Beaches of Kauai, Hawaii

Hawaii is popular for many things, such as its vibrant culture, warm weather, big waves, spirit of Aloha, etc, but probably the number one reason visitors come to Hawaii is for its beaches. Hawaii's beaches are some of the most famous beaches in the world. The older islands in the Hawaiian archipelago chain tend to have bigger sandy beaches primarily because they have had longer to erode and compile due to the ceaseless demands of time. Kauai's beaches are the perfect example of this process and as a result Kauai has some of the most spectacular beaches in all of Hawaii.

There are many excellent beaches on Kauai but for the purpose of this article we are going to focus primarily on the Kauai beaches that you will see from a Safari Helicopter tour. The first beach you will see from our Kauai Helicopter tour is the famous Kalapaki Bay and beach. Kalapaki beach is a popular beach in Lihue. There are a number of restaurants and shops along Kalapaki beach and it is also a great place to play some beach volleyball or learn to surf.

From Kalapaki beach Safari Helicopters tour takes you along the Hau'pu Mountain range where for a moment you can catch a glimpse of the private beaches of Kipu Kai and beyond that the isolated beaches of Mahalapu on the South Side of Kauai. Kipu Kai beach is inaccessible other than by boat and has been used as a film location for many famous movies.

From here Safari cuts inland to view the many incredible cascading waterfalls and valley vistas, eventually cutting across the entire island of Kauai to the famous cliffs and beaches of the Napali Coastline. The beaches along Kauai's Napali coast are some of the most remote and isolated beaches in Hawaii. Helicopter routes vary a little, but usually Safari Helicopter tours enters the Napali coast along the Nualolo area.

Nualolo beach was once a Hawaiian fishing village. The offshore reef protects the beach on the inside making it perfect for fishing and shelter. There are still many remains along this beach and near shore area of the once thriving Hawaiian settlement.

Going up the coast heading north from Nualolo beach the next beach you will see is Hauupu beach. Hauupu beach is most noted for the enormous arch that connects two separate beaches. This area has also been used by Hollywood throughout the years in many popular movies.

Up from Hauupu beach is the most famous beach along the Napali. Kalalau beach is a dramatic setting with a gently sweeping valley and stream letting out onto a wide sandy beach. Kalalau beach is the final destination for hikers and is a welcomed sight after the arduous hike. After Kalalau beach is Hanakapia beach and then The also famous beach location called Ke'e beach. Ke'e beach is the end of the road on the North Shore of Kauai and is a popular protected lagoon beach area. The views of the Napali are off in the distant and the Ke'e beach area is famous in Hawaiian Mythology for being the birth place of Hula.

From Ke'e beach the Safari Helicopter route takes you along the coast heading towards Hanalei Bay and beach. This stretch of coastline has many famous beaches, most notably are Lumahi, beach and Tunnels beach.

Finally the helicopter tour flies by Hanalei Bay which is famous throughout the world, made popular in many Hawaiian songs and legends. Hanalei Bay is a enormous crescent shaped bay with some of the best beaches on Kauai and is spectacular for a aerial vista.

Hanalei Bay and beach is the last beach you see before the helicopter tour takes you back inland and eventually back to Lihue to land. The beaches of Kauai are incredible and from a helicopter tour you are able to see beaches you otherwise would never see. For more information on this tour click on the Kauai Tour Page.