Discover Hanalei Bay from an entirely new angle with these mesmerizing drone photos.
Hanalei Bay, renowned for its breathtaking beauty, reveals an entirely new dimension when seen from above. These remarkable images, captured by a DJI Mini 2 SE Drone, offer a rare bird’s-eye view of Hanalei Bay and the surrounding area.
We took the below photos on two separate evenings in late August 2023. Flying from the back of the Black Pot Beach Park parking lot, we lifted off and climbed quickly to 120 meters (the max for this drone) so the drone could not be heard from the beach.
PHOTOS
In the summertime, sailboats gather in the calm waters of Hanalei Bay.
Photo of the newly remodeled 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay (former St. Regis Princeville Resort) shows how the the resort is built into the hillside with three distinct levels. The multi-tiered design was reputed to be a solution to gain approval for the initial development, as high rises are generally not permitted on the island. (Instead of one 11-story high-rise building, the resort was built with two 4-story buildings and one 3-story building.)
In the foreground of this photo is the ancient Kamoomaikai Fishpond. A rock wall, built by ancient Hawaiians around the year 1400, can be found in the treeline behind Puu Poa Beach. High tides would bring fish into this low-lying area and the rock wall would trap fish inside once the tide receded. Also in the photo is 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, Hanalei Bay Resort (in the right middle) and the Hanalei Bay Villas (the rows of light-colored buildings behind Hanalei Bay Resort).
Behind Hanalei Bay, the verdant Hanalei Valley is blanketed in green.
The peaceful Hanalei River winds its way to the bay.
The legendary Weke Road in Hanalei.
Golden Hour at Hanalei Bay!
The parking lot for Pine Trees Beach at Hanalei Bay. Look closer to see the Waioli Hui’ia Church (the Green Church of Hanalei) and the Hanalei Elementary School (the red-tiled buildings).
The Hanalei Pier, Black Pot Beach Park and the mouth of the Hanalei River come together in this striking photo.
Sailing into the sunset at Hanalei Bay. Though this image has a sun flare, the photo has a cool sun ray effect.
Featured top photo: Sailboats at Hanalei Bay.
