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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If you have always wanted to surf, or simply want to brush up on your skills, the best surfing lessons on the island are from Hamilton Surfing School and surfing Legend Bill Hamilton, in the northern town of Hanalei. Take lessons from Billy and his surfing dog, Sava. Bill makes it very easy to get up on the board in safe waters. If the dog can do it, you can do it. It's a great way to spend the day at Hanalei Bay. Find Hamilton Surfing School at the mouth of the Hanalei River.
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We have found a great half day adventure and one of the best ways to see the Na'Pali Coast. Visit the rugged coast by fast Zodiac boat, a rigid hull inflatable boat. North Shore Charters departing from Anini Beach on the North Shore gets you to the Na'Pali Coast in just 20-minutes and has one of the best tours. With just 14 passengers at a time the tour is attentive to all your needs, including lunch and snorkeling. The smaller Zodiac Boat is actually able to enter many of the caves along the coast and take you under waterfalls. Other tour companies with larger boats can't enter the caves. Local captains educate you about the areas of the coast and it's Hawaiian history. Registration for North Shore Charters is at their office on the Road to the Kilauea Light House.
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Voyagemonkey recommends the following restaurants in Kauai:
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Tidepools - Tidepools is one of the best restaurants on the Island. Tidepools serves great seafood & Steaks in a thatch hut building stretching out over a salt water lagoon full of tropical fish. The restaurant is located by the sea in the lush tropical gardens of the Grand Hyatt Resort & Spa in Koloa near Po'ipu. The ambiance is relaxing and the service is friendly, personal and attentive. They have staff that have worked at Tidepools for over 20-years and still love working there. Tidepools is known for its prime rib which is some of the best on or off the island, and the portions are generous. The seafood and greens are all fresh and the food is really very good. We recommend Tidepools if you are staying in the Po'ipu area.
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Bar Acuda - In the beautiful northern town of Hanalei you'll find this fabulous Tapas restaurant & bar. Reservations are recommended. The food is out of this world and with the small Tapas plates you can try most of the menu and still not break the bank. Try succulent dishes of off the boat seafood, fresh beef, pork and lamb prepared with local herbs and spices to capture a local island flare. They offer outdoor seating which is great for people watching. The service is quick and efficient so you may ask them to bring one dish at a time. The ambiance is comfortable and the staff is friendly.
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22 North - As you leave the main town of Lihue towards Poi'pu you'll find 22 North on the right hand side at the Kilohana Plantation. The food is all local farm to the table fresh. The restaurant serves fabulous seafood and meats all prepared fresh and served in a beautiful courtyard plantation setting or indoors. The menu changes based on what is in season and they offer multi-course specials that pair the food and wine nicely. The food is delicious, reasonably priced for the island, and the service is excellent.
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Kauai Grill - At the gorgeous St. Regis Resort, high on a bluff looking out west over Hanalei Harbor, you'll find the Kauai Grill. This restaurant has the best views of the sunset on the island. The food is some of the best tasting and prepared food on Kauai. Award winning chef Jean-George Vongerichten puts a twist of local ingredients on some of his famous dishes from his other restaurants in places like New York and Las Vegas. Reservation are recommended for dinner. It's hard to argue with the quality of the food and the view, fantastic. Here is the downside. Very expensive, but that is OK. The problem is they charge top dollar and you feel bad about paying that when you eat at a wooden table with paper table place mats that soak up water from your drinks, and they provide cheap bamboo chop-sticks, the take-out-food kind you pull out of a paper cover and pull the two chop-sticks apart. They need to fix the table setting if they are to charge those prices. They also have too many different people coming to your table, not in an efficient way, but friendly. I felt rushed. Some of the best food on or off the island and best sunset view.
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Merriman's - One of the Top 5 restaurants on Kauai is Merriman's. Located in Po'ipu at the Kukui' Village, Merriman's serves exquisite food and has a terrific wine list to pair. Chef Peter Merriman provides a genuine Hawaii
Regional dining experience. Entrees
are delicately prepared to bring out distinctive island flavors. We eat at the Merriman's on Maui for its top notch fresh food. The Merriman's on Kauai is the same great dining experience, local fresh farm ingredients, day caught seafood, grass fed island meats and a menu that changes with the seasons based on what is fresh.
The
service is very good. The staff is
very knowledgeable about the wines and food preparations. The prices are moderate to expensive.
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Duke's Canoe Club - Located at Kalapaka Beach in Lihue next to the Marriott Resort, you'll find this fun restaurant and bar with great food, great drinks and lively beach-front dining. Enjoy live music many days of the week and a popular happy hour. Outside seating makes for great people watching and enjoying the surf. Dukes serves great island seafood dishes, steaks & island pork dishes, deserts, and has a nice wine list. This is a great ocean front dining spot. Prices are moderate.
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Nanea - Nanea restaurant at the Westin Ocean Resort Villas in Prineville on the north shore serves terrific steak, seafood and pastas with outside patio dining available in the evening torch lights by the Koi Pond, waterfalls and pools. They offer a seasonal menu with evening specials such as prime rib or a wine pairing with multi-course meals. They offer live music mostly on weekends. The fresh island fish they serve prepared with local herbs "cooked how you like it" is delicious. Also try the short ribs that melt in your mouth. Although not on the dinner menu, ask for a bacon cheese burger from the lunch menu, they will make it for dinner. Best burger on the island. The food at this restaurant is really good, the service is friendly and efficient. Prices are moderate.
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VoyageMonkey always recommends asking the locals for the best restaurants. 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. The following restaurants are also popular dining spots VoyageMonkey recommends: The Beach House in Poipu; the famed Roy’s or Plantation Gardens in Poipu; Keoki’s Paradise in Poipu; the lavish Hyatt Buffet in Koloa; Josselin's Tapas Bar & Grill at the Kukui' Village in Po'ipu; Café Portofino next to Duke’s by the Marriott; The Eastside or Kintaro Japanese Restaurant in Kapa’a; Hukilau Lanai in Kapa’a; the Mediterranean Gourmet in Hanalei, and The Terrace at the St. Regis Resort with it's great view.
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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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St. Regis Resort – The 4-Star Princeville resort overlooks beautiful Hanalei Bay. The resort hotel is part of Starwood Resorts. 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 award winning Kauai Grill. This resort offers an excellent property with great ocean views, 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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Sheraton Kauai Resort - Situated in Koloa on the South Shore, at Po’ipu
beach, this 4-star resort has an excellent location and beautiful beach. Every guest room in the Beach and Ocean Wings
faces the sea, while Garden Wing accommodations overlook acres of vibrant
tropical blooms and sparkling waterfalls. A total of 394 rooms, including 8 suites,
are housed in beautiful four-story buildings on the 20-acre ocean front resort.
Resort facilities include two swimming
pools, massage and fitness center, tennis courts, a children’s center, a host
of beach activities plus equipment rental and instruction, and nearby championship
golf courses. Find shops both in the
hotel and the nearby Po'ipu Shopping Village. The Sheraton has a friendly staff with a can
do attitude, the service is excellent as well as the restaurant food.
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Other recommended hotels include: 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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