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Po'ipu Beach
The Sheraton Kaua'i Resort scored big-time with its location at Po'ipu Beach, which runs east to Po'ipu Beach Park . An offshore reef tames the waves enough for swimming, snorkeling and moderate windsurfing, bodyboarding and surfing.
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Prince Kuhio Park
In a quiet field of green, a monument commemorates Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole, born nearby in 1871. He was the Territory of Hawaii's first delegate to the US Congress and he spearheaded the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, which set aside 200,000 acres of land for indigenous Hawaiians, many of whom are still waiting for it.
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Pu'u Konanae
The puka (hole) in Pu'u Konanae is now more like a sliver, since a landslide transformed the once-obvious landmark. Legend says the hole was created when a giant threw a spear through the mountain, causing water to gush forth as waterfalls. From slightly north of the 15-mile marker along Hwy 56, look back at the mountain, down to the right of the tallest pinnacle: on sunny days you'll see a smile of light shining through a slit in the rock face.
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Rock Quarry Beach
Broad and sandy, with a pretty fringe of ironwood trees, Rock Quarry Beach (also called Kalihi Beach) is a river mouth for Kilauea Stream, so the water can be murky. Nevertheless, it offers rich fishing and, on occasion, surfing. If the waves are big enough to ride, swimmers should take extreme caution with strong near-shore currents.
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Russian Fort Elizabeth
The remains of the Russian Fort Elizabeth (1816-64) stand above the east bank of the Waimea River. It looks like a boring abandoned stone wall but the historical backstory might surprise you.
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Salt Pond Beach Park
Salt Pond Beach Park is one of Kaua'i's best family beaches - and even better because it remains untouristy. Beyond the long stretch of sand, the water in the cove reaches up to 10ft deep and works well for swimming laps (four times across equals 0.5 miles) and also for windsurfing. Both ends of the cove are shallow and good for kids. Along with a lifeguard, amenities include picnic tables, barbecue grills, showers and campsites.
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Secret Beach
While no longer a secret, the gorgeous, golden-sand Secret Beach backed by sea cliffs and jungly foliage is still frequented mainly by Kaua'i's alternative community - perhaps because it's accessible only by a steep (and slippery) 10- to 15-minute hike. Also known as Kauapea Beach, its waters are swimmable only during summer.
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Shipwreck Beach
Expert surfers, bodyboarders and bodysurfers flock to the half-mile-long sandy Shipwreck Beach at Keoneloa Bay, which fronts the Grand Hyatt Kaua'i Resort & Spa. The pounding shorebreak and high surf are ideal for advanced riders but novices and swimmers should go elsewhere. A couple of near-shore breaks attract local board surfers as well. Toward the left of the bay, daredevils leap off Makawehi Point, the gigantic rock cliff.
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Smith's Tropical Paradise
The setting can seem a tad hokey, with a Disney-esque Easter Island figure and trams full of sunburnt, aloha-attired tourists. But don't underestimate the garden's variety of plants, serene pond setting and unpretentious appeal. The loop trail through theme gardens at Smith's Tropical Paradise is a good deal. Forgo the tram ride for a leisurely stroll. If you're catching the luau here, you'll have ample time to tour the grounds before dinner.
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Spouting Horn Geyser
Famous but fickle, Spouting Horn Geyser somehow became a mandatory stop on the tour-bus circuit. Don't expect Yellowstone's Old Faithful. Spouting Horn is less predictable, less lengthy and less high. Its seawater eruptions are typically under 30ft and last only seconds, when the sea shoots through a hole in the lava reef. But the sea spray creates lovely rainbows - a sweet photo op.
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St Raphael's Catholic Church
St Raphael's Catholic Church, Kaua'i's oldest Catholic church, is the burial site of some of Hawaii's first Portuguese immigrants. The original church, built in 1854, was made of lava rock and coral mortar with walls 3ft thick - a type of construction visible in the ruins of the adjacent rectory. When the church was enlarged in 1936 it was plastered over, creating a more-typical whitewashed appearance.
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Swinging Bridge
Find a copy of Hanapepe's 'Walking Tour Map' (around US$2 ), which describes the town's historic buildings. On your stroll, don't miss the Swinging Bridge, which crosses the Hanapepe River. Its funky old predecessor fell victim to 'Iniki, but in a community-wide effort this new bridge was erected in 1996.
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Tree Tunnel
If driving from Lihu'e, take Maluhia Rd (Hwy 520) to navigate under the fairy-tale Tree Tunnel, a mile-long canopy of towering swamp mahogany trees (a type of eucalyptus). Pineapple baron Walter McBryde planted the trees as a community project in 1911, when he had leftover trees after landscaping his estate at Kukuiolono.
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TriHealth Ayurveda
In a simple bungalow just off the highway, you can sample traditional Ayurvedic therapies, practiced by therapists trained both locally and in Kerala, India. A popular treatment includes a sensual hot-oil massage, synchronized by two therapists, followed by heady relaxation in a rather intimidating horizontal steamer. Located between the 20- and 21-mile markers.
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Tunnels Beach
A hot spot for snorkeling and diving, Tunnels Beach is a wide, horseshoe-shaped fringing reef with fantastic underwater life viewable during calm summer seas. During such conditions, you can start snorkeling near the east point and let the current carry you westward. It's more adventurous (and less crowded) than Ke'e Beach.
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Wai'oli Hui'ia Church
A popular site for quaint church weddings, Wai'oli Hui'ia Church was built by Hanalei's first missionaries, Reverend and Mrs William Alexander, who arrived in 1834 in a double-hulled canoe. Their church, hall and mission house remain in the middle of town, set on a huge manicured lawn with a beautiful mountain backdrop.
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Wailua Bay
At the mouth of the Wailua River, the sweeping Wailua Bay of golden sand is rather too visible from the highway. But swimming is possible along the edges. As always, avoid the river's mouth because currents and water depth here is unpredictable. Toward the south, a summer surf break draws locals and also surf students.
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Wailua Falls
Wind your way 4 miles north of Lihu'e to Wailua Falls, made famous in the opening credits of the Fantasy Island TV series. While officially listed as 80ft, the falls have been repeatedly measured at between 125ft to 175ft. Indeed, this gushing double waterfall (Wailua means 'two waters') misting the surrounding tropical foliage is a fantastic photo op, especially when the falls merge into one wide cascade after downpours.
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Waimea Canyon
Of all Kaua'i's unique wonders, none can touch Waimea Canyon for utter grandeur. While one expects to find tropical beaches and gardens here, few expect a gargantuan chasm of ancient lava rock, 13 miles long and 2500ft deep to the riverbed (or 3700ft above sea level). Flowing through the canyon is the Waimea River, Kaua'i's longest, which is fed by three eastern tributaries that bring reddish-brown waters from the mountaintop bog, Alaka'i Swamp.
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Waimea Canyon Lookout
The most scenic of the lookout points along this stretch of Waimea Canyon Rd is Waimea Canyon Lookout, signposted 0.3 miles north of the 10-mile marker, at an elevation of 3400ft. The prominent canyon running in an easterly direction off Waimea is Koai'e Canyon, which is accessible to backcountry hikers. Conventional tour buses go no further than this lookout (but the state is planning to widen the road to Kalalau Lookout for buses).
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Waimea Foreign Mission Church
Waimea Foreign Mission Church (cnr Huakai & Makeke Rds) was originally a thatched structure built in 1826 by the Reverend Samuel Whitney, the first missionary to Waimea. The present church was built of sandstone blocks and coral mortar in 1858 by another missionary, the Reverend George Rowell.
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Waimea Hawaiian Church
In 1865 Reverend Rowell had a spat with some folks in the congregation and went off to build the Waimea Hawaiian Church, a wooden-frame church that was downed in the 1992 hurricane but has been rebuilt. Sunday services include hymns sung in Hawaiian.
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West Kaua'i Technology & Visitors Center
While not a must-see, the state-funded West Kaua'i Technology & Visitors Center offers interesting photo and artifact displays on local history from a technology perspective, plus a great assortment of books for sale. Volunteers from the center lead 90-minute walking tours of historic Waimea and free lei-making workshops; reservations preferred.
