Kauai: Hawaii’s Unspoiled Beauty
Want to see Hawaii in its natural beauty without all the tourist traps? Travel to Kauai and you can do just that. You won’t see tall skyscrapers and bustling cities here either, but what you will see is gorgeous landscapes, remote beaches, friendly locals and traditional towns with a laid back atmosphere.
As the most northwestern of the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is called often the Garden Island because it receives more rainfall than other Hawaiian islands, producing lush greenery, stunning waterfalls and vibrant flora and fauna.
The Beaches
Kauai’s beautiful beaches are probably the island’s most popular attractions. With more than 60 different beaches all ranging from secluded to most visited, you are sure to find one that suits your interests. Many of the beaches offer water activities such as swimming, children’s tidal pools, snorkeling, scuba diving and surfing such as Hanalei, Haena and Tunnels. Other beaches like Lumahai, feature remote wilderness where you can explore trails, lava formations and hidden caves.
State Parks
If you want to explore Hawaii’s exquisite, natural beauty at its best, be sure to visit the state parks located throughout Kauai. With more than 1,800 acres of green wilderness, red cliffs and a 10 mile canyon, the Waimea Canyon State Park offers hiking trails, camping, wildlife viewing and more. Covering an area of 6,000 acres, the Na Pali Coast State Park provides stunning scenery, dramatic cliffs, hiking trails and intriguing caves. Besides an interesting historic coconut grove that dates back to ancient Hawaii, the Lydgate State Park also features a lovely stretch of beach for swimming and collecting seashells as well as picnicking.
Old Koloa Town
When you visit Kauai, don’t miss out on a visit to Old Koloa Town. You can stroll about this traditional town to see historic buildings now renovated into quaint shops and restaurants. You can browse the art galleries, hunt for a bargain, buy souvenirs and opt for a delicious treat at the ice cream parlor. You can also check out the Koloa History Center, where you can learn about the island’s sugar plantation history and Japanese immigration stories through many artifacts and photographs.
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Nature lovers won’t want to miss the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, which shelters thousands of different seabirds. Additionally, you can also spot spinner dolphins, humpback whales, seals and green turtles here.
National Tropical Botanical Gardens
If you want to see an amazing collection of Hawaii’s native plants, trees and exotic flowers, don’t miss out on a visit to the National Tropical Botanical Gardens. Spanning nearly 2,000 acres, these stunning gardens also feature fountains, pools, waterfalls, sculptures and agriculture terraces built by ancient Hawaiians.
McMaster Slack Key Concerts
An excellent and affordable way to experience Kauai’s local culture is to attend a slack key and ukulele concert. Held twice a week at the Hanalei Community Center, these events offer history of the Hawaiian slack key music as well as local, traditional stories.
Can’t wait to experience Kauai? Check out online hotel deals today and begin making your plans to visit this wonderful Hawaiian island.
