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 There
are 6 world class golf
courses on Kauai. In Poipu, there is the Kiahuna
18 hole course, and the Poipu Bay Resort 36 hole course, home of
the PGA Grand Slam. Princeville, former home of The Kemper Open,
has 76 holes, and is rated " #1 in Hawaii" by Golf Digest. Wailua
is the home of our public 18 hole golf course, and is quite a golfing
bargain.In Lihue, there is the Kauai Lagoons which sports
a 36 hole, Jack Nicklaus designed, championship course. Kukiolono
Golf Course is a delightful 9 hole municipal course in Kalaheo that
is a favorite with local players.
 Several
exciting boat
tours will help you explore Kauai's off
shore waters and the magical Napali Coast. Blue Dolphin Charters
offers great Kauai sailing tours
and delightful sunset cruises. Zodiac
boat tours, other catamaran cruises, whale watching tours, and
scuba and snorkeling tours, leave from Port Allen and Lihue.
The North Shore of
Kauai is a winter surfing
mecca, but in the summer,  Poipu
Beach produces the best waves. Surfing lessons are available at
Kiahuna in Poipu and at Hanalei on The North Shore. Among the many
surf spots in Poipu, perhaps the most famous is Brennecke's Beach
known as a world class boogie boarding spot and the body surfing
capital of Hawaii. Kalapaki Beach at The Marriot offers gentle waves
for beginners, while the North Shore's Kalihiwai Bay and Hanalei
Bay is for the Pros. On Kauai, there are nearly as many surf spots
as there are beaches.
 Deciding
which beaches
to visit might be your most challenging daily task.
There are swimming beaches, shelling beaches, sunset beaches, beaches
with lots of activity, and beaches where you can be totally alone.
Brennecke's Beach is only 150 yards away. Poipu Beach, also within
walking distance, is perhaps the island's most popular spot, offering
safe swimming, good snorkeling, picnic tables, and outdoor showers.
Nearby,
you will find great vacation rentals like The
Poipu Plantation Resort and Poipu
Shores oceanfront condos
 There
are 3 excellent horseback
riding stables
on Kauai. CJM Stables in Poipu, offers daily trail rides along the
shores of the remote Mahalepu coastline.On the North Shore at Princeville,
both Silver Falls Ranch and Princeville Stables offer 3 hour trail
rides through Kauai's back country to a private waterfall, for a picnic
and a swim.
 Virtually
every beach in Poipu has at least one excellent snorkeling
spot. Outfitters, in Poipu offers scuba and snorkeling
equipment rental, as well as bicycles and kayaks. Anini Beach, on
The north Shore, offers very good diving along a 3 mile coastline
enclosed by a long outer reef. Inside the reef, you will encounter
a myriad of colorful tropical fish and several species of coral.
At the road's end you will find Ke'e Beach, and Tunnels Beach, both
known for their good water clarity. For the more adventurous,
several boat tour companies offer snorkeling trips to the offshore
reef areas of Poipu and the Napali Coast.
In Haena, you will find
a great vacation rental called
Kimo's that rents a cool cottage for little money.
 The
trail head gateway to the Napali Coast is at the end of the road
(Kee Beach). A day of hiking
into remote Hanakapiai Valley has been the highlight of many vacations.
From the beach, you can hike to the magnificent Hanakapiai Falls.
Short hikes can be enjoyed from trails beginning above Opaekaa Falls
lookout in Wailua. From Koke'e Lodge, you can hike several trails
that meander throughout Kauai's ethereal mountain country, where
you will encounter plant and bird species found no where else on
earth.
 Tennis
courts abound on Kauai. In Poipu, there is The Kiahuna Racquet Club,
Poipu Kai, and The Poipu Hyatt. There are daily clinics, round robbins,
and excellent Pro Shops. At Princeville Resort you will find two
fine tennis Clubs. The Hanalei Bay Resort has 7 courts overlooking
Hanalei Bay, and The Princeville Tennis Club has 6 courts. Both
clubs are open to the public, and have on site tennis pros, a racquet
shop, and equipment rentals. Other very good facilities are found
in Lihue at The Kauai Lagoons, near the Marriot.
 You
can enjoy miles of tropical water
skiing along
the Wailua River which is the only truly navigable river in the
State of Hawaii. Equipment rentals, boats for towing skiers, and
ski instruction instruction is available.
 Deep
sea fishing
charter boats offer half and full day charters, with all fishing
gear included, are available at Kukuiula Harbor in Poipu, at Port
Allen, and on the North Shore in Hanalei Town and Anini Beach. All
companies offer private and group charters to offshore areas that
are teeming with exciting game fish such sailfish, marlin, and yellow
fin tuna.
 Kauai's
polo
team is world class. The Kauai Polo Club is located across from
Anini Beach Park, and matches are held each Sunday during the season.
Enjoying a tropical polo match on a sunny Sunday afternoon, while
looking out on the blue Pacific Ocean, is an experience you will
not want to miss.
 Windsurfing
at its best is found at Shipwreck Beach in
Poipu and is strictly for very experienced wind surfers.
The Poipu area has
several outfitters offering equipment rentals and lessons. Tunnels
Beach and Anini Beach, to the North offer excellent wind surfing
also.
 Good
kayaking
is the rule in the Kalihiwai River, Menehune
Fish Pond, and in the shoreline waters of Poipu. Both ocean and
fresh water kayaks can be rented in several locations in Koloa Town,
Kapaa and on the North Shore, and can be easily strapped to the
roof of your car for transport anywhere on the island.
 Kauai's
clean, clear offshore waters attract scuba
divers from all over the world. There is a
dive shop in almost every town on the island, so gear rental, air,
and instruction can be easily found. Scuba lessons and certification
for beginners is available inmost coastal towns.The scuba tour companies
on the island all offer equipment rental, lessons, and certification
as well.
 Several
boat companies host a variety of sailing
tours in large, seaworthy, ocean catamarans.
Poipu sunset cruises complete
with cocktails, as well as leisurely sailing tours down the Napali
Coast can be booked from many companies around the island. In
Poipu and in Port Allen, sailing tours are offered several times
daily.
 A
helicopter
tour is the
only way most people can see the magnificent beauty of Kauai's remote
interior. Tours leave from Hanapepe, and Lihue. There are few experiences
that can match a helicopter flight over the most beautiful island
in the world.
 Kauai's
largest shopping
center is found in Lihue.. Koloa Town has a
large, modern grocery market, several good restaurants, art galleries,
clothing stores, and a pharmacy. The Poipu Resort area has several
world class restaurants, hotels, and unique gift shops. The island
has an abundance of small shops that sell items which are crafted
by local artists. There are many roadside stands with exotic tropical
fruits, organic produce, and flower leis. In Poipu also, at the
Spouting Horn Park, you will find an outdoor flea market where you
can buy shell jewelry and all sorts of tourist items at good prices.
The best selection of
Hawaiian Music and gifts
are found at Tropic Isle Music in Lihue. |
