The end of the road on Kauaʻi’s North Shore and the start of the Nāpali Coast and the Kalalau Trail. A reef shelters a small lagoon that offers snorkeling on calm days, and the Nāpali cliffs rise right from the sand. Entry is capped through Hāʻena State Park’s reservation system.
Why we love it
Because visitor numbers are capped, Kēʻē still feels like a reward: calm-day snorkeling, Nāpali views from your towel, and one of the island’s best sunsets.
Current conditions: Hāʻena State Park and the shuttle reopened Oct. 15, 2026 after a Hurricane Lowell closure that began Sept. 6. HDOT’s status table (Oct. 20) still lists the highway past Hanalei as local access only, so confirm with GoHāʻena or your shuttle before you drive.
What to expect
You arrive by reserved parking slot or the shuttle, then walk a short way past the trailhead to a small sandy beach with a lifeguard tower. On calm days the inner reef lagoon is good for easy snorkeling. Stay inside the reef and off the coral, and expect rougher water from October through April, when the winter shore break can make even standing at the waterline risky. Many visitors pair Kēʻē with the 2-mile hike to Hanakāpīʻai (same reservation). The parking lot fills to its reservation cap, so arrive at the start of your time slot.
Know before you go
- Reservations
- Nonresidents book at gohaena.com. Reservations open 30 days ahead at 12 a.m. HST and usually sell out right away. There are no same-day sales; check 7–8 a.m. daily for cancellations.
- Time slots
- Parking slots run 6:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., 12:30–5:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.–sunset. Your reservation is valid only for the slot you bought.
- Shuttle
- The shuttle includes entry and leaves from the Princeville stop or Waipā Park & Ride. You must board at the stop you booked.
- Lifeguards
- A county tower is staffed daily 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Swimming may be prohibited when conditions are unsafe.
- No roadside parking
- Parking along Kūhiō Highway in Hāʻena is banned, with fines and surcharges up to $400.
- Cancellations
- There’s a 10% fee, and you must cancel at least 48 hours ahead. Storm closures are refunded automatically.
Photo: The original uploader was MattWright at English Wikipedia. via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
