Hanalei, Kauai
Hanalei Bay, Hawaii has long been known as one of the Pacific's favorite anchorages. From mid-May through October world class yachts bob and float in the calm waters and soak up the gorgeous views of the crescent shaped bay. Hanalei is located on the North Shore of Kauai, a short way from the rugged Na Pali Coast. The whole area is an outdoor vacationer's dream. A day's fun can include horseback riding, golf, tennis, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, kayaking, or just lounging on one of the area's gorgeous beaches.The history of Hanalei, and Kauai's history in general, involves early Polynesians, British explorers, and modern day native kings. The island, the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, was first inhabited by Polynesians, possibly dating back to around 200 A.D. King Kamehameha the Great joined all the Hawaiian Islands under one ruler in the early 1800s. Captain James Cook, a British sailor, brought the Islands to the world's attention in 1778 when he sailed his ship into Waimea Bay.
Beach lovers will want to visit Lumahai Beach. This beach is as physically beautiful as you could possibly imagine, but the swift currents make swimming precarious at best. The beauty of the curved white sand bumping up against a dark lava cliff surrounded by tropical jungle will be enough to satisfy your beach appetite.
For some better swimming, head west to Kee Beach. This beach is located at the beginning of the Na Pali Coast, and when the tide is right you can walk out into the ocean far enough to see a stunning view of the coastline. A reef off shore provides some excellent snorkeling and swimming opportunities.
Kee Beach is also the trail head for the Kalalau Trail. The path winds around the Na Pali Coast and is the closest you can come to the Hawaii of old. To walk the full eleven miles, hikers will want to be prepared for all kinds of weather conditions and terrain possibilities. This is hiking for serious hikers. If you prefer, you can stop two miles in to the hike at Hanakapiai, or one of the other towns along the path.
Golfers who visit Hanalei will want to journey east to Princeville and play either the Prince or the Makai courses. Both courses have been rated as by Golf Digest as being in the top 100 courses in the United States. Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed the courses to take full advantage of the North Shore landscape. The courses undulate over valleys, jump ravines, skirt the ocean, and swing around the coast like a roller coaster. Five different sets of tees allow players of all skill levels enjoy these magnificent courses.
