Kauai

Nicknamed the Garden Isle, Kaua`i is a beautiful oasis of lush tropical forest and white sand beaches. Its the fourth largest Hawaiian island, its circular shape comprising about 552 square miles. Although the island itself is fairly mountainous, about half of its shoreline is made up of sparkling beaches, making it a popular place for visitors who want to enjoy beautiful scenery while lounging on the sand. Kaua`i is the oldest island in the Hawaiian island archipelago, as it was formed as a result of volcanic activity in the Pacific Ocean that occurred about six million years ago. Some of the original volcanoes that formed the island remain visible today, including the tallest peak on the island, Kawaikini (5,243 feet tall) and the second tallest, Mt. Wailale (5,148 feet tall). The main industry on Kaua`i is tourism, and the island welcomes an average of about 1.2 million visitors each year. Sugar cane cultivation was also another one of the islands most profitable industries, but today only one plantation is still in operation, and much of the rest of the island's fertile land has been transformed into ranches.

Quick Facts

Vincent Vacations' Top Island Picks

Napali Coast – Accessible only by hiking, boat or helicopter. The Napali Coast is a 17-mile stretch on the North Shore of the island that features vast cliffs, valleys and waterfalls right up against the Pacific Ocean.

Alekoko Menehune Fishpond – According to legend, the 900-foot lava rock wall creating the fishpond was built by Menehune almost 1,000 years ago. The mythical Menehune are people living deep in the forests and hidden valleys that perform legendary feats of engineering.

Cascading waterfalls – Opaekaa Falls, one of the most accessible significant waterfalls, is on the east side of the island and features a roadside lookout for picture-perfect viewing. The island also features Wailua Falls, another easily accessible waterfall located just north of Lihue that has been a popular location for big and small screen filming.

Active adventures – An outdoor enthusiasts’ dream awaits with plenty of activities from kayaking, ziplining, mud buggies and ATVs. Don’t miss the opportunity to mountain tube down the hand built ditches, canals and tunnels originally created to provide water to the sugar cane fields.

Fern Grotto – It’s just a short boat trip to reach this natural lava rock grotto that will envelope you in ferns and tropical greenery. Take a tour to hear the songs and stories of ancient Hawaii during a river cruise through one of the wettest spots on the planet, also said to be the birthplace of the island’s royalty.

Kilohana Estate – Once home to the island’s most prominent families, Kilohana now offers tours, shops and the Koloa Rum Company. The estate was previously a sugar plantation and now includes a tropical garden and working farm that can be seen on a railway tour.