This guest post is by Brenda Richman, a Kansas City-based small business consultant.
If you’re a bit of a lonely planet traveler, the island of Kauai, Hawaii could just be your next dream destination. One of the last places on earth discovered and occupied by humans, the Hawaiian Islands are remote and biologically diverse with 4,300 unique species of plants and animals.
A remote beach on Kauai’s Na Pali coast
Ninety percent of the 550 square miles that make up Kauai are inaccessible by road, and the island’s population numbers less than 68,000. Only 16 percent of visitors to the Hawaii Islands come to Kauai, resulting in an uncrowded, relaxed feel in the midst of incredible breath-taking beauty, which just happens to be the definition of paradise in my book!
What to do while you’re there – so my options, so little time!
Beaches!!! – There are 69 beaches covering 50 percent of Kauai’s 111-mile coastline, making it a beach mecca and providing more beach per mile than any of the other main Hawaiian Islands. If you avoid the summer peak in tourism, you can manage to have a number of those gorgeous, beaches almost entirely to yourself — provided your timing is good. Consider exploring some of the less crowded ones such as Polihale, Maha’ulepu, Waiakalua, Secret, Pali ke Kua (Hideaways Beach), Lumahai.
Sea turtle cruising offshore
Sports and Adventure In Kauai
Kauai is about adventure which is a major reason it is growing in popularity. Golf, fishing, ATV tours, horseback riding, surfing, wind surfing, hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, biking, zip lining, and even tubing in old sugar cane irrigation flumes are some of the great options to choose from.
Na Pali Cliffs – rugged 3000′ plus high green, eroded cliffs best viewed by boat or from the air by helicopter or by powered hang gliding for the more adventurous traveler. Another way to see this area up really close is hiking the Kalalau Trail. It is a strenuous 11 mile hike each way, with gorgeous views of coastal cliffs at each narrow turn.
Waimea Canyon, great for hiking
The 2500 foot deep verdant, Waimea Canyon is not only gorgeous, it also affords some great hiking opportunities.
Endangered species monk seal basking in the sun.
Wildlife watching – in the winter, whales, and all year monk seals, and birds at the Kilauea bird sanctuary.
Wailua Falls
Kauai is full of remarkable views at every turn.
Waterfalls, ocean, lush tropical foliage, sunsets, and wildlife watching, all provide a visual feast for your eyes which keeps me coming back trip after trip.
I don’t want to leave you with the impression that after adventuring in nature all day, Kauai is so rustic that your only choice is grilling hotdogs around your campfire. Kauai has a number of luxurious resort choices at Princeville, Poipu or along the east coast complete with relaxing spas. That is if lounging in the sun isn’t enough pampering for some of us.
For more information on exploring Kauai, I recommend this guidebook:
What are some of your favorite adventure travel destinations? Please share in comments below.
Entrepreneur Brenda Richman has a passion for experiencing the world through travel adventures.
Learn more about Brenda’s travel experiences here, and her consulting work helping businesses increase market penetration and enhance the quality of their client experiences here.
Learn about other Hawaii Travel Discoveries in these “Travel Chats”…