A small boulder acts as a breakwater in the middle of three curved bays creating a protected pool-like area with a sandy bottom and calm, shallow water - perfect for children and parents wanting to play and snorkel. More advanced swimmers can swim beyond the shallows to a reef, while the south shore bays create year-round ideal wave conditions for body boarders and surfers. Brennecke's Beach, world famous for body surfing, is just a short stroll away.

The beach itself is a pretty curve of white sand, around 300m long and 15m wide, and provides ample room to sunbathe, build sandcastles or stroll around. Facilities include a lifeguard on duty, a beach park with well-maintained picnic areas, covered pavilions, showers and restrooms, as well as surfboard and snorkel rentals, a restaurant and deli.

Highlights

Look for endangered green sea turtles as you snorkel the reef and while sunbathing don't be surprised if you're joined by endangered monk seals that often waddle up the beach for a snooze.

About Kauai Island

Hawaii's oldest island, formed more than six million years ago by volcanoes, is known as the Garden Isle for its lush tropical beauty and is rated as one of the world's most spectacular islands. Almost circular in shape, its lush, picture-perfect primal landscape has been captured in many movie scenes including King Kong, Raiders of the Lost Ark, South Pacific and Jurassic Park.

A law on Kauai states that no building may exceed the height of a coconut tree so there are no high-rises, no sprawling urban centres, no enormous shopping malls and no four-lane highways. Instead, expect to stroll among a profusion of native ferns, bird of paradise, hibiscus and colourful bougainvillea. Kauai is also home to Mount Waialeale whose summit, rarely seen as it is usually shrouded in clouds, is known to be the wettest spot on earth.

Kauai highlights

The 'Green flash' - Stop and enjoy the sunset; watch out for the 'green flash' as the sun drops into the blue waters.

Waimea Canyon - Explore this scenic canyon and the stunning Blue Hole at the base of Mount Waialeale.

Kalalau Trail - Hike along this spectacular trail and into the Alakai Swamp.

Na Pali Cliffs - Walk the stunning coastline or hire a kayak for a sea view of caves and sheer cliff face.

National Botanical Gardens - Admire the fragrant orchids, towering palm trees and thousands of tropical flowers.

Kamokila Hawaiian Village - Learn about ancient Hawaiian history and see cultural and food demonstrations.

Things to do

Kauai offers numerous watersports, miles of hiking trails along ocean cliffs and through rainforests, and golf options that range from championship links to local courses. You can also experience game fishing, scuba diving and Hawaiian-style spas to rejuvenate and relax. Here are some activities to choose from:

• Hiking - Kauai is a hiker's paradise with a variety of easy and strenuous trails. For the experienced hiker take the Kalalau Trail, a multi-day, round-trip 27km hike along the stunning Na Pali Coast - don't miss the spectacular Hanakapi'ai Falls, a spectacular 300m to 480m tiered waterfall above Hanakapi'ai Beach. The final tier drops 125m and forms a natural Jacuzzi, great for soaking trail-weary feet. Another great hiking experience is the Waimea Canyon, the 900m deep centrepiece of Kokee State Park or the Blue Hole at the base of Mount Waialeale, with its spectacular view of the 600m vertical walls draped with waterfalls. For an easy day trip hike to Waipo'o Falls - the 240m high falls is located in the heart of the canyon.
• Biking - Rent a mountain bike and explore the area around Poipu, which has wide, flat roads and several dirt-cane roads. Take a spin around Mahaulepu and along the dirt road used for hauling sugar cane between Kealia Beach and Anahola, north of Kapaa. Or take an early morning guided bike tour from Waimea Canyon to the ocean on a cool 20km downhill ride.
• Cruise - Take a cruise along the 24km stretch of rugged Na Pali coastline on Kauai's north-west shore to get an awesome view of the 1200m cliffs (pali) that rise abruptly out of the Pacific. Discover stretches of golden sand, deep jungle valleys and sea caves. In winter, from December through April, expect to see humpback whales along with dolphins and sea turtles.
• Deep sea fishing - Hook up to a fishing charter and go after marlin, dorado (mahimahi), yellow fin tuna (ahi) or wahoo (ono). Or if the big game fish doesn't interest you, fish for grey snapper (uku), jack (ulua), barracuda (kaku), rainbow runner (kamanu), sea bass and shark.
• Eco-safari - Take a safari in the Kipu Falls area and combine kayaking with hiking, swimming and 'zipping' in a special climbing harness through the forest canopy high above rivers and waterfalls.
• Golf - Every golf course on Kauai offers a different experience. Try the award-winning Mokihana/Maile course with Mount Waialeale serving as a spectacular backdrop to its Scottish-style course with rolling fairways. Or tee-off at the Princeville at Hanalei, billed as one of the world's most spectacular golf courses. Located on Kauai's north shore at Princeville resort, the golf course features magnificent views from 90m above the Pacific Ocean. For something completely different visit the pretty Kukuiolono golf course. Built in 1929 as the personal course of sugar baron Walter D. McBryde, Kukuiolono is now a 9-hole public course that can be played all day for just USD8. Expect to encounter wild chickens and ancient Hawaiian rock structures along the way.
• Helicopter tour - See many places you're unable to reach on foot: fly over the Waimea Canyon, the Alakai Swamp and get a bird's-eye view of the dramatic Na Pali coastline.
• Horseback riding - Ride across wide-open pastures under volcanic peaks and past secluded beaches and bays. Tie off your horse and take a short swim in the sea or in a swimming pool at the base of a waterfall. From Haupu Ridge to Mahaulepu Beach or along the bluffs of the North Shore to Anini Beach you'll experience a range of great horseback rides on Kauai.
• Kayaking - Take a sea kayak tour along the southern coast and spot spinner dolphins, green sea turtles and humpback whales. Go inland and paddle around the beautiful Kipu Falls area or along the Wailua River to be surrounded by lush tropical jungle and beautiful flowers; visit ancient ruins and walk down the ceremonial pathway of the royal Alli'i; swim under a waterfall and relax in a fresh waterpool. Or explore the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge on a guided kayak tour along the Hanalei River, one of only 14 designated as an American Heritage river.
• Scuba diving - Kauai boasts some of the world's top diving sites and a variety of courses are offered ranging from open water diver to enriched air instructor. For the experienced diver head off to Ni'ihau to see the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, big hammerhead sharks, white tip sharks and manta rays. Water clarity is generally excellent and many varieties of coral can be seen.
• Snorkelling - Kauai has lots of places to enjoy swimming and snorkelling. For an adventure take a tour to snorkel the wild Na Pali coast or simply swim off a safe beach like Poipu and Ke'e Beach.
• Spa treatments - Try an Hawaiian-based treatment such as the lomi lomi massage technique available at any of island's major resorts or at a private massage parlour.
• Surfing - Surfing has long been part of Polynesian culture and the south coast of Kauai is an excellent surfing spot for beginners, with reliable waves off Poipu and Kalapaki Beach. Brennecke's Beach, world famous for body surfing, is a short walk away from Poipu, and local surf schools offer lessons for beginners.

Kauai's other beaches

If you tire of Poipu's tranquil waves explore these other great beaches on Kauai:

• Hanalei Bay Beach - The largest bay on the island of Kauai with a long, half-moon shaped, white-sand beach ringed with a dramatic backdrop of waterfalls and emerald mountain peaks wrapped in mist, soaring thousands of metres skywards. The beach is 3.22km long and 38m wide and is popular with surfers.
• Barking Sands Beach - A beautiful, almost hidden beach located down a bumpy dirt road at the edge of the Na Pali Coast. It's almost 24km long and more than 90m wide. A must-see beach if you're looking for something extremely beautiful and secluded.
• Ke'e Beach Park - Known for incredible sunsets. Located at the end of Kauai's North Shore between the dramatic Na Pali Coast and Limahuli Stream with a lush backdrop of ironwood trees, coconut palms and guava. The reef lagoon is a favourite snorkelling site. The water is clear with lots of colourful reef fish and turtles.
• Kapalua Bay Beach - With its golden sand, swaying palms and calm waters, Kapalua is known for its tranquil surf, ideal for the less-than-adventurous swimmers and families with small children.
• Tunnels Beach - The best snorkelling spot on the North Shore. The beach is 3km long, running from Hanalei Colony Resort to Ha'ena Beach Park with a huge half-moon shaped reef just offshore. Deep water caverns are located close to shore making it a great dive site too. Swimming is good with shallow, sandy and calm areas.

Best time to visit

Balmy and warm all year round, with an average 27°C. Winter, from December to March, can be wet and slightly cooler than summer, from June to August. Depending on your plans for outdoor activities, the season can matter: summer is best for both kayaking, when the sea is calmer, and hiking - the Kalalau Trail is treacherously slippery during the winter rains. Surf conditions are seasonal: the North Shore and Westside waters are typically calm from May to September, with high surf from October to April, but the South Shore and Eastside conditions are just the opposite.

Shopping

Pick up an expensive but exquisitely made Niihau-shell lei or necklace, hand-crafted from tiny Niihau shells. Or for something less expensive check out the Red Dirt Shirt - every T-shirt is hand-dyed and unique.

Did you know?

Bellstones can be found on almost every Hawai'ian island. When the stones were struck on a particular spot - typically to signal a significant event, such as a royal birth - the resonant tone could be heard for great distances.

Recommended side trips

Discover the other Hawai'ian islands of Maui, Oahu, Big Island and Molokai. To get the most from your trip, allow one week per island.

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