Hawaiian Vacations - Island of Kauai

From the soaring cliffs of the Napali coast to the vast chasms of Waimea Canyon, Kauai enchants the senses like no other island. Plunging ravines. Cascading waterfalls. Unforgettable cliffs, canyons, beaches, and bays. Kauai's"Island of Discovery," begs to be discovered.

Kauai is one of the most beautiful places on earth. With its lush, green mountains, clear waters, and once-in-a-lifetime views, there's a reason why it's called "The Garden Island." You'll be sure to leave refreshed, rejuvenated and enchanted by an island that has so much to offer. It really is unforgettable.

Facts: Population: 58,303 Area: 552 sq. miles Average Temperatures: 75-85° Highest elevation: 5243 ft (Kawakini)

Hawaii Flower: Mokihana (Green Berry)

Hawaii Island Color: Purple

 From the moment you step off the plane, you'll notice that you're in a unique place, and it will captivate you. It's hard to believe that a mere 20-minute flight from Honolulu can bring you to a place so different, like being in a different country. Even though it's only about 100 miles from Honolulu, Kauai is literally a world away from the up-tempo city life.

Waimea Canyon

Kaua`i has so much to offer. Whether you visit for a quiet getaway, a great adventure or even to get married, Kauai does have it all. You can sit at the beach and read a good book, enjoy a massage, learn about Kauai's past at a museum or, if you're the adventurous type, kayak to the Na Pali cliffs, snorkel the crystal clear waters, explore caves and beaches, or hike around Waimea Canyon. There's something for everyone on this tropical island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

The "Garden Island" offers magnificent scenery and lush vegetation, beautiful waterfalls, the spectacular Waimea Canyon, the great "hidden" valley of Kalalau, colorful tropical plants and flowers. Landmarks: Hanalei Bay, Wailua River, Nawiliwili Bay, Poipu Beach.

The Napali Coast is 22 miles of scenic coastline with 3,000-foot cliffs qualifying it as Hawaii's most remote wilderness accessible only by air, sea or foot. Getting to the coastline by foot requires an 11-mile overnight hike recommended for experienced hikers only. Less experienced hikers can try the two-mile hike to Hanakapiai Beach, a scenic hike. The beach is not recommended for swimming.

The Waimea Canyon was nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" by author Mark Twain, and is one of Kauai's natural wonders with canyons eroded by water, wind and rain. Waimea Canyon is the largest canyon in the Pacific measuring 10 miles long, 2 mile wide and over 3,500 feet deep. Like the Grand Canyon, the lines along the canyon's walls indicate the different volcanic eruptions and lava flows that have occurred over the centuries.

Kilauea Lighthouse is located on Kauai's northern end, and has the world's largest clamshell lens. Built in 1913, the lighthouse was in use until 1976 sending a beacon 90 miles out to sea. Adjacent to the lighthouse is the Kilauea Point Wildlife Refuge, a 200-acre nesting refuge for albatross, frigate birds, red and white tropical birds and red-footed boobies.

Take a fun and informative boat ride up Kauai's Wailua River to get to Kauai's oldest and most popular visitor attraction, Fern Grotto. The grotto is an unusual cave-like rock formation filled with giant cascading maidenhair fern.

Are they little people or professional builders? Created by a sophisticated irrigation system, Kauai's Menehune Fishpond is said to have been built in one night by Hawaiian menehune (small people), but another historic account says Kauai's alii (chief) Ola ordered his men to build the Menehune Ditch and Fishpond overnight.

See Poipu Beach Park and make sure to pack a picnic basket for an all-day adventure at this favorite family spot, which is also Kauai's best beach for swimming, snorkeling and bodysurfing. It's the perfect white-sand for building sandcastles, collecting for seashells, checking out the tide pools or swimming in the protected pool of water surrounded by lava boulders.