Exploring the Exciting Island Of Kauai
Garden Island or Isle is a perfect description of Kauai. As seen in that description, it is an island; actually the fourth largest of the many islands of Hawaii, a city which itself is located in the central area of the Pacific. The Kauai area is covered by lush tropical rainforest, the chief reason why it attained its garden status.
This northernmost and oldest island in the archipelago is a screening of emerald valleys, spiky mountain tops and toothed cliffs worn by time, the weather and environment. This intense cliffs and vivid pinnacles, especially of its coasts, have been used to provide backdrop for many major Hollywood movies. For centuries, nature has contrived to allow for cascading waterfalls and forking rivers in this intense tropical rainforest. It is such that parts of the island can only be reached by air or sea. This leads you to places with views beating whatever your imagination can conjure.
Beyond its dramatic visual appeal, the island invites you to engage in a number of outdoor activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, and generally traversing and exploring its wonders. Some places you can engage in these activities include the Poipu Beach, Wailua River, Kokee State Park, Waimea Canyon and Nounou and Kalalu Trails. Beyond the physical attraction of the island, the relaxed atmosphere and rich culture of the place equally takes you on a timeless experience. You can read more about this here.
Some Places to Explore
When on a visit to Kauai, it is expected that you would want to make the best of it. As already mentioned, there are quite a variety of places you could visit and a number of activities you can engaged in. Below are some places you could visit and the activities you can involve yourself in while there.
Waimea Canyon
If you have heard about the Pacific’s Grand Canyon, that is Waimea Canyon for you. This particular place should top the list of every visitor’s itinerary. This canyon is a gorge with a depth of 3,600 feet. It is one mile in width and 14 miles in length and boasts of a scenery you are not likely to find replicated anywhere else on the archipelago. A horizon of evergreen lush vegetation blanketing crested buttes, red jagged cliffs, rivers and dotting waterfalls are some scenes to experience.
You can feast your eyes on this scenic beauty while driving. You will encounter several vantage viewpoints while on the Koke’e Road an example of which is Puu Hinahina. Should you prefer exploring without your car, several trails –both easy and difficult ones– are there for you. These include the Cliff Trail and Waipo’o Falls Trail. Another way to take in the scenery here is by helicopter tours which afford you the opportunity of viewing the canyon from any angle. There are still quite a number of places you could visit in the Waimea Canyon and a number of things you could still do, but let us take a look at other sites.
Napali Coast
Most travelers admit that Napali is the best way to experience Kauai’s eye-catching and natural beautiful terrain. So, make the rocky and steep succession of cliffs, extending 17 miles through the northwest shore of Kauai, part of your marvel. A marvel you can engage with from a helicopter, a boat or just on foot as there are no roads you can drive on this coast.
If cost is a factor, you can consider hiking through Kakalau Trail; it is though quite strenuous and meant for experienced hikers. If you choose to explore Napali on a helicopter or by boat, you have the advantage of visuals a hiker won’t see. You will have sights of towering waterfalls, sea caves and untouched beaches. At times, the waves on its north shores could be quite rough. If you have a tendency to have seasickness, a tour by boat won’t be advisable.
Though very expensive, nothing compares to the scenic beauty you are exposed to touring for one hour in a helicopter. For sure, you are covering a larger area in a much shorter time; yet, without the complaint of queasy stomach or aching muscles. However you choose to tour Napali Coast, you will discover it was worth all the effort.
Polihale State Park
This park is located on the west coast of the island. It is the beach that is located just before where Napali Coast starts. On its northern edge, Napali’s cliffs give an eyeful of enjoyable sights while coming down south is an extensive 17 mile long shore all for your pleasure. The very large size of the beach makes crowding almost impossible. This is also aided by the fact that the road leading to the beach is a 5 miles stretch of dirty unpaved path. Some car hiring companies will not rent you a car for that road considering the flooding that happens with heavy rains. Despite all these, visitors still feel the beach’s beauty is worth all the effort.
In Conclusion
There are still so many places to visit on the island. The places covered here are just a tip of what the island offers. You can check out bestthingstodoinkauai.com to see more options available to you.
Finally, the rigor and expense involved in exploring Kauai Island, as attested by many visitors, is worth it all. Roaring waves and arresting cliffs, soft sands and lush dunes, waterfalls and rivers, are memories of a lifetime. Hikers can make the most of their experience with a picnic; and with a little extra expense, you can even camp. One thing you should try not to miss out in Kauai is its sunset. Sunset in Kauai is simply out of this world!