Coast & Sea · Hawaii
Nā Pali Coast
Kauai’s emerald sea cliffs — by trail, boat, or air
TypeCoast & Sea
StateHawaii
Best seasonSummer (calmer seas; winter surf closes much access)
How to visitKalalau Trail permit, boat tour, or helicopter — no road
Fifteen miles of fluted green cliffs plunging into the Pacific on Kauai’s roadless north shore, hiding sea caves, waterfalls, and hidden beaches. There’s no road in — you earn it by the Kalalau Trail, a boat, or a helicopter.
The shot
The fluted pali rising from the water.
Nearby & worth pairing
- Kalalau Trail
- Hanalei
- Ke’e Beach
- Waimea Canyon nearby
Plan around it
Access, fees, permits, and tour availability change with the season and the managing agency (tribal park, state park, BLM, or NPS) — confirm current rules and reservations before you go, tread lightly on sacred and fragile sites, and pack out everything you bring.
Build a trip around landmarks like this.
Roamward turns spots like this into a real road trip on your phone — the scenic drive, the stops, and the detours, planned around the vibe you’re after. Get early access: