The Na Pali Coast of Kauai is a designated World Heritage Site and rightly so. We’re written about the views from above Na Pali which provides hints at the wonders below – pristine white sand beaches rimming uninhabited hanging valleys where waterfalls abound and nary a building can be found. Some folks choose to hike into Na Pali – a dangerous trek. Others choose the easy way and pick up a paddle and hop in a kayak. As you can see from this image, sometimes the easy way does yield big benefits. Namely, the opportunity to get up close and personal with these spectacular sea arches. Mind you, this is a summer only pastime as rough surf in the winter and rains make the Na Pali far more dangerous for kayaking and wetter to boot. But here’s a portal to the mystic kingdom, if there ever was one. Paddle through to the other side. You can put in your boat in Hanalei and be floating through these arches a short while later. (Na Pali Coast State Park is open to the public from May 15 through Labor Day. Permits are required for anyone planning to camp in the park in one of the valleys).

(Image courtesy of Kayak Kauai)