The South Shore

The South Shore coastline is unbelievably scenic with sweeping vistas at every turn. As you drive through Lihue, the county seat, consider a stop at Gaylord's Restaurant, in a beautifully restored Plantation House. The bar in the living room serves some of the Best Mai Tais, made with locally made Koloa Rum. You can walk next door and have fun doing a rum tasting at Koloa Rum, be sure to make reservations.

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One of our favorite hikes begins at "Shipwreck's" at the Hyatt Hotel Beach and meanders north along the coast to Maha'ulapu Beach (6 miles round trip). The beach is worth it, plan on taking a swim in the bay.

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The Grand Hyatt Resort & Spa offers world-class golf and one of the island's best views of the sunset on the Terrace at Happy Hour.

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Heading west you'll find Poipu Beach Park's Turtle Bay with sea turtles alternating with young boogie boarders for space in the little gem of a cove. There are 2 lifeguard stations and a quiet beach perfect for small children.

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It's nice to know that all of the beach parks on Kauai have shelters with picnic tables, bathrooms and at least one outside shower for rinsing off sand and salt before heading home after a day at the beach.

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The beach at the Beach House restaurant offers the best snorkeling on the south shore. It's a small beach but usually calm, with a wide variety of reef fish. Just up the road are the 2 south shore National Botanical Gardens, Atherton (known for it's statuary) and McBryde. We recommend the tours at either. Don't miss Spouting Horn right across the street from the gardens with the best view of the entire south coast.

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Kuku'iula Center has some great shopping and eating establishments and the Farmer's Market on Wednesday afternoons is nothing short of a tropical party, with live music and an enticing array of prepared food and produce booths. We recommend The Right Slice for sweet or savory pies and the booth of friend'sHope and Richard for the freshest Macadamia nuts grown on their farm on the island.