re: Hawaii vacation ideas

North Shore for my family. We go every other year and have stayed in Princeville or Annini Beach the last 3 times. Stayed in Lihue the first time and at Poipou Beach the second time. We always gravitated to the beachs and towns (Kiluea,Princeville,Hanelei) on the North shore so we just started staying up there. If you have any questions about good trails or snorkeling beaches, restaurants, places to stay,etc. ,just ask.

Went twice... Big Island in 2013 and Oahu in 2015.


The Big Island is less touristy... lots of locals and a taste of real Hawaii. Very laid back.

Oahu was spectacular. Didn't care much for Honolulu but the North Shore was unbelievable. I lived Oahu better to be honest.

I have heard Kauai and Maui are unbelievable. I recommend you plan the air travel well. It is a long way out there. You don't want any long layovers. We flew direct from Chicago to Oahu. It was much better than a layover in LAX, PHX or SF.

If you are scared of Zika, Hawaii has a dengue fever outbreak right now.

That is in Kapa'a. We almost stayed their once but went with Rosewood Properties place up in the hills above Kapa'a. You are going to be located in the perfect jumping off point to go to the North or South side. I always recommend Kapa'a for first time Kauai visitors. You are about 30 minute drive to Ke'e Beach on the North end and to Waimea Canyon Road on the South.

Recommendations:

Tunnels Beach- it is great beach on North side at Heana Beach Park to snorkel. The best place to snorkel. Just take your stuff and walk in the water from the sand. The reef comes all the way to about a foot depth.

Awa Awa' Puhi Trail- best scenic view that only a few take the time to see. It is about 8 miles total in and back. Trailhead is around mile marker 17 on Waimea Canyon Rd., about 2 miles before the road dead ends at the vista lookout. You will hike out and end up atop one of the Na Pali Coast Ridges overlooking the Pacific. Best scenic view I have ever seen.

Moloa'a Beach- North end beach that is easy to access but not visited very often. Great place for photos with the jungle trees stretching out to the ocean.

Hideaways Beach- North end. Trailhead is behind Poi Poa Condos in Princeville.

Ke'e Beach- north end where the road ends. Get there early though as parking fills up quick. Awe inspiring view of where Na Pali Coast begins and the beach ends.

Queens Bath- short hike from Princeville. Great hole to swim in if the sea is calm. Stay away from outer ledge as rouge waves have taken 20+ people to their deaths over the years.

I would highly recommend the above. Get the Ultimate Kauai Guide Book and see what else you want to do. This trip will be awesome and you will want to return. The more you go, the better handle you will have for catering to your tastes.

Note: I did not mention the south side much. Don't want to leave the impression that it is not good. Plenty of things to do like Waimea Canyon, Polihale Beach Park, etc.. Poipou Beach is a good place but Inwould only stay there if I was going on a golf trip where I wanted to play daily.

We are staying in Waimea next month so any specifics you care to add about the south/west would be appreciated. Thanks for the info you already supplied.

I did have one other question with regard to whale watching. My wife has been to Maui during whale season & said you can see tons of them from the beach. Should I expect to see any from shore or would we need to book an excursion?