Songdoc

I'm having an utterly BLISSFUL time in paradise (aka Kauai).

I've read that Polihale Beach is exceptional--and I'd love to see it. It's one of the few places on Kauai that I haven't seen.

But ... I have a compact rental car and I understand the road to the beach is rough--and that the fine print in the rental agreements states that the driver is responsible for any repairs or problems due to driving on unpaved roads.

I was really nervous driving on the pot-holed, dirt road to Mah'aluepa Beach -- but it was worth it ;-). How does the road to Polihale compare to the drive to Mah'aluepa? Would the views still be worth the long drive from Princeville if I went only as the road was paved???

Mahalo!

jcb

I have never done it, but here is a recent thread from TA. I think the road condition varies depending on the weather.

I hope you are having a great trip, and I am looking forward to your trip report!


http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...ai_Hawaii.html

hgjames

Conditions do change with rainfall so my experiences may be out of date, but I think the Mahaulepu road is in worse condition (that last section of Mahaulepu is really rough). The dirt road of Polihale is probably about 10 minutes longer. The impressive part is the beach, so not worth driving only to the dirt road. Be sure to also explore the Queen's pond area (my favorite). When the dirt road gets to the sand dune you turn right to go to the park grounds. If you turn left and drive for 100 yards or so you can park beside a dune, and that's roughly where the pond is (tide pool area next to WWII vehicle wreck). It may not be visible in high surf.

Songdoc

Hmmm ... Thanks for the info. Sounds like the road probably isn't as bad as I'm fearing. That last section to Mahaulepu was so bad that I parked my car and walked the last couple of blocks!

I understand the road to Polihale was closed due to flooding at one point, but it's been remarkably dry (yes, even on the "rainy North Shore") so it doesn't seem like that will be a problem.

The good news is that I won't have to worry about it because a friend has offered to take me in his 4-wheel drive on Saturday! The bad news is that we won't be there for the sunset -- but I'll get a sense of the road, and whether I'd be comfortable returning in a rental car. I'll report back in my trip report.

Tomsd

Happy ruts to you.

SiteC_er

I did it in a rental car and did not have any problems

edjim

We went in a rental about five years ago and didn't realize we weren't supposed to. There was one part of the road that looked a little iffy but we didn't come close to getting stuck. Polihale is a pretty cool place -- we were there in the late afternoon.

Songdoc

I'm back from a wonderful day and a gorgeous sunset at Polihale. The waves were enormous--dramatic and quite intense. Definitely not swimmable.

My friend (a local) drove in a p/u truck and the dirt road was pretty rough. It's do-able--but I don't think it's a good idea in a rental.

I'd say it was about as rough as --or a little worse--than the worst parts of the road to Maha'luepa -- but this went on being that bad for almost five miles.

I'm glad I saw it. It's a beautiful beach--but for me, not worth the chance of a blow-out or a broken axel in a rental car--that doesn't permit driving on that road.