Why Not Plan A Kauai Vacation

If you want to experience one of the most exhilarating vacations on the globe then you might want to consider a Kauai vacation . Hawaii is the 51st state in America and provides a lot of history and rich culture the will give you years of unforgettable memories. I consider a Kauai vacation as one of the top choices because of the traditions and many beautiful sights that make it truly a majestic island. I'm here to give you information about Kauai, especially its geography and unique layout.

About The Island Of Kauai

Kauai or Kaua'i is the fourth largest and the oldest main island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It lies about 105 miles across the Kaua'i Channel, northwest of O'ahu, and is the 21st largest island in America. Kauai is also known as "Garden Isle" because of its blooming flora and fauna, unbelievable volcanoes and great weather.

The island of Kauai is of volcanic origin and the highest peak, standing at 5,243 feet, is Mount Kawaikini. At the center of Kauai is Mount Wai'ale'ale which stands at 5,148 feet. You might find it hard to believe, but Kauai is one of the wettest locations on the planet resulting in its deep valleys, canyons and waterfalls.

The name Kauai probably originated from the Polynesian explorer Hawai'iloa, who was known to have been the discoverer of Hawaii. Story has it that Hawai'iloa had a favorite son that he named the island after. Kauai also translates to "place around the neck" or "food season". The population of the island exceeds over 60,000. The United States Census Bureau defines Kauai as Census Tracts 401 to 409. This would include all of Kauai County except for the islands of Ka'ula, Ni'ihau and Lehua.

The main air transportation hub of the island is the Lihue Airport. The majority of the more popular cities and towns in Kauai are located from the northern tip of Hawaii at Route 560 to the western end at Route 50. Some of the more popular places include Princeville, Wailua, Lihu'e, Hanalei, Kilauea, Kapa'a, Hanalei, Anahola, Lawa'i and Hanapepe.

Kauai covers an area of 552 square miles and resembles the shape of an almost perfect circle. Its geographical location gets its warm waters from the Pacific Ocean as well as great temperatures all year long. Probably about half of the shoreline is made up of Kauai vacation beaches. During your stay you can catch a glimpse of some very rare species of plants and animals both on and off shore. These include kiawe, java plum, sandalwood, orchid, bamboo, hibiscus, eucalyptus, iwi, nene goose, whale, dolphin, sea turtle and here's one for ya, humuhumunukunukuapuaa, which is a trigger fish.

Here's What You Can Expect On Your Kauai Vacation

There are numerous open and commercial beaches to enjoy all across the island and a vast richness of marine life. If you want to take on hiking on your Kauai vacation you'll want to visit the Waimea Canyon, also know as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific". The vast chasms in this canyon rise up to 4000 feet. The Napali Coast is another popular site with its breathtaking coastline views, secret sea caves, tall cliffs and free-flowing waterfalls.

You can enjoy the tropical weather of a Kauai vacation all year long. Late afternoon the temperatures begin to fall so you can enjoy much cooler nights. There are micro-climates on the island of Kauai which allows both lush and dry areas. Mount Waialeale has more than 400 inches of rain per year and offers a beautiful rainforest to explore.

Most areas of Kauai usually offer sunny days and warm breezes and the surrounding areas around the peak are normally unaffected by the rainfall. The Coastal areas have an annual average rainfall of about 18 inches and most of it occurs at night.

Start planning your Kauai vacation now and check back here often as I'll be bringing you lots more useful information to help you have the vacation of a lifetime.