need north shore kayak advise

Aloha,

looking to kayak Kalihiwai and Hanalei rivers, got any Trip Advise?

where to rent, insider tips, what to see, what to avoid,

i heard it can be difficult to find Kalihiwai Falls,

how is kayaking the beaches, catching waves?

mahalo!

need north shore kayak advise

Probably your best bet is to rent a double kayak thru KAYAK KAUAI. Generally no reservations are needed, but I always call them , anyway.

Pretty cool entry, as you get in, and slide down a ramp to enter the water. Then you paddle out a very narrow tributary to the HANALEI RIVER.

We like to paddle up the river, and then depending on the conditions, back down and into the bay.

The north shore should be calming down about now.

And then paddle around the the bay, and sometimes surf the kayak on the small waves, just before you re-enter the river.

Also, paddling up river, toward the mountains, we stay to the sides near the bank, as there is less current.

Paddling down river, toward the bay, we stay in the middle and get a good added boost from the downstream flowing water. You can even make way when not paddling.

Also, the boats that have taken refuge in Nawiliwili Harbor should be heading back to anchor in hanalei bay....fun to paddle around, and check out the different boats, and their hailing ports.

Look up toward Mt. Waialeale, and see if you can spot any waterfalls.

Be sure to note , when you leave Kayak Kauai, and the small tributary enters the river, excatly where that is, and get some landmarks to remember.

Otherwise, not paying attention might result in not finding it again, as it can be overgrown a bit with foilage.

KALIHIWAI STREAM...

We kayaked Kahiliwai stream some time back, very short distance, and did not get to the falls...in some places it was quite overgrown with branches,and down trees.

We met local friends up there for their really fun 4th of July party, bands, food, pot luck, beer, and a good time.

Probably would not bother to kayak there again, but for the party , people brought kayaks for anyone to use....well, our friends knew them, and said it was ok...so off we went.

Anyway, that is what we do, and some of the tips that might interest you.

Denny

need north shore kayak advise

Hey Denny, Mahalo for the detailed reply, esp remembering where to turn in to get back. Good stuff, I read that Kalihiwai was the most scenic route.

just waitin for some SUN

Aloha

Rick

Aloha from Kaua%26#39;i!

Another great, long-time establishment in Hanalei town to rent kayaks is ';Peddle %26#39;N Paddle'; - right in Ching Young Village.

The owner (Scott) has lived in the Hanalei area for well over 25 years and has extensive experience with giving you advice on where best to kayak in the area!

Malama Pono,

Janet

We always rent from Kayak Kauai and like the fact that we can launch right there on their property without having to transport the kayak on our rental car. My wife loves kayaking the calm river because she gets a bit nervous with the wave action out on the bay. Launching at Kayak Kauai gives you both options.

Depending on when you go and how much of a challenge you are up for you might want to consider kayaking the 11 miles of Na Pali coast. It%26#39;s an incredible experience although a bit physically demanding. Kayak Kaui offers guided tours during the summer months.

Here are some pictures of our adventure:

good-times.webshots.com/album/552615717HXWeSE

Kayaking the Na Pali sounds inviting but before the USCG has to come looking for us, I would think you would need

expert level experience, a guide, or a group

GPS and communications equip

the proper Kayak, spare paddles

some survival gear

precise weather and ocean conditions

the pictures looked great but are there places where the waves are heavy or can you find a way thru them

mahalo!

waitin for da sun, where stay?

Aloha from Kaua%26#39;i!

';Depending on when you go and how much of a challenge you are up for you might want to consider kayaking the 11 miles of Na Pali coast';

Please don%26#39;t automatically assume you can do this trip - during the winter months all of the kayak tours and most boat tours stop going on the Na Pali coastline due to dangerous ocean conditions.

Even during the summer, you should go with an experienced guide even if you are an experienced ocean kayaker.

Malama Pono,

Janet

There%26#39;s not a lot of navigation skill required as long as you keep the coast on your left and the ocean on your right. Kayak Kauai provides all the gear and safety equipment required, you provide the muscle. They take you by van to the launch area at Ha%26#39;ena and then come pick you up at Polihale and bring you back to Hanalei.

Here%26#39;s an article that was written by the guy I got paired up with.

http://kayakkauai.com/Kayakingnapali.pdf

Aloha from Kaua%26#39;i!

Respectfully I have to disagree with ';dfarrs'; post about the ease of kayaking on the Na Pali coastline -

you should be in very good physical shape as well as being very familiar with our ocean currents and conditions - I suggest if you are interested in kayaking along the Na Pali, that you go with an experienced guide - they will be best able to assist you in having a safe and enjoyable trip.

I believe ';Kayak Kaua%26#39;i'; does offer these guided trips, as does ';Outfitter%26#39;s Kaua%26#39;i';. This all depends on what time of year you are visiting of course!

Just want folks to be safe out there - know your limitations and abilities - have fun!

Malama Pono,

Janet

Erica has kayaked the Napali with OUTFITTERS..twice now, and plans to do each year...kind of a personal goal.

However, I could not agree more. You will not be doing it during the winter months and high surf conditions that roar into the north shore.

You absolutely, unless you are local , with all kinds of knowledge and experience, should definitely go with a guided paddle.

And, you had best be in good physical condition, and be familar with the ocean, and a good swimmer, and have good stamina.

I believe they put in at haena, and then the recovery point is at the beginning of polihale beach just past the end of the Napali Coast

Total paddling distance is 17 miles.

'; Spot'; would be on shore at Polihale, and times the sets, and then directs the kayaks on there surf and shore landing.

Not one accidental huli on either of Erica%26#39;s Napali kayak trips.

There they team up to haul the kayaks to the trailer,and van with outfitters back to poipu.

We live here, so it is just a few minute drive to outfitters in poipu. I drop Erica off about 05:45, and pick her up at outfitters around 1900 ( 7 pm).

Then we go to a local place for a steak dinner.

The guides will give you special training should you huli, or need to get into the water, and how to properly get back into the kayak.

Each time that I have dropped her off, I looked at the fitness of the other paddlers, as Erica checked in.

They were all physically fit, and most were quite a bit younger.

Summing up...a 17 mile Napali Kayak ocean trip ( summer and calm seas only ) is not for everyone.

Outfitters checks out those who plan to do this, and they make sure the paddlers are fully aware of what it takes.

Also, from the put in at Haena, to Ke%26#39;e beach is about a mile...off Ke%26#39;e...you still have a choice to continue or abort...after that , you are in for the remaining 16 mile adventure.

Now, if you are here during the winter, Outfitters also has, on calm days, an 8 mile ocean kayak from poipu.

Denny and Erica

I said it was easy?? I guess I forgot to tell all my aching muscles I had the following day. Obviously any outdoor activity, be it hiking, snorkeling or kayaking requires one to consider their individual ability and stamina prior to heading out. I%26#39;m not sure what part of my post led Janet to believe I thought the trip was ';easy';. I was merely pointing out that there are not really any ';navigation'; skills required because all you have to do is follow the shoreline which is usually less than 100 yards away.

No doubt the trip is not for everyone, but like everything else you need to do a bit of research so that you understand what is involved. Daily conditions can make the biggest difference on how difficult each individual trip will be. The wind typically is to your back and assists greatly to propel you along. The lack of wind or a wind blowing the opposite way could make the 17 miles seem like 117. Seasickness is another thing to consider. While we had relatively calm surf, there were a couple of people that got seasick after a few miles which made for a very long day for them as well as the person in the kayak with them.

For us it was an incredible experience which I%26#39;d love to do again before I hit 60.