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| Kauai |
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Kauai
Introducing Kauai, the island so special the rest of Hawaii wasn’t good enough for it. Kauai managed to resist becoming part of King Kamehameha’s Hawaii for many years, and today, it’s still a world apart from the high-rise hotels of Waikiki. In fact, by law no building on Kauai can be taller than a coconut tree. That’s just as well, because no man-made attraction could ever compete with 5,000-foot mountains, the isolated Na Pali cliffs, or the Pacific’s very own Grand Canyon.
Activities and Attractions:
The languorously slow pace of life on the Kauai makes it feel like the most extravagantly luxurious place on earth. Indulge yourself by doing absolutely nothing on the beach—there are 50 miles of white-sand shoreline, so you’re never far from your next snooze in the shade. Hanalei Beach, on the north shore, offers calm waters surrounded by golden sand and dramatic cliffs. There’s a reef for snorkelers, and a sunken ship for scuba divers. Poipu Beach Park, near the major resorts, has something for everyone. A protected, sandy-bottomed section on the right offers calm, shallow water. The left-hand side is for open-water swimming, excellent snorkeling, and some mild surf.
One of Kauai’s greatest attractions is also one of the most isolated: the famed Na Pali cliffs. To get to these verdant slopes by land, you have to hike. The 22-mile Kalalau Trail is spectacular, but as you might guess, only for the most physically fit. Just about anyone can do the first two miles of it, though, which is enough to provide a spectacular glimpse of the cliffs. You can also take a helicopter tour, or charter a boat to give you a closer look at the caves and waterfalls that line this uninhabited part of the coast.
The other can’t-miss natural attraction is Waimea Canyon. A mile wide and 3,567 feet deep, this gorge isn’t as big as its Arizona counterpart, but it’s even more colorful. Rust-red lava pinnacles and cliffs stand out against lush green valleys. Unlike the Na Pali Coast, the canyon is an attraction that you can drive right up to. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can spend anywhere from a few hours to several days hiking into the canyon. You can also take an exciting helicopter tour through the spectacular rock formations.
While you’re at the canyon, don’t miss Kokee State Park, made up of more than 4,000 acres of rainforest. At an altitude of almost two miles, parts of the park are misty and cool, with views on fine days that seem to stretch not just to the ends of the earth, but clear back into another time.
Insider Tip:
Kauai is the best place to buy rare and valuable shell jewelry made on the nearby but restricted island of Niihau. The refined cousin to the common puka shell, Niihau shells are exquisitely tiny and beautiful. Only a small number make the journey from the bottom of the ocean to Niihau’s beaches intact, ensuring that a bracelet or lei made from the shells is a top-flight souvenir to bring back from your trip to Kauai.
-Exclusively for Perfect Escapes by Nicole Clausing |
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