Wife and I are considering a last minute holiday trip to Kauai. Some of our friends are going and have some stuff "planned" but it doesn't seem like they've actually done any planning based off a quick google search. They want to kayak and camp along the coast but it seems like that is pretty limited in the winter? Just wondering if anyone has any experience taking trips there, we're still waiting to hear back on exactly what they're trying to do. I've only been to the island once and that was almost a decade ago, my wife has never been. I'll probably come back with specific questions once I have a better idea of the plan but figured I'd throw it out to you guys and see if anyone has any recommendations for 2-3 days on short notice. We'd be there over the new year.


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Napali + winter = big surf

I wouldn't recommend going in by water,  could be a bad idea with the winter surf. 
As far as camping over,  you will need a permit to do so. 
The first beach hanakapiai is 2 miles in. It's a great place to camp.  There is also a river crossing there. You can also do a waterfall hike from here. 
Let me know if you have any more questions and I'll try to answer as best as I can

Are you talking about hiking/camping Kalalau trail? Or are you talking about camping at Polihale?

Kalalau you def. need permits and honestly its a tough trail when its wet, and its been really, really wet lately. It has been completely closed various days over the past couple weeks.

You can camp at Polihale if you want fairly easily (you should get a permit, but many people don't). That's still Napali, but you can drive in and choose a campsite. (4x4 is prob. needed, we were out there this weekend and the road is super muddy and awful)

Either way the water and kayaking is a no go unless you really know what you're doing (no offense, but it sounds like none of you do). Even then, nobody on Earth is even trying to land a kayak in winter. The swell is almost never below what would easily kill an inexperienced ocean goer from Dec-Feb.

Hopefully your friends get warned or wake up, otherwise they are really risking their lives.