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The Great Kauai Tour: Interesting Facts in the Pacific

Hawaii is brimming with culture and traditions which is why millions of visitors flock to the islands from all over the world every year. A Kauai tour is one of the best experiences since you get to enjoy the tranquil scenes, beautiful people and fun-filled activities that make it a very unique place. The island has been the site of many interesting events and holds tales that most individuals only thought were myths.

Good Things to Know

Most areas of Kauai are part of Kaua?i County particularly the city of Lihu?e which is the seat at the southeast coast of the island. Lihu?e is the 2nd biggest city on the island although Kapa?a on the ?Coconut Coast? which is situated about 6 miles north has 2 times more people with a population of around 10,000. Waimea at the southwest region used to be the capital of Kauai and was the first island visited by Captain James Cook in 1778. The town of Waimea is found at the mouth of Waimea River which formed Waimea Canyon or ?The Grand Canyon of the Pacific? which measures 3,000 feet deep.

Getting to Know the Best Kauai Beach Destinations

Only 3%PRCTG% of Kauai is inhabited while the rest is conserved and kept in its natural form to maintain the beauty and essence of the Hawaiian culture and tradition. You will find several miles of shores that are either private or open to the public. Kauai beach destinations are very exciting to look for since the environment can change depending on the preference and level of visitors. Here are some of the best.

The Favorite Choices

Kalapaki Beach on Rice Road, Lihue, East Kauai is considered as the best beach in all of the island?s east coastal region. Residential spots on the area are among the most expensive in the county. The beach resembles a half moon of golden sand that leads to the Kauai Marriot Resort & Beach Club.

Kalapaki Beach is 50 yards wide and almost half a kilometre long. This place is ideal for swimmers, surfing, bodysurfing, boogie boarding, surfing for beginners and windsurfing and also has a jetty for protection. The Haupu Ridge rises at 2,200 feet nearby protecting Nawiliwili Bay.

How to Plan Your Kauai Wedding and Honeymoon

Kauai is a tropical Pacific paradise and one of the most romantic places on earth. Thousands of couples visit the island to get married and spend quality time together every year. Several activities are available for the ultimate experience such as golfing, sightseeing, hiking and swimming. There are places that cater to special events that will truly give you the Kauai wedding and honeymoon worth remembering.

Romantic Wedding Ideas

The most common wedding idea would be to exchange vows and have the ceremony with a beautiful oceanview backdrop. You get to have the best venue preparation complete with tropical plants and flowers, attractive leis and original hula and Hawaiian music. Other excellent sites and venues include mountain views, cliff side, tropical rainforests and ancient architectural wonders. Some unique activities that can be incorporated into your wedding are a horse-drawn carriage or limousine, conch shell blowing, tiki torch lighting and special presentations by local performers.

If you want to get married in more isolated zones, you may try Kalihiwai Beach or the ?Secret Beach? as well as Lumahai Beach. Hanalei and Haena also has marvelous beaches that take you away from the crowded areas so you can have all the serenity and quietness you?ve always wanted. The south shore of Kauai has Mahaulepu beach accessible via a well-protected cane road.

Hawaiian Travel Guide: Your Ultimate Kauai Plan

Although the biggest island in Hawaii promises you great weather and beautiful beaches all-year-round, there are still some points to consider ensuring that your Kauai plan stays perfect. Finer details can be attained by finding out the best time to go, what to bring as well as contacting the right persons. Your vacation will be much smoother if you map out everything ahead and create a sound schedule.

The Best Time to Visit

Your Kauai plan should merge into the busy tourist season or work around it. Generally, most tourists flock to the island 2 times every year from middle of June to Labor Day and from the middle of December to Easter. Visitor centers tend to crowd during Christmas and in August so you may have to book hotel reservations, car rentals, park tours and other attraction entrances earlier.

If you buy tickets and make reservations on the spot, expect to pay more since prices usually soar during these periods. Traffic congestion is also more common during peak seasons. It will help a lot to ask help from travel agents. Package deals that provide discounts and reserving months in advance will help reduce costs.

Pacific Perfection: The Great Kauai Beaches

If you?re looking for serenity, excitement or adventure, Kauai beaches are the perfect places to be. Almost half of the island?s coastline is made of both open and commercial beaches featuring an array of beautiful plants and animals on land, air and water. Some of these sites have unique characteristics which are why it is important to be on the lookout constantly and understand some navigation and safety tips.

Finding the Best Beach

The oldest and northernmost island of Hawaii measures around 552 square miles on an almost perfect circle form. It is about 33 miles wide and 25 miles long at its furthest points and only 3%PRCTG% of the land is residentially and commercially used. People generally reside along the coastal points leaving the interior part pristine and conserved. Expect temperature to be around 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit although these tend to rise during the summer and drop during late afternoon and evening.

Cool breezes come from the northeast trade winds while the ocean temperature ranges anywhere from 68 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Rain showers are common early in the morning and at night over the mountain ranges.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kauai Life

Kauai life is truly magnificent, exciting and pleasurable which undoubtedly explains why hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to the island every year. There are several natural and man-made attractions and sites that have existed for thousands of years leading to a solid cultural heritage. Before visiting, you need to have the answers to some FAQs to determine which locations and activities suit your trip best.

Learning More about the Island

1. Why is Kauai called the ?Garden Isle??

Kauai got its name because of its rich tropical life filled with green valleys, deep jungles and beautiful gardens. Mt. Wai?ale?ale is home to the wettest spot on the planet, receiving around 400 inches of rain annually. 3 of the 5 National Tropical Botanical Gardens are located in the island namely Allerton, McBryde and Limahuli. Kauai life actually stemmed from abundant sugarcane fields, vegetable plantations and farms. A lot of plants you see today were originally brought by Polynesian explorers who intended to enhance agriculture and herbal methods.

2. What attractions should I look forward to?

Going Green: Featuring the Magnificent Kauai Gardens

Kauai is called the “Garden Isle” because of its vast tropical treasures and plant life. You get to see some very rare flora in different spots of the island as well as the most important ones in famous parks and tended gardens. 3 of the 5 national botanical gardens are actually located in the island containing indigenous and ancient vegetation dating back since its earliest days. Here are the best Kauai gardens.

The National Tropical Botanical Gardens

The 3 national tropical botanical gardens are namely Limahuli Garden & Preserve, Allerton Garden and McBryde Garden. Limahuli Garden & Preserve features about 1,000 acres of gardens in the Limahuli Valley on the north shore of the island. Allerton Garden features over 100 acres of oceanfront gardens in the Lawai Valley on the south shore of the island. McBryde Garden several endangered Hawaiian plant and animal species.

Limahuli Garden & Preserve is open all week from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except on Monday and Saturday. You get to see the high peaks created by thousands of years of rain and wind.

Kauai Travel Tips for Lone Visitors and Big Families

It is important to determine the right modes of transportation during your Hawaiian vacation to ensure that you save a lot of time, effort and money. There are a lot of Kauai travel methods available depending on the number of people and places where you intend to go. The island is relatively small but great spots are spaced far apart so walking is not always ideal on all occasions. Here are some to help you plan.

Kauai Driving

If you?re visiting a relative, you may be fortunate to be lent a car to drive around in. There are 2 major highways in Kauai and both starts in Lihue. From Lihue Airport, Kapule Highway or Highway 51 is on the right. Kapula Highway eventually merges 1 mile away into Kuhio Highway or Highway 56. Kuhio Highway leads to Coconut Coast and through the North Shore then ends at Kee Beach at the starting point of Na Pali coast. There are no roads along Na Pali Coast in the northwest of the island.

Vital Kauai Tips for a Stress-Free and Relaxing Vacation

Before donning your beach shorts and heading towards the Pacific, make sure you know important Kauai tips to avoid complications and other troubles that can break the excitement. Careful preparation is the key for the whole family to enjoy and have an experience of a lifetime. Kauai is a very casual place so always emphasize comfort and convenience in every part of your trip planning.

How to Go Around Kauai

Kauai tips are available on the internet and it is ideal to make transportation reservations early since some days of the week and seasons tend to be packed. The easiest method for most would be to borrow a car from a friend or relative living in Kauai or avail of car rental services. Car rental rates in Hawaii are actually much cheaper compared to other states in America.

Expect to pay anywhere from %40 to %60 for a 1-day rental of a medium-size car. The price range already is non-discounted and has unlimited mileage. You can make reservations by phone, online or personally at agencies nearby Lihue Airport. Most companies allow you to drive anywhere on the island provided that you are at least 25 years old and have a valid driving license and credit card.

Hawaii is one state bustling with tradition, history and culture dating back thousands of years even before the United States was discovered. Since Kauai is the oldest of all major islands, it has a lot of practices and events handed down from generation to generation. Kauai festivals offer you the experience of a lifetime unmatched by any other in the Pacific. Find out the best places and schedules.

Frequent Kauai Festivals

Every tourist can expect to witness at least one festival while visiting Kauai. The Waimea Historic Walking Tour at West Kauai Visitor Center is a weekly event held every Monday starting at 9:30 a.m. This is an outdoor occasion requiring individuals to register to participate and avail of special group tours. You walk through some great landscapes and structures that define the early lifestyle of Kauai villagers.

You get to see the exact spot where Captain James Cook first landed in the 1700s as well as agricultural landscapes featuring corn, rice and taro plantations and a sophisticated ditch system. You also get to learn about some great Hawaiian kings, citizens and foreign missionaries including a number of landmarks that these important people of the past left behind. The entire tour lasts about 2 hours.