Kauai

Third time back to my favorite island, and I’d say it was a charm. I think if I ever ‘settle down’ (the two scariest words when used together), I should move to Kauai because I never stop being amazed by this island’s lush exquisiteness. There is always an abundance of blossoming wild flowers scattered across the green valleys and mountains that drop into a perfect blue ocean that always sparkles back at the sun.

The warm sandy beaches are never too crowded, and there is great scuba diving at the Sheraton Caverns and Turtle Bluffs. Sometimes you get to see a whale or two on the boat ride out to the dives, and there are almost always dolphins that come to race along side the boat in the wake. If you aren’t a diver, make sure you at least snorkel along Poipu Beach because there is a whole new world of bright contrasting colors and hundreds of species of fish waiting to be discovered by you. The water is pleasantly warm all year round, and if you are like me, you would rather evolve into a giant green sea turtle instead of getting out when you are a prune.

There are lots of places to hike along the amazing Na Pali Coast, which I haven’t even got to all of them with 3 trips. Waimea Canyon is pretty magnificent, but I talked about that in my last review of Kauai I think, so I won’t mention it now. I hiked down to the bottom of Waimea (or maybe it was Wailua?) Falls for the first time. I felt like a million dollars floating on my back in the pool looking up at a pretty significant waterfall cascading down right next to me. My brother and Dad and I were the only ones down there the entire time, so we had the whole experience to ourselves. That just might be my new favorite day. :)

So I'm no expert on the surf spots. I never really saw any good ones while I was on Kauai. but Kauai is by far the most beautiful island of them all. It is the least touristy of them all, and has the Waimea Canyon, which is the second biggest canyon in North America next to the Grand Canyon ... I think. That is also the place that gets the most rain in the world. BUT don't think it rains on Kauai all the time. I was there for 2 weeks, and it only rained one day. It only rains up at the canyon because it is so much higher in elevation. There are tons of beautiful hiking trails on Kauai as well.

A popular spot to scuba dive in Kauai is Poipu Beach, but I didn't think it was that great. If you dive, go to SeaSport Divers, and sign up for a boat dive. They are way better than shore dives, and you will get to see caves and sharks (but they are nice ones), and tons of sea turtles. On boat dives the water is so much clearer and BLUE! (it is more expensive though) However, I also saw dolphins and whales on the boat inbetween dives, so it's worth it.

If you want to save some money - stick with the Kauai shore diving. Kauai Aquatics Scuba has the best deals.

If you only snorkel, my favorite place on Kauai was in front of the Lawaii Beach resort. I'm not sure if I spelt that right either. It's along Poipu beach as well. Anyway, I have never seen a greater variety of fish anywhere in Hawaii than right there in front of that resort.