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| Click on the red dots to explore Kauai |
Kaua'i is one of the most beautiful islands in the world, a harmony of land, sea and sky. A kaleidoscope of colours, rainbows, misty valleys, shrouded mountains, tropical rain forests, wild orchids, tall palms, grasslands, coral reefs, pristine beaches, with the fragrance of plumeria blossoms borne on the ever-present trade winds all combine to create a profusion of natural beauty that is unique.
To many Kaua'i (which rhymes with 'why'), 'The Garden Isle' or the 'Island of Discovery' is the most beautiful of the islands, noted for its spectacular landscape of steep jagged mountains, verdant valleys, waterfalls and winding rivers, secluded bays and beautiful unspoilt beaches.
Kauai's shoreline boasts 43 white sand beaches, more per mile of coastline than any of the Hawaiian Islands. Discover Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific), Spouting Horn, Fern Grotto and the excellent resorts and hotels on the sunny Poipu coast.
Nearly 90 percent of the plants that flower in the islands are unique to Hawaii and more than half are rare or endangered. To share Hawaiian culture with the public and to conserve this natural beauty the National Tropical Botanical Gardens are to be found on the south shore, as well as Lumahuli Valley on the north shore of Kaua'i. Tropical plants from all over the world are to be found in stunning settings of great beauty. Visitors are welcome on most days of the week. Advanced reservations are required for the guided tours.
Amongst the most beautiful areas on Kauai, or in fact anywhere, is the stretch of coastline, on the north shore, running west, past Hanalei Bay, and the stunning and beautiful unspoilt Lumahai beach, where much of the movie South Pacific was filmed. The road ends on the shoreline at Ha'ena Beach Park, where the incredible Na Pali Coast begins and for the adventurous the 11-mile Kalalau trail commences.
To undertake the trails you must be properly kitted out and seek professional advice and instructions from the Park Rangers before starting, even for the shorter 2-mile trail to Hanakapiai Valley. The trails traverse steep ridges, cross-streams, pass by cascading waterfalls and bisect valleys. The trails are a mixture of steep cliffs, deep forests, wild seas and pristine white sand beaches and everywhere vistas that you will never forget.
Kauai has been the location site for more than 50 major films ranging from romantic classics such as 'South Pacific' and Elvis Presley's ' Blue Hawaii' to the blockbusters 'Indiana Jones' and 'Jurassic Park'.
Kaua'i is a garden waiting for you to discover.
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