Napali Coast tour is the Makaha ridge and valley. } "name": "Na Pali Riders", "image": "https://www.napaliriders.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/IMG_9585.jpg", Then, cross the 17-mile Kaulakahi Channel to Hawaiis Forbidden Island of Niihau to do some world-class snorkeling at Lehua Crater. 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. Then it was time to swim back to Kalalau Beach and cook up some food at camp. This is due to the belief that a chiefs bones gain a supernatural power upon death, which could be used against the chiefs tribe. Book Now Learn More Snorkel + Sail From $210 Napali Snorkel Sail We have considered swimming over on a calm morning from Kalalau wearing fins. Honopu Beach was once a popular spot for filming movies and TV shows, including South Pacific and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.. Honopu Beach It could be some time before I ever come back here. 2023 Hawaii Travel Guide. Honopu Valley and Beach More than just a boat ride, our mission is to take our guests on safe, educational, and awe-inspiring adventures that cultivate a sense of understanding and respect for Kauais ecosystem and cultural history. document.write(""); At approximately 90 feet tall, the Honopu Valley is considered the tallest peak in Kauai. Honopu beach Friends, winning the title of#1Best Boat Tour in America is a major affirmation that 1.) function textCounter(field, countfield, maxlimit) { What a day! Kauai Travel Guide Frequently Asked Questions. Honopu Beach Honop Ridge Trail The shoreline area of Nualolo Aina was once a fishing village ringed by steep sea cliffs. So to get here, one must swim. Click here to Learn more about sustainability, Click here to Learn more about private boat charters, Click here to Learn more about holo holo pono pledge, Click here to Learn more about photos, history & fun, Click here to Learn more about frequently asked questions, Click here to Learn more about reviews & testimonals, Click here to email reservations@holoholocharters.com, Click here to view location Port Allen Physical: 4353 Waialo Road, Suite 5A, Eleele, HI 96705 We invite you to go the distance and experience the adventure of a lifetime. } Sticks and branches are often laid across the wrong trails, so watch for them. if(el.style.display == 'inline'){ When the surf is up, it is dangerous to enter the ocean along the Na Pali Coast because of strong rip currents and pounding surf. } }else{ Tour boats and catamarans glide through the white caps. If you're looking for a better-maintained trail with similar views of NaPali and a gorgeous valley at the end, then consider theNualolo Trail. 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. function form_visible(){ At the eastern point of the bay is a high vertical sea cliff. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. We hope to see you out there. Kauai's Top Hotels, Resorts, B&Bs, & Vacation Rentals, Kauai's Best Tours, Excursions, & Adventures. We realize the importance and continue to use them outside of the online platform. document.getElementById('rat').value="1"; Napali, meaning the cliffs or many cliffs, consists of 16 miles of dramatic coastline, vivid sea cliffs with over 4,000-foot steep drop-offs, emerald-green valleys, sea caves, and waterfalls. This blog post will provide a complete guide, including directions and tips on what to do when you get there. Once at Kalalau Beach, some choose to strap on their fins, grab a snorkel, and make the 400-yard swim to Honopu. These spots are better appreciated through a helicopter tour or a. else if(i=='3'){ Add Honopu Beach, on Kauais Na Pali Coast, to the list of the worlds most beautiful and most dramatic beaches. WebHonop Valley and Beach sit along the northwest shore of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, on the Na Pali coast. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Excellent"; We saw monk seals, dolphins, turtles, and humpback whales from the boat. 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. else if(star_img=='4'){ Explore the beauty and adventure on one of our Kauai boat tours to the Napali Coast, Niihau and Lehua Crater. A visible X slashed into the high part of the cliff helps you easily recognize Nualolo. 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. This discovery supported claims regarding native tribes having lived in the area in the mid-19th century. The name Honopu means conch shell in Hawaiian, because of the sound the northerly winds make when they blow through the arch. 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. 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. Yes, honorable yet fatal. Another interesting feature of Honopu Beach is the picturesque waterfall that falls from one of the rocks. Honop Valley - Wikipedia I followed Kurtis and Sonomi (@lomilomisomi)back through the golden arch. , and only before the winds have picked up. This Jurassic-like wonderland features two coves, separated by a massive rock arch, and is set against towering 1,200-foot sea cliffs. On the other side of the Honopu arch is anotherbeach. When Hollywood needs a dramatic, exotic, tropical beach, they often head to Honopu. Honopu Beach has a lot of cultural significance for the Hawaiian people. 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. We have considered swimming over on a calm morning from Kalalau wearing fins. The good news is that on a good clear day it results in a view that is perhaps Kauai's greatest. We didnt GPS it or anything but the open ocean swim along the rocky coast felt like a good 350-400 yards.