The beautiful island of Kauai has offered travelers scenic vistas, gorgeous beaches, and beautiful rainforest hiking all on a very accessible island location. Golfing, swimming, sailing, fishing, and scuba are just a few of the opportunities available when you travel to Kauai. Read on to learn more about this gem in the Pacific Ocean.

Kauai is very easy to navigate; the island is small enough to travel to all the attractions to be found while staying in one part of the island. There are three main areas of the island: Poipu, in the southern part of the island, the Royal Coconut Coast in the east, and Hanalei/Princeville on the northern part of the island. The largest concentration of resorts and hotels are in Poipu Beach. Three miles of beautiful white sand coastline play host to many international visitors every year. The southwest coast has a more rugged beach, not suitable for swimming, but great for walking and reflection. Golf is a popular pastime in Poipu, where you can find several championship golf courses. Another gorgeous sight worth seeing in southwestern Kauai is Waimea Canyon. It's similar in character to the Grand Canyon, but on a smaller scale. Forty-five miles of maintained trails allow for hiking, and some of the trails take you all the way down to the floor of the canyon.

The east side of Kauai features more affordable accommodations for those who travel on a budget. The beach at Kalapaki has gorgeous fine sand next to a protected harbor that boasts safe swimming conditions year round. For the adventurous surfers, there are several championship courses that can be explored along the wilder coastline beyond the safety of the beach. The Royal Coconut Coast offers more in the way of affordable accommodation; named for the ancient Hawaiians that resided there, the river valley nearby features gorgeous venues for kayak exploration. The beaches along this coastline can be rough, so it's recommended for strong swimmers.

The rainforested North Coast provides awe-inspiring wilderness views and remote beaches, perfect for quiet walks or snorkeling. The Na Pali has one of the greatest hiking trails in Hawaii that winds its way along steep trails through the rainforest. Helicopters and sailing charters offer sightseeing opportunities to otherwise inaccessible parts of the Na Pali coast. The Hanalei Valley provides tranquil mountain views as well as a scenic overlook that looks down into the floor of the valley. A beautiful swimming beach in Hanalei Bay is also accompanied by many opportunities for kayaking up the streams and around the bay itself.