About Kauai
Kauai is known as the “island of discovery” and the “garden isle”. Take a virtual helicopter tour of Kauai and you’ll soon be in love with the island’s beauty! From the air, you will be amazed by the natural wonders you will see. Imagine, if you will, that you are now on a helicopter touring Kauai. On the southwest, you will find the grand canyon of the pacific, Waimea Canyon, with its rich hues of pinks, purples, oranges, and greens that you will never forget. Along the northwest coast, you will find the famous, unspoiled Na Pali Coast with miles of cliffs, white sand beaches, and thick rainforest. Next you fly to the very center of Mount Waialeale crater, which is the rainiest place on earth and produces perpetual waterfalls that drop thousands of feet. You are seeing the very beginning of Kauai as this is the volcano that created this paradise. Your flight is full of countless rainbows and waterfalls. Your thrilling tour must come to an end and you depart the helicopter with memories for a lifetime and your camera full of postcard quality photos. Now it’s time to explore Kauai from the ground.
You will most likely arrive in Kauai at the main commercial airport in Kauai in Lihue on the East Shore. The East Shore is also referred to as the Coconut Coast and you will know why when you come across the thousands of lovely coconut trees planted in Wailua. The East Shore offers wonderful Kauai hotels and resorts, a variety of island shops, excellent swimming and snorkeling, scenic and famous waterfalls, and even kayaking along the Wailua River. Some consider Kauai’s East Shore to be the perfect base location for exploring the island.
Traveling on to Kauai’s North Shore, you will find some of the most picturesque beaches in the world that provide excellent spots for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. These beaches are set against lush tropical plants and majestic mountains with waterfalls. At “the end of the road”, which is literally as far as you can go on the northwest, you will find scenic Kee Beach and the start of the 11-mile Kalalua Trail that follows along the Na Pali Coast. The Kalalua Trail offers some challenging hiking, but the views are worth the sweat. (Just a word of advice, the first two miles are considered to be the best and bring you to Hanakapiai Beach which is a beautiful beach nestled between cliffs.) Other ways to see the Napali Coast is by catamaran or if you are really adventurous by kayak. There are several excellent hotel and restaurant options on the North Shore. Many people choose Kauai hotels on the North Shore due to its lush, jungle-like beauty. If you are looking for a luxury Kauai hotel, then you should consider the Princeville Resort where you will find world class service, outstanding views of the Bali Hai that are second to none, famous Kauai Princeville golf courses, and a full service spa for pampering.
Kauai has two distinct climates, the lush tropical North Shore and the sunny, drier South Shore. The drive into Kauai’s South Shore takes you through a gorgeous canopy of eucalyptus trees that lead into the historic town of Koloa and then onto Poipu Beach where you will find many outstanding luxury hotels, restaurants, golf courses and spas. Watching the sunset on Poipu is gorgeous, relaxing, and very romantic.
Moving onto the West Shore, you will find the Waimea Canyon that offers many breathtaking vistas. The West Shore is a hiker’s dream as it provides over 28 miles of trails between Kokee State Park and Waimea Canyon.
Many readers have told us that Kauai is their favorite Hawaiian Island and we can see why. They love it for its tremendous variety of adventures and unspoiled beauty. Whether you are planning a family vacation or celebrating your honeymoon or anniversary, Kauai will leave you with a lifetime of memories and the desire to return to the “garden isle” for more discoveries.
Kauai Weather:
Daytime highs range from the mid-70s to the mid-80’s. Overall, Kauai has more rainfall than the other Hawaiian Islands, which makes for the lush tropical paradise. The rainiest months are October through March.
Kauai (Lihue) year round temperature and rainfall averages by month
Terrain, Geography and Highlights:
The north shore of Kauai is gorgeous with its lush green cliffs, golden sandy beaches, and cascading waterfalls. At the end of Kuhio Highway, you will find an entrance to a challenging, yet breathtaking hike on the Kalalau Trail to the secluded Hanakapai Beach and beyond. Princeville is on the north shore and is an upscale resort area with the highly rated Princeville Resort. Watching the sunset behind the Bali Hai, makes for a romantic and memorable evening.
Moving east from the north shore, you will find many beautiful beaches that will feel like they are your very own. A drive through the town of Lihue is the central hub of the east side of the island. It is the largest town and has several nice hotels. As you get to Wailua, you will obviously know why this area is called the Coconut Coast. Taking a detour to the west off of Highway 56 just south of Wailua will bring you to the Wailua River State Park where you will find two picturesque waterfalls, – the Opeakaa Falls and the twin Wailua Falls. You will also find access to the famous Fern Grotto here too.
The south shore is typically the sunniest and driest side of Kauai. For that reason, many tourist book their holiday into one the many nice resorts and hotels in Poipu. The Poipu beach is an award winning beach that is perfect for snorkeling and swimming. One of the interesting natural features of this area is Spouting Horn which is a lava tube that shoots water up to 50 feet in the air. Poipu Beach is another top spot for watching the sun set.
The signature features of the west side of Kauai are the Waimea Canyon, Kokee State Park, and the Napali Coast Line and both fall into the category of “must see”. Viewing the Napali Coast Line is best done by kayak, boat tour, or helicopter. The scenery along the coast is so untouched and pristine with striking cliffs, colors, and waterfalls. The Waimea Canyon is called the grand canyon of the Pacific and is rich with colors and sights that completely breathtaking.
Where to stay on Kauai?
For a better guarantee of sun, you should consider the South Shore where Poipu Beach is a popular resort area. Though the North Shore gets more rain, it is actually our favorite place to stay. We love Princeville in particular. Lodging around Lihue on the East Shore tends to be a little less costly than the North Shore and South Shore resorts.
When is the best time to go to Kauai?
Because Kauai gets a bit more rain in winter months, I recommend that you try to visit Kauai from April – October. That being said, you’ll find Kauai can be wonderful anytime of the year. For the best deals, least crowds, and better weather, I advise Kauai vacations for April, May, and September. See this article for more on the best times to vacation in Hawaii.
What kind of activities can you do on Kauai other than sightseeing?
I think Kauai has some of the best free sights and things to do, so make sure you check out this list of best Kauai budget activities.
- Hiking – in our opinion, Kauai has some of the best hiking of all the Hawaiian Islands. Our favorite spot is the two mile stretch along the Napali Coastline, from Kee Beach to Hanakapai Beach on the Kalalau Trail. There are also many beautiful miles of hiking in the Waimea Canyon State Park.
- Helicopter Tour – Again, Kauai is the best Hawaiian Island, in our opinion, for taking a Helicopter Tour.
- Snorkeling
- Scuba Diving
- Snuba
- Surfing
- Golf at one of the many top notch courses.
- Kayaking – there are several rivers, along with the Na Pali Coastline (in season) for great kayaking
- Horseback Riding
- Tubing – Kauai is the only island in Hawaii with mountain tubing
- Zip Lining
- Fishing
- Rejuvenating at a Spa
- Sample Hawaiian food and see a Polynesian dance show at a Kauai Luau.
- Take a Boat Tour – the Fern Grotto and the Na Pali Coast are popular boat tours.
- See one of the many reasons Kauai is called the Garden Isle by touring one of the botanical gardens.
- Take an thrilling ATV tour into Kauai’s back roads and paths.
Kauai Vacation Planning Advice
Get a free Kauai Vacation Planning Guide from the Kauai Visitors Bureau
Get some great ideas for a 7-day Kauai itineary
General Kauai Travel News
Kauai Travel Deals
Kauai Restaurant News & Reviews (Be sure to review this comprehensive Kauai restaurant resource guide)
Kauai Activities News & Reviews
Hawaii Vacation Planning Essentials
