Hawaii is not short of great beaches, but Hanalei Bay, on Kaua‘i, is one of the most beautiful. This 2-mile (3-km) crescent stretches from the base of a sheer cliff at one end to a craggy bluff at the other, and is backed by lush mountains that collect the morning mist.
Hanalei Bay is the largest bay on the north shore of Kauaʻi island in Hawaii. The town of Hanalei is at the midpoint of the bay.
Hanalei Bay consists of nearly two miles of beach, surrounded by mountains. In the summer, the bay offers excellent mooring for sailboats, stand up paddle boarding and swimming. The Princeville community overlooks from the northeast entrance to the bay of Hanalei River, 22°12′52″N 159°29′52″W Coordinates: 22°12′52″N 159°29′52″W. During the winter the surf becomes large and the bay is a favorite surfing location.
The wetlands of Hanalei Bay were used to grow taro by ancient Hawaiians. By the 1860s, the new crop was rice, which was shipped to Honolulu to become the second largest export crop of the islands. The Hanalei Pier was built to help Hanalei farmers move their crops to market. The covered pier’s location near the mouth of the Hanalei River and Black Pot beach has long been a favorite family gathering place for fishing, picnicking, swimming, and playing. Wikipedia