Get to know the island of Kauai, a spectacular place in Hawaii. A spot on the map that offers holidaymakers a special landscape. With unique characteristics. Here you can discover its characteristics, the best beaches and the ideal activities to enjoy a beautiful summer.
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Where is the island of Kauai?
Kauai Island is established and the fourth in size of the fundamental islands of the Hawaiian archipelago, with a region of 1,430.43 km². It is also called: Nursery Island. It is located at the position at the coordinates of 22 ° 05′N 159 ° 30′W. Kauai is 170 kilometres from the Kauai Channel.
Northwest of Oʻahu. It is an irregular island of volcanic origin, the highest point being Kawaikini Peak at 5,000 feet (1,598 metres) above sea level, followed by Mount Wai’ale’ale near the centre of Kauai at 5,000 feet (1,570 metres).
Island history
The history of Kauai is very interesting. In 1778, Captain James Cook appeared in Waimea Bay and became the first European to reach the Hawaiian Islands, which he named the Sandwich Islands in honour of his sponsor, the Earl of Sandwich.
The islands of Kauai and Niʻihau were the last to become part of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Their ruler, Kaumualiʻi, during the years 1778 and 1824. He resisted the provocations of King Kamehameha I the Great for a considerable period between 1736 and 1819.
Kamehameha twice attempted to take the islands by force with a large armada of pontoons and kayaks. His first attempt was thwarted by a storm and the second by an epidemic. Considering the danger posed by a major attack.
Kaumualiʻi decided to join the bloodless kingdom, becoming a vassal of Kamehameha in 1810 and surrendering the island to the Hawaiian kingdom after his death. But between 1815 and 1817, Kaumualiʻi haggled with the Russians at Fort Elizabeth, a potential protectorate of the Russian Empire, with the ultimate aim of freeing himself from Kamehameha, but to no avail.
An ancient place
The town of Līhuʻe, on the southeast side, is the county seat of Kauai County and the second largest on the island. Kapaʻa, on the Coconut Coast: Site of a former coconut farm. About 10 kilometres north of Līhuʻe, it has a population of about 10,000, about half that of Līhuʻe.
Waimea, when it was the capital of Kauai, on the south-western tip of the island, was the first place in Hawai’i to be visited by the English chieftain and explorer James Cook in 1778. The town of Waimea sits at the mouth of the Waimea River, at the mouth of which is one of the most beautiful gorges in the world: Waimea Canyon, which has a drop of around 900 metres.
The Grand Canyon of the Pacific
It is known as: The Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Typhoon Iniki in 1992 may have indirectly altered the biological system of the island of Kauai. There are people who claim that a chicken farm was destroyed, that the chickens fled and now roam freely on the island.
Others claim that sugar plantation workers in the late 1800s to mid 1900s acquired and bred chickens for food and cockfighting, many of which escaped and multiplied over the years. Today, however, Kauai is home to large numbers of wild chickens and chicks roaming an island with almost no predators.
According to this, the local name for Kauai was Tauaʻi, so the main settlement of Kapaʻa would have been called Tapaʻa. The dry, shiny west coast of Kauai is home to the US Navy’s Woofing Sands Naval Base. As a curiosity, there is an eating and drinking establishment in South Africa named after the island.
What activities can I do on the island of Kauai?
Kauai Island is the most developed and smallest of the 4 giant islands that make up the Hawaiian archipelago. However, I think it is the most beautiful island. It is lush. There is green everywhere and lots of it. There are endless activities to do on Kauai, lots of great places to see on Kauai.
Snorkelling
Kauai’s warm waters are home to many species of tropical fish, some of which you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Kee Lagoon is a popular swimming spot on Kauai. It’s located on the north side of the island, near Haena Beach Park.
Another must-see swimming spot is on the north shore: Tunnels Reef. The coastline has wonderful underwater views. It is an incredible coastline for experienced experts. If this is your first time swimming, be sure to go with a guide.
If you are on Kauai in late spring, you can visit Anini Beach Park. It is an exceptional beach for swimming. Be that as it may, don’t go practising in case you visit the region in winter, the currents are solid and it also turns into a surfing region.
Hanalei Valley Lookout
West of Princeville, on the north shore of Kauai Island, lies the tranquil town of Hanalei. Enriched with excellence that time won’t erode, this beautiful town has it all – from authentic sites to contemporary craft exhibits. A visit to Hanalei Town is a must when visiting Kauai.
Visit the Waioli Mission House and immerse yourself in Kauai’s history. Browse Hanalei’s craft exhibits to discover Kauai crafts and prints made from fascinating local Hawaiian woods. Locals and visitors come to Hanalei to enjoy ukulele shows at the Hanalei Community Centre.
At the foot of Hanalei’s cloudy green clouds, you’ll also find fields of taro. These heart-shaped plants grow dark green on waterlogged land and are used to make poi, a starchy Hawaiian staple that you can eat at any Kauai luau.
Kalalau Trail
Be that as it may, a lot of people come here because this is the start of the breathtaking Kalalau Trail. An exceptionally tough 18km hike over wet, reddish earth and boulders along the Na Pali coast. It offers some of the most breathtaking scenery on the planet.
Many films have been made here, including Jurassic Park. The whole journey goes from one side of mountains and valleys to the other, to the great coastlines and waterfalls of another planet. There are no transit offices once you leave Ke’e Beach, so it’s important to pass everything and camp at the designated sites.
When travelling on this part of Kauai, it is essential to bring a tent, good shoes, food and plenty of fluids, as the heat and physical exertion will be important. It is absurd to expect to do this if you are not in an acceptable state of health.
What should be possible is the main Hanakapi ‘ai section of 4.5km, which is easier and can be done in a day. It starts there and ends at Hanakoa, where many people stop to rest. The last section goes to Kalalau Beach and is the most amazing.
Opaeka’a Falls
There are undoubtedly many places to have fun on the island of Kauai. I drove back from Ke’e Beach along Highway 56 until after the intersection with the town of Kapaa, when I turned onto Highway 580 to see Opaeka’a Falls.
This is a triple waterfall, sometimes double depending on the rainfall. It is 46 metres high and can be seen from the rest area on the route. You will be a bit far away, but with a decent zoom camera you can see it in detail. A beautiful spot to enjoy on the island of Kauai.
Wailua Falls
A taller double waterfall with a much more pronounced flow than the previous ones. It also has the advantage that the view is much closer. An intriguing and beautiful spot on the island of Kauai.
There are several ways to get to the two waterfalls. Some are closed and some are risky, so unless you know what you are doing and are exceptionally trained, it is best not to risk it. The view is incredible, a spectacular gift from the island of Kauai.
From there I turned south on Route 56 and then southwest on Route 50 to Route 550, later renamed Kokee Road, to finally get a chance to see Kauai’s signature canyon.
Waimea Canyon
On the opposite side of the island of Kauai, in front of the parking lot, we can see Waimea Canyon, the most important safe waterway in the whole province of Hawaii. It is surrounded by a large amount of extremely green shady vegetation. From this point I continued down the island to the highest waterfalls on the island of Kauai.
The best beaches on the island of Kauai
The following are the best beaches on the island of Kauai, spectacular places that offer an incomparable climate and the scent of the sea. With clean and spectacular sand. With the wind and power of the ocean.
Poipu Beach
On the island of Kauai, Poipu Beach is totally pleasant. It has administrative facilities, a lifeguard station and a decent and very sheltered swimming area. It doesn’t support such strong currents, but the surf zone is suitable for experienced surfers. It is also a perfect place to enjoy the nightfall.
Each of these qualities, along with the fact that the weather is generally more generous than in the north, makes Poipu one of the busiest beaches on Kauai in the high season.
We even spotted a green turtle lying on the shore of this Kauai beach. Coincidentally, turtles are the equivalent of seals. Try not to get too close to them, let them find happiness in the afterlife. Use the zoom of your camera to appreciate the subtleties.
Salt Pond Beach
On the west shore of Kauai Island, Salt Pond Beach Park has a series of shallow pools that make for great swimming for the little ones. The water here is usually very clear and the distinctive fringing reefs help to keep the water really calm.
The lagoons on the east side of the shore are an incredible place to find additional marine life on Kauai Island. There’s a lifeguard on duty and you’ll find latrines, showers and dark structures in the recreation centre. Salt Pond’s salt ponds are a distinctive wetland, although salt normally forms here, the salt beds are very artificial.
Salt Pond is named after the regular wetlands that Hawaiians use to make salt for cooking and therapeutic purposes. Salt Pond Beach Park is adjacent to the main regular salt ponds on Kauai.
These salt ponds are carefully maintained for use by local Hawaiians. Salt Pond is also a great beach for young children due to the semi-safe ocean conditions.
Kekaha Beach
Another beauty on the island of Kauai, Kekaha Beach Park is located at the western end of the island and is the best place to watch the sunset and comb the ocean. This beach marks the beginning of the longest stretch of white sand in the state. Strong breezes, waves and the channel occasionally turn the water an earthy colour.
Nearby surfers and local fishermen appreciate Kekaha’s coastline. Niihau Island and Lehua Rock are visible from here. This is the dry side of the island and if it is raining elsewhere, you will no doubt discover plenty of sunshine here. This is the lifeguard beach on the west side. Here you can see the kitchen area and bathroom offices.
Polihale Beach
This excellent beach on the island of Kauai, with side views of the cliffs of the Napali Coast, enjoys perhaps the best sunset on the island. Be that as it may, it is difficult to access via a dirt road, which is even more difficult if you have fallen.
Remember that most car hire companies will not allow you to drive on these roads. It is not even easy to walk, as it is too long and has no dark areas.
If you do decide to walk, drive slowly, watch out for gaps in the road and make sure you stop away from the sand. There are many vehicles stranded on this stretch of coastline.
Hanalie Bay
This beautiful cove on the north side of Kauai Island is the perfect place for a relaxed day at the beach. It offers more than 2 miles of walking trails and a photogenic pier from which to take in the scenery.
It’s a good place for families with children and individuals to learn or practice surfing, bodyboarding or SUP due to the safety provided by the semi-circular shape of this seashore. You will also find open latrines and some watchtowers.
Lumahai Beach
Lumahai Beach is a dominant and pleasant seashore and is known from numerous postcards and exhibition photographs. Hollywood made this important stretch of white sand famous when Mitzi Gaynor, in the film South Pacific, washed her hair on this beach.
Lumahai is the subject of numerous postcards and compositions, but it is also known on the island of Kauai as one of the most dangerous shorelines to suffocate and is not recommended for swimming. During mid-year, conditions at Luimaha I are calmer, but caution is still advised.
Wainiha Beach
Wainiha means antagonistic water in Hawaiian. Wainiha Beach is one of the few beaches on the island of Kauai that is not open to swimming all year round. The beach has no reefs to protect it from the giant reeds of the sea.
Diving here means dealing with dangerous currents, a surprising tidal swell and a solid sea wall. There have been some sweltering and suffocating close calls here.
The Wainiha River flows into the sea at the eastern end of the shore. The water near the shore is usually covered with light sediment deposited by the current. When conditions are right, surfers can be seen taking a break on the channel side of the narrows.
Ke’e Beach
This small beach is a gem. It frames the start of the Kalalau Trail, so it can be reached by car. Of course, parking is not only limited, but mostly in bumpy, gaping territory. Nevertheless, it continues to attract tourists to the island of Kauai.
It offers perhaps the best sunset on the island of Kauai. Waves permitting, it’s also a good place to swim or spend the day pulling a load out of the ocean. Of course, you should bring your own scuba gear as there are no shops in the area. Be sure to check the currents before you dive.
There are latrines, cold showers and a source of drinking water close to the shore. It is also not unexpected to see the wild chickens of the island of Kauai, which will delight the dear creatures.
Features of Kauai Island
The northernmost and most settled of the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is surrounded by emerald valleys, sharp, rugged pinnacles and sheer cliffs sculpted by climate and weather. Hundreds of years of development have framed tropical forests, meandering waterways and transcendent waterfalls.
The Climate
Generally speaking, Kauai experiences cooler temperatures and rainfall in the winter and warmer temperatures in the summer. Fortunately, when we say cooler, we mean by Hawaiian standards.
In fact, even in winter, temperatures occasionally dip into the mid-70s, and if they do, you’ll be warned by the locals.
Flora and Fauna
Because the local fauna of Kauai Island evolved without predators or competitors, it has not created regular guards such as poison, thistles or cover. There were no reptiles, terrestrial or aquatic animals, mosquitoes, flies, lice or even a cockroach. There were only two endemic vertebrates, a type of bat and priest seals.
The ancient bat must have accidentally arrived on Kauai from somewhere in North or South America. The Hawaiian priest seal, a warm-water seal found in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, was nearly wiped out in the 19th century for its skin and oil.
Much of Kauai’s wildlife has made unique adaptations to its new home. Today, almost 90% of the island’s wildlife is endemic, meaning it does not exist anywhere else on the planet. To conclude this interesting section, we offer you an exciting video about the island of Kauai, where you can visually appreciate a unique and special landscape.
In the same way, we invite you to read in the following links; other beautiful islands that our planet has to offer:
- The islands of the Laquedives, white sandy beaches and marine life.
- New Caledonia Island, white sand beaches and tranquillity.
- Palaos Island, a small island with great natural wonders