Kauai, an Untouched Wonder

Jul 15
07:21

2009

Steve Foust

Steve Foust

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Out of the major Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is my favorite. It's less developed than Maui and Oahu but there are still plenty of fun activities for the average sightseer.

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Out of the major Hawaiian Islands,Kauai, an Untouched Wonder  Articles Kauai is my favorite. It's less developed than Maui and Oahu but there are still plenty of fun activities for the average sightseer. I recommend anyone visiting the island to check out Waimea Canyon State Park. It reminds me of the the Grand Canyon in Arizona except with much more vegetation. The best part is that admission is free! Try doing that at the Grand Canyon. There are a plethora of hiking trails in the park, and along the coastline you can even see the private island of Niihau.

Other areas of Kauai worth exploring are Hanalei Bay situated on the north end of Kauai. The beach here stretches for miles and offers great opportunities for snorkeling and enjoying the sun. Just west of Hanalei Bay is an area nicknamed turtle cove. The landscape is much more rugged and with cliffs and rocks, but if you can get to it, its worth the effort. I've never seen so many sea turtles in my life. There must have been 30 turtles all within a span of 30 feet.

Keʻe Beach is another great area on the north side. It's perfect for swimming and snorkeling because there is little in the way of tides or waves. There is also a hiking trail that leads from Ke'e beach to the famous Na Pali Coastline.

Who could forget the gorgeous Na Pali Coastline? This is probably my favorite area of the island. You can't reach it by automobile but you can get there by hiking, kayaking, or by helicopter. The Na Pali Coast is famous for it's rugged cliffs along the shoreline that rise thousands of feet. The cliffs stretch for miles from Ke'e Beach to Polihale State Park. I recommend kayaking to the Na Pali Coast for the best views of the shoreline.

If you are looking for nightlife, Kauai may not be the best bet. However if outdoor adventure and beauty is what you seek, Kauai matches the best of them.