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Hanalei Bay, Hanalei, HI

Photo: Jawed Karim, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & OutdoorsOutdoor Adventure

Hanalei Bay

A two-mile crescent of sand on Kauai's north shore, ringed by mountains, with a historic pier near the Hanalei River mouth.

Kuhio Hwy (HI-560) at Hanalei town, Black Pot Beach Park by Hanalei Pier · Hanalei, HI

About Hanalei Bay

Hanalei Bay is the largest bay on Kauai's north shore, with nearly two miles of beach backed by mountains and the town of Hanalei at its midpoint. The Hanalei Pier, first built of wood before 1892 so farmers could ship rice to market, stands near the river mouth at Black Pot Beach, a long-time spot for fishing and picnics. Summer brings calm water for swimming and paddleboarding, while big winter surf makes the bay a surfing favorite.

  • #beach
  • #surfing
  • #pier
  • #kauai north shore
  • #paddleboarding

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What's around here?

The closest stops to Hanalei Bay, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Limahuli Garden and Preserve

    Check prices

    A Kauaʻi botanical garden and nature preserve in a biodiverse valley, stewarded by Indigenous caretakers and the National Tropical Botanical Garden.

    5.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Iconic

    Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park

    Under $25

    Hike the first 2 miles of the Kalalau Trail to Hanakāpīʻai Beach, or see Kauaʻi's roadless cliff coast from a boat or a helicopter.

    5.4 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Haʻena State Park

    Under $25

    A north-shore Kauaʻi state park with beaches, taro terraces, and the start of the Kalalau Trail.

    5.5 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Kōkeʻe State Park

    Under $25

    Forested state park on Kauaʻi offering high overlooks of Kalalau Valley, native-forest hiking, and camping by permit.

    12 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums

    Albert Spencer Wilcox Building

    Under $25

    Historic Lihue building that now houses the Kauai Museum, with exhibits on the island's history and culture.

    19 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing

    Cook Landing Site

    Check prices

    A National Historic Landmark at the mouth of the Waimea River on Kauai, marking where Captain James Cook first came ashore in Hawaii in 1778.

    21 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

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