Ke’e's inviting lagoon is teaming with fish and perfect for snokeling. Beware, however of the Puka Ulua, an opening on he left side from the lagoon to the sea. The whole area is absolutely gorgeous — huge expanses of white sand, lava rocks, waterfalls, green tropical plants, lagoons. You can even wash up after your visit. There is ample parking under the shade trees adjacent to this little lagoonal beach, protected by a natural coral reef breakwater. Sheer mountain cliffs with intermittent waterfalls provide a dramatic backdrop for Kee Beach. The seas were calm, and inside the lagoon was like a swimming pool.
We ventured out the inlet to the other side of the reef, were we saw many turtles, barracuda, and all sorts of marine life. It’s also one of the island’s most beautiful: It sits on a blue lagoon at the foot of emerald cliffs, looking more like Tahiti than almost any other strand in the islands. This 3-mile-long, gold-sand beach is shielded from the open ocean by the longest, widest fringing reef in Hawaii.
Avoid going to the opening on the left side from the lagoon to the sea where water currents can be quite strong there. Make sure to walk towards Ha?ena where you?ll discover the panoramic view of the Na pali Coast and keep walking further to Limahuli Stream, where Taylor Camp (largest and most well-known hippie colony) is situated. Stay in the calm, protected waters of Kee lagoon—there’s plenty to see there. Kee is tucked within a lagoon and protected by an expansive coral reef, which sometimes makes it a safer area for swimming and snorkeling than some of the other beaches. But the size of the surf varies depending on the season.
Good reef protection assures safe swimming even when the rest of the north shore has high surf. You — and perhaps 500 other visitors — park in an improved lot next to showers and rest rooms. It is a good place for snorkeling and swimming. Because of large coral reef protecting this beach area, Kee Beach provides visitors a calmer waters suitable for all kinds of water sports except in high surf days. Part of the experience is running into naked hippies picking berries, swimming, and walking barefoot. Most people take 2-3 days for both sections).
We stayed relatively near the shoreline, but you could swim out farther to see more sealife. At this point, the coral reef is extremely shallow so you can walk about a half-mile into the ocean during low tide. Please take caution, intense rainfall can make this trail deadly and many lives have been lost while swimming in the currents of Hanakapiai Beach.
Public parking, bathrooms and showers. The dry cave will be on your left and Haena Beach Park on your right. Take the fork to the left and park. Walk north along the beach until you come to a hollow in the coral.
{ 0 comments }
