You cannot drive there. Seriously, no roads lead to Milolii State Park. You have to paddle a kayak through rough ocean swells along Kauai's Na Pali Coast or hire a local boat captain to drop you off. That brutal barrier keeps the crowds away. While thousands of tourists fight for parking spots over in Poipu, you get jagged green cliffs crashing straight into deep turquoise water all to yourself. Pure coastal wilderness. So, if you crave real adventure instead of a manicured resort lawn, this is your spot. You can pitch a tent right on the sand beneath massive sea cliffs, provided you snagged a state camping permit first.

Then there is the water. Snorkelers hit the shallow reef here because the coral stays untouched by big tour boats. Green sea turtles glide right past your fins. Spinner dolphins frequently spin out in the bay during early morning hours. Actually, ancient Hawaiian stone structures still sit hidden back in the valley brush from early fishing communities. No Wi-Fi. No flush toilets either. Just rough ground, hot sun, and roaring ocean noise. It takes real sweat to land on this beach, but the payoff is unmatched.