Kauai Vacation

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Things to Do in Kauai, Hawaii

There are many fun things to do in Kauai if you get lucky enough to take a vacation in Hawaii. Kauai is one of the most beautiful locations in the world. Because of its beauty, many movies have been filmed at Kauai. The very best things to do in Kauai take advantage of the island's natural beauty. A vacation in Kauai is paradise for nature enthusiasts.

Kauai is the oldest and fourth largest main island of Hawaii. It is one of the wettest areas on the globe. Because of this, Kauai has numerous flora and beautiful scenery. It is nicknamed "The Garden Isle". The excessive precipitation has also caused valleys and canyons with amazing waterfalls on the Hawaiian island

Things to Do in Kauai for Nature Lovers

One of the things to do in Kauai that is not to be missed is to visit the beautiful canyons located in Waimea. Don't miss Waimea Canyon. Waimea Canyon is named the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific". It is a 2,700 feet deep gorge. Waimea is also the first location that Captain Cook landed on the Hawaiian islands. A statue of him is located at Waimea in Kauai.

Visit the botanical gardens named Allerton Garden or one of the other botanical gardens for slower paced things to do in Kauai. Allerton Garden is open to the public every day except Sunday. If you want to visit Allerton Garden in Kauai, you must make reservations. Allerton Garden has been the home of the queen of Hawaii and site of many movie scenes. Don't miss rambling through this floral paradise. There are unique features such as a Bamboo garden, an orchard full of tropical fruit trees, cut-flower garden, fountains, statues, and reflecting pools. Photographers will want to spend the entire day here.

There are several things to do in Kauai for hikers, photographers, and bird watchers at the Koke'e State Park. Koke'e State Park in Hawaii has a Natural History Museum which is open 7 days a week and doesn't charge admission. This park is loaded with hiking trails. The hiking trails vary greatly in length and difficulty. See swamp land, native plants and birds, and canyon views. You may even see some wild goats.

Free Things to Do in Kauai

There are other free things to do in Kauai, Hawaii, besides visiting the Koke'e Natural History Museum and lounging at the beach. The island is also loaded with photographic opportunities and hiking trails. Here are some more free things to do in Kauai:

Moir Gardens is a 35 acre botanical cactus and succulents garden located on the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation. It is open everyday with free admittance.

Visit the largest coffee plantation in Hawaii at Kauai. The coffee plantation is located on the southwestern side of Kauai. The visitor center tells about the history of coffee and growing coffee beans. The admission is free and the visitor center is open daily.

Recreational Things to Do in Kauai, Hawaii

The more active vacationer should visit the Wailua River State Park if looking for recreational things to do in Kauai. The park contains the only river in Hawaii that can be used for water recreational activities. There are several boating activities to choose, including riverboats, motorboats, skiing, and riverboats. Tourists like to visit the park. Be sure to see the Opaeka Falls located in the park. It is a double waterfall that is over 150 feet and visible all year. Fans of history will also enjoy visiting the heiaus, or temples, in the Hawaiian park. There are several that have been preserved in the park. Don't miss the Iraivan temple located along the Wailua River by the park. It is a Hindu temple that was hand carved in India and then assembled on Kauai.

There are plenty of things to do in Kauai for sun worshippers and surfers. Try a visit to Hanalei Bay. Hanalei Bay is a large bay on the north side of Kauai. The beach there is amazing. It is about two miles long. The scenery can't be beat, as the backdrop is of mountain scenery. Lifeguards are present at Hanalei Bay, and they are friendly and helpful. Surfing is a very popular thing to do in Kauai, especially at Hanalei Bay. There are several surfing schools if you want to learn while on vacation.

Things to Do in Kauai for Kids

Looking for things to do for the younger set? Try Kee Beach on the north shore, which is nice for families. It is a lagoon that is surrounded by coral reefs. Kee Beach in Kauai, Hawaii, is great for swimming, hiking, scuba diving, and snorkeling. As long as a person doesn't venture too far out into the water or close to the rocks, it is safe. If a person does get close to the rocks or too far out, the current is very strong and there is a good chance of drowning. There are no lifeguards. Better safe than sorry. Summer months offer the calmest waters at Kee Beach. Kee Beach is also full of colorful fish and sea turtles for nature lovers. Don't touch the turtles unless you wish to pay a hefty fine, though. Photographers and romantics should stay long enough for the amazing sunsets. Kee Beach is one of the most beautiful places you will ever visit. Kee Beach is very popular, so it is not suited for anyone that doesn't like crowds. Try visiting early in the morning for a more peaceful beach experience. The Kalalau Trail is also located by Kee Beach. Hike the trail for breathtaking views

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Going Green: Featuring the Magnificent Kauai Gardens

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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.

A guided tour for 2 to 2.5 hours or a self-guided tour for 1 to 1.5 hours will take you through 17 acres of garden and rainforest showing the natural beauty and riches of Kauai. Taro continues to thrive on very old lava rock terraces. Some native plants in the Kauai garden were actually brought by Polynesian explorers thousands of years ago. It is ideal to bring walking shoes, mosquito repellent and hat or umbrella.

Allerton Garden is a landscaped estate location presenting special collections of Polynesian herbal plants, coffee varieties, breadfruit cultivars, native Hawaiian plants, palms and erythrinas. Guided tours last 2.5 hours including a 15-minute tram ride and an easy walk for 1 mile. The Kauai garden is open for tours from Monday to Saturday. It is recommended to bring walking shoes, mosquito repellent and hats.

The McBryde Garden has some research and conservation collections as well as a laboratory where experts continue to study the various benefits of different native Hawaiian plants. The garden is located at Lawai Valley offering self-guided tours lasting 1.5 hours including a 15-minute tram ride plus a moderate walk for 1 mile. The garden is open from Monday to Saturday and visitors are advised to bring walking shoes, mosquito repellent, hats and bottled water.

Other Great Gardens of Kauai

Smith’s Tropical Paradise features 30 acres of fruits, flowers and other native Hawaiian vegetation in the Wailua River Valley plus a captivating backdrop of fish-filled lagoons. Kukuiolono Park is found on Papalina Road, Kalaheo on the grounds of the Kukuiolono Public Golf Course. The park is just adjacent to the golf course featuring Hawaiian legend stones, panoramic views of valleys, peaks, rainforests and the coast and a mini Japanese Garden. The place is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with no entrance fee.

Na ’Aina Kai Botanical Gardens is located at Wailapa Road, Kilauea which is a 240-acre Kauai garden containing unique garden scenes, water features, hardwood plantation, beach and over 90 bronze statues. You also get to see the beautiful orchid collection and miniature ahupua’a.

Tours are available from Tuesday through Friday all-year-round. Moir Gardens at Poipu is found on the grounds of the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation which used to be the estate of Hawaii’s first sugar plantation manager. Moir Gardens publicly opened in 1954 showcasing orchids, water lily ponds, cactus and succulents.