One Coast

Deep Sea Diving: The Importance of Trimix

If you think that scuba diving is all about attaching
an oxygen tank in your back and breathing through it
with the use of a regulator, then you are wrong.
There?s a lot more to scuba diving than that. In fact,
pure oxygen is never used in scuba diving, especially
on deep sea diving.

In recreational diving, air is commonly used and not
pure oxygen as most people assume. Air is basically
composed of 70 percent nitrogen and 30 percent oxygen.
However, nitrox mixes are now being used a lot more in
recreational diving as it decreases the chances of
nitrogen sickness.

Although nitrox is still composed of nitrogen and
oxygen, the oxygen concentration is a lot higher than
air. This will reduce the risk of nitrogen sickness or
bends, but it trades off depth. The more oxygen there
is in your scuba diving tank, the shallower you are
allowed to dive.

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?

With winter around the corner, a lot of people are looking for things to do during the holiday season. Some opt to visit their family and friends, whilst others seek out adventurous activities to engage in.

A set of Utah Ski passes is an excellent way to keep you occupied during the holiday season. You can engage in skiing down the mountainsides in Utah, and seamlessly just having a good time. If you’re not an expert skier there are guides that will assist you through the course and ensure that you’re put on the right course for your ski level.

Something that I absolutely loved was the fact that the Park City Mountain resort also provided kids ski lessons. I was able to learn the ropes about how to ski on the large snow drifts, while my children were also learning about skiing and what they should do in order to perfect their craft.

The resort is extremely family focused, and regardless of what time of year you visit there’s always some kind of festivity going on. Boredom definitely doesn’t get time to unleash itself at this resort. With all the family vacation activities that my family and I were able to participate in, my next vacation will definitely be planned at the Park City Mountain resort.

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.