15 years ago, once the summer season was over on Kauai’s north shore, you'd almost have the whole place to yourself. Hanalei Town and Kilauea and Tunnels felt quiet, undisturbed. If you weren't used to it, you might have even felt a bit lonely. I’d walk along the beach at Hanalei Bay at 7AM and there was no one save a dozen or so surfers, mostly out at the surf-breaking bowl or at Pinetrees. By 10 AM there would still only be a few beachgoers. Shooting my sunsets at the beach photo sessions I never had to worry about parasols, bathers, and body surfers in the background. The spectacular views of misty mountains, jungles and palm trees made the bay, especially the half-mile stretch between the Hanalei pier and Pavilions, one of my favorite photo op spots. I knew I was blessed to have this as my backyard, literally 10 minutes from my doorstep.
If I’d have jumped into a time machine to today and landed in the same spot, wintertime along Hanalei Bay, I wouldn’t have believed my eyes. I wouldn't have recognized the place. I mean I’d have recognized the crazy waves slamming into the shore and the drifts of ocean spray shimmering in the sunlight, partially obscuring the three famous mountain peaks of Hihimanu, Namolokama, and Mamalahoa. But seeing eye-stretching beach crowds and swarms of surfers not even out at the bowl but right by the pier, all of them vying for the perfect wave in a pantomime of boards, people, tents and noise—that would have been a shocker!
I was a Kauai photographer back then in 2010, and I still am today. I’m also a creature of habit. I shoot at my backyard Hanalei Bay beach over and over because it’s the best outdoor studio ever!
The day before Thanksgiving I hooked up with a couple to memorize their anniversary with a photo session. I forgot how crazily busy the Hanalei pier could be at this time of the year. What we actually walked into was, to put it bluntly, wild—busier than I’d ever seen. We had to find gaps and spaces between the throngs of bodies and shades and surfboards for each shot. I managed—experience is invaluable—but I knew I’d have a heck of an editing job to get rid of all the clutter, to return Hanalei Bay to its pristine look of 15 years ago. Ultimately, this is exactly what I did. The edited photos are amazing! But this episode had me thinking. I needed a new backyard.
Waikoko Beach and the easier accessed Ines’ Secret Beach (not the Secret Beach at Kilauea) are at the west end of Hanalei Bay. There are no beach signs, hardly any tourists know of these two spots, and most locals don't consider them because they’re not the ideal beaches for kids or swimmers. However, they are visually spectacular. Parking along the road is spartan but late afternoon or very early morning you should have no problem finding a parking spot. For Waikokos you have to climb down a steep drop to the beach. Ines’s Secret Beach is easier. Once you step onto the beach you're unlikely to see anyone else. For intimacy, you can't do better. If you want to propose here, it's magical, and afterwards you’re just five minutes away from Hanalei Town where you can continue the celebration in one of the fabulous restaurants.
So if you want a different location for your photo session, a place off the beaten track, knowing that there’s no bathrooms or lifeguards, send me a text, email or call me and let’s set up your photo shoot at the hidden gem of a beach that no one goes to even though it’s on the bay.
To book a photo session with me: https://sunsetsatthebeach.com/contact