Kauai
Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort & Spa
Na Pali Coast
Cliffs rising as high as 4,000 feet are accessible along the beautiful Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast. Hiking, helicopter or rafting trips offer spectacular views of the region where many believe that the Na Pali spirits can play tricks on hikers and campers alike.
Honopu Valley
The densely jungled valley of Honopu was thought to be the last home of the Menehune and is often referred to as the Valley of the Lost Tribe." The beach in this area is where Jessica Lange eluded King Kong in the 1976 remake of the classic King Kong and Harrison Ford fled from pirate attack in 6 Days, 7 Nights.
Wailua Falls
These dramatic 80-foot waterfalls can be seen from Highway 583 or Maalo Road and were used in the opening of the television series Fantasy Island. The cliff over the pool once served as a diving platform for the ali`i.
Princeville
It's home to some of Hawaii's finest resorts, golf courses and restaurants. Princeville is also the site of three beaches, Pu'u Poa (thumping point), Kenomene Beach, and Kaweonui Beach (mostly rocky but, like most beaches on Kauai, beautiful to behold). A wide reef creates pockets which are good for snorkeling, however, high surf creates rip currents, which make it wise to stay near shore unless the sea is perfectly calm.
Poipu Beach
The most popular beach, Poipu Beach, is fronted by Poipu Beach Park, and a few of the resorts. This beach is a series of golden sand crescents, strung together where beach-goers will find snorkeling, swimming, wading and surfing. The surf spots are slightly off-shore where a reef establishes perfect wave-breaks for surfers.
Another lovely beach is Shipwreck's Beach, a long stretch of golden sand on the eastern end of Poipu. Shipwreck's Beach is fronted by some resorts and a county park facility. During most of the year, the waters here are best for advanced surfers due to a short shore-break. This is a great beach however, to walk along, wade a little, sunbathe or hook up with a spectacular shoreline trail that goes east for a couple miles.
Waimea Canyon
Ten miles long and about 3,600 feet deep, Waimea Canyon was described by Mark Twain as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." One memorable image of the canyon that will remain with you, is the rainbow of colors that dance along the canyon peaks. From the last two lookouts there are spectacular views into Kalalau Valley, one of the most beautiful sights on the island.
