This portion of the website is under construction – please check back shortly for local tips!
National Tropical Botanical Gardens
One of only four (I believe) NTBG’s in the United States, one on the north shore, one in Maui and one in Florida. Well-informed docents lead you on the tour, which is guided, and you have to have reservations. You will find out so much about the way our islands evolved and what the plant life on Kauai is all about. Highly recommended.
Polihale State Park
You will think you are lost as you head out to the park, on sugar cane roads which seem to lead to no where! Go as far as you can without getting stuck in the sand and you will find one of the most magnificent beaches ever. This beach has graced the cover of several magazines, with its wide white sandy beach and towering pali (mountains) as a backdrop. Be careful however, the waves can be dangerous. This entire stretch of beach is one of the longest in the Hawaiian island chain.
Waimea Canyon
Go early to this spectacular spot. The clouds come in later in the day to cover some of the view. Mark Twain called Kauai’s canyon the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Be sure to go all the way to the end of the road to Koke’e State Park, and then to the Kalalau overlook. Breathtaking.
The North Shore
So many places to stop along the way, but go all the way to the end of the road, to Ke’e Beach. This is the trailhead to Kalalau, and Hanakapiai Beach. If you are a good hiker, the Hanakapiai trail is about 2 and ½ miles long, and considered strenuous. (Kalalau, on the other hand is 9 miles and is a long one day hike in, permits are needed to spend the night.) If you just want a taste of the trail, go ½ mile into the trail to Windy Point. You will be rewarded with one of the most spectacular vistas on earth. Or at least we think so. Let us know if you want more information on these hikes as we have done them all. The rest of the north shore has so much to see. Kilauea Lighthouse, is beautiful. The Guava Plantation, Princeville, Hanalei, Lumahai Beach and other sights along the way.
