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Monday, June 2, 2008

5 Must Visit Kauai Attractions

Have you recently decided that you would like to vacation on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai? If you have, your first step should involve making all of your needed travel arrangements. Once those arrangements are complete, you should examine popular attractions on the island.

As for why you should research Kauai attractions before your trip, there are a number of benefits to doing so. One of those benefits includes time. Kauai is filled with a large number of attractions, as well as other great activities. Creating a small itinerary for your trip can help to make sure that you get to experience all that this Hawaiian Island has to offer.

One attraction that you will want to visit, when on a Kauai vacation, is that of the Waimea Canyon. The Waimea Canyon is also known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Here, you will find a number of lookout spots that are a sightseers dream come true.

Not far from the Waimea Canyon is the Kokee State Park. Although often considered to be a separate attraction and destination, many travel websites combine this state park with the Waimea Canyon. Hiking trails can allow you to explore the land, as well as take amazing pictures. The Kokee Museum can teach you the history and culture behind the area you are about to explore or just finished exploring.

The Napali Coast, located on the northern end of Hawaii, is a must visit for those looking for fun and adventure. Unfortunately, the Napali Coast is only accessible by the Kalalau Trail. This trial is eleven miles long and covers rough terrain. Due to the terrain, only those in good health are encouraged to take the hike. Also, due to its length, many tourists decide to stop and camp along the way, creating a two-day adventure.

Although the Napali Coast is a hiker’s dream come true, those who wish to avoid the long journey can still enjoy and see the beauty of the land either by boat or air. Helicopter tours of the coast and guided boat tours are also available.

Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches, but Kauai, according to the Hawaii Official Tourism Site, has the only navigable rivers in Hawaii. The most popular is that of the Wailua River. Kayaking and canoeing are two popular ways to explore the river. If you are looking for a more relaxing approach to take, guided boat tours are available. The river is also home to the Fern Grotto.

Hawaii is known for their sometimes mysterious, but amazing legends. One is that of the Spouting Horn, located on the south end of Hawaii in Poipu. Here, water spouts around 50 feet high! According to Hawaii’s Official Tourism Site, the ancient Hawaiians thought the coast was protected by a giant lizard. It was believed that the water spraying up from the lava tubes is his breath.

The Kilauea Light House, is another must visit attraction for Kauai vacationers. The lighthouse is situated atop rugged coastline. It is known as the best destination to take pictures, as you are able to get unique panoramic shots. It addition to the beautiful view of the ocean, you will also see a wide array of sea birds, as the area is also home to the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.

As you can see, there are a number of great attractions for you to visit on your next Kauai vacation. In fact, did you know the above mentioned activities are just a few of the many that you will find? Other mentionables include the Captain Cook Monument in Waimea, the Huleia National Wildlife Refuge, and the Allerton Tropical Gardens and McBryde Gardens, both located near Poipu Beach.

As previously stated, in addition to sightseeing and visiting a few of the above mentioned Kauai attractions, there are also many more Hawaiian activities for you to enjoy. These activities include boating, hiking, camping, shopping, swimming, and surfing.

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