South Shore

Several beaches, oceanfront resorts, a picturesque village area, upmarket shopping district, and the wonders of nature are some of the rewards you'll get pleasure from the South Shore. Beautiful rocky coastlines, walking trails, waterfalls, and golden sandy beaches make it hard to decide which activity to do first. Kayaking, snorkeling, horseback riding, bodysurfing, and swimming are amongst the activities to suit all ages.

South Shore Dive sites include:

Koloa Landing: This dive site is full of interesting coral formations and many varieties of fish, with a depth of 30’ to 55’ and normally all year round with easy access.

Salt Pond: A snorkeling site and beginner shore dive with depths to 6’.

Sheraton Caverns: Beginner to experienced divers, with ancient lava tubes and marine life, with depths of 20’ to 65’.

Brennecke's Ledge: Intermediate to advanced divers. It is a lava shelf that extends for several miles parallel to shore and has a wall which drops to 90 feet. Black coral and abundant marine life and a resident white tip reef shark, depths from 60’ to 85’.

Poipu is an almost perfect resort area, offering accommodations ranging from luxury hotels and roomy condominiums to comfortable bed and breakfasts. There are gastronome restaurants, exclusive shops and championship golf.

The Poipu Beach resort covers an area of just over three miles of coastline. The beach is sheltered by offshore reefs swarming with colourful fish; encompassing semi-circular sandy beaches, each with their own exclusive attributes. It is perfect for surfing, body boarding and snorkelling. There is a shaded park adjacent to the beach, that has restrooms, showers and picnic tables. There is a natural shallow pool for toddlers and young swimmers and the park has lifeguards.

Poipu beach is one of the most popular and safest beaches on Kauai, so much so, that critically endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals have made this home. These mammoth creatures normally stay away from hordes of people, but one seal has delivered and weaned its pups on the beach over the past couple of years.

Brennecke Beach is located at the eastern end of Poipu Beach Park and is world famous for its easy to catch body boarding and body surfing waves. It has undergone a restoration to get the beach back in its former half moon shape. Eroding seawalls were taken away and a massive amount of extra sand was added.

Shipwreck Beach is located in Poipu and got its name from an old, wooden shipwreck that has long since gone. Only strong swimmers should enter the sea here because of the strong currents and high surf. Surfers, boogie boarders, body surfers and windsurfers will enjoy this challenging beach. There are no facilities or lifeguards at this beach.

Mahaulepu beach is a couple of miles from the end of Poipu Road. It is well-liked by both locals and visitors, together with wind surfers, swimmers, snorkeller’s, fishermen and sunbathers. There will be a security hut showing beach opening and closing hours. The beach normally closes by 6.00pm during the winter and 7.00pm during the summer. These timings are stringently imposed by the landowner who only allows the public admittance at their own risk.

Salt Pond Beach Park is located near Hanapepe and is an excellent place to swim and snorkle. The salt ponds are mined by the Hawaiin people during the summer to produce natural sea salt. The right to mine salt is passed down through the generations.

The Spouting Horn blowhole is located On Lawai Road, spurts sea water high  into the air with every wave, it's a great place to look for whales or dolphins swimming along the Poipu coastline. The best place to view the blowhole is from the protected overlook (Most spectacular effects are seen at high tide and sunset). Visitors are warned not to go out on to the lava shelf to get close to the blowhole, as injuries and fatalities have happened in the past.

Allerton Gardens - National Tropical Botanical Garden is located across from Spouting Horn Park on Lawai Road. The garden is sited alongside the Lawai Bay, in a valley formed by the Lawai Stream. The garden presently contains the Allerton’s home, and includes a bamboo garden, many varieties of plants from all around the World, statues, a tropical fruit orchard and more. Guided tours (by reservation only) include The McBryde Garden which is adjacent to Allerton gardens, housing hundreds of native plant species and exotic plants from around the World and Queen Emma’s cottage.

West Shore

The west shore is less developed than the other Regions of Kauai and is blessed with drier conditions because it is sheltered by Mount Wai'ale 'ale. There is a 17 mile stretch of sandy beaches beginning at Waimea which extends to Polihale.  In the distance you can view the silhouette of Niihau and Lehua - the privately owned Islands located 12 miles off Kauai's western shore.

The West Kauai Technology & Visitor Center in Waimea is an excellent place to get a perspective on the Island's west side. The centre houses exhibits and programs that reflect the multi-ethnic variety of its historical and current agricultural community. The centre also shows a video presentation about the Island.

West Shore Dive sites include:

Mana Crack: This is an excellent dive site, located just off the West coast. It is a weather dependent dive trip, generally taking all day to complete. There are many varieties of fish, Jacks and pretty coloured corals, with depths of 50’ to 95’.

Waimea Canyon was formed by an ancient fault in the earth's crust, the canyon is also known as the Grand Canyon of the. It is has a depth of 3,600 ft, is two miles wide, and ten miles long. The canyon was formed by a deep cut of the Waimea River arising from the intense rainfall on the Island's central peak, Mount Wai’ale’ale, which is amongst the wettest places on earth.

The canyon can be viewed from a number of lookouts that are along Waimea Canyon Drive, or from the air on a helicopter tour. The road winds into the mountains and ends into the forests of Kokee State Park, where you’ll find hiking trails that are suitable for both beginner and experienced hikers. The trails take visitors along the rim and down into the canyon.

The Kalalau Lookout is on Waimea Canyon Drive, 4 miles north of Kokee State Park. It marks the head of the hiking trail that also passes pu'u-o-Kila Lookout. Have layers of clothing as the weather is changeable and can be very windy. Many ridges and waterfalls give panoramic views from there.

Polihale State Park is located at the western end of the Napali Coast and covers an area of around 140 acres. The park comprises of a wide sand beach, backed by tall dunes comprises the camping area of the park. Polihale cliff is further north and a traditional Heiau forms the edge of the park. This is a characteristically hot and dry, almost desert-like location. Facilities consist of campsites (camping permit required), picnic tables and pavilion and restrooms at the park. Swimming is not recommended at this site as powerful currents make the water hazardous. It is reachable from the end of Kaumualii Highway by following a dirt road for around five miles north.