Kauai
Kauai is an island in the Central Pacific, part of the Hawaiian archipelago. It's nicknamed "the Garden Isle" thanks to the tropical rainforest covering much of its surface.
Kauai Beach Resort is in Lihue on the east side of the island, just a few miles from the airport. Thanks to this central location, the resort is a very convenient place to call home during your Kauai travels.
It is an island full of splendor, raw beauty, and culture; an island that, like no other, represents the true spirit of aloha. Kaua'i really is a true hidden gem of sorts.
Kauai has also been a hot spot for feature films. Dozens of filmmakers and producers have chosen the Garden Isle for a backdrop in their movies.
Morning Coffee !! - There’s nothing quite like that first cup of coffee in the A.M. A few sips of the aromatic magic stuff later and you're suddenly awake and motivated to tackle your day head on. It's truly the best.
Fruit breakfast : Juicy, delicious and fruitful :)
Waimea Canyon: also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, is a large canyon, approximately ten miles long and up to 3,000 feet deep.
10-mile-long Waimea Canyon and the Nounou Trails traversing the Sleeping Giant mountain ridge are well known hiking destinations.
Waimea Canyon was formed when the Waimea river carved its way through the lava and basalt formations of the region. The central volcano that lay on the canyon collapsed 10 million years ago, playing a vital role in forming the canyon.
Mother Nature gave the world one of its most magnificent gems with the Waimea Canyon. Consumed with wild foliage, tropical cliffs, green-and-pink scenery, mesmerizing waterfalls, and striking rainbows, the Waimea Canyon is truly the nature lover’s paradise.
Located at mile marker 10, the lookout offers a panoramic view of the landscape across the edge of the canyon. The Waimea Canyon Lookout is the main viewing area for people who don’t want to hike across the trail.
Tours are a great way to see tourist spots as a visitor. You understand how a place was built and its importance in the daily lives of people. Most importantly, you can make great friends during a tour that will give you the memories of a lifetime.
Tours across the Waimea Canyon differ according to the interests of people. You can choose to cycle along the canyon, sightsee the trail by a car, or rough it out by taking a hike through the canyon. A tour costs anywhere between $84 to $126 per person.
REFERENCE : https://hawaiistateparks.org/parks/kauai/waimea-canyon-state-park/
There are several lookouts dotted across the rim of the canyon, providing you with beautiful views throughout the hike.
Kiahuna Golf Club : It is surrounded by the lush, natural beauty. World renowned architect, Robert Trent Jones II, skillfully included many ancient remnants of an authentic Hawaiian village into his design, where you will experience the course’s beauty and a sense of the enduring history of the islands and Kauai.
It offers challenging resort golf within a fascinating area of ancient Polynesian archeology. It is a sanctuary for many of Kauai’s endangered species including the state bird of Hawaii…the Nene.
Could not get my eyes off this beautiful place and a bench is apt for us to sit on and contemplate our journey so far and enrich ourselves with the beauty of Kauai.
WAILUA TRAIL : In ancient times, Wailua served as a main port of entry to Kauai—a gateway that also ushered and welcomed the daily rising of the sun. Stories tell of the arrivals of famous voyagers, chiefs, and deities. Some trails are pleasant others are breathtaking and I would put this one in the breathing taking list. There was a waterfall (Opaekaa Falls) which looked different from each angle you approached it from. We could hear birds welcoming us. The trail also leads to the Fern Grotto which is another wondrous sight of nature.
ULUWEHI FALLS : Uluwehi Falls, or Secret Falls, is best visited as part of a tour, and unless you’re game for a 50-minute kayak journey followed by a 30-minute hike through some dense rainforest, you may want to leave this one to those a bit younger and fitter. After all, if it were easy to get to it wouldn’t be called Secret Falls.
If, however, you’ve got what it takes, you’ll be amply rewarded for your exertion and determination.
Located on the Lower Wailua River on Kauai’s east side, the river is subject to strong winds and water flow that can vary greatly, making the kayak portion of the journey difficult and even dangerous for those who aren’t in tip-top shape.
FERN GROTTO : This is one of Kauai's signature attractions. Accessible only by a short boat trip up the Wailua River, the grotto is a natural lava-rock grotto, lush with hanging ferns and tropical foliage, cooled by the mists of a waterfall. There was a time when the Grotto was off-limits to all but Hawaiian royalty. But for more than 50 years, riverboats have provided tours of the site.
As we approached the grotto, a joyous feeling came upon me, as we had finally made it back to this wonderful place after so many years.
To give a little background, the Fern Grotto is one of nature's wonders. Native tropical Sword ferns grow upside down from the top of the 80 foot opening, with water streaming down from the top of the cave where a waterfall used to exist. The plant life in the grotto is nurtured by rainwater, which feeds from the river, beginning on the slopes of Mount Waialeale, 20 miles inland. The 5,000-foot mountain averages 450 inches of rain per year, which comes down into the grotto.
A non-invasive form of clumping bamboo can be seen along the path. This type of bamboo exists in many of the gardens on the island.
Red Torch Ginger is a popular plant on the island. This beautiful flower is grown for its ornamental value.
In this serene setting, the grotto acts like a natural amphitheatre. Taking advantage of the incredible natural acoustics, visitors are often treated to musicians playing beautiful Hawaiian music. It's no wonder why this unique Kauai setting is such a popular destination for wedding ceremonies.
Over 90% of the island cannot be reached by road. In fact, the most beautiful part of the whole island has no road near it - and most Kauai lovers like it that way.
Kilauea Point
A National Wildlife Refuge on the northwest coast of the island of Kauai in Hawaii.
Hanalei Bay is the largest bay on the north shore of Kauaʻi island in Hawaii. The town of Hanalei is at the midpoint of the bay. Hanalei Bay consists of nearly two miles of beach, surrounded by mountains. Without a doubt the sparkling gem of the Garden Isle, The St. Regis Princeville Resort is luxury lodgings close by overlooking the stunning Hanalei Bay, guests enjoy all the natural beauty the island has to offer—in St. Regis style.
Beyond the resort—and just five to ten minutes away—there are also plenty of activities to do such as zip lining, horseback riding, hiking, helicopter tours, bike rental and shopping. And when it comes to water play, guests can surf, stand-up paddle and kayak at the resort’s beach fronting Hanalei Bay. Princeville also touts some of the island’s best golf.
Na Pali Coast: It’s known for its towering pali, or sea cliffs, punctuated by narrow valleys, streams and cascading waterfalls.
The dramatic cliffs and pinnacles of its Na Pali Coast have served as a backdrop for major Hollywood films.
Spanning 17 miles along Kauai’s North Shore, the Napali Coast is a sacred place defined by extraordinary natural beauty. These emerald-hued cliffs with razor-sharp ridges tower above the Pacific Ocean, revealing beautiful beaches and waterfalls that plummet to the lush valley floor. The rugged terrain appears much as it did centuries ago when Hawaiian settlements flourished in these deep, narrow valleys, existing only on the food they could grow and the fish they could catch.
OPAEKAA FALLS : It is a waterfall located in Wailua River State Park on the eastern side of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. It is a 151–foot waterfall that flows over basalt from volcanic eruptions millions of years ago.”Opaekaa” means “rolling shrimp” alluding to its one-time abundance and images of shrimp tumbling over in the cascade of the waterfall.
This is one of the island’s most accessible falls, this giant on the Wailua River drops over 150 feet before landing in foam and spray in a secluded pool below
The falls are easily viewable from a convenient parking and viewing area which also has picnic tables and restrooms that’ll come in handy if you’d like to bring a few sandwiches and sodas and spend the afternoon.
Though most visitors are more than content with the view from the viewing area, if you’ve brought your hiking shoes and want to get away from the crowds, there’s a trailhead nearby.
Don’t forget your camera, water and a raincoat just in case.
One last look - more dramatic vantage point.
PRINCEVILLE , Queen's Bath Trail : It is one of Princeville's favorite summertime attractions. A pleasant 10 minute hike past a waterfall leads down to a rocky landscape of lava rock. Another 5 minute trek over uneven rocks leads to the bath.
Summer time : Roughly the size of a large swimming pool, the Queen's Bath is a natural tide pool with some fish. Water spills over the lava rocks to refresh the pool.
QUIETUDE : overlooking the pacific ocean from our beach resort. It is a private sanctuary in the midst of it all, tucked along the road connecting the Garden Isle's northern, eastern, and southern edges. Just minutes from the airport and secreted down a tree-lined drive that leads straight to the ocean, our resort is framed by the island’s most sensational landscapes—paradise is our backdrop.
Each morning, the sun's amber rays lift up over blue waters and the whitecaps lapping our shores to warm us.