On The Road to Polihale Beach

Thanks to volunteer efforts, the access road to Polihale Beach on Kauai’s West Side reopened last year. We drove our not recalled Toyota Highlander SUV on the road last weekend for the first time in years. Fasten your seat belts for this ride; it’s going to get bumpy.

The five mile dirt road takes at least 30 minutes to navigate. Go slow and don’t start too late in the day. Your back is going to take a beating so keep that in mind.

Pack your own food and remember there’s no cell phone service or GPS. You’re out of touch with the rest of the world which may be a good thing. There’s no lifeguard and even if there was, this is not a beach for swimming (well almost never).

The ocean conditions at Polihale are among the most unpredictable.  Currents, rogue waves and undertow can take the lives of even very experienced ocean goers.

Its seven miles of white sandy beach touch the cliffs of the Na Pali, making this one of the most spectacular places on Kauai, and in all of Hawaii.

Polihale is very sacred. According to the book, Kaua’i Trails by Kathy Morey, “In Kaua’i mythology, the souls of the dead leave the world of the living at Polihale to dwell in the depths of the ocean in Milu, the land of the dead.”

As long as you stay out of the water, you’ll leave Polihale to live another day with renewed sense of peace and energy.

Comments.

Subscribe to our email updates.