Kauai is the northernmost and oldest of the Hawaiian Islands. Kauai is called “The Garden Isle” for its lush postcard-perfect tropical setting and natural botanical beauty. The island has been used as the backdrop for more than 70 Hollywood films and television shows including Jurassic Park, Fantasy Island and Raiders of the Lost Ark. With average annual temperatures ranging between 75°-80°F, no wonder this is such an attractive vacation destination. World-class resorts, fine dining, white sand beaches, waterfalls, spectacular mountain vistas and abundant leisure activities makes this a true vacationers’ paradise. Over 1-million visitors per year come to experience the beauty of Kauai.
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Kauai is located a little over 100-miles north of Oahu (Honolulu), just a short 20-minute flight. Direct flights from the US mainland are available from major US airports. Kauai’s main airport is located in Lihu’e along Kauai’s east coast. The island is around 550 square miles in size, but only 25 miles by 33 miles across. Only around 60,000 people live on the island. The largest cities are Kapa’a and Lihu’e, which are both located on the eastern coast. Over 95% of the island remains undeveloped and much less than 10% is accessible by car. There is one main coastal highway that doesn’t circle the entire island. Much of the interior and northwest coast can only be seen by experienced hikers, by boat, or by helicopter. There are a multitude of hiking trails making Kauai a hikers paradise. Although less than 10% of Kauai is accessible car, you will for sure want to rent a car at the airport. The island has three main resort areas. To the north you’ll find Princeville, to the east is Wailua, Lihue and the Coconut Coast, and along the southern coast you’ll find Po’ipu.
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Starting with the northern coast, the resort area of Princeville began as a coffee plantation in the late 1800’s. Today Princeville is the largest planned development on Kauai. Many tourists choose to stay in Princeville for its top resorts, beaches, golf, restaurants and beautiful north shore location. Just west of Princeville on Route 560, the peaceful town of Hanalei and Hanalei Bay is a popular stop for tourists, honeymooners and beach goers. The wide 2-mile long crescent shaped beach attract visitors for is calmer summer waters, good surfing in the winter, and views of the waterfalls running down the emerald green mountains in the background. You’ll also find working taro farms near Hanalei. Nearby Lumahai Beach is a popular spot as it was featured in the movie South Pacific. You will also find a bit of nightlife in Hanalei, which can be scarce on the island.
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Continuing west along the ocean vistas of route 560 you’ll discover 13 historic bridges as you drive the narrow road along the coast through the small fishing village of Haena. This popular stretch of route 560 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The road ends at Haena State Park where you’ll find the impressive Limahuli Gardens and the Wet Caves at Ke’e Beach. Ke’a Beach is a popular snorkeling spot. The Kalalau Trail along the Napali coast up to the world famous Waimea Canyon begins here at Haena State Park. At Haena Beach you’ll also find the Maniniholo Dry Cave, which is about 300 yards deep.
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At the northernmost tip of the island near Princeville, you’ll discover the 52-foot tall Kilauea Lighthouse at the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors love to stop by this point for its great panoramic views of the north coast and the awesome photo opportunity it presents. During December to April it’s a good vantage point for whale watching.
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Along the eastern “Coconut Coast” the city of Lihue is Kauai’s business center and transportation hub. It’s the second largest city on the island behind the old plantation town of Kapa’a, which is just a few miles to the north. You’ll find museums, resorts, restaurants, shopping and various attractions as well as recreation in the area. Shoppers will want to check out the Kukui Grove Shopping Center, Kauai’s largest shopping center. Beautiful Kalapaki Beach is located here as well as the 40-acre Kauai Lagoons and two championship Jack Nicklaus golf courses. The area’s Hulē’ia National Wildlife Refuge provides spectacular scenery and is an excellant spot to photograph native birds and animals. Kauai's principal port, Nawiliwili, is located in Luhue. Cruise ships filled with tourists regularly visit the picturesque harbor.
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While visiting the eastern shores be sure to take a popular scenic boat trip from the Wailua Marina up the Wailua River to the famous Fern Grotto. The lava-rock grotto is draped with lush natural hanging ferns in a tropical rainforest setting. The formation of the grotto acts like a natural acoustic amphitheater where you can hear local Hawaiian Musicians. The Wailua River is rich with Hawaiian history, sacred sites and Hawaiian culture. Kayaking or boating up the Wailua River is a popular activity for tourists and locals. The spectacular Wailua Falls are popular with visitors and can be seen from the roadside. Located at the southern end of the Wailua River, the tiered waterfalls plunge a dramatic 80-feet.
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Along the Poipu Coastline on the south shore you’ll find world-class resorts, dining, shopping as well as natural wonders. In this area you’ll discover the popular blowhole known as the Spouting Horn. Here the surf funnels into a natural lave tube and sprays up to 50-feet into the air when it releases out the other side. As it spouts, it resonates a hissing groan resembling a horn. There is a lookout point for viewing the blowhole. The blowhole is located off Lawai Road just off Poipu Road in Poipu. Shoppers can check out the flea market at Spouting Horn Park. Along the Poipu coast you will also find the spectacular National Tropical Botanical Gardens, which are chartered by Congress. In this area you’ll also find the tiny historic sugar plantation town of Koloa, which is full of historic buildings and little boutique shops. On Friday nights be sure to stop by the tiny town of Hanapepe for Art Night. All the art galleries and boutiques stay open until 9 pm and many offer treats and there's live music. It’s a great place to find works by local artists.
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Further on to the southwestern part of Kauai up Highway 550 you’ll find the famous Waimea Canyon, known as “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific” with its brilliant reddish hued gorges. The canyon is about 10-miles long by 1-mile wide and over 3500 feet deep from the canyon rim to the floor. This is a must see landmark and an excellent photo opportunity. The drive starts in the historic town of Waimea on Waimea Canyon Road in the southwest part of the island. Waimea is where Captain Cook first landed in Hawaii in 1778 and you’ll find a monument to Captain Cook in town. It was once the capital of Kauai. Traveling up hill to the 3,400-foot Waimea Canyon State Park Lookout, you have the best panoramic views of the canyon and the neighbor island of Ni’ihau.
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For those who do not mind driving narrow roads, further up the road at the 4,077-foot level you’ll find the Kalalau Lookout, which overlooks the Kalalau Valley and the rugged Napali Coast. The road ends at Kokee State Park. The beautiful Napali Coast is accessible to experienced hikers along the 11-mile Kalalau Trail, which leads down to the coast and ends at Haena State Park. You’ll find hiking trails for beginners and experienced hikers. Trail maps are available at the Ranger's Station at the Kokee Museum.
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The beautiful Napali coast should be experienced in some way by all visitors to the island; either by boat, air, or hiking. The spectacular breathtaking scenery along the remote rugged northwest coast is highly recommended. Kayaking tours are a great way to sea this coastline. You’ll experience emerald green cliffs soaring thousands of feet into the sky from the sea and cascading waterfalls tumbling into lush gorges. From the north coast of the island, the Napali coast is accessible from Haena State Park west of Princeville.
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If you are a Kayaking enthusiast Kauai offers some fun and scenic options. If you are an adventurous Kayaker with some experience, the Napili Coast offers some of the best ocean Kayaking in the world when it comes to scenery. For calm and relaxing lazy paddling along navigable rivers you can enjoy the Wailua River on the east coast or the Hanalei River on the north shore. Kayaks can be rented in most resort areas and guided tours are popular.
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Port Allen Marina on the south shore offers charters, diving, snorkeling, equipment rentals and guided boat tours of the Napali Coast. Kauai has some of the best diving and snorkeling around. The southern shores of the island are popular for diving and snorkeling because of the calmer clear waters, with visibility of around 50 feet and abundant sea life. Deep-sea sport fishing for Marlin and Ahi attracts sport fisherman from around the globe.
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Many toursit come to Kauai for its beautiful beaches. While visiting Kauai’s beaches, remember that some are not ideal for swimming because of currents. It’s a good idea to check with the locals. The most popular safe swimming beaches are Po’ipu on the south coast, Kalapaki and Ha’ena in Lihu’e on the east coast, and Hanalei Beach (near the pier) on the north coast. Po’ipu Beach is regularly ranked as one of the top beaches in the world by travel magazine polls. Popular snorkeling beaches include Ke’e Beach, Makua or Tunnels Beach and Lydgate Beach Park. Lydgate also has a paved 2.5-mile bike path for cyclists and walking.
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If you do decide to experience Kauai by helicopter you’ll have the opportunity to view some of the islands interior. At Kauai’s interior you’ll find the islands 5,208-foot Mount Wai’ale’ale. Mount Wai’ale’ale is the dormant ancient cone of the volcano responsible for Kauai and is among the wettest spots on earth with over 460 inches of rain per year. These rains have eroded deep 3,000-foot gorges in the land over time, and waterfalls are plentiful. If you are not fond of helicopters you will likely miss this part of the island.
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Kauai is home to some of the finest golf courses in the world with designs by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Jack Nicklaus. Golfers have a choice of nine spectacular golf courses including famous Poipu Bay, Princeville, Kauai Lagoons, Kiahuna and Puakea. Kauai’s courses have some of the most spectacular views of the coastline. After a long day of golf, most of the major resorts offer spa treatments.
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Some other popular activities on Kauai include: inner-tubing down the historic irrigation canals of an old sugar plantation (operated by Kauai Backcountry Adventures); taking a ride on a zip-line near Princeville; take an ATV trek through backcountry trails; take an island helicopter ride through the Kauai interior and the Napali Coast; horseback riding with choices of two stables in Princeville and one in Poipu; mountain biking; water skiing along the Wailua River; and of course scuba, windsurfing, sailing, shopping and dining. The various island tour operators have some excellent outdoor adventures.
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VoyageMonkey always recommends asking the locals for the best restaurants. The following restaurants are popular dining spots: The Beach House in Poipu; the famed Roy’s in Poipu; Keoki’s Paradise in Poipu; the lavish Hyatt Buffet in Koloa; Tidepools Restaurant at the Hyatt; Duke’s Canoe Club at Kalapaka Beach in Lihue; Café Portofino next to Duke’s at the Marriott; the Pacific Café in Kapa’a; Hukilau Lanai in Kapa’a; La Cascata at the Princeville Resort; and, Zelo’s Beach House in Hanalei. If you want to experience an authentic Hawaiian Luau while visiting Kauai, your best bet is to try the Garden Luau at Smith’s Tropical Paradise in Wailua.
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Voyagemonkey recommends the following hotels in Kauai:
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Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa – The 4.5-Star Grand Hyatt is located in South Kauai at 1571 Poipu Road in Koloa. The luxurious 6-story 602-room resort sits on a stretch of beautiful white sand beach on Keoneloa Bay and features an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and 20,000 square foot state-of-the-art spa and fitness center. The lush tropical grounds and lagoons are beautifully landscaped and kept immaculate. The comfortable guest rooms feature private balconies, ceiling fans, refrigerator, safe and most modern amenities. The large outdoor pool features a 150-foot waterslide, waterfalls and whirlpools. The resort offers various fine gourmet and casual dining options and bars. Other amenities include kids Camp Hyatt, babysitting services, shops, entertainment, free valet parking, business center, concierge service, car rental desk and 24-hour room service. The Grand Hyatt is an excellent resort with great service.
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Princeville Resort – The 4-Star Princeville resort overlooks beautiful Hanalei Bay. The resort hotel is part of Starwood Resorts’ Luxury Collection. The resort property is comprised of some of the best premium real estate on Kauai, located at 5520 Kahaku Road in Princeville. The 252 guest room 11-story resort consist of 3 buildings and offers a world-class spa, fitness center, two golf courses, tennis courts, private sandy beach, and a spectacular 5,000 square-foot infinity-edge pool complete with swim up bar and three whirlpools. Guest rooms include modern amenities and large marble bathrooms with ocean views from the bathtub. Resort amenities include tennis, live entertainment, beach activities and diving rentals, children’s program, business center, car rental desk, tour assistance service, 24-hour room service and various bars and fine & casual dining options including the excellent La Cascata Restaurant. This resort offers an excellent property, great service and awesome golf.
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Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas - The 4-star Westin is located at 3838 Wyllie Road in Princeville. The Starwood Resort property sits on a cliffside 200-feet above the ocean. The 3-story 346-guest room resort includes three outdoor swimming pools, children’s pool, hot tubs, fitness facility, steam room, sauna, kids club, general store and delicatessen. Guest rooms include spacious 512 square-foot studios, one-bedroom villas, and two bedroom villas. This resort offers all the comforts of home and is excellent for families. All guest rooms feature private lanais, LCD flat-screen TV’s, DVD player, fully equipped kitchenettes or kitchens, full size refrigerator, dish washer, washer-dryer, Westin’s trademark Heavenly Beds and Heavenly Baths complete with separate whirlpool tubs. Other amenities include concierge service, business center, complimentary shuttle service throughout the Princeville Resort, car rental desk, golf, privileges at Princeville Resort Tennis Club, beach access and room charge privileges at the Princeville Resort and the Sheraton Kauai Resort. This is a top family resort with a Kauai Condo feel and resort amenities.
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Marriott Kauai Resort Beach Club – The 4-star Marriott is located on 800 acres at 3610 Rice Street in Lihue, overlooking the crystal-clear waters of picturesque Kalapaki Bay. The resort is conveniently located only 1-mile from the Lihue Airport and has a great eastern shore location adjacent to the Jack Nicklaus Kauai Lagoons Golf Club. The 10-story resort’s 356 guest rooms feature standard modern amenities, balcony, safe, minibars, movies on-demand, and are all non-smoking rooms. The resort features lush tropical grounds, an excellent white sand beach, and a large 26,000-square-foot swimming pool lined with columns, decorative tiles and fountains. Dinning options include oceanfront dining at the popular Duke’s Canoe Club and Café Portofino, as well as other fine & casual choices (five open-air restaurants). Other resort amenities include Alexander’s Spa, a fitness center, whirlpool, tennis, children’s pool, kids club, babysitting service, free parking, car rental desk, complimentary airport shuttle, concierge service, and beauty shop. The resort offers various aquatic beach activities including snorkeling, sailing and surfing. The Marriott offers great island service, good amenities and a great beach & pool. The resort is not for smokers with its smoke-free policy.
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Other recommended hotels include: Sheraton Kauai Resort (4-stars, located in Koloa); Hilton Kauai Beach Resort (4-stars, located in Lihue); Outrigger Waipouli Beach (4-stars, located in Kapaa); Koa Kea Resort at Poipu Beach (4-stars); and, Kauai Condos & Cottages (4-stars, located in Princeville).
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Kauai is the ultimate tropical vacation destination. Leave your cares behind and treat yourself to the aloha spirit. There are many Kauai vacation package deals offered by VoyagMonkey.Com. Book now on VoyageMonkey.Com.
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