Kauai, also known by its nickname, “Garden Island”, is the fourth largest of Hawaii's islands. Like all of the Hawaiian islands, Kauai was formed by volcanoes. Kauai is the oldest of Hawaii's islands; lava flows first started around five million years ago. While all the volcanic islands in Hawaii are stunningly beautiful, Kauai is known in particular for its beauty.
The Grand Canyon of the Pacific
Waimea Canyon is so large and so magnificent that it has earned the name “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”. Unlike most canyons, which are created primarily through erosion, Waimea Canyon's real girth comes from the collapse of the volcano that formed Kauai. The collapse formed a depression which funneled lava down from the volcano. The western cliffs of Kauai are formed of lava that ran down the surface of the volcano, while the other cliffs were formed as lava pooled in massive heaps.
Nearly 2,000 acres in size, Waimea Canyon State Park covers much of the Waimea Canyon. Popular with tourists, the state park includes many miles of hiking paths.
One end of Waimea Canyon State Park bumps up against another state park, Koke'e State Park. Attractions at this state park include incredible waterfalls and breathtaking views of Waimea Canyon and a view of the nearby Nihau Island.
Napali Coast
The North Shore of Kauai is known as the Napali Coast. Home to another state park of over 6,000 acres, the ruggedly beautiful coastline is inaccessible by car – you can only get to it by hiking, by water, or by air. In Hawaiian, Napali means “cliffs”. If you're tired of hiking after visiting Waimea Canyon, consider a sailboat tour of Napali Coast.
A popular activity along the Napali Coast is snorkeling. Unlike Waikiki Beach and Hanauma Bay, which have been overrun by tourists and had their natural reefs destroyed, the reefs off Napali Coast remain intact. Around the island of Kauai, there are hundreds of species of tropical fish, and a full third of these fish can't be found anywhere else in the world.
Watching Whales and Dolphins
Whilst on your Hawaii holidays Kauai is an excellent place to go to watch the Hawaiian Humpback Whales, which swim home from Alaska each year to feed, play, and give birth. The best time to see the whales is between February and March, although whales can be spotted any time from November through May.
The waters around Kauai are also called home by bottlenose, spinner, and spotted dolphins. Considering how playful, intelligent, and social the dolphins are, while watching the dolphins, one certainly wonders if the dolphin pods themselves are on a “human watching” trip!
In summary, if it's shopping you want, stick to Honolulu. If you want to catch a serious wave, go to Oahu's North Shore. But if what really draws you to Hawaii is its incredible tropical beauty and peaceful wild spots, visit Kauai. You'll be glad that you did.
Photo credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Ron Dahlquist