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Kauai
Kauai is known as the ‘Garden Island’ due to its verdant tropical greenery. It is the fourth largest and oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, thirty three miles long and twenty five at its widest point. Kauai is a semitropical Island with a mild all year climate tempered by the Pacific Ocean. The temperature ranges from an average of 70˚ to 82˚, with continuously blowing trade winds from the East and North East. A flight from Honolulu takes around twenty minutes.
Kauai is divided into four main parts, North Shore, Royal Coconut coast, South Shore and the West Side. The population on the Island is a lot lower than Oahu and has more of a rural feel to it. Panoramic views of the Oceans and Mountains can be seen from any part of the Island.
Kauai offers all kinds of accommodations from budget upwards to luxury resorts. Customary hula shows, luaus, live Hawaiian music and other cultural events create a magic ambience for the visitor.
Nightlife in Kauai is not as lively as Oahu, but there are plenty of different venues to choose from and the larger Hotels offer dinner and cocktail shows. Some of the resorts have venues for dancing, bars and such for a quiet drink or two after dinner.
The cuisine is a culinary delight with fresh seafood and fresh ingredients from the farmers markets. Restaurants and Cafes are plentiful on the Island, serving local traditional food and International dishes.
For those visitors who love to shop, there are small boutiques to shopping malls. Everything from souvenirs to traditional art can be found throughout the Island.
Helicopter tours are available to have the opportunity to view the whole Island of Kauai, the tours last from 45 to 90 minutes. Most of the helicopter companies operate from Lihue and a few from Hanapepe and Princeville.
There are plenty of dive sites off Kauai to suit both experienced divers and beginners. The north and south shores are best suited to those wishing to learn scuba diving. Whereas more experienced divers would find more exciting dives on the east and west shores. There are numerous PADI and NAUI certified dive centers who can help both experienced and first time divers.
All water sports are enjoyed on Kauai, surfing being a very popular activity. All regions on Kauai offer some great surfing spots such as: Salt Pond, Allerton's, Kukuiula Harbor, Davidsons at Kekaha, Pakalas, Poipu Beach, Lawai Beach (also known as P.K.s, Centers, and Acid Drop), Shipwrecks Beach, Nawiliwili Harbor, Hanalei Bay, Tunnels Beach, and Cannons.
Windsurfing is another popular sport, Anini on the north side of the Island is ideal for beginners. Davidson on the west side for strong southeast winds is for the experienced windsurfer amongst others in the other Regions on Kauai.
Snorkelling should only be undertaken at beaches that have lifeguards or through a snorkel guide professional. The Pacific Ocean can be more dangerous at times than even an experienced swimmer realises. The North Shore is calm in summer and the South Shore is calm in the winter so you can normally find good conditions.
The reefs off Kee Beach and Haena Beach Park are perfect for great shoreline snorkelling and Tunnels Beach in Haena has a wide reef area. Anini Beach is just right for beginners, with a safe, shallow area for snorkelling. Another is Poipu Beach Park - on the right of Nukumoi Point, the tombolo area which is a narrow strip of sand dividing the Ocean. Salt Pond Beach Park, near Hanapepe, has excellent snorkeling with abundant marine life in a protected cove.
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