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Waimea Canyon
Nicknamed "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific", Waimea Canyon is indeed reminiscent of the Grand Canyon. Waimea is smaller but beautiful all the same, with its sides made of layers in vivid colors representing different eruptions and lava flows. The canyon measures 10 miles long, 1 mile wide, and more than 3,500-feet deep. To get there take Waimea Canyon Road which begins in Waimea. The road travels through the canyon area and ends at Pu'u o Kila Lookout. Stop at the Waimea Canyon Lookout for a great vista.
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Hanalei Lookout
Hanalei Lookout offers a great view of Hanalei Valley tiled with a patchwork of green rectangles which are in fact taro fields. The cliffs in the background and the Hanalei River running through the valley add beauty to this picture perfect site. This spot is definitely worth a stop. Address: As you leave Princeville on the North Shore.
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Opaeka'a Falls
If you are not adventurous you'll stop to admire the falls at Opaeka'a Falls Lookout on the Kuamo'o Road. The lookout offers a nice view of the falls. If you want adventure you can do like us and take the trail down to the bottom of the falls. The trail is unmarked and not maintained and since we were there in December it was quite muddy and slippery. We had to cross a stream which was knee-deep and then do a number of stunts to get to the bottom. If the path is muddy I would not recommend it (unless you like falls and bruises).
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Kalalau Valley Lookout
This was in my opinion the most beautiful sight on Kauai. Following the Waimea Canyon Road stop at Kalalau Lookout or go further at Pu'u o Kila Lookout to experience an amazing view of the Kalalau Valley, a green, rugged canyon that opens onto the Pacific. Kalalau Valley is the largest on Na Pali and it was inhabited until 1919. Sometimes you can see rainbows over the valley (it happened when we were there; you can see it in the picture if you look closely). There's is no trail down from this spot, but you can hike the 11-mile Kalalau trail to get to the beach at the bottom of the valley.
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Wailua Falls
Beautiful waterfall accesible from Highway 583 or Ma'alo Road which branches off Highway 56 around Lihu'e. In ancient times brave men would leap from the top of the falls to prove their bravery. There's an easier way to the bottom of the falls by taking the trail which starts 3/10 of a mile down the road. Not that easy still because the trail is steep and can be very slippery (as it was when we visited). The brave can nowadays splash about into the cold pool of water at the bottom of the falls.
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Kilauea Lighthouse
Kilauea Lighhouse is another postcard perfect view of Kauai. It was built in 1913 and the lens is the largest of its type ever made. It has been in service until 1976. Nowadays the attraction is the large population of birds that nest around the cliff. The view from the cliff is amazing; there is a small island directly offshore.One thing I remember is that some birds were nesting in underground tunnels very close to the lighthouse. Because their nests were so fragile (if someone stepped on the ground their nests would be crashed and the birds would be buried) they had put up a sign saying "Only birds beyond this point". We found this very funny, like they were assuring the birds that they are allowed there.
The lighthouse is only opened Monday - Friday 10 am - 4 pm, and it's closed Saturdays, Sundays - first time we got there after 4 and we had to come back another day.
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Polihale Beach
Polihale Beach is located on the western shore of Kauai. It's difficult to get there; from the end of Highway 50 make a right and then take the first dirt road. The dirt road is in pretty bad shape but it's only 4 miles to the beach. The beach is really beautiful and it's worth going through the pain to get there. We were there on a weekday and we were the only people on the beach. Since it's on the western part of Kauai is very dry and it rains rarely. It can be really hot in the summer. This is where Na Pali coast starts so you can't go father north (not by car anyway).
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Spouting Horn
The Spouting Horn is a lava tube that opens into the sea. When the waves hit the shore, they cause water to squirt out the narrow tunnel. The funny thing about it is that there is a second hole that blows only air. Right before the wave hits the tube and water is blown into the air the second hole makes a noise, like a loud gasp. The shore around the horn is also very beautiful.
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Wailua River
One thing that I found amazing is how varied the island's landscape is. After all Kauai is a small island and still it has beach, mountain, rain forest, plains and even rivers - four of them and a number of streams. Wailua is one of them and it's a good spot for kayak trips. It's very scenic, and together with the little kayaks you can see large boats that are taking people to see the Fern Grotto. The Fern Grotto is a natural amphitheater filled with ferns and is worth taking a visit there even though I read somewhere that the 1982 hurricane Iwa ripped many of the ferns.
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