Posted by Chip Phillips on November 29, 2007 at 1:58 PM
I am going to be staying in the Poipu area on Kauai the week before christmas and was wondering if any of you could give some recommendations for sunset/sunrise coastal photography locations. I won't have time for the Napali Coast, but I hear that 2 miles down the trail is the first beach..
I'm looking for interesting foreground material, Lava rock, ect. and spots to possibly include the sun during rise and set. Any recommendations on how to find the exact position of the sun based on where I am would be great as well. Thanks, Chip Chip Phillips Photography
Posted by Kent Staubus on November 29, 2007 at 8:59 PM
I was there last summer. In the winter, the waves are big and impressive on the northwest shore in the area you are talking about. Not sure I'd take a boat trip out on it or a kayak, but I would recommend a helicopter. I chartered one for an hour that flies with the doors removed. Definitely worth it. I think the tour helicopters where you can't remove the doors aren't anywhere near as good for photos. One more thing, bring plenty of water to drink, and do NOT drink from streams and springs there. There is a nasty parasite lurking.
Kent in SD
Posted by Chuck Babbitt on November 30, 2007 at 12:44 AM
Kent is right that at this time of year the surf is huge and they will not be running boat trip along the Na Pali Coast. There is a classic spot to shoot the sunset at the end of the road where the Na Pali Trail starts. Instead of going up the trail, find the trail through the trees along the left side of the beach. It will take you out to the lava boulders that face the sheer Na Pali Coastline. It has been done, but so have a lot of shots right? Be there an hour before sunset and you can get beautiful backlit shots of the waves breaking off the cliff and it's great for the sunset. Bring insect repellant.
I have not been back in that trail to the first beach since the 70's so my memory is somewhat vague. I know the trail can be slippery and treacherous especially in the winter with all the rain. It is a beautiful valley with impressive shorebreak waves on the beach. The surf will be very dangerous. There is at least one very impressive waterfall a couple of mile up the valley if you have time for that.
Going in the other direction from Poipu it is always worth taking a drive up to the Kalalau lookout past Waimea Valley. It isn't necessarily a sunrise spot but I would get there early because it gets socked in with clouds more later in the day. Actually your odds of seeing nothing but clouds up there are pretty good even on the best day. The drive is worth it though for the views of Waimea Valley. There are several hikes you can take up in that area but I would recommend being ready to deal with heavy rain. It IS the wettest place on earth after all.
I have lived on Oahu for 15 years and I would say that Kauai is the prettiest of all the island. It's beautiful so enjoy! The surf will be great on the North Shore too. Aloha.
Posted by Sharon Menke on November 30, 2007 at 11:50 AM
Aloha!!! I have gotten some really good sunset shots from the Princeville Hotel [which is on the North Shore]. You can stand on one of their balconies as well as on the grass outside of the hotel. I haven't tried from their beach yet. I don't know where you reside, but remember, Kaua'i is 3 hours behind California time. So you will be up before the crack of dawn. Maybe before all the roosters!! I will be going to Kaua'i in January.
Posted by Jim Greenwood on November 30, 2007 at 7:41 PM
I've been to Kaua'i a couple of times, although the last time was several years ago, '00 or '01 I think. I didn't do any sunset photography there, so I can't offer any advice. But I'm sure that the suggestions already offered are good. My suggestion though, even though you said that you won't have time for the Na Pali Coast, if you are up to an eight mile hike, and it's a good weather day, would be to visit Hanakapi'ai Falls. It is a quintessential Hawaiian waterfall. It's another two miles mauka (inland - towards the mountains) from Hanakapi'ai Beach, which is the first beach you mentioned along the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast. I was only there in summer, and I'm sure there will not be as many days in December when this hike is as feasible. But, as I said, if it's a good day, it is well worth the effort.
Discussion
4 repliesI'm looking for interesting foreground material, Lava rock, ect. and spots to possibly include the sun during rise and set. Any recommendations on how to find the exact position of the sun based on where I am would be great as well. Thanks, Chip
Chip Phillips Photography
Kent in SD
I have not been back in that trail to the first beach since the 70's so my memory is somewhat vague. I know the trail can be slippery and treacherous especially in the winter with all the rain. It is a beautiful valley with impressive shorebreak waves on the beach. The surf will be very dangerous. There is at least one very impressive waterfall a couple of mile up the valley if you have time for that.
Going in the other direction from Poipu it is always worth taking a drive up to the Kalalau lookout past Waimea Valley. It isn't necessarily a sunrise spot but I would get there early because it gets socked in with clouds more later in the day. Actually your odds of seeing nothing but clouds up there are pretty good even on the best day. The drive is worth it though for the views of Waimea Valley. There are several hikes you can take up in that area but I would recommend being ready to deal with heavy rain. It IS the wettest place on earth after all.
I have lived on Oahu for 15 years and I would say that Kauai is the prettiest of all the island. It's beautiful so enjoy! The surf will be great on the North Shore too. Aloha.