Hanakapiai
Kapaa, Hawaii
Hike and Swim
Hanakapiai Beach is nestled in the Napali Coast and accessible mainly via the Kalalau Trail. It's is approximately 2 miles from the start of the Kalalau Trail, however beware it's not for novice hikers. At the beach you can take another trail to Hanakapiai Falls, a fantastic waterfall or continue on along the famous Kalalau.
More Information
Add ResourceBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read MoreDirections
From Kapaa, Hawaii
- Head southeast on Kaapuni Rd (0.7 mi)
- Continue straight onto State Hwy 581/Olohena Rd (0.6 mi)
- At the traffic circle, continue straight onto Olohena Rd (0.1 mi)
- Turn left onto Lehua St (0.3 mi)
- Turn left onto HI-56 N (19.4 mi)
- Continue onto HI-560 W (10.2 mi)
At the two mile mark of the Kalalau Trail, along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, you will reach Hanakapiai Beach and Hanakapiai Valley.
Other Swimming Holes and Hiking Trails Nearby
Ke'e Beach
Kapaa, Hawaii
1.4 miles NELocated literally at the end of the road, Ke'e Beach is probably the most visited beach on Kauai. The famed Kalalau Trail begins at the western end of the beach. Several movies and min-series...
SwimKauai Area
Kalaheo, Hawaii
9.5 miles SSwim near Kalaheo, Hawaii
SwimKilauea Bay
Kilauea, Hawaii
12.1 miles EThis bay is where the Kilauea stream meets the ocean. The beach here is Kahili Beach and is a poplar surfing spot. The bay is calm and a good fishing or kayaking spot. The stream has a slow current,...
SwimPoli'Hale Beach
Waimea, Hawaii
13.8 miles SWPolihale Beach is by far the longest stretch of beach in the state of Hawaii. Polihale Beach and State Park is located at the end of Highway 50 and is accessed down a unpaved old cane haul road....
SwimFantasy Island Wailua Falls
Kapaa, Hawaii
17.3 miles SEWailua Falls is a very large, 173 Foot, waterfall located on the Island of Kauai. The water from the falls feeds into the Wailua River. People often swim in the pools below the falls. There are two...
HikeKekaha Beach
Kekaha, Hawaii
18.3 miles SWLocated along Kaumualii Highway on the southwestern shore of Kauai, Kekaha Beach Park is a good place for a long beach stroll. Starting from here and going north, it's 15 miles of uninterrupted...
SwimWailua Falls
Kapaa, Hawaii
18.4 miles SEThis majestic, 80-foot tiered waterfall is located close to the roadside lookout for everyone to enjoy. The falls was made famous when it was featured in the opening scene of the popular television...
HikeNounou / Sleeping Giant
Kapaa, Hawaii
19.0 miles SEThe 2 mile Nounou Trail begins at the East side of the mountain and rises 1000 feet up to the peak. At the peak, you'll find a sheltered picnic area and some of the best views of...
HikeLydgate Beach Park
Lihue, Hawaii
20.4 miles SELydgate Beach Park is one of the most popular beach parks on Kauai's east shore. The park's main attraction is the large, double-sectioned pool on the northern end of the beach that is...
Camp, SwimSwinging Bridges
Hanapepe, Hawaii
20.4 miles SThis hike through Waihe'e Valley is often referred to as the "Swinging Bridges" hike. A little over a mile along the path, we came to the first of two plank-and-cable bridges that we would have...
SwimHanapepe Valley
Eleele, Hawaii
20.5 miles SThe glory days of Hanapepe may be over but it is still the "biggest little town" on the South Shore. The town was started by Chinese rice farmers in the late 1800's. It was the only town that...
HikeAllerton's Beach
Koloa, Hawaii
22.9 miles SThis beach is a favorite for surfers. When the water is calm, snorkeling can be really nice (usually in the winter). Shore is small and narrow and thus not a good beach for shore activities. Some...
SwimSpouting Horn
Koloa, Hawaii
23.3 miles SThis natural wonder occurs water rushes under a lava shelf and bursts through a small opening at the surface. Every wave produces another spray. Spouting Horn frequently spurts salt water 50 feet...
SwimNawiliwili
Lihue, Hawaii
24.0 miles SENawiliwili Beach Park is a beach park and port on the south-east coast of the island of Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands. It is located on NÄwiliwili Bay, about 1.9 miles (3.1 km) south of...
SwimMaha'ulepu
Koloa, Hawaii
25.0 miles SEAs the last accessible undeveloped coastline on the south shore of Kaua`i, Maha`ulepu is a quiet retreat, a place to get away from the crowds at popular resort beaches. Residents and their families...
SwimMakawehi Point
Koloa, Hawaii
25.3 miles SELocated next to Shipwreck Beach in South Kauai, these ancient limestone sea cliffs have been virtually sandblasted by a combination of wind, salt and water over millions of years.
SwimNearby Campsites
Wainiha Beach Park
Kapaa, Hawaii
3.7 miles EWainiha means "unfriendly water" in the Hawaiian language. Wainiha Beach is one of the few Kauai beaches that is off limits to swimming at all times of the year. The beach has no reef to shelter it...
CampLydgate Beach Park
Lihue, Hawaii
20.4 miles SELydgate Beach Park is one of the most popular beach parks on Kauai's east shore. The park's main attraction is the large, double-sectioned pool on the northern end of the beach that is...
Camp, SwimPoipu Beach Park
Koloa, Hawaii
24.9 miles SKauai’s alluring southern coastline features a series of unusual reef formations and white sand beaches, each with its own shoreline environment. Swimming, boogie boarding, surfing, snorkeling...
Camp