North Shore

Kauai's North Shore is a captivating multitude of rugged mountains, sparkling waterfalls, verdant green fields, idyllic beaches, attractive coastlines, and impressive sea cliffs. The north Shore beaches are excellent for snorkelling and diving in the summer, offering turtles, teeming fish and calm clear waters. During the winter, wind and waves make it undesirable for underwater sports, but brilliant for Surfing!

Accommodation on the north shore ranges from historic bed & breakfasts, incredible and secluded rental homes, splendid cottages, delightful inns, and luxurious resorts.

North Shore Dive sites include:

Kee Lagoon: A snorkeling site and beginner shore dive. The well-known Kalalau Trail begins at the western end of Kee beach. Not recommended in the winter months owing to high surf. Depths are to 15ft.

Anini Beach: A snorkeling site and beginner shore dive. The water on one side of the beach is just four feet deep and slowly cascades to more than a 100 foot depth on the other side. This beach is one of the safest and most protected along the North Shore. A fringed reef runs the whole length of beach and is Hawaii's longest reef.  Not recommended in the winter months owing to high surf.

Tunnels Reef: Tunnels Reef is an advanced dive site, with fantastic underwater sights. There is a shallow lava shelf to be negotiated, but once over the edge, you'll find lava tubes in the deeper water. It is recommended to have a guide with you before attempting this dive for the first time.

Hanalei Bay is the largest bay on Kauai and has a beautiful half moon shaped stretch of white sand. The beach stretches for around two miles and is bounded by the Hanalei River to the east and the Waipa River to the west. There are large coral reefs at both ends of the bay and every ocean recreation activity you can think of is offered, from boating and windsurfing, to kayaking up the calm Hanalei River. The bay is very popular with serious surfers. There is a public boat ramp and pier. The pier was originally built in 1892, but after Hurricane Iniki in 1992, it was rebuilt with concrete. The pier featured in the film ‘South Pacific’ back in the fifties.

The landmark Maniniholo Dry Cave is located at the Haena State Park at Haena; cutting several hundred yards into the base of the upright cliff Mauka. On entering the cave you will see the little rooms to the right and secreted recesses to the back. The high roof of the cavern lowers as you walk to the back of the cave, which decreases in size to ultimately open at a small opening at the top of the cliff. Further down the coast there is Waikapalae Wet Cave and Waikanaloa Wet Cave near Haena. The series of caves are around a 15 minute drive from Hanalei Town and on the way to Kee Beach.

Waioli Mission House is another Hanalei landmark, it is located between Lihue and Haena in the Hanalei Valley. In 1837 it was constructed using coral limestone blocks. It was restored in 1921 and restoration is ongoing, depicting life as it was over 150 years ago. Waioli Mission Hall and the charming Waioli Huia Church (founded in 1834) are in close proximity.

The Hanalei Valley Lookout is located  off Highway 56, giving panoramic views of the Kauai landscape. It is here the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge covering an area of 917 acres has been established to protect endangered and other birds. On the valley floor, there is a one way truss bridge that was constructed in 1912. In 1957 the bridge was damaged by a tsunami and had to be reinforced.

Kilauea Point including Mokolea Point and Crater Hill is the ideal spot to observe nesting seabirds, it is northernmost point in the main Hawaiian Islands. For birdwatchers, it is. The refuge covers around 300 acres of coastal cliffs and hillside and is home to many different species of seabirds. The refuge is open to the public daily, apart from on public holidays, and visitors have admission to the lighthouse and surrounding area. The rest of the refuge together with Mokolea Point and Crater Hill are off limits as they are sensitive to disturbance.

Guided hikes are available many times a week, including a visit to the Red-footed Booby colony and two overlook points on Crater Hill. While the refuge is around 300 acres, the areas permitted to visitor’s covers only a few acres.

The rugged Napali Coastline stretches for around 17 miles, where the cliffs begins at Kee beach and continue around the north and west area of Kauai, ending at Polihale Beach. They extend upwards of 1000 feet and consist of a series of ‘hanging’ and traditional valleys and cliffs. A hanging valley is one that ends suddenly at a sea cliff as opposed to gently stretching out into the Ocean. Many sea caves, small beaches and high waterfalls contribute to this magnificent and unique landscape. The area is often shrouded in clouds by the afternoon, the best viewing is generally in the early morning when Pods of dolphins can often be seen swimming around the area.

There are many ways to travel along the Coastline during the summer months, countless boat tours, catamarans, kayaks and rafts are available. You could always view the Coastline from the air by Helicopter or small fixed wing aircraft . Another way to explore is to hike the eleven mile Kalalau trail, weather permitting and State permits (from the State of Hawaii DLNR in Lihue) are a requisite if camping overnight and hiking past Hanakapiai. This trail requires stamina, there are lots of vertical and often slippery parts.

The Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is  a sanctuary for nesting seabirds. It is located at the northern tip of Kauai on a peninsula 200ft above the Ocean. Large winged birds fly boisturously through the sky above the refuge, many landing on a small nearby island covering it completely. Signs throughout the refuge identify the different species that nest on there. A striking lighthouse is sited on the refuge, built in 1913 its beacon has been replaced with an automatic light.