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Review of kauai beaches including sand, snorkeling, swimming and big island beach resorts in Poipu, Lihue, Kapaa and Hanalei.
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Kauai holiday accommodation is spread out around the island making all the sites easily accessible, except for the stunning cliffs and valleys of the Na Pali coastline on the north and west side of the island which can only be reached by foot, sea or air. The island is small enough to explore from a single base so much depends on what you're main reason on visiting is.
There are three main tourist stretches - the large resort area of Poipu in the sunny south has the highest concentration of hotels, some alongside the sandy cove beaches and others overlooking the rocky coastline. Princeville on the north coast is a purpose built luxury resort complex with a few large hotels, condominium homes and golf courses. The east coast, known as the Royal Coconut Coast, has a good mix of hotels for all tastes and budgets around the town of Kapaa and further south around Wailua. There's another large golf resort complex overlooking Kalapaki Beach outside the main town and airport of Lihue on the south east coast.
Kauai beach hotels are concentrated around Poipu along the sunny South Coast and more affordable beach hotels can be found along the East Coast in the seaside towns of Lihue (Kalapaki Beach), Wailua and Kapa'a. Several large luxury resorts are at the purpose built tourist complex of Princeville on the spectacular North Coast.
Our guide is full of stunning pictures of Kauai Beaches as well as a colourful Beach Map of Kauai to give you a clear impression where the best beaches can be found. We also provide useful links throughout our text so you can find out more about tours and accommodation and make direct reservations.
Kauai beaches are undoubtedly the most breath-taking in the State. This smallest but oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands has a valued reputation for adventure, eco-tourism and great sightseeing.
Read our detailed reviews about the following regions:
Poipu to Waimea - the sunny south coast and resort area
Lihue to Kapaa - popular hotel and condominium towns
Hanalei / Princeville - stunning scenery, secluded beaches
In relation to the size of its coastline, there are more beaches on Kauai than any other Hawaiian Island. There are lovely stretches of sand along the entire west coast, at Poipu on the south coast and between Princeville and the Na Pali mountains on the north coast. However, the surrounding scenery, which in places is absolutely stunning, and swimming conditions make all the difference when selecting your beach destination.
The highest concentration of beach resorts is at Poipu, along the sunny South Coast. Accommodation here sits side by side along the three miles of sandy coastline which in places is broken by large rocky outcrops. There are lots of vacation rentals at the west end of Poipu, beyond which is the spectacular blowholes, a major tourist pull. A few small hotels and some vacation rentals can be found around historic Waimea Town. This is the access point to the unusual Waimea Canyon, with stunning vistas and lots of hiking trails.
More affordable accommodation can be found along the East Coast in the seaside towns of Lihue, Wailua and Kapa'a. Lihue Town is set inland, but the popular beach area has fine sand alongside a protected harbour with safe swimming year round, some surfing breaks at the harbour mouth, and several world championship courses along the wild coastline beyond the beach. To the north of Lihue lots of accommodation can be found between the small towns of Wailua and Kapa'a, an area referred to as the Royal Coconut Coast for it was the main residence of the ancient Hawaiians and in early European times, was a large coconut plantation. Here there are some fine archaeological sites alongside the river valley and waterfalls to explore by kayak. The beaches here are OK, but often not good for swimming due to rough seas and dangerous currents.
... more about Wailua River Valley
The charming town of Hanalei along the rain-forest North Coast with its adjacent purpose built resort village of Princeville back into some of the islands most breathtaking wilderness and has lovely remote beaches along a winding coastal road and several excellent places for snorkelling. Hanalei has several small hotels and lots of vacation rentals and bed and breakfast guesthouses. The extremely beautiful Na Pali coastline is accessible from here, with one of the best hiking trails in the State winding its way through rainforest alongside the steep cliffs. Sailing charters and helicopter sightseeing of the otherwise inaccessible Na Pali Coast is Kauai's most popular tourist attraction.
... more about Hanalei
... more about Na Pali Coast
Kauai Resorts Listings
Hawaii Tour Companies
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