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Started By
Message
Kauai (with pics)
Posted on 5/25/16 at 10:57 pm
Posted on 5/25/16 at 10:57 pm
Some people asked me to post about my trips to Kauai and I know a few posters have trips planned soon.
First of all, Kauai is about the same size as Oahu, but there are only about 70K residents vs Oahu's 1 million residents. Most of the island is uninhabited and it is very lush. The island has an interesting climate and terrain, as the North central part of the island gets about 350 inches of rain annually and the southwest corner of the island gets about 18 inches. There is rainforest, beach, red dirt, canyon, etc. If you are into hiking, the island offers world class hiking. If you are into fishing, there is offshore fishing or freshwater fishing for peacock bass.
I highly recommend driving from one end of the road to the other, as there is so much to see on the island. I'll post some pictures and start from the northshore and work my way around the island clockwise, as the NaPali coast separates the northshore from the western shore.
Ke'e beach, Tunnel's beach, and Anini beach have some great snorkeling. We bring our own snorkel gear and go check out the reefs. Anini has the longest reef in Hawaii and is well protected. You can often see turtles at Anini Beach. Here are some pics from those beaches.
The town of Hanalei has some nice little shops and one of my favorite places for breakfast. Wake Up Cafe has a custard style french toast topped with fresh fruit that is good, but the view is even better....a lush mountain with waterfalls flowing down in every direction. Here is a pic of Hanalei bay.
Princeville is where most people stay on the northshore. We stayed at the Westin Princeville, Wyndham Ka 'Eo Kai, and Bali Hai. I definitely enjoyed the Westin Princeville most.
Down the same road as most of those resorts, is a place called Queen's Bath, a tidepool settled in the lava rock. Some days it is calm and you can swim in it. Some days the waves are very strong and it is dangerous. There is a waterfall by the path, then you will see a cove that may look calm. This is not Queen's Bath. Keep walking along the lava rocks and you will eventually come to it.
Calm
Rough
Heading East, Secret Beach is usually pretty empty, probably because it's a bit of a hike. This beach isn't good for snorkeling because it isn't protected by reef and has strong currents.
The lighthouse is surrounded by a bird sanctuary. You'll see lots of boobies, albatross, Hawaiian geese, etc. All the white spots on the ground in this photo are birds
The east coast is called the coconut coast. The beaches are mostly used for surfing, but the views are still awesome.
This mountain looks like King Kong's profile
First of all, Kauai is about the same size as Oahu, but there are only about 70K residents vs Oahu's 1 million residents. Most of the island is uninhabited and it is very lush. The island has an interesting climate and terrain, as the North central part of the island gets about 350 inches of rain annually and the southwest corner of the island gets about 18 inches. There is rainforest, beach, red dirt, canyon, etc. If you are into hiking, the island offers world class hiking. If you are into fishing, there is offshore fishing or freshwater fishing for peacock bass.
I highly recommend driving from one end of the road to the other, as there is so much to see on the island. I'll post some pictures and start from the northshore and work my way around the island clockwise, as the NaPali coast separates the northshore from the western shore.
Ke'e beach, Tunnel's beach, and Anini beach have some great snorkeling. We bring our own snorkel gear and go check out the reefs. Anini has the longest reef in Hawaii and is well protected. You can often see turtles at Anini Beach. Here are some pics from those beaches.
The town of Hanalei has some nice little shops and one of my favorite places for breakfast. Wake Up Cafe has a custard style french toast topped with fresh fruit that is good, but the view is even better....a lush mountain with waterfalls flowing down in every direction. Here is a pic of Hanalei bay.
Princeville is where most people stay on the northshore. We stayed at the Westin Princeville, Wyndham Ka 'Eo Kai, and Bali Hai. I definitely enjoyed the Westin Princeville most.
Down the same road as most of those resorts, is a place called Queen's Bath, a tidepool settled in the lava rock. Some days it is calm and you can swim in it. Some days the waves are very strong and it is dangerous. There is a waterfall by the path, then you will see a cove that may look calm. This is not Queen's Bath. Keep walking along the lava rocks and you will eventually come to it.
Calm
Rough
Heading East, Secret Beach is usually pretty empty, probably because it's a bit of a hike. This beach isn't good for snorkeling because it isn't protected by reef and has strong currents.
The lighthouse is surrounded by a bird sanctuary. You'll see lots of boobies, albatross, Hawaiian geese, etc. All the white spots on the ground in this photo are birds
The east coast is called the coconut coast. The beaches are mostly used for surfing, but the views are still awesome.
This mountain looks like King Kong's profile
4
Posted on 5/25/16 at 10:58 pm to LSU Tigershark
On the southshore, Poipu has another nice snorkeling beach that is easy to access, although it is often more crowded. Sometimes you can get lucky and see an endangered monk seal.
Near Poipu is Shipwreck Beach. There is a 40' cliff that people will jump off of. All I can say is protect yourself as you land.
Also near Poipu is the popular Spouting Horn. A lava tube that creates a blowhole effect when waves crash into the side of the cliff.
As you head west, you will come across a little beach called Glass Beach. It is a small beach in an industrial area, that is full of sea glass.
Not far from Glass Beach is Kauai Coffee Plantation. Hawaii is the only state that grows coffee, and if you're a coffee drinker, you will enjoy it. It's all free and you can tour parts of the plantation and drink all the different kinds of coffee you want.
As you head west from there, you will see Waimea Canyon and a totally different climate from the northshore.
Kalalau Lookout. The end of the road
I recommend a helicopter tour, as you get to see the parts of the island that are not accessible by road, which is about 70% of the island. Here are some photos from the flight, including Hanalei Bay, Napali Coast, and Weimea Canyon. We flew with Sunshine Helicopters, only because my wife was 10 wks pregnant, and they had a large chopper that was comfortable and not a rough ride at all. She still got motion sickness though
The island of Niihau in the background of all of the weather stations on the west coast
Of course, luau's are very popular in Hawaii. We have been to Smith's Family Plantation and Kilohana Plantation. I really enjoyed the grounds at Smith's, but the food and drinks were probably better at Kilohana. The shows were both pretty good.
Smith's Family Plantation
Kilohana
Near Poipu is Shipwreck Beach. There is a 40' cliff that people will jump off of. All I can say is protect yourself as you land.
Also near Poipu is the popular Spouting Horn. A lava tube that creates a blowhole effect when waves crash into the side of the cliff.
As you head west, you will come across a little beach called Glass Beach. It is a small beach in an industrial area, that is full of sea glass.
Not far from Glass Beach is Kauai Coffee Plantation. Hawaii is the only state that grows coffee, and if you're a coffee drinker, you will enjoy it. It's all free and you can tour parts of the plantation and drink all the different kinds of coffee you want.
As you head west from there, you will see Waimea Canyon and a totally different climate from the northshore.
Kalalau Lookout. The end of the road
I recommend a helicopter tour, as you get to see the parts of the island that are not accessible by road, which is about 70% of the island. Here are some photos from the flight, including Hanalei Bay, Napali Coast, and Weimea Canyon. We flew with Sunshine Helicopters, only because my wife was 10 wks pregnant, and they had a large chopper that was comfortable and not a rough ride at all. She still got motion sickness though
The island of Niihau in the background of all of the weather stations on the west coast
Of course, luau's are very popular in Hawaii. We have been to Smith's Family Plantation and Kilohana Plantation. I really enjoyed the grounds at Smith's, but the food and drinks were probably better at Kilohana. The shows were both pretty good.
Smith's Family Plantation
Kilohana
Posted on 5/25/16 at 11:11 pm to LSU Tigershark
Those are some amazing pics, I went in June last year for a week. I have some pics but they aren't the best quality. Actually the people surfing in one of your pics was the same place I was learning to surf, they have you wear those red swimsuits. Also went to the Luaua in your pics, it was pretty cool but those benches were a pain to sit on. 
Posted on 5/25/16 at 11:13 pm to LSU Tigershark
Gorgeous pics! Thanks for sharing. I've only been to Oahu, but so badly want to go back to Hawaii. Kauai seems like the perfect choice for a more laid-back tropical vacation to just enjoy nature. 
And I love Kauai Coffee and would enjoy a visit there.
And I love Kauai Coffee and would enjoy a visit there.
Posted on 5/25/16 at 11:27 pm to LSU Tigershark
So I assume you practice with your camera a lot? Good lord.
What do you use for the underwater stuff? One of those $1,000 cases for your professional camera or something?
I need to take classes, i fricking suck.
What do you use for the underwater stuff? One of those $1,000 cases for your professional camera or something?
I need to take classes, i fricking suck.
This post was edited on 5/25/16 at 11:28 pm
Posted on 5/25/16 at 11:33 pm to dawgfan24348
quote:
Also went to the Luaua in your pics, it was pretty cool but those benches were a pain to sit on
Yeah the benches weren't too comfortable. You sit at your table for Kilohana and you're much closer to the show.
Posted on 5/25/16 at 11:35 pm to Teddy Ruxpin
quote:
So I assume you practice with your camera a lot? Good lord.
What do you use for the underwater stuff? One of those $1,000 cases for your professional camera or something?
I need to take classes, i fricking suck.
I definitely practice a good bit and have upgraded my gear over the years.
The underwater pics were with an older cheap olympus stylus tough digital camera. The newer ones look really nice. The turtle pics are with a gopro 3+. The other pics are with a Canon T3i
Posted on 5/26/16 at 7:55 am to LSU Tigershark
So beautiful! We were there in 2014 for our Honeymoon. We have done a lot of traveling and both agree Kauai is the most beautiful, wonderful place. Can't wait to go back.
Posted on 5/26/16 at 8:00 am to LSU Tigershark
Looks like it was an awesome trip, great pics and thanks for sharing.
Posted on 5/26/16 at 8:01 am to LSU Tigershark
Been to Maui and Oahu, this one is definitely on my bucket list one day!
Posted on 5/26/16 at 2:16 pm to nicholastiger
quote:
Maui and Oahu
I would like to see Maui. Don't really care to see Oahu besides pearl harbor. I'd like to see the big island to see the lava flow and some other things. Flights to Kauai have been in the 700's,which is cheaper than I've seen before. I can't wait to go back, but it will probably be a few years
Posted on 5/26/16 at 6:30 pm to LSU Tigershark
I went a couple months ago. But geez your pictures blow mine out of the water.. Do you use any editing software??
That lighthouse I assume was Lanalai beach?? Camped there a few nights. Hiked down into Weamia Canyon. You basically feel like you're on Mars to a rainforest to a river. Also did the Napali Coast waterfall hike. Probably one of my favorites I've ever done.
Really enjoyed Kauai(other than the fricking Roosters).
That lighthouse I assume was Lanalai beach?? Camped there a few nights. Hiked down into Weamia Canyon. You basically feel like you're on Mars to a rainforest to a river. Also did the Napali Coast waterfall hike. Probably one of my favorites I've ever done.
Really enjoyed Kauai(other than the fricking Roosters).
Posted on 5/26/16 at 7:24 pm to LSU Tigershark
Wow! Stunning pictures. Thanks for sharing.
We've considered Kauai for the honeymoon, but also a bunch of other options. There's so much information out there it's extremely difficult to decide!
We've considered Kauai for the honeymoon, but also a bunch of other options.
There's so much information out there it's extremely difficult to decide!Posted on 5/26/16 at 7:27 pm to TigerDeBaiter
This should get added to the comprehensive thread soon, we are amassing a ton of info for travels on here. I hope everyone documents their trips.
Posted on 5/26/16 at 7:51 pm to LSU Tigershark
quote:
On the southshore, Poipu has another nice snorkeling beach that is easy to access, although it is often more crowded. Sometimes you can get lucky and see an endangered monk seal.
I actually enjoyed snorkeling there more than Tunnels and other spots in Hanalei . I stay at The Grand Hyatt because I love the pools and drive up to the north shore to hang out. Kauai is my happy place.
Posted on 5/26/16 at 10:14 pm to Lsupimp
quote:
Kauai is my happy place.
I think you could stay anywhere on the island and be happy. Next trip I want to do the powerboat tour. My wife was pregnant last trip, so we didn't hike or go on the boat.
I also enjoyed offshore fishing with Hawaiian Style Fishing. Terry is a great captain that catches fish. We caught some nice mahi that I grilled at the resort. You can also go to a restaurant near there and they will cook your fish for you. You launch from the coconut coast (Kapaa I think)
Posted on 5/27/16 at 9:24 am to LSU Tigershark
Went for my honeymoon a couple years ago and will be going back soon.
Have been to Cabo & the carribean (Barbados) since and it just doesn't compare.
You just can't compare the ease of being in the US and having all of that beauty and activities in one place
Have been to Cabo & the carribean (Barbados) since and it just doesn't compare.
You just can't compare the ease of being in the US and having all of that beauty and activities in one place
Posted on 5/27/16 at 1:08 pm to lilsnappa
quote:
You just can't compare the ease of being in the US and having all of that beauty and activities in one place
+1
Posted on 5/29/16 at 10:48 pm to LSU Tigershark
No pictures of all the chickens on the beaches?
I took my wife there about five years ago. It was gorgeous. Unfortunately we arrived during a 30 day period when it had rained about every day. They were calling for voluntary evacuations of the condo we were staying in due to flooding. Roads were washed out everywhere and a dam had failed. After sitting in the condo for a few days and watching it rain, it finally cleared up a bit. I think we put about 500 miles on the rental Jeep driving down every road on the island. I would love to go back some day under better weather conditions.
For those of you that have never been, there are chickens everywhere. You actually do see lots of chickens walking on the beach.
I took my wife there about five years ago. It was gorgeous. Unfortunately we arrived during a 30 day period when it had rained about every day. They were calling for voluntary evacuations of the condo we were staying in due to flooding. Roads were washed out everywhere and a dam had failed. After sitting in the condo for a few days and watching it rain, it finally cleared up a bit. I think we put about 500 miles on the rental Jeep driving down every road on the island. I would love to go back some day under better weather conditions.
For those of you that have never been, there are chickens everywhere. You actually do see lots of chickens walking on the beach.
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