Kauai

Deciding where to stay on Kauai is a very difficult decision. The north shore has the lush scenery and incredible beaches. The south side has the drier climate and more timid beaches. The east side perhaps represents a compromise since it’s centrally located. The west side is more isolated but has the most convenient access to the hiking of Waimea Canyon.

Another way to decide where to stay is to first look at what the accommodations in each area look like, and how much they cost. If you’re a visual person, the best way to do this is by looking at aerial photos of Kauai’s condo resorts

An Aerial view of Kaha Lani Resort

HawaiiGaga.com’s Kauai Condo Guide includes aerial photos so you can see what the surroundings look like. Most aerial photos are taken from the ocean, so you get the coastal perspective.

Our condo guides also include an estimate of average prices, and a subjective luxury rating. The map shows you what beaches and attractions are located nearby each resort. For many people this is very important consideration in choosing a place to stay.

We’ve finally added Mahaulepu beach and trail information to HawaiiGaga.com. This is a beautiful undeveloped area in Poipu, and a highlight of the region. Because access is confusing, not too many Poipu vacationers visit this area. If you’re in good health the best way to experience Mahaulepu is with a hike from Shipwreck beach across Mahaulepu trail to Mahaulepu beach. It’s at least a half day excursion that involves about 2.5 hours of hiking (both ways). You’ll also want to relax and perhaps get wet at the beach, which will be another hour. So pack a lunch, and make sure you have good shoes and a hat. You can also drive to Mahaulepu beach. The dirt road just past the Hyatt will take you there. Two roads will get you to the beach, but avoid the shorter dirt road that takes you past CJM country stables as it’s a terrible road that will get your car stuck. The longer road gets you to the middle of the beach in a roundabout kind of way.

Mahaulepu Beach

After much research and deliberation you’ve finally decided to visit Kauai for your next Hawaii vacation. As we explain in our Guide to the Hawaiian Islands, choosing an island is the easy part since they’re all nice. Now comes the hard part, deciding where to stay! This is an especially hard decision on Kauai. First, you have Waimea canyon and all its hiking trails on the west side of the island. The canyon is a must see even if you don’t hike. Then there’s the south side with its favorable weather, beaches, and tourist activities. You already know about the north shore’s amazing scenery and beaches. And since you’ve done your homework, you know how big surf affects the south shores in the summer and the north shores in the winter. But you need small surf for snorkeling and big surf for surfing and boogie boarding. So where to stay? How about Kauai’s east coast!

The east coast is considered “central” because it’s about the same distance to the north and south shore’s attractions. Remember the highway doesn’t circumnavigate the island – it ends at the Napali coast. In addition to great weather, the east coast has a picturesque coastline with great walking beaches. Lydgate beach park is one of the safest places to learn how to snorkel. Although Lihue is the capital of Kauai, Wailua and Kapaa (right next to each other) are the tourist epicenter of the east coast with a wide variety of tourist shops and restaurants.

A popular and very highly rated accommodation on the east coast is Kauai Beach Villas Unit G6, offered by Condos in Kauai. When you wake up to a view like this, you know you’re in for a good day:

The view from Kauai Beach Villas Unit G6

An incredible sunrise view from Kauai Beach Villas Unit G6

Recently remodeled with granite counter tops, custom art work, ceramic tiles, and new furnishings, it’s the perfect east shore home to start and end a busy day exploring the wonders of Kauai. Also be sure to look at all the great Kauai hiking information posted on the Condos in Kauai web site.

Great Vacation Retreats is having a super summer blowout on Kauai vacation rentals. They’re offering a 25% discount on all available summer dates on all their rentals!!!

If you’re looking for an ultra luxury long term rental be sure to take a look at Mele Makani. This home is in the Seacliff Plantation area of Kilauea and features truly inspiring views.

Have we got a deal for a you. Mention HawaiiGaga.com and get Hanalei Bay Resort Unit 5208 for only $99/night when you stay at least 5 nights. The deal is valid until December 15.

The Hanalei Bay resort in Princeville is one of Kauai’s premiere resorts with breathtaking views and a beautiful tropical setting. Their tennis facility is one of the best on Kauai. Puu Poa beach is situated below the resort.

The Princeville St Regis Resort, formally known as the Princeville Hotel, is set to open its doors on July 1st after undergoing extensive renovations, although at the moment the hotel is only accepting bookings starting in October. According to currently advertised prices, rates start at $510/night for a 547 sq ft ocean view room with King Bed.

The St Regis faces competition from the Puu Poa condominiums next door. Puu Poa’s upscale residences range in price from about $230/night to $430 for a penthouse unit, and feature 2 bedrooms, ocean views and 1350-2180 sq ft of living space.

The following virtual tour shows-off the spacious Puu Poa 114 which rents for $250/night during the low season. Click on the picture to load the virtual tour.

Puu Poa 114 - click on picture to load virtual tour

One of the most sought after units in the building is Puu Poa Penthouse Unit 412 featuring incomparable Bali Hai and summer time sunset views.

Guests of Puu Poa can still enjoy the lounges and restaurants of the St Regis, a pleasant 2 minute stroll away.

Savvy travelers know vacation rentals offer the most affordable vacation experience. Would you believe it’s possible to stay in a luxury vacation home for about $50 pp?

The key to saving money is organizing a family vacation. Luxury homes usually have many bedrooms and utilizing those bedrooms is the key to realizing savings.

Take Hale Pakele, a luxury home in Princeville Kauai that offers outstanding value. The home typically rents for $250/night, and has 3 master bedrooms and a kids room. The home can sleep 6 adults and 4 children. That comes to around $50 for each adult when you include taxes and cleaning fees. The kids stay for free!

Hale Pakele - Affordable Luxury in Princeville, Kauai

Having a fabulous kitchen to cook in will help you save even more. Just load up on groceries at Costco when you arrive, or better yet, get fresh produce at a nearby farmers market.

The Napali Coast on Kauai’s north shore extends for roughly 15 miles, starting at Ke’e Beach and ending at Polihale State park. The ancient Kalalau trail meanders along the cliffs and through the valleys. Many an archaeologist have gone missing here, absorbed by the areas fascinating history, and mana.

Historical Artist Raymond A. Massey captures the romance of both the age of exploration and the Napali Coast in his painting “The 1837 Charting Expedition of Hanalei Bay.”

The 1837 Charting Expedition of Hanalei Bay by Raymond A. Massey

Massey is renowned for his historical accuracy and detail. The depiction of the coast on that day is based on journal entries from Captain Belcher. Upon completing the painting Massey commented that he felt as if he had crawled the entire length of the Napali coast on his stomach.

Inspired by Massey we decided to set sail ourselves on a Historic expedition of the Napali coast. Our goal was to retrace the route of the HMS Sulphur, outward bound from Hanalei Bay on July 27, 1837. Our journey would take place exactly 200 years hence to the day, on August 30, 2008, I think it was. To help us on our trip we commandeered the vessel Sea Breeze, of Napali Sea Breaze Tours. “Commandeer” is perhaps slightly misleading a word. Captain Bob let me control the second steering wheel. Although I am now told that the second steering column was actually broken. sigh.

Retracing the route of the HMS Sulfur we discovered something very interesting.
Massey clearly shows the vessel on a NW heading with Ke’e beach in the background. Captain Belcher never had any intention of traveling along the Napali coast. But why, it’s so pretty after all? My theory, which I have forwarded to the New England Journal of Medicine, not historical but sufficiently prestigious, is that Captain Belcher anchored at Tunnels beach for a snorkel. There he was bitten by a dolphin with rabies and simply went completely insane.

The Start of the Napali Coast at Ke

Be sure to stop by Ship Store Galleries in the Coconut Grove market place in Kapaa to see Massey’s terrific work.

Following up on our previous post about Ocean Safety, we thought we’d share some pictures of what the Queen’s Bath looks like when 25 ft waves hit the coastline.

The power of the ocean can be mesmerizing, and some people feel the urge to experience that energy by getting close to it, despite the obvious (in this case) danger.

The Queen's Bath on a day with small waves, but about the maximum safe size (click for big picture)

The following pictures (the 2nd set of three) were taken about 20 yards behind the large photo shown above. The photographer stood at the tree line, ready to grab onto a tree. The man in the first set of photos was eventually knocked over. Fortunately the jagged lava rocks charged a minimal fee of only a few ounces of blood to keep him put on the rocks. Note the Queen’s Bath isn’t even discernible anymore, completely over-run by water.