Nā Pali Coast State Park
Nā Pali Coast State Park
5
About
This 15-mile coastal stretch of towering cliffs and narrow valleys in northwest Kauai is a hotspot for campers. But note: It's only accessible by hiking.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
1,982 reviews
Excellent
1,862
Very good
96
Average
13
Poor
7
Terrible
4

Brandon K
Flagstaff, AZ1,890 contributions
Aug 2023
We saw the Na Pali park on a Blue Ocean zodiac boat tour that went up and down the coast in a morning. The cliffs are enormous and you lose all sense of perspective looking up at them from the water. There are gorgeous hidden beaches and sea caves to explore as well. It can get rough out there on windy days if you take the water approach to seeing the park, but you need to get out there and see it for yourself. No words do it justice.
Written 27 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nicky Chomali
3 contributions
Feb 2023
Na Pali Coast State Park in Kauai is like a slice of paradise on Earth! Towering cliffs, green valleys, and the bluest ocean you've ever seen. You can hike there and feel like an explorer on a quest. But the real jaw-dropper? Taking a boat ride along the coast – dolphins might even say hi! 🌴🏞️🚢
Written 22 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Edward
Santa Rosa, CA1,953 contributions
Jun 2023
One of our top destinations when in Kauai was visiting the Na Pali Coast. We visited this area by hiking part of the Kalalau trail from Ha'ena State Park at the northwestern part of the island and getting close to the Na Pali coast was the one reason why we went there. The trail is long, about 10 miles to the end, and further parts of it supposedly pretty treacherous but we did not hike the whole thing as we . We hiked the more standard part, the Kalalau trail from the trailhead at Ha'ena State Park to Hanakapi'ai Beach, and then up the Hanakapi'ai stream to Hanakapi'ai Falls. To hike further along the coast, one must get a special camping permit, even if not camping, and it seem that a proper hike along that part would require camping due to the time it would take to hike.

The trail is great but can be challenging due to the frequent wet, slippery, muddy conditions. There are significant ups and downs, but really it is the puddles of mud which present the most challenge. In going up to Hanakapi'ai falls, there are several places where one must cross the stream. We were able to avoid getting in the stream by going over stones (best to do to in order to avoid fresh-water parasites, specifically leptospirosis, very prevalent in Hawaii, as one may read about in information from the state's health department), but we saw plenty of people who just decided to walk right through the water.

The falls are nice but for us the real draw was seeing the Na Pali coast to the extent that we could. Much of the trail is through rain forest with little or no view, but there are some spots with very nice views of the coast. For us, the trail between the trail head at Ha'ena and Hanakapi'ai beach ultimately took about 1 hr and 1 5 minutes. We went more slowly at the start because we were taking in the scenery and not hurrying, and we were not sure what to expect and did not want to run out of energy, etc., but then we went at a more brisk pace and easily made the time above, partly because we wanted to make sure we did not miss the last shuttle out. The hike from the beach to the falls was slightly longer each way. Depending on preference, sandals or shoes or boots will work, each with its drawbacks and good points. We just wore hiking sandals, which is what I normally hike in. Keep in mind that it is almost inevitable at some point to get feet muddy or wet.

One must reach the Na Pali Coast via the Kalalau Trail from the Ha'ena State Park at the NW end of the Kuhio Highway (the main highway on the island, which almost circumnavigates the island, except along the Na Pali Coast, for no roads run through this area). Unless a Hawaii resident, one must buy a ticket ahead of time, which will almost certainly require a ticket plus shuttle ride, especially since a hard-to-get parking permit is for only a few hours, and walk-in tickets seem to be few. We just opted for the shuttle, which we were able to schedule to pick us up from where we were staying (but you must also schedule that in advance or you must be picked up at the Waipa park-and-ride terminus of the shuttle).

One can also view portions of the Na Pali coast from the up in the mountains to the south, by driving up Waimea Canyon to lookouts and trails in Koke'e State park, which provides a view over the coast from above and inland. One must reach that via a dead-end road from the south at Waimea. Those views are also great.
Written 31 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dg2014jg
Magnolia, TX917 contributions
Mar 2023
We had absolutely gorgeous weather. We were on the Norwegian Pride of America, and the captain took the slowest possible drive by this wonderful site. Amazing.
Written 26 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TR250
15 contributions
Mar 2023
We didn't have the best weather and the boat ride was a bit wet, got rained on, twice! Still, very impressive cliffs and the history is interesting.
Written 18 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dapper Dan
Detroit, MI35 contributions
Dec 2022
Between the Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon, this has got to be some of the most beautiful scenery in the country! Be sure to take the road all the way to the end so you don’t miss any of the views!… and pay your $10 per car and $5 per person… I saw people being ticketed for not having the receipt on their dash.
Written 23 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Daniel H
Bath, United Kingdom100 contributions
Dec 2022
We did a boat tour to witness the coastline - a definite must for anyone visiting the area :) Incredible scenery and rock formations. The coastline is also popular with Spinner Dolphins and at the right time of year - whales!
Written 14 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mae F
8 contributions
Dec 2022
Just beautiful and amazing. Saw everything from the sea and will definitely be making this more of a spot to hike in the future.
Written 4 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GRZ
Chicago, IL10,071 contributions
Oct 2022
I think everyone has seen Na Pali Coast in some type of video/commercial/movie... but to see it person was just another thing!

There are 3 ways to see it:

1. air - didn't do it, helicopters aren't my thing due to "open air and heights" :) let alone the budget constrains...

2. water - we did a trip with Holo Holo (reviewed here on TA separately) - was great but the boat ride is long and does wear you down - nevertheless the trip is one to remember and I think at the very least everyone should to this one while being on Kauai - it's "affordable", you are in the comfort zone of the big boat and around people... though you can get sea sick easily - something for something

3. land - we didn't do the Kalalau Trail as that's a super intensive and super long about 20miles round trip!... but there is also another way to access at least a bit of this pictoresque area of the island - go to Waimea Canyon and continue along the road to the Koke'e State Park (reviewed both here separately); once you are there there are excellent vista points "from the top" of this magical place; Kalalau Lookout and Pu’u O Kila Lookout - "all" you need is a car to get here which is a no brainer to have while on Kauai and the drive is super easy and nice; it costs $10 USD to park + $5 per adult in the car...

TIP: no matter how you do it it's a must, it's one for the soul - I can see how sometimes like me is afraid of flying helicopters or dislikes the long boat rides... but great things in life come at great effort and here this is effort is "some" but definitely not "great" yet the reward still superb! :)
Written 1 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JDSoui
Tampa, FL6,488 contributions
Nov 2022
The views of/from the park are simply amazing. Be it from air, driving to the state park or boat, the views leave an indelible mark. The colors, features and sheer cliffs are simply breathtaking.

One call out is to check the weather - if driving to the lookout, the fog can arrive quickly. Within 15-20 minutes of arriving the fog impacted the views. Nevertheless the views are spectacular.
Written 26 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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NĀ PALI COAST STATE PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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