sofun1

Going to Kauai next month and looking for an hotel/area that is beachfront, snorkeling just a walk away (we're avid scuba/snorkelers!), white sand, less kiddies & more quiet. I've heard people love one side or the other - Why? I've also read that one side is sunnier, it that true? If We're only going to be there 3 days, we would want to maximize the sun!
I saw a "best beach" special on the travel channel and Poipu was mentioned, but havent read alot about it on this bb.

Help! and thanks for input!!!
~Michelle

BrendaM

This is the never ending queston asked about Kauai. There are more opinions about this than any other Kauai question. Simply put, North shore is more lush and has the most beautiful beaches, but South shore has better chance of sunnier weather and also has some great beaches. Me, I am a South shore girl, but that doean't mean I do not like the North shore. In fact, the whole island is beautiful in my opinion.

sofun1

thanks Brenda,
I started to figure it out after checking photot's of the hotels in each side. Either way, both are beautiful!

bogart

The rule of thumb is winter - south shore, summer - north shore. I would think the weather on the n. shore will still be awesome in Sept. and waters calm for snorkeling. If you want to stay at a hotel the Princeville is pretty amazing...quite and very little to no kids - good snorkeling right there or drive to tunnels, ke'e beach or one of many other spots ont he way to "the end of the road".

panhandle

You could always do the coconut coast and split the difference. We stayed there as accomodations tend to be less expensive. We thought it was great..the beaches tend to be less swimmable but it was a central location for travelling up to the north or down to poipu. We spent the money we saved on the interisland helicopter w/ waterfall.
We stayed near the Coconut Marketplace with lots of shopping, nightlife, and great beach front lodging. It was much cheaper than Poipu or Princeville.

JohnD

The Princeville hotel and resort area (also Hanalei Bay Resort) have a decent snorkeling beach adjacent to the Princeville Hotel. The lush mountain, Hanalei bay and coastal ocean views are very inspiring and since you are going next month weather should not be an issue. A 15-30 minute scenic drive will take you to outstanding beaches (e.g. Kee Beach) where the road ends north shore.

We use Poipu beach in southern Kauai as a back up plan, in case it happens to be rainy up north and it is about an hour or so drive from Princeville. Poipu beach has decent snorkeling but we prefer the north shore beaches on a calm day. However Poipu is only a beach area, at Kee Beach one can also explore part of the dramatic Napali coast trail if you have had enough sun and snorkeling.