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| Climate is the long term weather for a
place. We provide climate charts for
Lihue and
Wiamea to give you some insights on the weather
in Kauai throughout the year. |
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Kauai's
nickname is the Garden Isle and we think this little spot of green is the
most beautiful of the Hawai'ian Islands. It is also the rainiest
island, averaging 100 inches of rainfall a year, which accounts for the
adjectives most commonly describing its vegetation - lush, rich, and
verdant. Kauai is the oldest and northernmost of the Hawai'ian Islands.
Its size is approximately 550 square miles (33 by 25 miles).
2006 was a record setting year from precipitation in Kauai. Lihue
Airport's rainfall measured almost 36 inches in March alone. The March
total for Mount Waiaeale was 130.4 inches. Of course, Mount Waiaeale,
topping out at over 5,000 feet in elevation, is one of the rainiest places
on earth, averaging slightly over 460 inches of rain each year (and its
rainfall is not typical of the resort areas). Generally more rain
falls on the windward side of Kauai (Princeville), while less rain falls on
the leeward side of the island (Poipu), a rule that is true for all of the
Hawai'ian islands.
Kauai was severely damaged by hurricane Iniki in 1992 , a category 4
hurricane that roughed up the island's south and central shores, destroying
residences, hotels (including the Cocoa Palms Resort where the movie Blue
Hawai'i was filmed) and large swatches of the island's vegetation, although
causalities were remarkably light. The island was back in business the
following week, but total recovery took a much longer time. (An
interesting aside here is that Iniki destroyed most of the chicken coops on
the island and the escapees have prospered. Bet you never thought your
morning on Kauai could mimic one "down on the farm"! Be prepared.)
Heavy rains in 2006 caused the Ka Loko Reservoir Dam to burst (between
Princeville and the airport in Lihue), killing several people and isolating
Princeville from the rest of the island for a short time. The overall damage
from the rains was relatively minor and the island is once again in top
operating condition.
The threat of rain, hurricanes and flooding has not steered vacationers
away from Kauai, which on the average attracts slightly over a million
visitors a year. So, just what is it that attracts so many people to
this small, northern island in the Hawai'ian chain? Well, the scenery
is fantastic, the ocean and beaches majestic and Kauai manages manages to
beguile most visitors into coming back again and again. to We hope to show
you why in the travel guide that follows.
One more thing, Kauai is a very popular destination for newlyweds and
considered something of a honeymoon paradise. Heck, even if your are
not newly married, visiting here makes you feel that way - but that's
another story.
Finally, we have created a map of our recommendation for the best places to
visit in Kauai. Clicking the map symbol in the text will show you the
location of the attraction on a detailed map of Kauai. The base map is
from Google and you can select map view or satellite view. In either case,
you can use the scale tool in the upper left hand corner to magnify the map
or satellite image. In addition, you can route between the
locations on our map of Kauai to find out how long it might take to drive
between destinations.
Where Should We Stay? There are three major resort areas on
Kauai. Princeville/Hanalei 
in the north offers more solitude, provides, perhaps, the most beautiful
landscapes and great golf, but the beaches can be treacherous and the north
shore is rainier than the other vacation areas. Poipu
, on
the south side of the island is the most popular of the resort areas, has
great beaches, offers a lot to see and do and attracts the largest crowds
during the tourist season. Poipu is a favorite vacation spot for
families. Wailua, about halfway between Poipu and Princeville provides
access to the island's historic core and to its main commercial areas
.
This is also the closest area of the Wailua River State Park and the Fern
Grotto.
Poipu and Princeville are the areas on the island favored by most
visitors. As noted above, each area offers a unique set of
attractions. Both areas offer a variety of a resorts and hotels,
although the Grand Hyatt in Poipu and the Princeville Resort in Princeville
are the two top rated resorts on the island. So you can find luxury at
both locations, but the real difference may be that Princeville has more of
secluded and mature feel to it, while Poipu seems to be the place for having
great fun with the family.
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Princeville
Poipu |
Kauai Waimea Canyon and Wailua River
From Viator Tours
Na Pali Kauai Snorkel Expedition
From Viator Tours
Entire Kauai Island Air Tour
From Viator Tours
Waimea Canyon Bicycle Downhill
From Viator Tours
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Wailua River State Park/ Fern Grotto
Near Kuhio, the Wailua River State Park along the Wailua River provides lush,
tropical scenery, including waterfalls (Opaeka'a and Wailua) and the island's
number one tourist attraction - Fern Grotto. If you are looking for romantic
settings, this is it.
The Wailua River, the only navigable river in the Hawai'ian chain of islands, is
an idyllic pathway to Fern Grotto. The Grotto is a beautiful fern covered
cave, tucked away in a tropical oasis. The popular boat ride to Fern
Grotto departs from the Wailua Marina for the two mile cruise to this exotic
destination. The boat ride is popular and touristy but provides a
pleasant, scenic journey. During the short cruise you will be serenaded
with Hawai'ian music and stories. Hula lessons are an optional part of the tour.
Visit this site for detailed information on schedules and pricing:
http://www.smithskauai.com/fern_grotto.html
Wailua Falls in Wailua River State Park. Waimea Canyon State Park
Although, Kauai is a relatively small island, it contains one of the State of
Hawai'i's most recognized, natural scenic treasures, the impressive and colorful
Waimea Canyon. Often called Hawai'i's Grand Canyon, it is considerably
smaller than and not quite as deep as its sister canyon in Arizona. Waimea
Canyon offers an amazing palette of colors and is a real crowd pleaser.
The trip to Waimea Canyon State Park will take you to the western side of the
island and into unpopulated areas once you pass the town of Waimea. Be sure to
have a full tank of gas and bring and water and food that might want during your
day's travel, as you will not find facilities once you turn onto the road up to
the Canyon( Highway 552 - Koke'e Road ). Parts of the trails edging the
Canyon actually occur in adjoining Koke'e State Park
,which is further up highway 550 (also Koke'e Road)
There is excellent hiking along the rim of the Canyon, but you should be in
good shape if you are going to try the more strenuous trails into the canyon.
Waimea Canyon State Park
Poipu Beach
Kauai's southern coastline is the location of Poipu Beach, which is one of
the most popular areas on Kauai. In the Poipu Beach area, there are
several other fantastic beaches and , collectively, they provide the best
sunbathing, swimming and water sports setting on the island.
The climate here is sunnier than the north and usually quite a bit drier,
although showers do occur. Even if you do not choose a hotel in this area
(although there are some very nice resorts), you should take time to explore the
beaches, towns, restaurants and shopping in the Poipu Beach area. For more
information, see the Poipu Beach Resorts Association website at
http://www.poipubeach.org/
- The Mahaulepu shoreline lies to the east of Poipu Beach
.
It is an area favored by day hikers due to its beauty and easy access from
most of the resort areas. Kauai Nature Tours provides guided tours of
this and other areas of the island. Visit their
web site for more information.
Napali Coast State Park
The Napali (Na'Pali) coast on Kauai is a scenic wonderland of sea cliffs and
valleys. It is tough to get to by land and many tourists see it by
helicopter or during a boat ride. The hike across the park to the coast is
worth the overnight hike, if you are willing to hump, or a few days if you are
feeling more leisurely. The overnight trip usually stops at Hanako and continues
to the "rustic" camp at Kalalau the next day. You will find tour operators
willing to transport people and/or gear in by boat, avoiding the eleven mile
hike each way. If you decide to hike in, the trail you want is the Kalalau Trail
at the end of Highway 56 (Kuhio Highway) in Ha'ena State Park on the northwest
side of Kauai
.
There are stream crossings about each third of the way in that make for good
day-hike destinations for those in the mood for a shorter hike or you can choose
the official day hike (4 miles roundtrip) to Hanakapi'ai. Bring your own
drinking water as none is available on the trails or in the campground.
Hiking in this area provides some spectacular rewards but is strenuous with
rough trail conditions and primitive camps. In other words, if you are not an
experienced hiker, this is not the adventure for you.
By the way, the beaches in Napali only look inviting. Swimming and wading
are not advised as the surf can be treacherous. Of course, you are also in
the middle of nowhere without the advantage of lifeguards.
The Napali Coast
Helicopter tours
Kauai is an extraordinary sight from the air. Due to the island's mountainous
nature and the lack of roads, much of the island's beauty is hidden from land
travelers. There are a number of aerial tours available that can help to
expose the island's incredible beauty. If you are planning on taking a
helicopter tour, be sure to take advantage of clear weather, as most flights are
"weather permitting". Evaluate the providers of helicopter rides based on
their safety records and other factors important to you. We list several
providers of helicopter rides below. (Please note that we have listed them for
you only as a convenience. The listings should not be considered as a
recommendation on their safety or suitability.) Will Squyres
Helicopter Tours
http://www.helicopters-Hawai'i.com/
Jack Harter Helicopters
http://www.helicopters-kauai.
com
It is possible to snag a discount by booking online, in advance.
Alternatively, you may want to wait until you arrive in Kauai and ask
your hotel's concierge to suggest their recommended helicopter tour operators.
During your helicopter tours of the island, you may have seen all of the major
attractions in Kauai, often from a better perspective than will be available
during a land tour. So, we suggest taking your helicopter flight first,
and then deciding if you really want to drive or hike to all of those areas that
were on your list.
Luaus
Oh so touristy, but so much fun in the right setting! Although a variety
of food is offered, we look for luaus with an Imu ceremony, where a pig that has
been roasting in an underground oven is uncovered to start the feast.
Fees are around $65 per adult (depending on the package) and, thankfully, less
for kids. Before you make your reservation, do a little homework and find out
what types of food are served and the type of entertainment presented. Before
you make your reservation, do a little homework and find out what types of food
are served and the type of entertainment presented. The professionalism and
enthusiasm of the luau staff have a lot to do with the success of any luau.
Rating luaus is a tricky things and often a person's memory of the event is
influenced by the factors unrelated to the food or entertainment. The
three we present below are considered by many to the be the best on Kauai, but
we urge you to take a look at the websites we reference and decide for yourself.
Smith Family Garden Luau
This famous luau is held at Smith’s Tropical Paradise Located in the Wailua
River State Park (Marina Section). It may be the attractive setting (a 30
acre botanic garden), but the Smith Family Luau is considered to be the best
luau in Kauai. The proceedings start at 5pm on Monday, Wednesday and
Friday (Monday through Friday during the summer months). See the Smith's
Kauai website for detailed information
http://www.smithskauai.com/
Other Attractions
Hanalei Bay
Hanalei is one of the premier attractions of Kauai's north shore. It is
a crescent shaped bay sitting in a little piece of paradise. The ocean
conditions on the north shore are usually rougher than the south and the large
waves make the bay a favorite of professional surfers and others who enjoy
watching powerful waves.
Haena Beach Park
Some of the beaches in Haena Beach Park are well-known for the quality of
snorkeling they provide and most are treasured by collectors of shells. The
Kauai Visitor's Bureau
rec ommends Tunnels Beach at Haena for snorkeling, due the beauty and protective
nature of its reef. Remember to avoid snorkeling or swimming when the surf
or currents are strong.
- Haena Beach Park is just east of Haena State Park
.
On the map we use it is labeled Haena Park.
Other Beaches
Kauai has a number of excellent beaches, although it is unlikely that you
will have an urge to visit any beach other than the one that you can reach from
the door of your room. It's not that the other beaches are inferior, it's
just unlikely that you will want to lug all that swim stuff and food around the
island to sample the beaches. Also, many of the more remote beaches do not
have facilities - always an issue for families. Of course, you may be an
explorer and, in that case, we recommend this site as being a good authority on
Kauai's beaches
http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/
Menehune Pond
The Menehune Fishpond is a site right out of Hawai'ian legends and one that is
hyped by most guides. Unless you are really looking for something to do,
consider skipping this stop. Legend has it that the pond was built by the
Menehune's, a race of Hawai'i's "wee people" who were challenged to construct the
fishpond in one night. We are told that the Menehune Pond was quite a
sight several decades ago. Unfortunately, it suffers from a lack of upkeep
and it is being swallowed by the incursion of local Mangrove trees.
Golf
The three leading courses in Kauai were designed by Robert Trent Jones and
are worth visiting just to see their beautiful settings. Expect to pay a
premium to play at these courses, but you will have the golfing experience of a
lifetime.
The Makai and Prince Courses, part of the Princeville Resort at Princeville,
are among the most attractive golf courses in the world. In addition,
these two courses are frequently ranked in the top 10 courses in the U.S.
Poipu Bay Golf Course, next to the Grand Hyatt, is home the PGA Grand Slam of
Golf. The course, a 210-acre links style design, is stunning and the surrounding
landscapes are gorgeous. The game here is challenging but well worth the
effort.
If you need information about another travel destination, try our
Destination Guide Index
or Googling ThereArePlaces.
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