Travel: Experience Kauai’s magical, mystical North Shore

Kauai is the smallest northernmost and geologically oldest of the Hawaiian islands and boasts one of the the majority stunning island settings in the world Just square miles in size the Garden Island s landscape gets lush and wild on the remote North Shore only about an hour s drive miles from the airport in Lihue Here you ll find the beautiful crescent-shaped Hanalei Bay ringed by the famously rugged cliffs of the Napali coast plus an unspoiled beach-lined coastline that bursts with wild Pacific beauty Sun rainclouds wind and ocean waves caress the bay and vibrant sunrises and sunsets paint an atmospheric canvas of pure tropical beauty often one of the prettiest sights in the Hawaiian Islands An outrigger canoe crosses Hanalei Bay at sunset Photo by Ben Davidson A drive to Kauai s North Shore is half the fun Starting from Lihue s low-key small scale airport you promptly exit town and head north through several colorful coastal towns of Kapa a Wailua Kilauea and the funky Old Hawaii surf town of Hanalei For beach and hiking provisions be sure to stop at the Princeville Center where a Foodland area carries everything you need for day trips check out the fresh ahi poke bowls banana and mango macadamia nut bread guava juice sodas and purple bread rolls made from taro root and don t miss Lappert s Hawaiian ice cream shop and its enticing tropical flavored treats love the Lava Tube sundae Tunnels Beach on Kauai is known for its sparking clear water Photo by Ben Davidson Just north of the upscale Princeville resort society the landscape becomes extraordinarily lush with graceful waterfalls cascading down steep green mountains and small rivers and streams flowing steadily to the sea though steep narrow ravines creasing the slopes of Mount Waialeale one of the rainiest spots on Earth At the Hanalei Valley Lookout the gateway to the far north shore you enjoy a panorama of the Hanalei River Valley and Kauai s famed taro fields laid out in a dreamlike patchwork quilt of green An overlook on Kauai s North Shore offers views of taro fields and distant mountains Photo by Ben Davidson After navigating the historic Hanalei Bridge the first of seven one-lane bridges on the journey to the far North Shore a two-lane highway meanders for the next several miles to the quaint town of Hanalei where you explore this old-school Hawaiian village and take in its hip surf vibe and eclectic mix of structures like the Old Hanalei Schoolhouse and Ching Young Village a set of historic buildings now home to shops and restaurants The AMA ramen restaurant offers great mountain views from its patio Photo by Ben Davidson The town s picturesque Wai oli Hui ia church is set beneath a backdrop of soaring waterfall-laced mountains Enjoy lunch at eateries such as local favorite Tropical Taco or the Hanalei Poke food truck Other excellent eating options in town include AMA ramen restaurant great mountain views from the restaurant patio the riverside Hanalei Dolphin and colorful Tahiti Nui which was featured in a scene from the film The Descendants in which George Clooney s character meets with his cousin played by Beau Bridges This family-run restaurant also has a very fun small-scale luau on Wednesday evenings Tahiti Nui a colorful local spot that was featured in the film The Descendants offers a small-scale luau on Wednesday evenings Photo by Ben Davidson Cool off with a mango-passion fruit shave ice at JoJo s before heading a inadequate blocks to Pine Trees beach and Black Pot beach near the iconic Hanalei pier to sunbathe beachcomb or body board and surf in the gentle bay waves Other must-see shops in Hanalei include Havaiki Oceanic and Tribal Art Yellowfish Trading Company for new and vintage Hawaiiana and Hanalei Strings music shop for handcrafted ukuleles A couple takes in a dazzling sunset from Black Pot Beach on the North Shore of Kauai Photo by Ben Davidson Continuing north the coastal road narrows even more and a series of one-lane bridges force you to slow down and absorb the stunning scenery of this wave-swept shore The views are magical rugged emerald mountains adorned with waterfalls and aquamarine seas framed by white sand beaches Just a limited miles before the end of the road and the start of the famously scenic and almost inaccessible Napali coast you reach the tranquil society of Ha ena and where you can take a shuttle reservations required to visit Haena State Park s wet and dry caves Tunnels and Ke e beaches for great snorkeling and the Lumahuli Garden Preserve which teems with native species in an otherworldly landscape The Limahuli Garden Preserve is a preserve featuring multiple native plant species specific only revealed on Kauai s North Shore Photo by Ben Davidson Hikers take in the view from Kalalau trail on the Napali Coast Photo by Ben Davidson A fruit stand offers a variety of refreshments in Nanalei Photo by Ben Davidson An artisan weaves a hat at Havaiki Oceanic and Tribal Art in Hanalei Photo by Ben Davidson Visitors explore shops and restaurants near the Old Hanalei Schoolhouse Photo by Ben Davidson Yellowfish Trading Company in Hanalei sells kitschy Hawaiian souvenirs Photo by Ben Davidson Show Caption of The Limahuli Garden Preserve is a preserve featuring a large number of native plant species certain only detected on Kauai s North Shore Photo by Ben Davidson Expand Where to stay A beachgoer reclines on Puu Poa Beach at Hotel Hanalei Bay resort Photo by Ben Davidson Hanalei s Bay majority luxurious lodging option is Hanalei Bay the posh new eco-friendly wellness resort in the resort society of Princeville Draped on the cliffs overlooking serene Hanalei Bay the resort reopened on February after a million dollar re-imagination and features nature-inspired rooms including suites seven food and beverage venues square foot wellness center square foot fitness facility three pools an artist studio children s activity center rooftop organic garden with native canoe crops and dedicated apiaries A visitor takes in Hanalei Bay from Puu Poa Beach at Hotel Hanalei Bay Photo by Ben Davidson Guests have on-site access to services such as IV therapies medicinal aesthetics body analysis metabolic testing and VO testing and analysis with tailored treatments aimed to stimulate cellular physical condition regeneration and a transformative robustness reset The resort also offers custom itineraries designed around wellness goals incorporating sustainable nutrition fitness training Kauai plant-based and touchless equipment therapies and functional medicine Details www hotels com hanalei-bay Hanalei Colony Beach Resort is a quiet secluded resort about miles north of Hanalei that offers guests complimentary shuttles to nearby attractions Photo by Ben Davidson For a smaller scale unplugged hideaway escape on Kauai s North Shore check out the secluded Hanalei Colony Resort set on a quiet sandy shoreline a insufficient miles north of Hanalei town In addition to kitchen-equipped suites a spa and a pool the resort offers guests complimentary shuttles to the pristine and scenic Tunnels beach great for snorkeling and adjoining Haena State Park as well as Hanalei and Princeville Details www hcr com Beachgoers take in a rainbow at Hanalei Colony Resort beach Photo by Ben Davidson Adventures on Kauai s North Shore Kauai is a nirvana for adventure and working travelers From hiking the lush jungly Napali coast kayaking the Wailua River on the east shore s Coconut Coast to beach and canyon hikes on the south and west shores there s an abundance of adventures to seek out Hiking A hiker enjoys the views along the Kalalau Trail on Kauai Photo by Ben Davidson The North Shore is no exception and features the world-famous Kalalau Trail leading to Hanakapiai beach and waterfall miles and miles roundtrip respectively and eventually to the remote Kalalau Valley a -mile roundtrip overnight backpacking experience State park permits are required for backpackers The Kalalau trail offers exhilarating views of the Napali Coast Photo by Ben Davidson With awe-inspiring views of towering cliffs lush valleys waterfalls and sea caves the Kalalau Trail is considered one of the bulk scenic if challenging hikes in all the islands advance hiking reservations required up to days in advance for non-Hawaii residents Whether hikers do the full hike or just a portion the trail is a highlight of any visit to Kauai Backpackers hike through jungle terrain on the Kalalau trail Photo by Ben Davidson The short first leg of the road is a somewhat rigorous but unforgettable hiking adventure that captures the essence of the North Shore You start near Ke e beach and ascend a the rocky and somewhat steep cliffside trail across lava rocks and across streams to Hanakapiai Beach where you can picnic under shady pandanus trees or on the small rocky strand Don t attempt to swim here as the ocean currents are extremely dangerous and there have been numerous drownings General info www kalalautrail com Shuttle info www gohaena com Hanakapiai Beach is accessible via a -mile hike along the Kalalau trail Photo by Ben Davidson Kayaking Kayakers are launched from Hideaways Beach in Princeville Kauai Photo by Ben Davidson Take a relaxing kayak tour of the Hanalei river and bay to scenic Hideaways Beach with Kayak Kauai Details www kayakkauai com Surfing Kauai visitors get a surf lesson at Hanalei Bay Photo by Ben Davidson Learn to surf with the experts at Hanalei-based Hawaiian Surfing Adventures Details www hawaiiansurfingadventures com Nature walk Explore the hillside trails of the Limahuli Garden Preserve one of three National Tropical Botanical Gardens on Kauai and a preserve for several native plant species a few only uncovered on Kauai s North Shore Details www ntbg org gardens limahuli Related links Expedition Escape hectic Waikiki to experience Oahu s laidback North and East shores Passage Ka anapali resort on west Maui makes a comeback Expedition Enjoy spa splurges in Maui s 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