Kauai Paradise

Our concierge at the Pahio at Shearwater recommended the "Best of Kauai" one day tour of Kauai, which included the land, boat, and a short helicopter view of the spectacular Napali coast. It was informative and beautiful.

Nick, our grandson, enjoyed the Hanalai Bay beach just below the beautiful Princeville Resort Hotel. He also really liked the pools at the Pahio complex.

For another thrill, we did the Kauai ATV Tour, and their motto "Do something dirty", was great and true, requiring a soaking down with a water hose to get that red mud off, and out of all our openings, it seemed, after racing thru a huge mud puddle. Very good trip, with waterfall, a swim, and jump off the water falls.

The Luau at Coconut Grove was excellent.

Quick Tips:

Try to plan some time for snorkeling or scuba. We took a free scuba course in the pool, but didn't have time to do the scuba tour.

Be cautious on the beaches, but look for those hidden beaches.

Best Way To Get Around:

You'll need a rental car to get the most enjoyment. Rental rates aren't that expensive.

Best Things Nearby:
Beautiful view of ocean from each unit. Lighthouse
Beaches
Drive out to the end of the road across numerous one-lane bridges past Hanalei to Kee beach. Take a hike - short or long along the Napali coast line.

Best Things About the Resort:
Spacious
Beautiful
Great Pools, especially at Pahio Kai'eo'kai.

Resort Experience:
This place is gorgeous, very near great golf courses and hiking trails down the mountains to the ocean. There's a beautiful view of the ocean, where we watched the whales from our lanai, or even while sitting in the living room. You can see the famous Kileua lighthouse from the condo.

Surfers were riding the waves.

This place is close to the small airport at Princeville, but you'll fly into Lihue, some 30 miles away.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Very Good

This small place on the main drag from Lihue toward Princeville proved to be a place with inexpensive prices for a Ponderosa or Bonanza type place to eat.

Beautiful scenery. They say don't swim at the beach at the first stop about two miles back on the trail, as it's supposedly treacherous.

You can swim, snorkel, or scuba at Kee Beach.

Easy parking, walk over and watch the ocean water seem to blow up thru the lava rocks. There were many of the hawaiian chickens all around the grounds.

Take photos of the water when it spews.

Drive the mountain roads, stopping along the way to look at the spectacular views of the beautiful Waimea Canyon.

Drive on out to the end of the road, and you'll have a breathtaking view as the cliffs drop off into the ocean. Try to go early in the day in the winter time, as the whole mountain can easily be in the clouds, and you'll miss the glory.

Eat at the little state park near the end of this road.