Hiking To These Aboveground Caves In Hawaii Will Give You A Surreal Experience
By Megan Shute|Published January 02, 2018
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
The Hawaiian Islands are home to countless incredible wonders — from pristine beaches in a variety of colors and majestic mountains to cascading waterfalls and incredible sea caves, all of which can be found along this one stretch of coastline. Situated along Kauai’s fabled Na Pali Coast is Hanakapi’ai Beach, a stunning slice of paradise accessible only via a strenuous four mile round trip day hike. It is at the edge of this magnificent beach that you will find a series of incredible aboveground caves carved into the cliffside (and if you continue along the trail for another two miles one-way, a cascading waterfall). Let’s take a look at this surreal spot just waiting to be explored, shall we?
Though difficult, the hike to Hanakapiai Beach is an absolute must-experience for anyone who isn’t skilled enough to tackle the famous 11-mile Kalalau Trail.
Two miles of hiking will lead you to the stunning Hanakapi’ai Beach, an awe-inspiring slice of paradise carved into the cliffs of this iconic coastline.
And on the edges of the beach, you will find a series of captivating caves, that look like something out of your wildest dreams — or maybe even Jurassic Park.
These aboveground caves are all different sizes, and create a positively surreal landscape along an already gorgeous —
and quite famous — stretch of coastline.
Unfortunately, Hanakapiai Beach has been called the most dangerous beach in Hawaii. The water often looks fine, but dangerous rip currents, high surf, and rough shorebreaks have swept several people out to sea. You can instead cool off in the river.
If a four-mile round trip hike simply isn’t enough for you, double it with a hike past this surreal cave and Hanakapi’ai Beach and into the valley. Two miles in, you’ll find a waterfall cascading nearly 300-foot down a lush, fern-covered cliffside.
In the summer months, these caves are easily explored on foot, while in the winter, most of the sand is washed out to sea and not returned until spring. In the winter, the waves crash directly into the massive boulders you’ll find here.
Oh, and did we mention that the views you’ll find along this section of trail are truly second to none?
The journey to reach this unspoiled Hawaiian paradise will take approximately three to four hours, but is well worth the effort and makes for an epic day trip. Plan to be gone all day if you want to head past the beach to Hanakapi’ai Falls. What are you waiting for? This cave, and the lovely little beach it sits on, is just waiting to be explored!
The trailhead to Hanakapi’ai begins at the end of Ke’e Beach within Haena State Park. Have you ever hiked to these incredible caves? Share your experiences with us in the comments below!
And if there are only five hikes you ever do in Hawaii, make them these.
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