The land on Honopu Valley is highly fertile, making it a great base for communities and even castaways! You can also encounter waterfalls and sand dunes on the main part of the beach. This discovery supported claims regarding native tribes having lived in the area in the mid-19th century. 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. Honopu actually consists of two beaches, which are backed by majestic 1200-foot (365 m) high sea cliffs and separated by the Honopu arch. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. It can be difficult to find, but it is definitely worth the effort! Its said that, to this day, the bones of these warriors can be found in the sand dunes, underneath the cliffs, after being exposed to heavy rains or winds. So if youre looking for a peaceful and picturesque beach to relax on, Honopu Beach is the place for you! I understand we have to swim to shore from the boat. On one side a waterfall flows onto the beach from Honopu Valley, while sand dunes can be found on both sides. In fact, thats what happened in Nualolo is probably steeper going down than Honopu; though Honopu does have some very steep areas. WebAdd Honopu Beach, on Kauais Na Pali Coast, to the list of the worlds most beautiful and most dramatic beaches. On one side a waterfall flows onto the beach from Honopu Valley, while sand dunes can be found on both sides. Tour boats and catamarans glide through the white caps. Get more stories delivered right to your email. (808) 338-9980 These spots are better appreciated through a helicopter tour or a boat cruise through the Na Pali Coast. 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,. The name Honopu means conch shell in Hawaiian, because of the sound the northerly winds make when they blow through the arch. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu. We point out the most famous sea cave along the way, the Open Ceiling Cave. A dramatic arch in the cliff connects two white-sand beaches, with a waterfall nearby. 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. 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. However, these have been omitted from this website for the best online experience for our visitors. These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. The top of the valley can be accessed by a variety of hikes as well if youre in for the challenge. All Rights Reserved. Overall though, we feel the trail is fairly easy to follow and is well marked. The land on Honopu Valley is highly fertile, making it a great base for communities and even castaways! Daily, 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. After coming out on a tour it can be fun to watch these movies, even if you have seen them before, but this time with a bit of reference to point out the locations made out to be everywhere but Kauai. The Original Niihau + Napali Coast Boat Tour. Another interesting feature of Honopu Beach is the picturesque waterfall that falls from one of the rocks. 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. 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. This made the swim to Honopu that much longer and it made having a snorkel and fins that much more important. document.getElementById('rat').value=selectedVal; It is the largest natural arch in Hawaii and What a day! Click here to Recently Voted the Best Boat Tour in the US! It could be some time before I ever come back here. WebHonopu actually consists of two beaches, which are backed by majestic 1200-foot (365 m) high sea cliffs and separated by the Honopu arch. Makana Charters Thanks. One of the first prominent beaches is Milolii, about four miles northeast of Polihale Beach, and the westernmost and driest valley of the Napali Coast State Park. Many other movies have been filmed here. if (field.value.length > maxlimit) However, make sure you have the stamina to take this route to get to Honopu Beach its deemed as the most difficult beach to reach in Kauai, with Only the strongest, most ocean-hardened swimmers attempting to reach it by swimming. All of the rubblethat breaks off gets washed away leaving this clean edge between sand and cliff. The views from the end of the second portion of the trail are fantastic, and they won't get much better further out. So if youre looking for a peaceful and picturesque beach to relax on, this beach is the place for you! Click here to Recently Voted the Best Boat Tour in the US! WebA Bit of History for Your Na Pali Coast Tour Honopu Beach. Holo Holo means to explore, to travel, and to go! As if Honopu Beach couldnt get more breathtaking, theres also a waterfall here. In fact, thats what happened in 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. WebThe beach guests can visit the two parts of the beach thanks to the small natural arch formed in the rock. 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. el.style.display = 'inline'; Longitude: -159.6480865. Sticks and branches are often laid across the wrong trails, so watch for them. If you come with us and feel that deja v, it is probably because you have seen it, in Hollywood movies. The dykes act as aquifers and store water. Tour boats and catamarans glide through the white caps. Honopu beach and valley have been made famous by several feature films. Our fun team is passionate about creating incredible adventures in document.getElementById('rat').value="1"; var image; Suite 5A 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. function show(star_img,rnid) WebHonop Valley and Beach sit along the northwest shore of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, on the Na Pali coast. Kauai Sea Tours has been providing award-winning tours since 1991. lc=rid; ~ Trusted by Millions of Hawaii Visitors Annually ~. Honopu Beach is one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches on Kauai. We have considered swimming over on a calm morning from Kalalau wearing fins. Book Now Learn More Snorkel + Sail From $210 Napali Snorkel Sail function noshow(star_img,rnid) We did not linger under the arch for very long. function form_visible(){ - 8:00p.m. 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. Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time. for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { This Jurassic-like wonderland features two coves, separated by a massive rock arch, and is set against towering 1,200-foot sea cliffs. WebAdd Honopu Beach, on Kauais Na Pali Coast, to the list of the worlds most beautiful and most dramatic beaches. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Very Good"; 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. 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. Sponsored Content >. Many Hawaiian myths and legends tell of this area, and it is also a place of ancient burial grounds for local chiefs. Port Allen Marina Center But if there was one location that has seen more action than anywhere else, it is probably Honopu. "@id": "https://www.napaliriders.com/a-complete-guide-to-honopu-beach/" Being burial grounds for Hawaiian royalty, its essential that you remain sensitive to your surroundings while visiting the beach. The crew was knowledgeable and helpful. Over the years, weve earned ten consecutive TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards. Friends, winning the title of#1Best Boat Tour in America is a major affirmation that 1.) Explore the beauty and adventure on one of our Kauai boat tours to the Napali Coast, Niihau and Lehua Crater. We didnt GPS it or anything but the open ocean swim along the rocky coast felt like a good 350-400 yards. Hiking along the shore from Haena Beach Park to Tunnels to Ke'e and back would also be a beautiful and rewarding experience. Boats (including kayaks) are not allowed toland here. The only way to get to Honopu is by swimming, either from Kalalau Beach or from a boat. If you find yourself at a stream bed (the left fork), go back and take the other fork which continues out onto the ridge. } var b = document.getElementById('t0'); A Guide to Honopu Valley and Beach in Kauai. document.getElementById('rat').value="2"; Mailing: PO Box 50940, Eleele, HI 96705 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). You'll receive your first newsletter soon! document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML="Good"; Trying to reach Honopu Beach is an adventure that is certainly not for everyone. We had to be mindful of time so that we could swim back to Kalalau Beach before the wind came and ocean current picked up. 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. This story was last modified on September 14, 2015. In olden times, it was believed that once a chief died, their bones were collected and taken to the cliffs, and the warrior who transported the bones had to die in order to ensure the secrecy of the location of the bones. 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. This cliff is easily distinguished, as it hosts radar and tracking equipment and cellular phone sites you can see from a distance. Native Hawaiians began abandoning their culture and simple lifestyle and eventually moved to more populated communities on Kauai to take advantage of emerging opportunities. The guys were great and personable. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; There are large waves that crash against cliffs, strong rip currents, and around 400 yards of swimming. if(i<= selectedVal) They were very knowledgeable and we learned a lot of information about the island and the sea life. 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. With swim fins and snorkels in hand, we prepared for a long swim to a secluded beach. So for me, being surrounded by a bunch of confident swimmers was very comforting. Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. 5.8k Views. for (var i=1; i<=5; i++) { } else { Honopu means "conch shell" in Hawaiian. 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. 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. "dateModified": "2022-10-21" We invite you to go the distance and experience the adventure of a lifetime. var el = document.getElementById('sf'); Travel in comfort and style to dramatic locations around Kauai and Hawaiis Forbidden Island of Niihau off uninhabited Lehua Crater. (That spec at the bottom the photo is a person.). Remnants of Hawaiian life can still be found in this area, including a rope ladder that connected the beach to the valley. Our destination wasHonopu Beach, one of the most incredible beaches in Hawaii. The experienced travelers, who often recover on the nearby coastal stretches, know that you can get to the beach not only by sea. At approximately 90 feet tall, the Honopu Valley is considered the tallest peak in Kauai. field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxlimit); "@type": "BlogPosting", 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. Over the years, weve earned ten consecutive TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards. It can be difficult to find, but it is definitely worth the effort! 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. Around the corner is a large waterfall, cascading down the sea cliff, through the arch and into the ocean. Honopu means "conch shell" in Hawaiian. shows = 1; A lot of people, though they might bestrong, can get panic attacks when swimming in the open ocean. else 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. This is just as well since Honopu is most definitely sacred. } Honopu Valley has been called the Valley of the Lost Tribe as it was the last rumored refuge of the Menehune on Kauai. "image": "https://www.napaliriders.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/IMG_9585.jpg", The remote beach features a 90-foot natural arch in the middle that is large enough to fly a helicopter through. | Web usage privacy. The next valley and cliff are known as Awaawapuhi, it is a great valley with a stream at the bottom. The erroneous legend endures up to this day, but the isolated valley is also widely believed among locals to be a place of temples and a burial site for the islands chiefs. 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. Over the years, weve earned ten consecutive TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards. We soaked in our surrounds before making our way to the arch. It was imperative to bury a chiefs remains in a secret location because it was believed that the mana contained within could be used against the tribe if discovered by the wrong people. In our opinion, it is one of the best though roughest hikes on Kauai. There are three major parts of the trail. The stories on this website are provided for entertainment and informational purposes only. So would walking the 4 miile And while all of Hawaiis beaches are gorgeous in their own way, some are certainly prettier than others. selectedVal = '4'; A, Why Your Kauai Vacation Needs a Raft Tour, 9600 Kaumuali'i Highway Waimea, HI 96796. The sailing was especially a fun experience. selectedVal = '2'; The beach can easily be seen from a distance on Na Pali Coast boat and helicopter tours. (See pre-landslide views of Kalalau Beach.) Port Allen Physical: 4353 Waialo Road, Suite 5A, Eleele, HI 96705, Hanalei Physical: 5-5134 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714. It is the largest natural arch in Hawaii and While the trail is pretty short, it is no longer maintained by the park (due to Hurricane Iniki damage way back in 1992 and Hurricane Iwa in 1982) - so prepare to bushwack; the ferns are especially brutal on the legs if you're not prepared. Breakfast, lunch, and beverages are included in this action-packed adventure for the whole family. WebHonopu Arch is one of the most amazing sights you will see along the Napali Coast. So to get here, one must swim. Hello does the boat take you to the island? } { 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 can be difficult to find, but it is definitely worth the effort! If your resources allow, we recommend putting a cruise through Na Pali Coast on top of your Kauai bucket list, so you may catch a glimpse of the valleys grandness. With the rugged scenery, waterfalls, beaches, and much more, it is easy to see why. "@type": "WebPage", Another name for the beach is Cathedral Beach because of its spectacular, soaring appearance. 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. Its no question why Honopu Valley and Beach is listed as one of the worlds most beautiful and dramatic spots. 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. It is estimated that life along the Napali began to change in the 1800s and early 1900s, as foreigners began frequenting the islands and introducing new ways of living. Providing the safest, most unique, and memorable ocean experience available. Book Now Learn More Snorkel + Sail From $210 Napali Snorkel Sail 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. Honopu Beach was once a popular spot for filming movies and TV shows, including South Pacific and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.. 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. There are many myths surrounding this unique scar, but it is mostly credited to the volcano goddess, Pele, leaving her volcanic signature. 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. 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. Being the best company to be a part of and work for. WebHonop Valley and Beach sit along the northwest shore of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, on the Na Pali coast. , while some involve tales of the supernatural as it served as burial grounds for Hawaiian chiefs in the past. One could survive in the area simply on the large amount of wild fruit, such as guavas and grapefruit that grows along its coast. Tour boats and catamarans glide through the white caps. although you can not land on the beach, it is still enjoyable getting real close and taking in how majestic Honopu is.