Book a Na Pali Coast Ocean Kayak Trip at Hawaii Activities (Outfitters Kauai)
The YouTube video clip by Na Pali Kayak started with words “the experience of a life time starts at the end of the roadway.” The video clip has to do with Na Pali Kayak‘s 17-mile kayak journey along the whole size of Kauai’s famous Na Pali Coast. Completion of the roadway is Ha’ena Beach State Park, extremely near the real end of the island’s freeway at Ke’e Beach. Currently crazy with the lovely island of Kauai, I swiftly understood this was a special and also daring means to experience the island’s all-natural properties up close and also individual. I was quickly on the phone with friendly Na Pali Kayak co-owner Ivan Slack. He persuaded me it was something I might do because I remained in great physical problem.
I met the various other kayakers (regarding 12 people) at the Na Pali Kayak Hanalei head office at 6AM on a Tuesday early morning on August 11th, 2015. Ivan existed, in a tranquil craze guiding everybody on where to park and also just how to load completely dry bags. Quickly we remained in a confined van headed to Ha’ena Beach. (What far better means to be familiar with individuals you would certainly be investing the following twelve hrs with on an impressive trip?).
We were quickly at the coastline and also dragging the two-man kayaks to the launch factor. Final prep work were made. The “completely dry bags” were currently damp from previous journeys. Not a problem. Our video cameras, treats and also sunscreen were saved independently in a water-proof bag behind our seats.
After an extensive short, we went out. The overviews behaved sufficient to offer us a “politeness launch” as well as press us bent on sea.
Regarding a mile up the shore we went to Ke’e Beach, the moment of truth. Below, you have the last choice of giving up if somehow the very first mile persuaded you this had not been such a great concept besides. One person, that really did not look effectively, pulled out. A teen girl had not been really feeling also well either, however she determined to remain. (Though she fought motion sickness nearly the whole means, she finished the journey as well as I was excited with her perseverance.) As we awaited among the overviews to take the bad other to coast, we cast our legs over the sides of the kayaks as well as were enthralled by a great rainbow secured in the instructions we would certainly be headed.
Quickly sufficient we were paddling down the coastline as well as quickly sufficient it emerged this would certainly be a beautiful day, as well as a challenging day. That would certainly have ever before believed 17 miles on the open sea would certainly be difficult? Haha, in the video clip it resembled every person was simply travelling in addition to magic paddles. No, you needed to make every mile on this journey, as well as there were still around 15 miles to go. After the journey, I check out the evaluations at TripAdvisor and also I really felt the lots of customers’ discomfort: “Strenuous journey in one of the most gorgeous area.” “SO SO HARD !!!!!!!” “My most difficult day ever before.” “It was the hardest point I have ever before literally and also psychologically done.” “I do not obtain nauseous, however I vomitted at around 4 miles however at regarding 9 miles.” “I sobbed a number of times.”.
Though it appeared we weren’t truly relocating since there were no close referral indicate gauge versus, we were in fact advancing. Our initial break was offshore at Hanakapiai Beach. These breaks, concerning every 15-20 mins, made the exhausting trip feasible. Throughout these breaks, we would certainly smack our legs over the side, take pictures, beverage water and also simply take pleasure in the stunning environments. Some would certainly enter the water.
There were a number of sea caverns along our trip. Among the sea caverns had 2 entryways, producing a passage. The last sea cavern was amazing. The cavern was rounded within, with an outdoors ceiling. There was a rock right between for enjoyable times!
First pictures of our 17-mile Na Pali Coast kayak journey on August 15, 2015. We’ll have a total testimonial, plus numerous images and also video clip, coming quickly!
After much tough paddling, we went to Milolii Beach for lunch. It is a private coastline, obtainable just by watercraft. On the map, it is previous Kalalau Beach. We were informed there was a falls that we can trek to, however nobody went since we were all so weary. There are 2 shaded structures at the coastline. One more kayak attire currently had one, so we got hold of the various other. The exquisite sandwiches as well as delicious chocolate chip cookies tasted ever before so excellent and also the chilly beverages, consisting of juices, water as well as soda pops, were quite valued. The lunch finished method ahead of time, despite the fact that it went to the very least a hr as well as fifteen mins long. Time to return to the work.
The remainder of the method was smooth cruising. Our overviews had not truly allow on, yet we had actually currently gone 12 of the 17 miles. Currently, it was simply a straight-away shot to Polihale Beach. We can see it from the moment we left Milolii as well as hoped the coastline we can see is the one we would certainly be touchdown on. We really did not intend to paddle about anymore “edges” now. Luckily, the initial coastline was our coastline. We landed and also were ever before so happy to be ashore. After a fast shower, we were back in the van for the hour-and-a-half journey back to Hanalei. We really did not appreciate the moment it would certainly take, we were simply delighted to be relaxing easily. It had actually been a difficult trip, yet an extremely stunning trip as well as one none people will certainly ever before neglect.
A number of ideas:
You do not need to be a triathlete to finish this journey, however you do require to be healthy. Those with kayaking experience will certainly have a less complicated time.
Remember you might be in straight sunshine, on the open sea, for at the very least 6 hrs. Sunscreen, wide-brimmed safari-style hats, and also dampness wicking (dry-fit) long-sleeve tee shirts are advised, and also light-weight lengthy trousers are not a poor concept if you’re stressed over the sunlight on your legs.
Bring an added set of sunglasses as sunglasses can obtain shed or damaged swiftly on the journey. A kayak rescinded and also a woman shed among the lenses in her sunglasses on our journey.
GoPro video cameras with a floaty gadget will certainly still sink if they have actually various other things connected. For the video clip listed below I utilized a GoPro placed on a Smatree GoPro Pole as well as maintained it safe by maintaining it under the tie-down bands before the seat.
As soon as previous Ke’e Beach, there’s no stopping or reversing. You will certainly be resting instead awkwardly all the time, paddling nonstop, in the straight sunshine. Make sure this is something you are devoted to doing both emotionally as well as literally. With that said stated, apart from the man that was nauseous and also touched out at Ke’e, all of us made it and also had the experience of a life time.
Use handwear covers if you have delicate hands. See image of sores listed below.
By Tom Wakefield, Owner, Kauai Surf Co.
