Na'Pali Coast: An Adventurer's Paradise

 How would you imagine paradise?

Would blue and turquoise waves, huge mountains, hidden lagunes, waterfalls and green visages do? The islands of Hawaii have been called a tropical paradise for very good reasons. This area, in particular, called 'NÄ Pali' (literally: 'The Cliffs') is found along the north-west coastline of the island of Kaua’i.

This place is so beautiful, it is regarded as a paradise even within by the inhabitants of this tropical heaven.

Seen here is the iconic landmark Honopū Valley which is within Nā Pali Coast State Park along the northwest shore of Kaua’i, Hawaii. It’s known for its distinctive 90 feet (27 m) tall natural arch which is the tallest in Hawaii.

A huge hole in the lava along Nā Pali coast.

Dramatic Hawaiian scenery: Nā Pali Coastline.

“Nā Pali Coast State Park encompasses 6,175 acres (2,499 ha) of land and is located in the center of these 16 miles (26 km) along the northwest side of Kaua’i, the oldest inhabited Hawaiian island.” This rugged coastline on the shore of Kaua’i literally means “the Cliffs.”

Fire on the Nā Pali coast.

Rainforest near Hanalei Bay, Kaua’i, Hawaii.

Kaua’i – Helicopter Tour, Nā Pali Coast – Honopū Arch and Honopū Beach. For people who want to see scenic Nā Pali from other than a helicopter, you can get out in nature to camp, hike, bike, kayak, para-sail, hang-glide, para-glide, windsurf, farm taro, surf, snorkel, dive, suntan or walk along the beach paradise.

Views like this incite spring fever and a thirst for getting out in nature and heading full-speed ahead to the gorgeous waters.

Remember in the movie Jurassic Park when the helicopter landed near the falls at the very beginning and then later picked up the survivors? Mana Waipuna Waterfall is where some of Jurassic Park was filmed.

Nā Pali Coast Waterfall Cave.

Kaua’i: Aerial view of Nā Pali. Much of Nā Pali Coast is inaccessible. Its characteristic sheer cliffs drop 4,000 feet (1200 m) straight down into the ocean.

While at Nā Pali Coast State Park, adventurers always check out Honopū Beach. Honopū means "conch shell", and the valley’s name is derived from the conch shell-like sound its arch makes when hit by winds from the north.”

Colorful kayaks resting on the shore.

Waterfall over the sea cave.

Inside Napali Sea Cave, which was formed by giant crashing waves attacking the coastal cliffs

Out of the way little place.

Spouting Horn, located on the southern coast of Kaua’i. Water comes out when a big wave hits and splashes up to 50 meters up in the air.

A view of the Nā Pali Coast from the ocean.

Double rainbow over Hanalei River Valley.

Looking inward into the land.

Beautiful Rainbow over the coast.

The Kalalau Trail, which DailyVenture described as “Coming around the bend is Hanakapi’ai Beach then Ke’e Beach where the road ends (or begins, from our point of view). This is also the trailhead of the Kalalau Trail. Winding along the cliffs, through valleys and over streams, the Kalalau Trail is a rugged 11-mile (18 km) trek to Kalalau Beach. It takes 4 – 8 hours to do it, depending on speed and experience. In certain aerial photos the trail is visible, razor-sliced into the ridges in bright red strokes.” Photo #23 by Matt Wright

Napali Coast, Garden Isle of Kaua’i. “The Kalalau Valley is located on the northwest side of the island of Kaua’i in the state of Hawaii. The valley is located in the Nā Pali Coast State Park and houses the beautiful Kalalau Beach. The Nā Pali Coast is very rugged and is inaccessible to automobiles. The only legal ways to access the valley are by kayak or by hiking the Kalalau Trail. The valley is renowned for its natural beauty; it is surrounded by lush cliffs more than 2,000 feet (610 m) high.”

Kaua’i – Helicopter Tour — Nā Pali Coast – Cathedral Cliffs. The secluded, 0.25-mile (0.40 km) Cathedral Beach and the cliffs make up the other end of the Honopū valley.

The photographer wrote, “Overlooking the Kalalau Valley and the eroded, green cliffs of the Nā Pali Coast in late-afternoon light. Hikers and backpackers camp in Kalalau Valley. Both the Beach and Valley are genuinely natural Kaua’i.”

Hanakapiai Beach.

Nā Pali Coast is a slice of isolated, tropical paradise.

Honopū Valley is so fertile, “a castaway could survive there simply on the large amount of wild fruit, such as guavas and grapefruit, that grow along its coast.”

Rainbow over Nā Pali Coast taken from the top of the Waimea Canyon. Be prepared to get wet on the panoramic island and tropical forests of Kaua’i. But those heavy rainfalls swell the magnificent waterfalls along the rugged coastline.

Nā Pali History - A Natural Fortress: “Because of the remote location of the coastline, only accessible by water or strenuous foot trails, the people that lived in these valleys were well protected. Outrigger canoes provided convenient travel by water in the summertime’s small surf. Over hundreds of years, Polynesians, and eventually the Tahitians, migrated to Nā Pali by canoe, bringing influences that became the basis of Hawaiian culture. Outrigger canoes are still a part of Hawaiian culture today.”

Incoming tide.

Nā Pali panorama. Honopū Valley, “As the valley is so hidden and isolated, it is believed to be spiritual: it is a place of temples and burial grounds and the source of many Hawaiian legends and myths. The burial site for the local chiefs was located on the surrounding cliffs. It was believed that once a chief died, his bones held a supernatural power, and if found by others, they could be used against the chief’s tribe. When chiefs 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.”

From the river to the seacoast.

Hāʻena Point: “Hāʻena State Park is a state park located on the north shore of the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i. It is often referred to as the “end of the road” and marks the end point of the Kuhio Highway. The park provides access to beaches, trails, and several ancient Hawaiian sites, including sea caves estimated to be more than 4,000 years old.”

Changing attires to an orange evening...