Kauai’s North Shore Guide: Hanalei, Princeville, Haena and Na Pali
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The North Shore is the Kauai on postcards: waterfalls streaking down green cliffs, taro fields in Hanalei Valley and the road ending at the Na Pali Coast. It’s lush because it rains, so pack a light rain jacket and enjoy the rainbows.
How Far is It?
From Lihue Airport
About 45-60 min
From Kapaa
About 35-45 min, more at rush hour
From Poipu / South Shore
Allow about 90 min, depending on traffic and time of day
It’s a long way from the South Shore, so if the North Shore is a priority, stay up here for a few nights instead of day-tripping. The drive in climbs past Kilauea and Princeville, then drops into Hanalei over a series of one-lane bridges. Stop at the Hanalei Valley Lookout across from the Princeville shopping center to see the taro fields of the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge.
The Highlight: Haena State Park and the Hike to Hanakapiai Falls
This is one of the most awesome hikes on Kauai, and a family favorite of ours. The Kalalau Trail starts at Kee Beach in Haena State Park and hugs the Na Pali cliffs. It’s 2 miles to Hanakapiai Beach, then 2 more miles up the valley, with stream crossings, to Hanakapiai Falls: about 8 miles round trip. Plan on most of a day.
Before you go: Haena State Park reopened Oct. 15, 2026 after Hurricane Lowell, 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. daily. Day hikes to Hanakapiai Beach and Hanakapiai Falls are open. The trail past mile 2 toward Kalalau and all Na Pali camping stay closed until further notice (DLNR). Non-residents must reserve ahead at gohaena.com: $5 per person entry plus $10 per car for parking, or book the Go Haena shuttle. Spots sell out, so book as soon as your dates are set. Recovery is still under way past Hanalei, so follow posted signs.
- It’s steep and muddy. Wear real hiking shoes with grip (not flip-flops), quick-dry clothes and a rain layer.
- Bring plenty of water, snacks and bug spray. Start early.
- Don’t cross the stream if it’s rising or brown. Flash floods happen fast here. Wait, or turn back.
- Never swim at Hanakapiai Beach. Its rip current has a long history of drownings.
More of the North Shore
- Hanalei: a real surf town on a 2-mile crescent bay. Walk the Hanalei Pier at sunset, paddle the Hanalei River and grab shave ice.
- Kee Beach: a reef-protected lagoon for summer snorkeling. Stay inside the reef.
- Tunnels (Makua) Beach: great summer snorkeling, dangerous in winter surf. Park at Haena Beach Park.
- Limahuli Garden & Preserve: a beautiful look at old Hawaii. Reopened Oct. 15, by reservation (NTBG).
- Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge: CLOSED for post-hurricane repairs, no reopening date yet.
- Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens: tours resumed Oct. 6, by reservation.
Seeing Na Pali by Boat
The cliffs are best seen from the water. Boats leave from the West Side (Port Allen and Kikiaola), not the North Shore. Port Allen’s ramp has reopened but its slips are still closed, so confirm with your operator. Summer is calmer; winter trips are often rough or canceled. Helicopters from Lihue are the other way to see it. See our Kauai excursions guide.
Sunset and Dinner Cruises
Sunset and dinner catamarans leave from Port Allen on the South Shore and cruise up the Na Pali Coast: Capt. Andy’s Star Dinner Sunset Sail (about 4-4.5 hours, chef-cooked dinner), Holo Holo (3.5-hour power cat or 4.5-hour sail on Leila; back from Oct. 15 on a temporary schedule, regular tours expected Oct. 18) and Kauai Sea Tours’ Lucky Lady (running since Sept. 21). Port Allen’s launch ramp has reopened but its slips and moorings are still closed, so confirm your check-in details. Bring a light layer for the ride home.
Where to Eat
All confirmed open in mid-October 2026. Hours change during recovery, so check before you go.
- Hanalei Gourmet (Hanalei): fish tacos and burgers in the old schoolhouse, daily 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. (BYOB for now).
- Bar Acuda (Hanalei): tapas, reopened Sept. 22.
- Tahiti Nui (Hanalei): mai tais and live music, noon-9 p.m., closed Saturdays.
- Hanalei Dolphin (Hanalei): fresh fish and sushi, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; fish market 10-6.
- Wishing Well Shave Ice (Hanalei): 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Kenji Burger (Kilauea): closed Tuesdays.
- Kilauea Fish Market (Kilauea): an easy lunch stop.
- GAIA (Hanalei Colony Resort, Haena): reopened with the resort Oct. 15.
Where to Stay
- 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay (Princeville), splurge: right on the bay, reopened Sept. 28 with no structural damage.
- Hanalei Colony Resort (Haena): the only beachfront resort past Hanalei, reopened Oct. 15 with some buildings still under repair. Call (808) 826-6235 to confirm.
- Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas: kitchens for families. Listed open; call to confirm.
- Princeville condos (Pali Ke Kua, Hanalei Bay Resort): best value. Princeville is a Visitor Destination Area, so condos there can legally rent by the night.
More options island-wide: Where to Stay on Kauai.
Please read: ocean safety on the North Shore. People lose their lives every year fighting the ocean on the North Shore. Please don’t be one of them. Winter swells (roughly October to April) turn glassy summer beaches into heavy, dangerous surf; county lifeguards close Hanalei Bay and the Haena area to swimming during big swells. Rip currents can pull strong swimmers out fast: don’t fight it, float and swim parallel to shore, and wave for help. Lifeguards are few: on the whole North Shore there are only four towers (Hanalei Pavilion, Pine Trees/Waioli, Haena Beach Park and Kee Beach), staffed 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (Hawaii Ocean Safety). Swim only near a guard, ask them about conditions, and when in doubt, don’t go out.
- Never turn your back on the ocean, and stay off wet rocks and ledges.
- Give wildlife room: at least 10 feet from sea turtles and 50 feet from monk seals.
- Brown water after rain? Stay out.
- Use mineral sunscreen. Hawaii bans oxybenzone and octinoxate.
