With so much to do and see on Kauai, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Hike the mountains of Kokee? Take a boat ride down the Na Pali coast? Learn to surf?
I’d like to make a simple suggestion so obvious sometimes it’s forgotten…relax. How about topping your to-do list with an activity rarely experienced in the bustle of your daily routine? For at least one day on Kauai, try doing nothing. Hanalei Bay on Kauai’s North Shore is the ideal place to do (or not do) just that. Named as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world (National Geographic Traveler), this sweeping, crescent bay is one of the most incredible places to sit and watch the clouds drift by.
Pack a lunch, find your zone and hunker down for a day of nothingness. There are several parking areas where you can access the beach. The areas at the Pavillion and the Pier are usually the most crowded. Once you get to the beach, you will see there are plenty of spots out of the fray if that’s what you’re seeking.
Summertime offers lake-like ocean conditions, which can make it a friendly swimming spot for the whole family. This changes in Autumn and builds to a peak of high surf in the winter. Even on a high surf day, you can still sit back and take in the waves from the shore. Watch expert surfers do what they do best. Build a sand castle at the water’s edge.
This beach is excellent for strolling, as the entire bay, round trip, is nearly 5 miles long. Walk slowly. Feel the sand beneath your feet. Check out the Hanalei Pier that stretches out into the water. Talk to the fishermen dropping their lines from the pier’s edge. Breathe in the sea air and look for waterfalls streaming down the surrounding mountain, known as Namolokama.
Should you feel like you want a change of scene, you can walk right into Hanalei town located a few short blocks from the Bay. Hanalei has got plenty of restaurants for take out or dining in. The town has a local grocery store and natural foods store as well as plenty of shops for gifts or necessities like sunblock and hats.
Hanalei is home to plenty of Kauai vacation rentals. I’d highly recommend staying in a Hanalei rental in this quaint surf village, where nearly everything is within walking distance. Walking is your first step in relaxing on your vacation, slowing you down enough to stop and smell those tropical flowers along the way.
Sunset is another great time to visit Hanalei Bay. Many locals and visitors alike gather here at this quiet time to watch the clouds change colors and see the sun dip down into the sea. Hanalei town stays awake after twilight and restaurants offer open-air dining and live music.
If you want to be close to Hanalei Bay but are looking for something a bit more extravagant and out of town, try a luxury Princeville condo. Princeville is located just up the hill from Hanalei and offers famous golf courses (see my Kauai golf vacation article) and a more resort-like ambiance. You can enjoy the natural beauty of Hanalei Bay by day and return to your lavish abode in Princeville for the evening.
Many times I’ve had friends visit me on Kauai with a huge itinerary of sites to see during their brief stay. Too often they return home needing a vacation from their vacation. To really get the most from your Kauai experience let yourself slow down. There’s no better place to unwind and let time stand still than in the midst of the majestic beauty of Hanalei Bay.
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