The Beauty of Kauai

Kauai is truly a unique locale with its mountainous interior and valleys and plains around the coastal areas.  The northern side (Princeville/Hanalei area) and eastern side (Lihue/Kapaa/Wailua area) receive the most rain while the southern (Poipu) and eastern (Waimea) side tend to be the driest (and sunniest) areas of the island.  A highway runs almost around the entire island.  You can start it all the way up north at Ke’e Beach and drive until it ends at the top of Waimea Canyon Drive.  Separating these two points is the dramatic Napali Coast which has been featured in many Hollywood films.

There are three main areas where tourists predominantly stay when vacationing on in Kauai. Princeville and Hanalei are in the north where the Napali Coast begins.  On the east shore you have the towns of Kapaa, Wailua and Lihue which is also where the airport is located. To the South is the sunny resort area of Poipu.

Each of the three areas will have a range of accommodations, with the Princeville and Poipu being home to 5-Star resorts (the

Princeville Resort and the Grand Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa, respectively) while a very solid 4-Star resort can be found on the east shore (the Kauai Marriott).  While the north shore tends to get the most rain, it also happens to be the most lush and tropical.  You can actually see waterfalls cascading down the sides of the green mountains.  Poipu, because of its location on the leeward side of the island, gets less rain and is considered the “sunny” side of the island.

“I’ve heard it always rains on Kauai”.  We hear that a lot.  The reality is that, while it does rain more on Kauai than any of the other islands, the benefit is that Kauai gets its beauty from the rain.  It wouldn’t have all of its lush vegetation and majestic waterfalls without it.  The rainy season in Kauai is in the winter months.  So, if you’re basing your choice of location on the amount of rain you think you might be dealing with, Poipu is a good choice in the winter and Princeville is a good choice in the summer (since Princeville is incredibly beautiful and is at its driest in the summer months).  However, “waterfall season” coincides with rainy season, so you may want to plan accordingly.

Kauai has some of the best, and most secluded, beaches in all of Hawaii.  Poipu Beach in the south has a reputation as being one of the best beaches on Kauai, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.  Calm water, a long stretch of clean sand and great snorkeling make this a popular place to spend the day.

Would you rather have a beach all to yourself?  There are plenty of those in Kauai as well.  For example, Kauapea Beach (aptly nicknamed “Secret Beach”) is only accessibly by a 15 minute

hike. The sea is rough here in the winter, but in the summer it offers great swimming and snorkeling.  However, it’s worth the trip anytime of year as it’s an incredibly beautiful spot.

For the truly adventurous, an 11-mile trek (one way) across the Napali Coast will bring you to Kalalau Beach.  While the journey is certainly strenuous in spots, the eventual reward of the beauty, and isolation, of the valley and beach make it more than worth it to those who feel up to the task.

Hawaii has some of the most direct sun on the planet.  In fact, Kauai receives direct sunlight several weeks of the year.  Those who are not usually susceptible to sun burns can get burned within half an hour if not protected. Use suntan lotion whenever you’re going to be outside for an extended amount of time.  It’s also smart to plan outdoor activities for the mid-to-late afternoon or early morning when the sun is least intense. Also, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and planning well for extended day trips hiking through the jungles.  Always bring more water than you think you’ll need.

Activities abound on Kaui.Watching the world be created at the Volcano National Park is an incredible experience.  Where else can you snorkel in the morning and ski at night?  There are a plethora of activities available to you on Hawaii, including:

• ATV Off Roading
• Dinner Cruises
• Diving and Scuba
• Dolphin Excursions
• Fishing
• Golf
• Helicopter Tours
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Kayaking
• Guided Land Tours
• Luaus and Shows
• Parasail and Jet Ski
• Sailing
• Snorkeling
• Submarines
• Sunset Sails and Cruises
• Surfing and Watersports
• Whale Watching