Hanalei Beach
Hanalei Beach stretches nearly two miles along a crescent-shaped bay on Kauai's north shore, backed by dramatic ridgelines that rise sharply into mist-draped peaks. The combination of turquoise water, lush green mountains, and a gentle curve of pale sand gives you multiple strong compositions in one location. Shoot from the water's edge with a wide angle lens to capture the full arc of the bay and the layered mountains behind it, or compress the scene with a longer focal length to isolate the peaks against passing clouds. Morning light is ideal, when the low sun catches the ridges and the bay is calm and glassy before the trade winds pick up. The Hanalei Pier at the eastern end of the bay adds a useful foreground element and works well as a leading line. Parking is available near the pier and access is straightforward on foot. (Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii, United States)
