Kauai, also referred to as "The Garden Isle," is Hawaii's oldest major island. With 550 square miles in the Pacific, Kauai lies in the northernmost part of the Hawaiian main islands. This tropical getaway is filled with majestic natural wonders and provides a relaxing alternative to nearby Honolulu or Maui. Velvet sand beaches, sparkling waterfalls and lush rain forests attribute to the island's postcard-perfect beauty.
The first settlers of Kauai arrived before 500 A.D., and the island's culture and society attributes much of its current cultural traditions and societal systems to the rather sophisticated civilization of that time. Throughout history, the people of Kauai have taken pride in preserving the island's language, dance, rituals and cultural traditions. Enjoy the many festivals of Kauai, which are filled with music and traditional hula, and are often in honor of the island's flowers, plants and Hawaiian royalty. Major festivals include the Eo E Emalani I Alakai Festival of the Koke'e State Park, and the Prince Kuhio Festival at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, but other festivals pepper the island year-round. Also experience Kauai culture by visiting one of the island's art and history museums, such as the Kokee Museum on the west side, the Kauai Museum in Lihue or Old Kapaa Town and Bell Stone on the Coconut Coast. The art of the locals is a great way to learn how the serenity and spirit of the island, as well as its history, influence creative works.
The favorable tropical climate and lovely scenery make outdoor sports more pleasurable. Fishing is a popular tourist activity, with ono, ahi and marlin plentiful off the shores of Kauai's south and east coasts. Charter boats are available to the private island of Niihau, where fisherman collect giant tuna and marlin. Golf is another popular sport, and Kauai boasts several large resort golf courses and a number of public courses with panoramic ocean views. Additionally, whether it's on the beaches or across Waimea Canyon, horseback riding is possible almost anywhere on the island. Trails lead visitors to the well-preserved natural wonders of Hanalei Valley or along the coast and past the coves of Mahaulepu Beach to Haupu Valley. Biking, particularly mountain biking, and hiking are other desirable ways to explore the island while exercising.
Kauai is loaded with beaches of varying environmental conditions, some rocky, some peaceful and calm enough for swimmers, but all of them beautiful and picturesque. The South Shore has a number of beaches ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving, such as Maha'ulepu Beach and the rocky Shipwreck Beach. Poipu Beach ranks high in travel guides, is the best beach for swimming and features whale watching boat tours, which depart from this location. Ke'e beach is another highly visited beach, where the famed Kalalau Trail begins, and where countless movies and television shows have been filmed. Kealia Beach is favorable to surfers and boogie boarders.
