Five Days of Tropical Bliss on Kauai

 

 

 

Join us on the Garden Isle

Aloha! The oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, Kaua’i is blessed with trade winds, golden beaches, and rain forests. Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands settled here as long ago as 200 AD and lived largely undisturbed until the 1778 arrival of Captain James Cook. The north and east sides of the island are on the “windward” side where the winds blow onto the shore. These parts of the island tend to get the most rain, and as a result, are the greenest and most tropical. The south and west sides of the island are on the “leeward” side, which receive less rain since most clouds have already dropped their precipitation on the windward side of the island.

 

Just the Facts

• Typical January Weather: A high of 78°F is normal, even during January, when the low can dip to 65°F.
• Airport: Lihue Airport (LIH)

 

Getting Around

• Rental Car: We rented at the airport and drove as far around the island as possible but owing to the NāPali Coast State Wilderness Park, it’s impossible to complete the circle. What is drivable can be covered in two and a half hours, should you be foolish enough not to stop and take any of it in. 

 

Where to Stay

Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu: Located thirty minutes southwest of the airport, this family friendly resort is a short drive from some of the South Shore’s best beaches and restaurants.  Onsite there are three large and beautiful pools, featuring waterslides, waterfalls, and grottos. This proved to be the perfect jumping-off point for our adventures on and above the Garden Isle.

 

 

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa: We were thrilled to collaborate with this lush and sprawling resort located twenty-five minutes southwest of the airport. We almost didn’t want to leave our Ocean View Suite what with its separate bedroom and private lanai (roofed patio). This is truly an oceanfront oasis with literally acres of pools. Also worth mentioning is the championship golf course and the Anara Spa.

 

 

What to Do

 

Tunnels Beach

Found on the North Shore and just east of the NāPali Coast State Wilderness Park, this crescent shaped bay is ringed by palm trees, lush jungle and spectacular mountains. This beach is popular with everyone from SCUBA divers to kite surfers and the underwater lava tubes give Tunnels its name.

 

 

 

Queen’s Bath

Found on the coast of Princeville (think master-planned community, resorts, and golf courses) Queen’s Bath can only be reached by traversing uneven lava rock. The size of a swimming pool, this royal watering hole is a natural tide pool with its water being regularly replenished by the larger waves. It’s worth mentioning that people been swept off the rocks and drowned. So please, be careful.

 

 

 

 

Ho’opi’i Falls

Kaua’i is an island littered with challenging and spectacular hikes but Ho’opi Falls affords a kinder, gentler, two point four “out-and-back” trail that takes just under an hour to complete. Note: this is a very popular trail on which leashed dogs are welcome and while open to the public, the site is on privately owned land. With that in mind, it’s best to remain on the path.

 

 

Lu’au kalamaku

Touted as the best lu’au on Kaua’i, Kalamaku did not disappoint. Beneath an open-air pavilion we were treated to a buffet, bars and a breathtaking performance chronicling the epic sea voyage of Hawaii’s original Polynesian settlers. There were hula dancers and fire poi ball twirlers on this magical night which didn’t simply entertain but educate.

 

 

 

Poipu Beach

This is the most popular beach on the South Shore, and with good reason. A series of golden sand crescents, strung together, Poipu Beach is the perfect spot for swimming, snorkeling, and if you’re lucking, finding sea turtles.

Spouting Horn Park

From this delightful lookout you can watch a blowhole spout plumes of seawater as high as fifty feet into the air. And if the light is just right, you might catch sight in the sea spray of a short-lived rainbow. There is parking and no hiking involved.

Waimea Canyon Lookout

Dubbed “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific” by Mark Twain, Waimea Canyon is ten miles long, one mile wide and more than three-thousand, five hundred feet deep. There are three “official” lookout spots from which you can view Waimea Canyon and at least one charges admission, though the young woman manning the lot still allowed us to park, even after we realized we’d left our cash and cards back at the hotel. Doh!

 

Helicopter Tour

Zee and I took off from Lihue Airport in a four-seater and doorless little copter operated by Ali’i Kaua’i Air Tours & Charters. Within the span of one hour, we circled the entire island, taking in such sights as the Manawaiopuna Falls (also known as the “Jurassic Park” falls), the unforgettable NāPali Coastline with its towering three-thousand, five-hundred-foot sea cliffs, Waimea Canyon, Wai’ale’ale Crater (one of the wettest spots on Earth) and so much more.

 

 

 

Where to Dine

 

Hanalei Dolphin

Since the early 1970s, the Dolphin Restaurant, known for having the freshest seafood around, has been a favorite of visitors and locals, alike.

 

Eating House Koloa

Roy Yamaguchi is a world-renowned innovator of Hawaiian inspired cuisine and at his Eating Houses Roy’s team seamlessly incorporate a medley of flavors from the island’s diverse communities.

 

Brennecke’s Beach

Steps from the beach you can enjoy steak, seafood, pasta, sandwiches, and an assortment of salads. Family friendly, Brennecke’s second floor open-air dining room features great views of Poipu Beach Park and the ocean beyond.

 

Keoki’s Paradise

Inspired by their island home, the folks behind Keoki’s Paradise have created a family dining experience that reflects the vibrant spirit and flavors of Kauai. Aloha!

 

 

In Summary

Why Kauai? Because while most have heard the name, all too many visitors to the Hawaiian Islands never make it to this best kept secret destination where you have room to really stretch out and breathe. It’s perfect for those with kids who require activities, as well as the honeymooning types looking for romance. Travel just a little farther west the next time you visit Hawaii and see for yourself. If you need help planning, check out our customized travel itinerary designed just for Kauai, that will take the guesswork out of planning the perfect trip here: https://voyagersescape.com/kauai-itinerary.

As always, Voyagers, we are here for you. Should you have additional questions about Kauai or any of the other destinations we’ve visited, please reach out. We’d love to hear from you.