What side of kauai should i stay on

A sunny day on the North Shore of the island is absolutely spectacular. It will be this memory that gets you through the next year of mind-numbing work meetings. Sadly, a completely cloudless day on the North Shore is an anomaly. A more typical day on the North Shore of Kauai is a mixture of clouds, sun, and a few sporadic downpours. This side of the island tends to be drier and sunnier. Sometimes the island is enveloped in clouds but there will be a little window of sunshine over Poipu.

That being said there are still times when it rains all day in sunny Poipu. The upside to a few clouds and showers is the breathtaking sunsets that follow stormy weather. Weather on a tropical island is unpredictable but the South Shore of Kauai is your best bet for sunshine. The East Coast of Kauai is also a desirable place to stay.

In recent years the town of Kapaa has grown into a lively little town. Once just a spot you drove through when going between Poipu and Hanalei Bay, more travelers are discovering the appeal of staying in the Kapaa area. Probably the main reason visitors forgo staying on East Side of Kauai is that the beaches are frequently windy and not as suitable for swimming.

For many people vacationing in Hawaii this is a dealbreaker. However, if you are planing on spending your days doing organized tours and exploring the island, the East Coast is a logical, central location. You can be in either Princeville or Poipu in about forty minutes. Furthermore the East Side of Kauai regularly has some of the best deals on hotels.

Another added bonus for budget travelers is the Kapaa bike path, an eight- mile paved path along the coast. Hop on your bike and go for a coastal cruise, checking out the different beaches along the way.

If you prefer dirt trails over paved paths you can get your daily quota of mud hiking Sleeping Giant or Kuilau Ridge. Both are great hikes on the east side of Kauai and get less foot traffic than other popular Kauai trails. The North Shore has more rain, lush jungles, and a small town feel. The South is sunnier and more developed, but there are some hidden natural gems in this area. Things to Do In Kauai. Best Beginner Snorkel Spots in Maui.

Hawaii Vs. Poipu, on the south shore, has witnessed considerable commercial development and, thus, attracts plenty of tourists. The Grand Hyatt Kauai, is an elegant example that boasts of a huge property delivering value worth every penny.

Poipu is also known for world class zip-lining making the south shore a great place for adrenaline lovers. The touristy atmosphere and commercial development slowly fade away as you head towards the north. The north shore is the epitome of typical island life. The lush greenery, mountains, waterfalls, and laid back lifestyle, evoke a feeling of Old Hawaii.

Head to the south shore for its beaches, adventure and busy life. If you prefer seclusion and resonate with nature, the North shore will provide the relaxation you desire. Scenic attractions are scattered all over the island.

So, where you choose to stay depends on what attractions and activities you would like to indulge in. Your first contact point in Kauai is Lihue, as it hosts the airport and the Nawiliwili harbour. This is the commercial hub of the island and is the place to fill up on gas if you are renting a car or essential supplies for your vacation.

Waimea Canyon , popularly called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, is a must visit for its grandeur, scenic hiking trails and lookout points. It is located on the west side of Kauai and is easily accessible from the south shore, which is conveniently close to the airport.

Let's get a lay of the land that is Kauai. The island of Kauai has four major geographic areas to select from when choosing where to stay. In order of popularity by our account , they are as follows:. OK, that may not seem that simple. However, it really isn't that difficult because it's hard to make a bad choice on Kauai. But each area on Kauai has its own unique flavor and atmosphere - including its own attractions and sights to see.

On this page, we'll cover each of the major Kauai regions you can find accommodations within. Here are this page's highlights Ultimately, each region of Kauai has its own unique personality. If beaches are your scene, then you'll be happy almost anywhere on Kauai. The entire island is full of them - more arguably than any other island in the state.

If lush scenery is what you are looking for, again, it's hard to go wrong since the entire island is known as the "Garden Isle. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each of the areas we've briefly discussed above. As noted above, these are in order of popularity, by our account. Just also expect there to be more crowds here too. The North Shore of Kauai may be one of the most scenic places on the entire planet.

The accommodations in this area are pretty luxurious and may just be some of the nicest on the island, but that luxury also comes with a higher price tag. Its centralized location on the island also makes it ideal as a hub for visiting the remainder of the island, including attractions and sights in the West and on both the north and south shores.

The region is essentially bordered by the towns of Anahola to the north and the capital city of Lihue to the south; with Kapaa and Wailua towns about halfway between. If you are interested in the East Coast and finding more information about the best accommodations, check out the beautiful Waipouli Beach Resort which offers a variety of one- and two-bedroom accommodations for your family.

The West Side of the island, the leeward coast of Kauai, is more dry and barren than the rest of Kauai, as most of the rainfall is blocked by the mountains in the center of the island.

Poipu, on the south shore, gets an average of mm 5. Maui vs Kauai: Pick the perfect island for your honeymoon. What is the best Hawaiian Island for kids?

The best honeymoon itinerary. We live on Maui with our toddler Henry and our sweet but quirky dog Hattie. I am a planner! I love to plan island-hopping adventures, days out on Maui, and everything in-between. I spend a lot of my time on our SUP and my favorite time of year in Hawai'i is whale season!

With sparkling waters, stunning sand beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes, and more, Hawaii is an amazing vacation destination. After living here for over four years and visiting dozens of times before Maui is known for its beautiful beaches and amazing snorkeling.

From farm-fresh produce to gourmet farm-to-table meals, enjoy local produce and try something Maui's Best Whale Watching Tour in our humble opinion Whale watching is best done on a power raft as they can get to the whales and experience a close encounter. Summary: Whale encounters guaranteed! We have done all types of whale watching - Kayaking, big Hawaiian Island Cheat Sheets. Where to Stay Guides. Hello, we are Erica and Jordan. Maui is where we call home but we love all the Hawaiian Islands.

With our toddler Henry and our quirky dog Hattie we explore the islands and share our favorite experiences. A vacation to Hawaii is a trip of a lifetime.