Hanalei, Hawaii is a small town located on the island of Kauai. There are plenty of places to visit while you’re here. You can visit the Pine Trees surf area, Waioli Beach Park, or Lumahai Beach (a popular destination for surfing and filmed for the movie “South Pacific”). You can also visit Hanalei Valley Lookout to take in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valley. Finally, you can visit the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to rare water birds.
Anini Beach
Anini Beach is one of Hanalei’s most popular beaches. It is popular with locals and has a boat ramp for deep sea fishing. The water is usually warmer than other north shore beaches. If you’re traveling with children, this beach is great for them. If you’re more adventurous, you can try windsurfing.
The beach is less crowded than Hanalei Bay. There are restrooms, picnic tables, and showers. It also has a nice pavilion with grassy areas. There’s also a boat ramp, which extends all the way to the ocean. A great place for kids to enjoy some sun and surf.
Although there’s no lifeguard on duty, Anini Beach is considered the safest beach on the North Shore. The long offshore reef makes it a safe place for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. The beach is also great for beach walks. Wind surfing is a popular activity on Anini. Windsurfing at this beach is relatively safe, but you may want to stay in the area for the highest surf.
Snorkeling at Anini Beach is great for beginners. The water stays shallow until about four feet out. The best snorkeling is on the north side, where you’ll see a ledge dropping into the deep sea.
Black Pot Beach
If you want to enjoy some beautiful Kauai scenery, you should try out Black Pot Beach, located in Hanalei Bay. The beach has been a popular hangout for many years and a park has been created there to accommodate families. Black Pot is a great place for beach fires, and it is permitted to build them on the beach. The Hanalei flood, however, washed away sand and trees, and it reduced Black Pot Beach to half its original size. However, it has been restored with new bathroom facilities and showers.
Black Pot Beach Park is a popular gathering place for the local community, and it’s packed with Kauai families on weekends. The large grassy lawn overlooking the beach offers a variety of shady spots to relax and enjoy the view. It’s also close to the Hanalei pier and waterfall-lined mountains. The park also offers surfboard and stand-up paddleboard rentals.
There is a public beach for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. The beach is accessed via the Hanalei river mouth in summer, and there is also a cement path with over 200 steps leading to the beach. It’s also a good place for picnics and beach lounging. The town of Hanalei is also close by, and has restaurants and shops.
Pu’u Poa Beach
One of the best places to go in Hanalei is Pu’u Poa Beach, which is located on the edge of Hanalei Bay, below the Princeville Resort. This stretch of sandy shore is great for snorkeling and family swimming. If you’re looking for waves, the waves beyond the reef are suitable for expert surfers. The beach is accessible by an elevator for resort guests, but visitors can also park their cars in valet parking and hike to the beach.
The beach has several spots for snorkeling and swimming. At low tide, there are plenty of tide pools, and you can find many creatures in the shallow water. During high tide, the beach becomes much narrower. You can also find some shady spots under tropical almond trees. The best times to visit this beach are early mornings and early evenings.
If you’re planning to visit the beach, it’s better to make an early reservation. Parking in Hanalei is limited, so plan your visit early. Make sure you arrive before 8am. The beach is accessible by a trail, but be aware that it is treacherous and difficult to navigate.
Hanalei Pier
If you’re planning a trip to the Hawaiian island of Kauai, one place you can’t miss is Hanalei, a small town on the north shore. The town is home to the famous Pine Trees surf area and the popular Waioli Beach Park. It also has Lumahai Beach, which was featured in the movie “South Pacific.” Other places to visit in Hanalei include Hanalei Valley Lookout, which offers beautiful views of the town and the Hanalei Mountains. In addition, Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary for rare water birds.
The town is filled with historic buildings and local businesses. Many of these stores sell local art and hand-made souvenirs. The town is also a great place to stroll and admire the view. Guests should take time to explore this charming village. It is home to several restaurants and shops.
For those who don’t want to drive, Hanalei has a public bus system that provides transportation throughout the island for a fee of $2 per ride. You can also rent a car in Hanalei to explore the area and take advantage of its many activities.
Limahuli Garden
For a unique look at the Hawaiian ecosystem, visit Limahuli Garden and Preserve. This biocultural preserve is home to rare plants and tropical forests. It is one of the most biodiverse corners of the Hawaiian islands. Explore the gardens, which include pathways leading to a breathtaking viewpoint. The garden is also home to a variety of endangered native plants and animals.
This 1,000-acre garden is a tranquil oasis on Kauai, Hawaii. It contains a wide variety of indigenous and exotic plants, including the endangered Bird of Paradise flower. Ancient lava rock terraces and ko’oko’olau can be seen throughout the garden.
Tours of the garden are conducted daily, but reservations are required. A guided tour lasts approximately two hours. It is recommended to reserve well in advance. Families with children should take advantage of the weekly family tour. This tour is recommended for families with younger children and treats the garden as an outdoor classroom.
Visitors should also make time to visit Hanalei Town, which is a beautiful center of the town. The town is home to several historic buildings, as well as shops and galleries featuring local artists. The town is a great place to shop for souvenirs and gifts.
Kalalau trail
To start your hiking adventure in Hanalei, you can park your car at the Anaina Hou Community Park, which is near the Kauai Mini Golf Course. This park has plenty of parking and is open from dawn to dusk. From there, you can begin the Kalalau trail.
The Kalalau trail is 11 miles long and winds through verdant valleys, waterfalls, and sea caves. During the winter, the trail is closed, but is open during the summer. The trail is part of the Haena State Park, which reopened on June 17, 2019. There are new rules about overnight camping and day use reservations at the state park, and visitors should be aware of them.
The Kalalau trail is a challenging trail, with exposed sections. The trail is windy and difficult to navigate, especially with a full pack. The trail winds through small valleys for about two miles before reaching the summit of Kalalau. At about half way, you’ll find a two-tier waterfall, which is a great place to take a break.
The Kalalau trail offers incredible views of the coastline, fluted cliffs, and a sea cave. There are several beaches to visit on the trail, including the Hanakapai’ai Beach, which features a sea cave. A six-mile-long, 300-foot waterfall is also accessible on the trail. To camp at the waterfall, you must have a camping permit. You should also bring plenty of water, hiking shoes, and a camera.
Tahiti Nui
If you want to try some of the local fare, you should visit the Hawaiian Seafood Cafe. The cafe offers a variety of seafood dishes and salads, and has a bar with live Hawaiian music nightly. It also offers a great view of the ocean.
The restaurant is the oldest in the town, and it was featured in the George Clooney movie, The Descendants. You don’t need a reservation to eat here, and the menu is authentic. You can even build your own pizza! This spot is popular with locals and tourists alike.
Another great place to grab a bite is the Hanalei Luau Café, which hosts a famous luau every Tuesday and Wednesday. The menu features macadamia nut-crusted chicken, liliko’i, and a delicious green juice cocktail.
Tahiti Nui also features a wine bar that shares a wall with the restaurant. Open every night, except for Sundays, the wine bar has over 50 different wines and features new wines each week. The menu offers local and international dishes, such as macadamia-nut-crusted fish and a tapas-style menu with island ingredients. Pizzas are available with ingredients ranging from Kalua pork to pineapple. Some even have barbeque sauce and ham.
