Hanakāpīʻai Beach is a beach in the Hawaiian islands located on Kauai’s Nāpali Coast. The beach is approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) from the start of the Kalalau Trail, a very popular hiking trail which is located at Keʻe Beach. During summer months, Hanakāpīʻai Beach’s sandy shore line is clearly visible; during winter months, dangerously powerful waves and high tides wash away the sandy shore line. The beach is remotely located with no road access. The word Hanakāpīʻai literally means “bay sprinkling food” in Hawaiian.
Hanakāpīʻai Beach is a popular tourist attraction; however, like many beaches on the Nā Pali Coast, strong rip currents, as well as high surf, dangerous shore breaks and other hazardous ocean conditions make Hanakāpīʻai Beach extremely dangerous. The Nā Pali Coast is especially treacherous because there are no major reefs to hinder potent ocean currents.
Kauai’s geography makes Hanakāpīʻai conditions even more hazardous; in the event that one gets caught in a rip current (or otherwise swept out to sea) the nearest safe shore area is approximately six miles away. There have been confirmed cases of hikers being swept away by large waves while simply wading in the water to relax themselves after the arduous two-mile hike. The currents in the region are so powerful that the bodies of at least 15 drowning victims have yet to be recovered. According to a sign posted on the beach, as of December 2008 at least 83 people have drowned at Hanakāpīʻai.
Quoted from wikipedia.com
What is it? A secluded beach
Where is it? Kalalau Trail, Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii, USA
Why go here? Strenuous hike through lush Hawaiian vegetation to a beautiful beach and a waterfall.
