The Pros And Cons Of Staying On The East Coconut Coast
- Generally more affordable accommodations, even during times of high demand on the island
- Close to numerous cultural sights and convenient base from which to visit the entire island
- Proximity to both the North Shore and West Side
- Home of the Kauai Path- a wonderful place to take a walk or ride a bike. It extends from Lydgate Park in Wailua to Donkeys Beach north of Kealia and Kapaa town.
- Predominantly local beaches that lack the majesty of the North Shore beaches or the convenience of the South Side beaches
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.
Kauai Accommodations By Region
Ultimately, each region of Kauai has its own unique personality. If beaches are your scene, then youll be happy almost anywhere on Kauai. The entire island is full of them more than any other island in the state. If lush scenery is what you are looking for, again, its hard to go wrong since the entire island is known as the Garden Isle. Although, the North and East coasts are considerably more lush and verdant than the South or West coasts.
Lets take a look at the pros and cons of each of the areas weve briefly discussed above. As noted above, these are in order of popularity, by our account.
Poipu Beach, South Kauai
You May Like: Activities In Winthrop Wa
Royal Coconut Coast Beach Highlights
Anahola Beach Park
Anahola is just plain perfect for families, especially those with smaller children, as it has some of the calmest waters on the island. High surf is kept at bay by a protective reef. The center section has a no-board rule so surfing is allowed on the north side of the beach only. And though snorkeling is relatively calm here, the waters near the mouth of the Anahola River can get rough. The grassy park is tree-lined for shade making it great for picnics, and it provides one of the only overnight campgrounds on this side of the island.
Lydgate Beach and Park
Children are in heaven at Lydgate Beach and Park. Break walls were built to create two pools that are as calm and warm as an oversized tub and are a pleasure for parents, too. The larger pool is full of fish perfect for little snorkelers and the smaller pool is the go-to spot for infants and toddlers. The rolling grassy area is filled with trees, barbecues and picnic tables, and an enormous deluxe playground nearby provides plenty of shade. A true family-friendly beach and park that includes a lifeguard service, your kids may never want to leave.
Read Also: Places To Stay In Savannah Ga
Where Should You Stay Princeville Or Poipu
In a nutshell, if you dont mind a little rain and youre looking for a more laid-back, outdoorsy, and quiet vacation, staying up north in Princeville is the spot for you. If youre looking for the best chance of sun, ocean conditions that are good even in the winter, and resorts with plenty of amenities, you should choose to stay in Poipu.
If youre looking for more help, check out our guide for where to stay on Kauai. We go through different parts of the island in detail and give you our top picks for hotels and vacation rentals.
And for your best vacation, check out our Kauai itinerary. With planned out excursion dates around the island well help you see the best sights.
Thanks For Reading That Was Fun
We bring you epic FREE content!Find out how YOU can help support us.
Were a big site with a big team and this job isnt always easy. But we do it because we love it we love providing epic and free content. We love the knowledge that our content keeps you adventuring. We dont ask for money, but if youd like to find out how you can help the site in more organic ways, click the button below. Thank you for your support
Recommended Reading: Places To Stay In Falmouth Ma
What Are The Most Popular Points Of Interest And Landmarks To Stay Near When Travelling To Poipu
Vrbo UK offers a large selection of holiday accommodations near great places in Poipu. From Vrbo UK travellers, the most popular points of interest to stay near are:
- Poipu Bay Golf Course: 2,472 holiday lettings
- Kiahuna Golf Course: 2,467 holiday lettings
- Poipu Kai Tennis Center: 2,443 holiday lettings
- Prince Kuhio Park: 2,478 holiday lettings
- Moir Gardens: 2,444 holiday lettings
But there are many other points of interest around Poipu listed on Vrbo UK where you can find your place to stay. Please use our search bar to access the selection of holiday rentals available near the point of interest of your choice.
Things To See And Do In Princeville
Check out the beautiful Pali Ke Kua Beach.
Make sure you visit the Queens Bath, a natural pool sliced out of a lava shelf where you can see an astonishing collection of marine life.
Go swimming at Hideaways Beach and check out its incredible barrier reef.
Wander around the neighborhood and check out all the work that went into designing the community.
Head up to the Waikapalae Wet Cave and Manini-holo Dry Cave for incredible pictures.
Recommended Reading: Places To Stay In Klamath Falls Oregon
Best Place To Stay In Kauai Final Thoughts
When searching for the best places to stay on Kauai, it is best to map out whats most important to you. Some things to consider when planning include the type of accommodation you wish to stay in, your proximity to the islands main attractions and your budget.
With so many things to do in Kauai, youll also want to consider what activities you would like to do.
Regardless of where you stay on the beautiful island of Kauai, you are bound to have a memorable experience. So double-check your Hawaii packing list to make sure youve packed everything you need and head on over to your perfect island getaway!
- TAGS
Read Also: Vacation Rentals Houghton Mi
Breaking Down The Princeville Vs Poipu Debate:
This really comes down to a debate of North Shore Kauai vs. South Shore Kauai. Youll find less development and lush setting on the north shore, as well as some rain. On the south shore youll find more resort options, more development, and sunnier weather year-round.
Lets break down what that means for your vacation planning, point by point, so you can pick the best spot to stay.
You May Like: Best Place To Stay In Dolomites For Hiking
Planning Your Next Trip
See the following helpful services:
Our Travel Resources Guide | Get airline booking tips. Discover great travel, tour and car rental companies. And find crazy useful trip planning info!
Booking.com | Score a wow hotel or at least a decent one.
GetYourGuide | Check out the best local guided tours and book skip-the-line tickets to attractions.
World Nomads | Never travel without insurance! World Nomads offers great coverage for adventurous travelers under 70 .
Our Travel Shop | Find the best travel gear. We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.
CDC | We follow CDC travel guidelines to see what medications and vaccinations are needed for trips. You can get vaccines at your pharmacy, travel medical clinic or doctors office.
Pssst! If you make a booking or purchase through our site, we may earn a small commission . Thanks!
Princeville Vs Poipu: Activities
Kauai isnt a large island. If you want to drive from the end of the north shore to Waimea Canyon, its only 2.5 hours each way.
That said, you likely arent planning on spending your entire vacation driving around the island to see different sites and enjoy the activities. So what is most centrally located, Princeville or Poipu?
If you stay in Princeville, youre an easy drive from:
- Haena State Park
- Hanalei Town
- Napali Coast Tours that leave from Hanalei
- Kayaking the Hanalei river
Youll find these activities and more on our 3 day Kauai itinerary and our 7 day Kauai honeymoon itinerary.
Don’t Miss: What Neighborhood To Stay In Porto
Hanalei Best Area To Stay In Kauai For Nightlife
Hanalei is on the North shore, and is probably the most popular area for tourists on the island. Youll find a huge variety of travelers, from families to surfers, and people looking for a luxury experience. It is the ideal place to stay if youre looking to enjoy nightlife. Its filled with restaurants and bars to fill your long holiday nights.
Hanalei is also a good spot for families, solo travelers, and people who want to experience Kauais local culture. There are several important historic sites in the town, as well as local art galleries and interesting, unique shops. The town offers a range of accommodation options, so youll be able to find somewhere to stay that suits you whether youre looking for a hotel or a hostel in Kauai.
What Are The Best Swimming Beaches In Kauai Hawaii
The first point to note is that different beaches in Kauai are calm and good for swimming at different times of the year.
This is important to remember when planning your Hawaii island holiday, especially if you want to stay close to beaches where you can swim.
In general, the South Shore beaches in Kauai are better for swimming in winter .
Beaches on the North Shore of Kauai are best in the summer months .
The North Shore gets more rain than the southern coast, and this is especially true in the winter months. Rain doesnt bode well for good beach days!
During the winter, the North Shore also sees strong ocean currents and swells great for surfing, but not so for swimming.
For convenience, weve separated out the following 10 Kauai swimming beaches by area into:
- Best swimming beaches North Shore Kauai
- Best swimming beaches South Shore Kauai
- Best swimming beaches East Kauai
Recommended Reading: Where To Stay In New Orleans For Bachelorette Party
Main Regions And Neighborhoods Of Kauai
Kauai is easily broken down into 4 different geographical regions, each with its own distinct attractions, style, climate, and vibe. To put it simply, here’s what you need to know about each of them.
- North Shore Graced with the picturesque Napali coast, beaches, lush valleys, and the affluential Princeville, this is simply postcard-worthy.
- East Side As the most populated part of the island, it’s as busy as the island gets with a big part dedicated to commercial development, and essential big stores and restaurants. That said, there’s still plenty to see and do here.
- South Shore This part of the island gets the best weather and as a result, you’ll find it the most popular with visitors. Anchored by Poipu, there are many resorts and beaches here.
- West Side This part of the island becomes dramatically much more raw in both the development sense but also the geology. Drier and more barren, you’ll find the Grand Canyon of the Pacific here and the start of the Napali Coast.
Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort Lihue
This big, beautifully landscaped, 356-room resort is found on the east coast of the island. Its very close to the airport .
Formerly the Kauai Marriott Resort, the hotel section is now managed by Sonesta, which is currently updating their rooms.
Sonesta shares the property with the Marriot Vacation Club, which has time-share units in the resort under the name of .
The Marriott accommodations range from rooms to one- and two-bedroom units with kitchenettes. Theyre available to book too.
Back to the Sonesta. Their rooms are large, and all have balconies.
The renovated rooms are beautiful and feature custom hardwood finishes, Keurig coffee makers and pops of bright orange and burgundy colors in the fabrics.
Golfers love teeing off on the two adjacent courses designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Also Check: Places To Stay In Kirkland Wa
Map Of Where To Stay In Kauai
Heres a map of the Kauai accommodation mentioned in this post. The green pins are for the places we stayed and the blue pins are for others that look like great options.
For a more detailed map of recommended activities and restaurants, see our guide to the top things to do in Kauai.
What To Be Careful About
While most of the island is super safe and is really easy to travel through like any other island in Hawaii, there are definitely a few things I want to call out as youre preparing for your trip.
- Try not to get the red sand/mud on your shirt as that stuff is really hard to get off fabric.
- Follow the signage for hike trails. If a trail is closed because of erosion, dont go around it thinking youll be okay.
- Take an abundance of caution into the hike trails of Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Parks. Due to unstable soil and steep drop offs, make sure youre always in a safe position. If its been raining, pay even more attention to this.
- Finding a hiking stick on your hike may come in handy.
- Reservations are required for the Kalalau Trail if you missed that earlier. Make sure you book ahead of schedule. Reservations may be made up to 14 days in advance, and no later than the day before your visit.
- When travelling during rainy season, keep an eye out for heavy rainfall as this may flood the connecting bride on the highway to the town of Hanalei. If heavy rain is projected, make sure youre on the right side of the bridge so youre not stuck.
- When looking at the weather forecast, youll most likely always see some sort of rain forecasted but dont worry, the rain is usually scattered and comes in bunches and then disappears. Rain will also sometimes only hit certain parts of the island.
You May Like: Where To Stay In Oahu For Cheap
Staying On The North Shore
Including Princeville, Hanalei, and Kilauea
The North Shore of Kauai may be one of the most scenic places on Earth. There are a variety of gorgeous beaches, and the verdant mountains rising as a backdrop to the coastline make this entire stretch of the island seem like the “real” Hawaii you’ve envisioned before visiting.
Why Should You Stay on the North Shore?
The Disadvantages of Staying on the North Shore
Our Favorite Places to Stay on the North Shore
Bonus : The Best Airbnbs In Kauai
I have already talked about the best Airbnbs in each area but for those who want to have their home comforts while also looking for a unique stay experience, here are some interesting vacation rentals just for you. All of these Airbnbs I will talk about are listed in price order from most to least expensive and are located in amazing natural settings and have great facilities, so here we go.
Dont Miss: Oahu Honeymoon Resorts
You May Like: Where To Stay In La On A Budget
Wailua Waipouli Best Place To Stay In Kauai Framed By Spectacular Nature
Known primarily for the Wailua River that stretches through the community, the Wailua Waipouli area is a blink-and-you-may-miss-it kind of town.
As you walk along, youll understand why this part of Kauai is known as the Coconut Coast. Spread all around are flowering coconut trees that Hawaii is known for, along with several great dining and shopping options.
While there isnt a ton in the way of touristy activities, youre still bound to get in incredible sight-seeing and recreational activity here.
The lush, 30-acre Smith Family Garden Luau is located quite close to this area. A tropical oasis full of botanical gardens, walking peacocks and leafy palm trees, the real attraction here is the classic Hawaiian luau and feast.
Pick an evening and be prepared to immerse yourself in an incredible, authentic ceremony complete with a traditional Kalua pig roasted over an oven, haunting Hawaiian chants and hymns called mele, Tahitian drum dances and a Samoan fire knife dance.
The Smith Family has ensured the ceremony sticks as closely to tradition as possible, so youll be sure to leave feeling the full impact of the Hawaiian spirit.
Also be sure to book a tour of Ferns Grotto, a true geological feat. After going up the river, youll embark at Ferns Grotto landing. Here youll see verdant ferns hanging upside down from the roof of the grotto, as well as flowering plants all around.
You May Like: Cheap Hotels In Bradenton Florida
The Pros And Cons Of Staying On The West Side
- Good proximity to Kokee and Waimea Canyon State Parks- ideal for hikers and backpackers
- Geographically isolated from the rest of the island- the North Shore is a two-hour drive away
- Fairly barren and dry in many areas
We hope this article has helped you narrow down your choices for where to stay on Kauai. For more details about each accommodation on the island, we recommend visiting our Kauai Accommodations page.
Best of luck as you continue to plan the Hawaiian getaway of your dreams!
Also Check: Best Places To Stay In Fort Myers Beach