Na Pali Coast Beaches: Golden Sand and Gorgeous Beauty!
Several pristine beaches can be found along the beautiful Na Pali Coast of Kauai.
Boasting soft golden sands and a backdrop of lush forest and the towering Na Pali cliffs, the Na Pali Coast beaches are among the prettiest on the island, but sadly, most of them are not easy to access.
On the map below, you can see the named Na Pali Coast beaches, numbered from north to south:
Below we describe these beaches, and tell you the best way to appreciate their beauty.
Best Na Pali Coast Tours in a Nutshell
Activity Best Tours
(Reserve early, these sell out fast!)Aerial Views Helicopter, doors-off helicopter, airplane Boat cruise & snorkel Catamaran, raft, super raft Sunset tours Sunset & dinner, snorkel & sunset More options Na Pali, Waimea Canyon, Kauai
Considering a visit to the Na Pali Coast of Kauai? Be sure to visit the Na Pali Coast website for all the details you need to plan!
Na Pali Coast Beaches at a Glance
| Beach | Access | Best For | Facilities | Swimming? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ke‘e Beach | Drive + walk (Haena State Park) | Easy access, snorkeling, sunset views | Restrooms, showers | Calm in summer, rough in winter |
| Hanakāpī‘ai Beach | Hike (2 miles on Kalalau Trail) | Day hikes, dramatic cliffs, photo ops | None | Dangerous year-round |
| Kalalau Beach | Hike (11 miles) or kayak (summer only) | Camping, bucket-list experience | Compost toilets | Swim with extreme caution |
| Honopū Beach | Swim from Kalalau or kayak (no land access) | Isolation, filming location legend | None | Only experienced swimmers |
| Nualolo Kai | Boat/kayak only (calm seas required) | Ancient Hawaiian ruins, snorkeling | Limited (by tour only) | Excellent when calm |
| Miloli‘i Beach | Kayak only (summer) | Camping, remote beaches, solitude | None | Calm in summer only |
| Polihale Beach | 4WD vehicle via dirt road (Polihale State Park) | Remote beach days, epic sunsets | Bathrooms, pavilions | Not safe for swimming |
Book the top 5-star rated, immensely popular Kauai experiences! Reserve now (with free cancellation) before they sell out.
Na Pali Coast Beaches
1. Ke’e Beach
Located at the northwestern tip of the island of Kauai, Ke’e Beach is a gorgeous beach that you can access by road. Part of Ha’ena State Park, Ke’e Beach can be found at the end of the Kuhio Highway.
Ke’e Beach is lifeguarded and offers golden sands and a fringing reef that makes it a popular swimming and snorkeling beach in the summer.
In the winter, though, the surf is usually too high to safely swim or snorkel here.
If you walk north along the sand at Ke’e Beach and then look back, you get beautiful views of the Na Pali cliffs, making the beach one of the few drive spots from which to experience the Na Pali Coast.
🌊 Adventure Awaits on the Na Pali Coast! Join the Na Pali Coast Super Raft Adventure with Snorkel for a 4.5-hour thrill ride. Explore sea caves, snorkel with marine life, and experience the rugged beauty of the coastline.
Ke’e Beach is also the starting point of the Kalalau Trail, the legendary Na Pali Coast hike that allows you to get deep into the heart of the coast.
Ha’ena State park does require entry and parking or shuttle reservations, so plan your visit to Ke’e Beach well ahead of your Kauai trip.
You will also likely fly over Ke’e Beach on a Kauai helicopter tour or a Kauai airplane tour!
A car rental is a good idea if you want to explore Kauai, since public transport is limited. DiscoverCars.com searches across a number of car rental companies from brand to budget to get you the best deals.
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Best Na Pali Coast Air Tours:
2. Hanakapi’ai Beach
Hanakapiai Beach is a favorite Na Pali beach destination for hikers, because you can access the beach via a 4-mile round trip day hike from Ke’e Beach.
🌅 Witness Kauai’s Breathtaking Sunsets! Experience the majestic Na Pali Coast as the sun dips below the horizon on the Deluxe Na Pali Sunset Tour on the Lucky Lady. Stunning views, delicious appetizers, and refreshing beverages!
The hike to Hanakapiai Beach along the Kalalau Trail is considered moderately challenging to strenuous.
You climb up from the trailhead to an overlook that offers a picturesque aerial view of Ke’e Beach and then continue along the ridge until you climb all the way back down to Hanakapiai Beach.
While Hanakapiai Beach is more secluded than Ke’e Beach, the waters here are notoriously dangerous and have resulted in many deaths. Enjoy the beauty of this Na Pali Coast beach safely from well above the water line.
Hanakapiai Beach is excellent for photography, with boulders and golden sands.
More intrepid hikers can hike into the Hanakapiai Valley to the 300-foot Hanakapiai Falls, one of the top Na Pali Coast waterfalls. It has a plunge pool where you may be able to take a dip.
Book the top 5-star rated, immensely popular Kauai experiences! Reserve now (with free cancellation) before they sell out.
3. Kalalau Beach
The endpoint of the grueling Kalalau Trail, Kalalau Beach is secluded and stunning.
Located at the mouth of the jewel-green Kalalau Valley, the golden sand beach is fringed by the tall cliffs of the Na Pali Coast.
🛶 Paddle and Hike to Secret Falls! Embark on the Wailua River Kayak and Sacred Falls Hike with Lunch. This 5-hour guided tour combines kayaking and a hike to a secluded waterfall, complete with a picnic lunch.
Eleven miles each way, the Kalalau Trail is generally considered a backpacking trail. It requires a camping permit beyond Hanakapiai Beach even if you do not plan to camp.
Hikers that make the effort to complete the trail are rewarded with beautiful coastal views, pristine golden sands, and sea caves. The beach is about a mile long.
Ho’ole’a Falls is located towards the southern end of the beach. Trails run from the beach into the Kalalau Valley.
While swimming and snorkeling are possible at Kalalau Beach when the waters are calm, the currents can be strong and unsuspecting swimmers can be swept out to sea. There is no reef for protection. If in doubt, stay out!
4. Honopu Beach
One of the most secluded beaches on Kauai, Honopu Beach is breathtakingly beautiful.
It’s not a long beach, but the setting is spectacular, with the golden sands framed by the Honopu Arch, backed by the colorful Na Pali cliffs and fronted by the turquoise Pacific Ocean.
🌄 Explore the Grand Canyon of the Pacific! Discover the natural wonders on the Kauai Waimea Canyon and Koke’e Tour. This 10-hour excursion offers panoramic views, visits to charming towns, and insights into Kauai’s history.
Honopu means “conch” in Hawaiian and the beach and the arch are named for the sound of the wind whistling through the arch.
There is no road access to Honopu Beach, and helicopters and boats are not allowed to land here. The only way to legally get to Honopu Beach is to swim, and that’s a very challenging and potentially dangerous proposition.
It’s much safer and easier to see Honopu Beach from the water on a Na Pali Coast boat tour or a Na Pali Coast raft adventure, or soar over it on a Kauai airplane tour, or glide or hover over it on a Kauai helicopter tour.
Top-Rated Na Pali Coast Boat and Raft Tours:
5. Nualolo Kai
One of the top snorkeling spots on Kauai, Nualolo Kai Beach along the Napali Coast features a large reef with a sandy bottom and a rich diversity of marine life.
Nualolo Kai used to be a Hawaiian fishing village many centuries ago. Because the waters here are protected, and visibility is generally good, you will likely see a wide variety of coral, fish, and Hawaiian green sea turtles when snorkeling here.
🌺 Experience a Traditional Hawaiian Luau! Immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture at the Luau Kalamaku with Buffet Dinner and Show. Enjoy a captivating performance and feast on local delicacies during this 4-6 hour event.
Backed by the tall fluted cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, Nualolo Kai is known for its collection of archaeological sites.
Nualolo Kai is very secluded because it can only be accessed by boat. Boats with permits are allowed to land at Nualolo Kai.
This highly-rated inflatable raft tour includes landing at the ancient Hawaiian fishing village on Nualolo Kai Beach. You can tour the cultural sites and enjoy lunch on the beach here.
>>> Check price and availability for this Na Pali raft tour that includes Nualolo Kai!
6. Miloli’i Beach
A long golden sand beach protected by a barrier reef, Miloli’i Beach is the southernmost stretch of beach along the Na Pali Coast.
Looking for a thrilling outdoor adventure on Kauai? Check out the Koloa zipline, where you will soar over lush green forests and the Waita Reservoir. These are Kauai’s longest ziplines! 🌳 🌴
Secluded Miloli’i Beach is only accessible by kayak, and only in the summer months when the ocean is relatively calmer. Miloli’i Beach has a channel through the reef that allows for kayaks to come in and land.
Kayak tours of the Na Pali Coast, only suitable for very experienced and able kayakers, stop at Miloli’i Beach for lunch.
Miloli’i Beach is a popular place for monk seals to hang out. Sea turtles also love Miloli’i Beach.
There is a campground at Miloli’i Beach that is open only during the summer. You have to get a permit to camp here. Licensed boat operators can drop you off and pick you up.
Miloli’i Stream, at the south end of the beach, provides fresh water.
Adventure-loving able kayakers can consider this highly-rated 10-mile kayaking tour from Polihale to Miloli’i Beach and back for an epic adventure. Look for spinner dolphins, sea turtles, and monk seals.
7. Polihale Beach
Polihale State Park and Beach occupy the shoreline south of the Na Pali Coast on the west side of Kauai.
Not strictly one of the Na Pali Coast beaches, Polihale Beach has been included on this list because it’s one of the places along the coast from where you can see the Na Pali cliffs.
A helicopter tour is undeniably a fantastic way to admire the breathtaking landscapes of Kauai, from the Waimea Canyon to the Napali Coast and Jurassic Falls. Check price and availability now! 🚁 🚁
You can drive to Polihale State Park, although the last few miles of road are dirt and very bumpy and rough. A 4WD is highly recommended. Check your rental car agreement: most rental car companies prohibit driving on dirt roads on the island.
Polihale Beach offers golden sands (the longest stretch on Kauai!), backed by picturesque dunes. There aren’t too many people, and the beach is so long that it is easy to find a stretch just for yourself.
An excellent place for tent camping and picnicking, Polihale Beach is also known for its spectacular sunsets.
Top-Rated Napali Boat Tours