Exploring the North Shore of Kauai: From Kailua to Kalalau

 

View from the drone. This aerial shot is of the channel leading out of the lagoon at Anini Beach, one of the north shores most well-kept secret beaches.

When you visit the island of Kauai, it is worth spending an entire day driving and exploring the North side of the island. There are so many hidden beach, snorkel spots, photo and wildlife hot spots, the towns of Kilauea and Hanalei, caves, and beautiful scenery around every turn. In fact, you might need more than one day. We tried to stop at all the hot spots. We saw nesting sea birds at the Kilauea Lighthouse, walked out to the end of the Hanalei Pier, flew my drone at Anini Beach, and even hiked up the Kalalau Trail into the Na Pali coast at the end of the road. We stopped to see the biggest taro patches in the state, and roadside snack shops in historic plantation buildings.

The rains definitely came in, the closer we got to the end of the road. But that just added more waterfalls to the cliffs. Everything was green as it usually is here on the North side of the island. It felt like the tourist hub of Poipu was light years away. This side of the island definitely has a different feel. It will take your breath away around every turn...if you let it.

The Kilauea Lighthouse stands tall on the Northern tip of the island of Kauai. It is also a great place to go see rare nesting sea birds. We saw two kinds of boobies, tropic birds, nesting shearwaters, and even whales during the winter.

Somedays of the week, you are able to drive down to the lighthouse.

Any sunscreen sold in the Hawaiian islands now has to be reef safe sunscreen, which means it can't contain any of these listed chemicals.

Flying my drone above the coral reef at Anini Beach.

Another aerial shot of a beautiful beach on the north shore of Kauai.

There are lots of little private spots on Anini Beach that make you feel like you have the whole place to yourself. You find that feeling at Poipu.

The long pier at Honolua Bay makes for a wonderful leading line, bringing your gaze deeper into this stormy landscape.

Kids were jumping off the pier and climbing back this old rusty ladder.

The rain clouds moved in and covered the mountains as we drove past Hanalei.

Selfie on the pier.

A different angle on the Hanalei Pier.

Play on this beach at your own risk.

The famous Dry Cave on the north shore of Kauai.

We went as far back as we could go in the Dry Cave.

We walked through some beautiful taro patches on our way to the end of the road.

The road around Kauai dead-ends at the famous Kalalau Trail. This 11 mile trail is the only way to get deep into the Na Pali coastline.

Entering the Na Pali coast.

Well, it was drenching rain but we still made it a ways up the Kalalau Trail for a few overlooks.

Looking back at the beach at the end of the road.

I sure am glad I brought my rainjacket for this. I was the only one though. Woops.

Well, you can't say they didn't warn you. Look at all these signs!

A cute church stand alone in the town of Hanalei.

This overlook is just before you get to Hanalei town. It looks down on the famous taro patches of Kauai's north shore.

These taro patches were worth a panorama.

A night of celebrating after a big day of adventures.