Kauai Vacations Hawaii

The Kauai Vacation Experience

Kauai is the most northern, and the oldest, of the major Hawaiian islands. Compared to Oahu, Maui or the Big Island, Kauai is smaller, less populated, a lot more rural and laid back.

Known as the "Garden Island" Kauai is covered with lush greenery and appeals to an audience who enjoy the natural beauty of the island, the great sandy beaches and the laid back lifestyle.

What Can I Do On Kauai?

Kauai vacations include swimming, snorkeling, surfing, hiking and camping, helicopter tours, mule/horseback rides, scuba diving, sailing, fishing, and biking.

The North and the East side of the mountains are the windward sides and get the most rainfall and winds, while the South and West sides are the drier, sunnier side. All sides have fine beaches and resorts and offer interests to all visitors.

The Napoli coastline can be observed by tour boats that can be chartered out of Hanalei give you access to awe inspiring views of the Napoli coast while helicopter flights can show you scenes that aren't accessible by land or water.

Visit the Kilauea Lighthouse on the northern tip of Kauai for a perfect vantage point for photographs. This area is also the location of the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary for Hawaii's unique seabirds. Hanalei Bay is famous for it's spectacular beauty and is a great place for walking.

The western portion of the bay is relatively calm even when the north shore is too rough for safe swimming. Huleia National Wildlife Refuge protects the Koloa (Hawaiian Duck), Hawaiian gallinule, Hawaiian coot and the Hawaiian stilt. Kayak up the Huleia stream past an 800 year-old fish pond into a refuge for the waterfowl.

Waimea Canyon has been called the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" and is on Kauai 's west side. It is 10 miles long, 1 mile wide and 3,500 feet deep and offers breathtaking views from various lookout points on Waimea Canyon Drive. Hiking and camping are available at the top of the mountain at Kokee State Park with maps available at the Ranger station.

The south shore has some great beaches including Mahaulepa Beach and Poipu Beach, and is often ranked as one of the top beaches in America by travel magazines. Large green turtles as well as endangered Hawaiian Monk seals often swim in these waters. On the south shore of Kauai is the Spouting Horn blowhole where the Poipu surf channels through a natural lava tube to blow a spout of water up to 50 feet into the air.

The Spouting Horn area is luminous at night and provides great photo opportunities. Walk the 10 mile Koloa Heritage Trail through the town of Koloa and 14 sites of cultural, historical and geological significance. The Mahaulepa Heritage Trail stretches along the coast from Keoneloa Bay to Kawailoa Bay and features a host of geological and cultural sites.

The Fern Grotto is one of Kauai's most popular attractions. This stunningly beautiful grotto is only accessible via the Wailua River. Take the scenic boat ride, be treated to musicians playing beautiful Hawaiian music or plan your wedding at the Grotto. Kauai has the only navigable rivers in Hawaii and the Wailua River is one of the most popular, being fed by two major falls, the Opaekaa and the Wailua Falls.

A kayak, canoe or boat trip is well worth the time. Wailua Falls can also be visited by car and is a short distance from Lihue, the county seat. Kalapaki Beach is another great beach for swimming and sunbathing.

What Kauai Accommodation Will I Find?

The island enforces a strict cap on building heights where hotels are limited to a height maximum of 40 feet. This has stopped the development of high rise resorts and towering skyscraper hotels found elsewhere on the other islands.

Kauai offers a plentiful choice of accommodation. The most difficult part of narrowing down a list of choices is deciding on which part of the island you plan to stay. The lodgings available on Kauai include 5 star resorts, condominium properties, privately owned vacation rentals and bed and breakfast properties. The best results will come from using the hotel price comparison tool at the top of this page.

When Is The Best Time On Kauai?

Kauai is a year-round destination with a wet season from October to March which has cooler temperatures. April to September is the dry season with warmer temperatures. Winter temperatures in January average 65/80F (18/27C) whereas the summer average in July are 74/88F (23/31C).

December to February is the busiest time when the mainland snowbirds take refuge from the harsh winters in their home states. For detailed weather forecasts visit the Hawaiian Islands National Weather Service Forecast website.

Getting To Kauai & Getting Around?

The main airport on Kauai is at Lihue (LIH), a small terminal servicing inter-island flights by Aloha, Hawaiian, Go!, American, United Airlines as well as US Airways with a non-stop service from the mainland west coast. The deep water port at Nawiliwili caters to inter-island cruise ships that usually start and end in Honolulu.

The best way to really see Kauai, and the only way to get to some locations, is via rental car. Most of the major rental car companies have a desk at the Lihue airport or nearby with access via shuttle bus. The Kauai bus will get you to and from the major population centers, such as Lihue and Kapaa, and the more popular beach areas.  It does not offer services to the more remote sites on the island.