Panorama Photo

To my honest believe you cannot travel Kauai without doing at least a day-hike along the Kalalau trail on the Na Pali coast. Kalalau beach itself is too far away for a relaxed day hike; in addition a permit would be necessary.

So we decided - as many others too - to get just a glimpse into the beauty of this coastline and just did hike to Hanakapi'ai beach which you can see here. Leaving from the Ke'e beach (good snorkeling spot) parking lot you hike for about 3 km in a steady up and down (~150 m elevation gain) along the beautiful coastline with breathtaking views until you finally descent to Hanakapi'ai beach after crossing a nice stream which enters the ocean on the beachfront on the right side of the picture). Keep in mind - anyone on the picture had to do this hike.

A special place in the middle of the Pacific Ocean - the next land behind the horizon is Alaska. Although the water is luring and the surf was modest on this day (less than 1 m), hardly anyone was in the water owing to more than one warning sign and the well recorded history of drownings on this beach. In winter surf is of course much higher as the stones to the left tell.

Technical details: 11:50 local time, f/9, 1/500, ISO 100.
13 RAW pictures at 17 mm, Canon 550D. Hugin, Gimp