Kauai, Hawaii

	Kauai Overview		Must See Highlights		Shore Excursions

Kauai offers a different kind of paradise – more low-key and pristine, and somehow more authentic. A Kauai rule states no building can exceed the height of a coconut tree, so the skyline is dominated by swaying palms, majestic mountains and almost daily rainbows. Full of lush, picture-perfect beauty.

		Must See Highlights Kauai is home to the wettest spot on earth - Mt. Wai'ale'ale averages 485 inches per year - and as a result is as lush and verdant as any paradise imaginable. Hundreds of rare plants and wildlife flourish here. Waterfalls cascade from cliffs and hillsides. And some of Kauai's most precious natural resources are the friendly residents, who embody the essence of the true "Aloha Spirit."
		Shore Excursions Bring your curiosity and a comfortable pair of shoes as you set out on a Hawaiian shore excursion. There are plenty of treasures to uncover in this land of lush, emerald green foliage and active, molten volcanoes. Whether you choose to journey to Waimea Canyon, take a Jungle Trek with a Zipline Adventure or visit the spectacular Fern Grotto, know that your tour will be led by guides who are ready to share their rare insights about the true Hawaii.

Learn More About Kauai

From the spectacular views at Waimea Canyon to the verdant vistas along the Napali Coast, Kauai can take your breath away. More and more people are coming to Kauai because they are attracted to its natural beauty and laidback atmosphere. Visitors are also drawn to Kauai for its gorgeous tropical rainforests, some of which can only be accessed by helicopter. These aerial tours take you into the heart of the island and offer spectacular scenic views that will remain with you long after your vacation ends.

Culture & History
Archaeologists speculate that the first "tourists" to Hawaii landed on Kauai perhaps as early as 500 A.D. The gentle Pacific Ocean trade winds that brought settlers from Marquesas, Tahiti, Samoa and other South Pacific islands were the same that eventually led Captain James Cook to make his first landing in Hawaii on the shores of Waimea, Kauai in 1778. Educational displays of the artifacts and contemporary crafts of the Native Hawaiians can be found at the Kauai Museum. Discover ancient sacred sites on the banks of rivers, near fishponds, in parks or set among the cliffs. Attend a luau (feast) at one of the resorts to see the dances and hear legends of Kauai. Other places where Kauai’s culture and beauty pervade are botanical and cultural gardens, the Kokee Natural History Museum, the Waioli Mission, and the charming historical towns of Hanalei, Hanapepe and Lihue.

Kauai Family Activities
The traditions of the many cultures that make up life on Kauai center around ohana (family). Here, children are not only welcomed; they’re celebrated. This unique corner of the tropics is a virtual playground for children. Family-oriented accommodations, activities and restaurants make family trips safe, easy, fun and economical. The Kauai Children’s Discovery Museum in Kapaa isn’t just for children. Interactive exhibits, virtual reality games, and hands-on science and art activities will delight adults as well. On Saturdays, the Starlight Planetarium Program tells how the Polynesian voyagers used the stars, winds and ocean to navigate their canoes across the Pacific. Most of the major resorts on Kauai have programs for kids that include fun, educational activities like Hawaiian crafts and cultural activities, fishing, beach games, nature walks, surfing lessons, sand sculpture contests, coconut frond weaving, tide pool explorations, tours of historic sites, and fieldtrips led by local naturalists and other experts.

Kauai Weddings & Honeymoons
Imagine a balmy evening lit by a full moon and the sparkle of a thousand stars. Imagine a plumeria-scented breeze that caresses the skin like a gentle kiss. Imagine a brilliant double rainbow over jade-colored mountains. Settings like these were made for lovers. Play tag in the surf. Steal a kiss along a mountain trail. Toast every sunset with champagne. Slip off your shoes and walk hand-in-hand on a quiet palm-fringed beach. Dine in a fanciful plantation estate. Doze to the sound of the surf while resting in each other’s arms. Kauai can’t help but inspire romance.

Golf on Kauai
Like the Hollywood filmmakers who shoot here, golfers go on location to Kauai for the spectacular scenic backdrops. Of course, they also enjoy a good challenge. Here, the courses are crafted by nature and helped along by some of the game’s most talented architects. The views could be considered an obstacle, as your mind may wander onto seaside cliffs, into forested hills, or smack-dab into the ocean. Just don’t let your ball do the same. Each of Kauai’s courses has its own definition of “breathtaking” and there’s always one nearby no matter where you stay. Whichever one you choose, you can count on breathtaking views and demanding play hole after hole.

Kauai Arts Scene
Entertaining slack key guitar concerts and professional hula competitions are just some of the interesting events you can witness on Kauai. Be sure to pick up a local newspaper to see what’s hot in town. For art exhibits, artifacts and murals featuring the people, culture and geological history of Kauai, spend an afternoon at the Kauai Children’s Discovery Museum, Kauai Historical Society, Kauai Museum or the Waioli Mission House.

Some content reproduced with permission from Hawaii's Official Tourism Site.

Some content and photos used with permission from Norwegian Cruise Line.