Hanalei Bay, KauaiBy: Dana Bezaire

Science of forecasting wavesRichard Stockton College of New Jersey

About KauaiKauai is often referred to as the “Garden Isle”Capital is Lihue (Southeast)Fourth largest Hawaiian islandOldest northernmost island in HawaiiEmerald valleys, jagged mountains, tropical

rainforests cascading waterfallsMany portions only accessible by sea or airPopulation of 63 thousand totaling 550 sq. feetMain languages Hawaiian and EnglishLaid back atmosphere and culture

ActivitiesKayaking on Wailua RiverHiking Kokee State ParkZip liningKilauea lighthouse Air/boat tours Na Pali Coast and North ShoreTouring Waimea Canyon Boat tour Wailua River (only navigable river) Relaxing on beaches among the North and

South shores

Stand up paddle boarding (SUP)

-Lessons given all year -Provided with SUP Board (epoxy) with soft non slip deck-Paddle (High performance carbon fiber)-costs roughly $85/person for 90 min

Surfing

-lessons provided all year-for less experienced- soft foam boards provided-more experienced - short and long epoxy/fiberglass boards provided-costs $50/person for 90 min

Snorkeling

-tours given all year -three hour guided tour along the scenic Hanalei River and Bay Reef Lagoon -provided with Tandem (double) kayaks and snorkel gear-cost $60/person

Traveling Kauai, HIOnly one airport-Lihue international (LIH) Average temperature all year long 75-85

degreesBest time to travel is winter, december

through marchLargest surf occurs during winter monthsHawaii standard time zone GMT, 5 hours

behind U.S. east coast20 minute plane ride from Honolulu, HI

Resort Destinations 5 major resort destinationsCoconut coast (east side)Kulapaki in Lihue (southeast)Poipu (South Shore)Waimea (West side)Princeville (North Shore-Hanalei Bay)Accommodations include luxury resorts, hotels and housing

rentalsAverage cost to stay in Hanalei Bay including hotel and air

in january $1864 to $4546/person Average cost of round trip ticket from PA to LIH in january

$1083 to $1162/person

Hanalei BayLargest bay on the North Shore (2 miles)City of Princeville overlooks Northeast entrance of bayBiggest danger to the bay are tiger sharks, many spotted

just feet away from the pierHistoric Pier:-built for transporting goods to market-located at mouth of the bay on black pot beach-taped in the 1958 movie “South Pacific” by 20th Century Fox

Video Hanalei Pier

Big Wave Surfing Pictures

Big Waves Kauai North Shore

Hanalei Bay Pictures

Hanalei Bay Weather/SurfingNorth swell Summer tends to be flatOffshore wind from S-SE-yields distant ground swell-optimum swell angles N-NWExposed reef/point break Shallow reef spots Consistent surf

One of best surfing spots in Kauai

20 minute paddle out-small swell – fringe break-large swell – outside the channelDuring winter season double

overheadLargest reported wave 30 ft. During “big wave” season

must be expert surfer

January Wind and Swell StatsWind Statistics 01/2007 – present

Swell Statistics 01/2007 - present

Sources