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Tennis in Kauai
Public tennis courts are managed by the Kauai County Parks and Recreation Department (www.kauai.gov/parks; 808/241-4460). Its webpage (click on “Park Facilities”) lists the 24 public…
Surfing in Kauai
With the global expansion in surfing’s popularity, the most accessible breaks around the island have plenty of contenders. Practice patience and courtesy when lining up to catch a…
Biking in Kauai
Although the main highway has few stretches truly safe for cycling, there are several great places on Kauai for two-wheeling. The Poipuarea has wide, flat paved roads and several dirt…
Golf in Kauai
It’s no wonder that Kauai’s exceptional beauty has inspired some exceptionally beautiful links. More surprising is the presence of two lovely, inexpensive public courses: the 9-hole…
Beaches in Kauai
Kauai’s nearly 70 beaches include some of the most beautiful in the world, and all are open to the public, as required by state law. They are also in the middle of the vast, powerful…
Inn Waimea/West Kauai Lodging
If you’re looking for accommodations with both character and modern conveniences, check out the small lodge and four vacation rentals managed by West Kauai Lodging. A former parsonage…
Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue
This 10-story, multiwing hotel—the tallest on Kauai since opening in 1986—may be what prompted the local ordinance that no new structures be higher than a coconut tree, but it would be…
West Kauai Technology & Visitor Center
Although its hours are limited, this center’s two free weekly activities and the small but well-curated cultural exhibitions merit a stop here before or after your Waimea Canyon…
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
The island’s largest hotel aims to have one of the smallest carbon footprints. Its 602 luxurious rooms feature not only pillow-top beds and Toto toilets, but also eco-friendly elements…
Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay
This 10-acre property has a great location for families: next to the protected swimming/snorkeling ponds of Lydgate Beach, the fanciful Kamalani Playground, and historic Hawaiian sites…
Suggested Itineraries in Kauai
Your vacation time is precious, you only have so many days, and you don't want to waste one of them. That's where I come in. Below are several suggestions for things to do and how to…
Active Pursuits in Kauai
This is the part of your vacation you've dreamed about -- the sun, the sand, and the surf. We'll tell you about the best beaches on Kauai, from where to soak up the rays to where to…
Organized Tours in Kauai
Farms, gardens, historic houses, and other points of interest that may be open only to guided tours are listed under “Attractions & Points of Interest”. For boat, kayak, bicycle,…
In Depth in Kauai
Today, other tropical islands are closing in on Kauai's position as the world's premier beach destination. But Kauai isn't just another pretty place in the sun. There's an undeniable…
Local Favorites in Kauai
Plate Lunch Palaces If you haven't yet come face-to-face with the local phenomenon called plate lunch, Kauai is a good place to start. Like saimin, the plate lunch is more than a…
Nearby Attractions in Kauai
Niihau: The Forbidden IslandJust 17 miles across the Kaulakahi Channel from Kauai lies the arid island of Niihau, "the Forbidden Island." Visitors are not allowed on this privately…
Waimea Canyon in Kauai
The great gaping gulch known as Waimea Canyon is quite a sight. This valley, known for its reddish lava beds, reminds everyone who sees it of the Grand Canyon. Kauai's version is…
Lihue & Environs in Kauai
Downtown Lihue The gift shop of the Kauai Museum, 4428 Rice St. (tel. 808/245-6931), is your best bet for made-on-Kauai arts and crafts, from Niihau-shell leis to woodwork, lauhala and…
Wildlife Watching in Kauai
BirdingKauai provides more than 80 species of birds—not counting the “wild” chickens seen at every roadside attraction. Coastal and lowland areas, including the wildlife refuges at…
Other Activities in Kauai
Zipling Kauai apparently has Costa Rica to thank for its profusion of ziplines, the metal cable-and-pulley systems that allow harness-wearing riders to “zip” over valleys, forests, and…
Water Sports in Kauai
Several outfitters on Kauai not only offer equipment rentals and tours, but also dispense expert information on weather forecasts, sea and trail conditions, and other important…
Horseback Riding in Kauai
Ride a horse across the wide-open pastures of a working ranch under volcanic peaks and rein up near a waterfall pool, or explore a pristine shoreline hidden by former sugarcane fields:…
For Families in Kauai
Climbing the Wooden Jungle Gyms at Kamalani Playground --Located in Lydgate Park, Wailua, this unique playground has a maze of jungle gyms for kids of all ages, including an actual…
The Fauna in Kauai
When the first Polynesians arrived in Hawaii between A.D. 500 and 800, scientists say they found some 140 varieties of endemic Hawaiian birds, nearly half of which are now extinct.…
The Ecosystem in Kauai
Officials at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island saw a potential problem a few decades ago with people taking a few rocks home with them as souvenirs. To prevent this…