From Tropical Gardens to Idyllic Beaches – An Island Paradise
This is a quick summary of one of the most beautiful drives on Earth, the north shore of the Garden Island. Here are some of the highlights along your journey.
Na Aina Kai Botanical Garden
As you near the north shore it is well worth it to stop in at Na Aina Kai Gardens which includes 12 acres of well-maintained botanical gardens. The many individual theme gardens at Na Aina Kai feature gazebos, topiary, statues, and koi-filled ponds. Check out the hedge maze constructed of 2,400 mock -orange plants.
Rock Quarry Beach
Known in Hawaiian as Kahili, Rock Quarry Beach is a great swimming beach that is relatively well protected from the open ocean. To get to Rock Quarry Beach turn makai (toward the sea) on Wailapa Road between Mile Markers 21 and 22 on Kuhio Highway. Then take the dirt road on the left about 1/2–mile down.
Kīlauea Town
You will know you have reached the north shore and when you get to Kilauea Town. A former sugar plantation town, Kilauea is now a diverse community with a great cafe and pizza spot (Kilauea Bakery), a nice health food store (Healthy Hut), and plenty of little shops for enjoyable browsing.
When you enter the town off Kuhio Highway near Mile Marker 23, look for the historic Christ Memorial Episcopal Church which was built in 1941 using cut lava stone and featuring stained glass windows from England.
Kīlauea Point Lighthouse
Follow the main road through Kilauea Town and you will eventually reach one of the most visited attractions on Kauai, the Kilauea Point Lighthouse that is part of a Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.
Perched atop a peninsula jutting out into the sea, the Lighthouse area provides spectacular ocean views and abundant native bird life. This is also a great spot to look out for humpback whales and dolphins passing by. The historic Lighthouse, which stands 52 feet high atop the bluff, was dedicated in 1913 and remained in service for 62 years.
Princeville
Proceeding north from Kilauea you will pass several turnoffs to some spectacular beaches including Kalihiwai and Anini. Just a short distance farther is the entrance to the 11,000-acre resort community of Princeville where a large and opulent fountain complete with a statue and pools graces the entrance.
As you drive through this area you are sure to notice the golf courses that are rated among the top in the nation, including expansive ocean views.
Hanalei
Beyond Princeville is beautiful Hanalei Valley and Hanalei Town, a quiet little seaside community along horseshoe-shaped Hanalei Bay. The crescent-shaped bay is surrounded by verdant green mountains, huge waterfall-lined peaks as far as the eye can see.
Atop the hill in Princeville before you descend down into Hanalei Valley, pull over at the Hanalei Valley Lookout for a great view of the expansive taro patches filling the coastal plain.
The Hanalei Bridge is considered the “Gateway to Hanalei.” This historic one-lane truss-bridge was built in 1912. The left turn right after the bridge leads to the restored Haraguchi Rice Mill (808-823-9287) which was built in 1930. Beyond the Hanalei Bridge the road meanders along the course of the Hanalei River alongside the taro fields until reaching the town of Hanalei.
Hanalei Town
In the center of Hanalei Town is the old Ching Young Store Building which was built in 1905 and now houses a variety of shops and restaurants. Also still standing in Hanalei Town is the Old Hanalei School Building, constructed in 1926 near the current Hanalei School and later moved to the center of town where it also houses a variety of shops and a restaurant.
Just past Hanalei Town is Waioli Park, and on the far side of the park is the much-photographed 1912 Waioli Huiia Church with its beautiful stained glass windows. Behind the church is the original church, which was built in 1841, and across the lawn behind the trees is the historic Waioli Mission House built in 1834. When you swim in the pleasant waters of Hanalei Bay make sure and check out the Hanalei Pier.
Beyond Hanalei are more beautiful white-sand beaches including the expansive sands of Lumahai and the scenic Makua, more commonly known as Tunnels, the island’s premier snorkeling and diving location.
National Tropical Botanical Garden—Limahuli
Near the end of the road on the north shore, Limahuli Garden (808-826-1053) features ancient taro terraces and many dozens of species of native and Polynesian-introduced plants. Guided and self-guided tours are offered.
Kē‘ē Beach
At the western end of the road is magical Kee Beach, known for its crystalline azure waters cradled within the fringing coral reef. Kee Beach is set beneath the impressive mountain peak of Makana, often called Bali Hai, its movie name in South Pacific.
Kee Beach is also the site of the trailhead of the world-renown Kalalau Trail that will lead you on a journey toward the spectacular cliffs and spires of the Nāpali Coast.
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For much of the year, Kahili (“Rock Quarry”) Beach is not a particularly great swimming beach , as you have described it. In fact, it can be dangerous, especially during the winter months, and to describe it as otherwise may be looked at as irresponsible. Send swimmers to calmer Anini Beach or more protected Kalihiwai or, better yet, to Pavilion Beach at Hanalei Bay, where there are lifeguards.
Aloha Bruce and thanks for your comment. Yes Rock Quarry can be dangerous at times and so can all beaches in Hawaii. It is fairly well protected compared to most beaches on Kauai’s North Shore. However it does pick up East swells so be careful and don’t go in the water when there are East Side surf advisories or whenever the ocean looks dangerous. There is a nice river there so if the waves are big you can always swim in the river.
Regarding your recommendations, each of these beaches can be very dangerous. Here are my notes on each:
For more information visit my site about Kauai beaches and ocean safety. My partner Winston does a great daily Kauai surf report geared towards swimmers.