How to Get to Na Pali Coast

Drive 17 miles west along Kūhiō Highway (Route 560) until the pavement ends at Keʻe Beach. This dead-end marks the Kalalau trailhead inside Hāʻena State Park. Non-residents must secure a $10 parking reservation in advance through gohaena.com, in addition to a $5 per person entry fee. Hawaii residents enter free with a valid state ID. Parking fills up rapidly each morning. Visitors without a confirmed spot face immediate rejection at the gate. Arrange a private drop-off or use the shuttle if you cannot secure a vehicle reservation.

The official Hāʻena State Park shuttle drops passengers directly at the Keʻe Beach trailhead. Reserve seats in advance at gohaena.com to guarantee entry to the park. Riding the shuttle bypasses the stress of navigating the crowded lot at the end of Kūhiō Highway. Shuttles operate daily, aligning with the park hours of 7:00 am to 7:45 pm in the summer. Pack all necessary gear before boarding. There is no treated drinking water, trash service, or cell phone reception available once you enter the wilderness area.

Catamarans and small cruise ships depart from Port Allen for a 5-hour trip along the coast. Vessels navigate about an hour of rough, open ocean each way before reaching the 4,000-foot basalt cliffs. Heavy sea spray and sudden waves frequently wash over the deck. Protect cameras and electronics in high-quality dry bags. Ocean swells are calmest from June to August, allowing boats to safely access deep sea caves. Winter swells often force operators to cancel departures entirely. Take Dramamine or use a scopolamine patch beforehand to prevent severe seasickness.

Doors-off helicopter flights provide an unobstructed view of the 17-mile coastline and its deep interior valleys. Wind whips through the cabin as the aircraft banks past sharp green ridges and countless cascading waterfalls. This 1-hour flight reveals the sheer scale of the desert, temperate, and tropical rainforest climates converging on the cliffs. Passengers can see remote areas like Nuʻalolo Kai and Kalalau Valley that remain inaccessible by land. Flights depend heavily on clear skies and calm winds. Secure all loose items in zippered pockets before takeoff.

The 22-mile round-trip Kalalau Trail cuts through wet gulches and narrow, rocky ridges. Hikers climb 800 feet in elevation to reach remote beaches and ancient stone-walled taro terraces where self-sustainable Hawaiian communities once lived. Wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes with aggressive traction to handle the slick mud. Anyone proceeding past the two-mile mark at Hanakāpīʻai Valley needs a valid camping permit. Heavy rainfall triggers dangerous flash floods in Hanakāpīʻai Stream. Turn around immediately if the stream water turns muddy or rises rapidly.