KAUAI LANDSCAPE:
Kauai is the oldest island of the Hawaiian Chain stretching
approximately over 550 square miles. This
unique island created by the fury of the volcano has created the most spectacular
mountains and landscape of the Hawaiian Islands. It
is one of only two islands unconquered by King Kamehameha through warfare and is home to
the legendary menehune who's race of little people are said to work only at night.
The Napali Coast and the Waimea Canyon are perfect examples of the
hilly terrain that was created by the volcano that is accessible to visitors and hikers
alike. You may recognize the spectacular
geography that have been famous in over 60 Hollywood movies and TV Shows like,
Donavons Reef, Blue Hawaii, Gilligans Island, Jurassic Park, The Lost World,
King Kong, South Pacific, Raiders of the Lost Ark, MASH, Six Days/Seven Nights and Fantasy
Island.
Enjoy the island's blooming flowers, flowing waterfalls and movie
backdrops that have earned the island it's nickname, "The Garden Island."
Kauai is the one place in the world that has been identified by National Geographic as the
place with the most variety of plant life. The
island's lush valleys, fluted mountains and scenic coastal strips are the perfect reasons
for booking an unforgettable helicopter ride. Within Kauai's 533 square miles, there
are distinct micro-climates including coastal sand dunes,
desert-like plateaus, verdant river valleys, foothills and mist-shrouded mountain tops.
Poipu Beach, on the sunny, dry south coast of the island, is blessed with wide, white
sand beaches, as well as great weather. Poipu Beach has become the fastest-growing
destination on Kaua'i, with a diverse range of accommodations including bed and
breakfasts, cottages, villas, vacation homes, condominiums and hotels. Poipu Beach is
famous for its water sports. An offshore reef protects much of the shoreline, creating
ideal diving, surfing, boogie boarding, snorkeling and swimming conditions.
The Royal Coconut Coast, on Kaua'i's east coast, is named for its acres of ancient
coconut groves. This is where the ancient ali'i (chiefs) once lived and there are still
many reminders of their lives to observe today. The Royal Coconut Coast is home to
numerous budget and moderate-priced accommodations and many shopping centers and dining
options.
The North Shore of Kaua'i is tropical and famous for its spectacular scenery including
the Napali Coast and "Bali Hai," the famous view in "South Pacific".
Visitor accommodations also are varied and memorable and include upscale resorts,
moderate-priced condominiums and bed and breakfasts.
Kauai has been around millions of years longer than any other island
in the Hawaiian Chain. The elements and time
have created Hawaiis only navigable rivers, carved a deep canyon, set out endless
white sand beaches and tended such a feast of flora that gives Kauai its unique
landscape. A trip around Kauai is a feast of green, tropical forests, cascading
waterfalls and the time of your life.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:
Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, Wailua River, Poipu Beach, Fern Grotto,
Lumahai Beach, Kalalau Trial, Kauai Museum, Menehune Fishponds, Menehune (Kikiaola) Ditch,
Kilauea Lighthouse and National Wildlife Refuge, Kee Beach State Park, Kilohana,
Koloa Town, Tree Tunnel, Opaekaa Falls, Wet and Dry Caves of Haena, Waioli
Mission House, Kauai Museum, Hanapepe Valley, Sleeping Giant, Kamokila Hawaiian Village,
Grove Farm Homestead, Smiths Tropical Paradise, Spouting Horn, Hanalei Valley
Lookout, Princeville, National Tropical Botanical Gardens, Fort Elisabeth, Kilohana,
Wailua River and Kokee State Park.
MAJOR ACTIVITIES:
Golfing, Hiking, Cultural Events, Tennis, Gardens, Whale Watching,
Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Surfing, Sailing, Camping, Helicopter rides, Fresh Water
Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Sailing Crusies, Stargazing, Swimming, Sightseeing, Rafting
Expeditions, Shopping, Dining on local cuisine, ATV Rides, Horseback riding, Bicycling and
Kayaking.
MAJOR RESORT AREAS:
Poipu, Princeville/ Hanalei & Coconut Beach Area (Wailua/Kapaa)
WEATHER:
The Average daily high temperature during the winter months is around
79 degrees and during summer months around 86 degrees.
Throughout the year, the famous Trade winds blow around 90% of the time
keeping Kauai cool and comfortable.
Kauai Highlights
- Botanic Gardens - Only in a Kauai garden can you
find such beauty and aroma. You can't leave without a visit to Kauai's spectacular
public gardens. You'll see the world's largest aloe collection, trees that doubled
as dinosaur nests in "Jurassic Park," dynamic living outdoor "rooms"
and the National Botanical Garden of the Year. You can visit Limahuli, Na'Aina Kai
Botanical Gardens, Allerton Garden, McBryde Garden, Moir Garden, Wilcox Garden and Smiths
Tropical Paradise.
- Fern Grotto - Take a boat cruise from the Wailua Marina
to this hauntingly beautiful cave filled with growing ferns
- Hanalei Valley - Meaning "glorious." You'll be
amazed by this scene of majestic tranquillity. Visit the Lush farmlands of Hanalei and
enjoy lunch at any of the hometown restaurants. Spend a day and drive to Hanalei
side of Kauai. Swim and Snorkel Hanalei Bay where the movie "South
Pacific" was filmed.
- Hanapepe Valley - Red cliffs and handsome
color accents give the valley's shades of blue and green
- Kalalau Lookout - Where peacocks preened their plumage
and natives cultivated terraces of taro. Nothing remains but one of the most beautiful
views on earth. Hike
the Kalalau Trail at Kee Beach and enjoy a two-mile hike down a tropical coast with an
perfect white sand beach awaiting your swimming pleasure or picnic lunch.
- Kamokila Hawaiian Village - Here lie the ruins of an Old
Hawaiian Village where, where war canoes of the King of Kauai, Kaumualii, once assembled
down the Wailua River
- Ke'e Beach Park - This find bathing beach at the
end of the road where the trail begins to the Na Pali Cliffs.
- Kayak or Jet Ski
the Kauai River.
- Go trout fishing
at the Kauai Stream.
- Lumahai Beach - Chosen for Nurses' Beach when filming
South Pacific, this lovely spot is undoubtedly the most photographed beach on Kauai.
- Opaekaa Falls - Hawaiian for 'rolling shrimp', swarms of
shrimp were seen rolling in turbulent water at the base of the falls where the Wailua
River dramatically plunges over a high cliff.
- Napili
Coast - Take a zodiac boat tour to the Napali Coast and enjoy the pristine
beaches and mountains. You may remember
scenes from movies like King Kong and Jurassic Park. For the adventurous a must!
Hike Napali Coast and/or get a permit and spend a day camping at the beaches.
- Poipu Beach - On the Sunny side of the island you will
find this exceptional bathing beach, recently recognized as the best beach in the United
States, according to Dr. Beach. Also nearby enjoy a swim or boogie boarding at
Shipwrecks beach. And visit the other secluded
beaches of Kauai like Secrets, Rock Quarry, Anini, Tunnels, Donkey and Hideaway
Beach.
- Waimea Canyon - Take a helicopter ride to Hawaii's
equivalent to the Grand Canyon. More than a view, it's an experience! You'll
treasure its grandeur and jewel-tone colors, its awesome depth and breadth.
Breathtaking
- Smith's tropical paradise - This 23-acre site has
gardens, lagoons, exotic birds and unique narrated train ride which meanders through a
rain forest, a Polynesian village, a Japanese island, a Filipino village and other
interesting areas.
Kauai's ethnic heritage is reflected nightly in a 75-minute musical production in the
lagoon theater.
- Spouting Horn - When the tide is running high, waves
pressured through lava tubes are forced through a hole in coastal rocks to burst noisily
into spectacular fountains of salt spray and foam.
- Wailua Falls - Nicknamed Fantasy Island Waterfalls made
famous during the opening scenes of TV's first "Fantasy Island." It
appeared in the opening credits just before Tatoo shouts, "da plane, da plane!".
- Wet and dry caves of Haena - These eerie caverns, one
dry, the other two filled with limpid green water, are where chiefs are said to have
gathered in ancient times.
- Have a sunset drink at the "Library" of the
Hyatt Regency at Poipu or at the Mediterranean Restaurant, La Cascata at
the Princeville Resort and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
- Keahua
Arboretum -Enjoy a serene stroll and have a picnic lunch at the 30-acre Arboretum
eight miles above the Wailua River. This tropical paradise is full of emerald green
forests, pools of water and rolling meadowland.
-
Take a hike in the Kokee
State Park and see glimpses of rainforest vegetation and glimpses of exotic plant
life and visit the breathtaking 800 foot Waipoo Falls.
- Watch
the view the Hawaiian Monk Seals that frequent the beaches of Kauai. These unique mammals are on the critically
endangered list and should be viewed from a distance.
-
Go
fishing in the Wiata Reservoir for Peacock and Large Mouth Bass.
This picturesque reservoir is approximately 420+
acres of fishing that can be arranged via multiple charters.
Kauai Tours and Activities
Escorted Tours (from all hotels except the Princeville Area):

Waimea
Canyon Tour
Visit the Alekolo fish pond, Hanapepe Valley, Port Allen, Kalalau Lookout,
Koloa Town and the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" 6-7 hours
Not available on Monday or Wednesday
$45.00 (per person, including tax)
Combination River and Canyon Tour
A combination of the above two tours!
9-10 hours Not available on Monday or Wednesday
$64.00 (per person, including tax)
Na Pali Explorer (departing from Eleele):
Na Pali Snorkel Expedition
Board your 16-passenger Zodiac for a snorkel tour on the Na Pali coast. Beach
landing at Nu'alolo Kai Beach Park and nature walk. Hawaiian-style whitewater rafting at
its best. 5-6 hours
Includes continental breakfast, deli-style lunch and snorkel gear
$125.00 (per person, including tax)
Whale
Watch Expedition
Board your 35-passenger R.H.I.B. for beautiful coastline and whale watching.
Light snack included
Available January through March
$82.00 (per person, including tax)
Na
Pali Sightseeing/Swim
Board your 35-passenger R.H.I.B. to journey along the Na Pali coast. Cruise
past Polihale State Park to Na Pali's sea cliffs and hanging valleys. Short stop for
swimming. Light snack included
Available November through April
$82.00 (per person, including tax)
Note: Above cruises are not recommended for pregnant women or those with back problems. No
children under 5.
Helicopter Tours (from Princeville Airport):
Ultimate Kauai Adventure
60 Minutes
See Waimea Canyon and Napali Valleys and coastline. See cliffs, waterfalls and Mt
Waialeale Crater
$200.00 (per person, including tax)
Transfers, lei greetings and transportation
available
Limousine/SUV Tours
Hawaii's Town & Country Limousine will chauffeur you in total comfort, whether you
need a ride to or from the airport, wedding or dining transportation, or you're looking
for a full day of Hawaii touring adventure. Book through Hawaii50 for preferred discounts
- call us on
1-800-557-0497 or email to discounts@comcast.net