Known as the “Garden Isle,” Kauai is smaller and less populated than Oahu, Maui, or the Big Island, yet it has the most beaches per square mile of any of Hawaii’s islands. Spanning five distinct ecosystems, it’s a land of lush green tropics, white-sand beaches and stunning natural wonders. Although it is Hawaii’s oldest island, Kauai was the last to open up to tourism, so there are few roads crisscrossing it, and a Kauai County ordinance even keeps buildings from exceeding the height of a coconut tree (about four stories). The easygoing, unspoiled charm of the largely rural island makes it a paradisal getaway even for Hawaiian residents. Approximately 1.3 million tourists visit the island each year.
Kauai has a subtropical climate with consistent, pleasant temperatures averaging about 82 degrees in summer (May to October) and 72 degrees in winter (November to April—there are really only two seasons here!). The western and southern regions are generally a bit hotter and drier. Oddly, Kauai’s best weather falls during less busy, off-season months (mid-April to June and September to mid-December). Winter is the rainy season; fortunately, rainy days are usually interspersed with sunshine, and it’s extremely rare to have more than three in a row. August and September are the hottest months, but temperatures rarely exceed 90 degrees.
One of the most popular Kauai destinations is Waimea Canyon, dubbed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” The parti-colored canyon is streaked with deep reds and greens from the successive lava flows that formed it. Nearby Napali Coast—much of which is impassable on foot—features soaring emerald-green cliffs, jungle valleys and cascading waterfalls. (The helicopter scenes in Jurassic Park were actually filmed above Napali; several helicopter-tour companies are available to give tourists the same cinematic experience.) Kauai’s abundant beaches also offer several marine activities, particularly swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, and snorkeling. On the North Shore, reef-bordered Halalei Bay Beach is good for scenic strolls and swimming, and fair-weathered Tunnels Beach is great for surfing when waves are big and snorkeling when they’re calm. On the South Shore, Poipu Beach is great for snorkeling and turtle-watching, and the mild waves of Kalapaki Beach are ideal for learning how to surf.
The island’s only major airport is in the capital of Lihue on the southeastern coast, but you can also fly in to Oahu and take a boat to Kauai. You can find hotels and bed-and-breakfasts across the island, but if you’re looking for a Kauai beach resort, most are located either on the north coast surrounding Hanalei Bay, or on the island’s eastern coast, closer to Lihue Airport and the Huleia National Wildlife Refuge (where the opening scenes of Raiders of the Lost Ark were shot). Rent a car if you can; that’s the method of transportation that’ll allow you to get around Kauai the most easily, although boat, shuttle, bus, taxi, and even helicopter options are also available to get you most everywhere you could think to go.
