In July - the surf should be pretty flat around most of the island I would think, moreso in the mornings.

There were other posts in here under Hawaii about where to stay. I favor the North Shore but there was plenty of advice on the Poipu area as I recall - and you can also get some deals mid-island around Kapaa, etc. Just google and google away.

I'd look into renting a condo, Kiahuna Plantation is right on Poipu Beach and has some restaurants within walking distance.

Actually, the surf on the south shore picks up during the summer months and can be downright dangerous. We once rescued a dog that was caught in a whirlpool type riptide at Kawailoa Bay in July. It was a scary situation of calling and coaching the dog while trying not to put ourselves in a life threatening situation.

As far as walking to restaurant and beach, Hanalei would be the best choice for a beach house. I don't know anything that would include a resort, and other then public spaces such as lobby, shops and restaurants, pools and beach amenities are not inclusive to neighbors.

There are several great condo developments in Poipu area and the shallow area at the Poipu Beach Park will be terrific for your three-year-old! Just make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen.

Take a look at Kiahuna Plantation Resort as noted above, as well as Poipu Kai and Nihi Kai developments. Aston, Suite Paradise and Parrish are management companies which have various condo units within their rental pools, so this is a good place to start.

July is a busy family vacation time on Kauai, so I would suggest you get cracking on securing a nice condo unit.

If you think you would like to stay at a hotel, The Hyatt and the Sheraton would be the only hotel options for you on the South Shore. The Koa Kea is more of an adult retreat.

BTW, there are no swimmable beaches around the center of the Island, i.e., Kapaa with the exception of Lydgate Park, so not a great place for you to stay with your child. North Shore is lovely but there is certainly lots of following for the South Shore as well.

glad you mentioned Kapa'a. Like you said, with the exception of Lydgate which again wouldn't be a walk to lodging, most beaches are risky year round for adults never mind a toddler.

I seem to remember a nice beach mid-island - just opposite the old Coco Palms resort - by the round restaurant, if it's still there. We stayed in a condo by there years ago.

But the best beaches are down at Poipu - and in the summer - any number up on the North Shore - where the surf is usually flat. And even though hopefully commonsense would tell one this - if it's kicking up - don't go out unless you are an experienced ocean swimmer. Uno Mas - it's usually calmest in the mornings, and that's when the visibility is the best

We love Ke'e beach - all the way at the end of the road (see if you can catch the green flash when the sun sets ) - and there is a nice long, grassy park at Anini, with restrooms. see: http://www.djhome.net/kauai/beaches/drivebeaches.htm

And check this webpage out for beaches in and around Kapaa - which is just north of the airport/town of Lihue. Seem to be a # of options: http://beaches.uptake.com/hawaii/kapaa/666161909.html

And Lydegate Park is either reopened or scheduled to shortly. It's a great family place - with picnic tables, snorkeling, etc. Again, check to see that there is not big surf, which I have rearely seen on Kauai - except in the winter up at Hanalei. In the summers - the beaches on the south ends of the Hawaiian islands get more surf - and there are always some tricky spots - but rarely do they get the breaks the north facing beaches do in the winter.

http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/kauai_beaches/lydgate_beach_park.php

And just north of Lydgate, across the Wailua river - on the right/Ocean side is the beach I was talking about before - but I don't know the name.

Also forgot to mention: There are a ton of condos on the Plateau of Princeville (including our timeshare - the Cliffs Club - where they have a children's pool - http://www.cliffsatprinceville.com/).

The nearby Princeville Center, with a big market and a number of restaurants - is only a couple minutes drive - or a nice walk (perhaps not with a 3 year old though?) http://www.princevillecenter.com/

Guess this webpage wasn't quite right? http://www.cliffsatprinceville.com/

We stayed at Kiahuna when our kids were two and four years old (my son is getting married tomorrow so you know that was a long time ago), and at Waiohai (the Marriott timeshare just about next door to Kiahuna) more recently. Either would be great with a toddler - full condos, with real kitchens, washers & dryers, nice grounds (look at the Travelers' photos on Tripadvisor for realistic pictures). And across the street from a little shopping center with some casual and some nicer dining, as well as about 4 miles from Koloa town (restaurants, shops, ice cream, etc).

thanks everyone! You have given me a ton of ideas... I am going to start looking into these places today.

To be clear about Kauai surf trends, since a poster has given you inaccurate information.

http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/guides/beach/seasonal_surf_trends.php

what about Kealia beach which is around Kapaa for swimming? We love that beach and it has a lifeguard. You might want to check out VRBO for Kauai. July might be cutting it close for rentals with them though. 2nd the Kiahuna - you can walk right onto the beach from there and it is cross the street from a small shoping center with small market and there is an organic market in at the round about at entrance to Poipu and of course the markets in Koloa for shopping. I love Kauai, hope you do too.

after looking into some of the suggested options it seems like kiahunna plantation might be the best option. Has anyone stayed there specifically? Is there much within walking distance? I also read something called "baby beach' is close by and that soulds like a good place to take my toddler.

Yes, I haave stayed at the Kiahuna but it has been several years.but we see it everytime we are at the beach so I know that it is still very nice...walking anywhere - hmmmm depends on what you mean by "anywhere" and what you are looking for...there is the beach, a couple of restaurants- The Plantation, Breneckes, Keoki's, Roys, a couple at the Sheraton to name a few and some vry low key types in the shoppng center right aross the main road. there is also a small grocery mkt in that center for supplies. Baby beach is close as is Poipu beach For major sights you will need to drive.....

**Posters, PLEASE do not comment on ocean size or safety issues if you do not know what you are talking about!!!

Poipu can have dangerously high surf in July. You can always drive elsewhere, but be extremely careful on the south and west sides of the island. The North shore will have the calmest water in July:

http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/guides/beach/seasonal_surf_trends.php

LOL, I posted that link 4 days ago lcuy!

But there is no LOL when it comes to ocean safety in the middle of the ocean, and warnings cannot be repeated enough. People need to be reminded to post responsibly.

Oops, now I see that Lookin_Glass linked the same page!
Well two warnings are better than none.

I have a family full of surfers, and they all love the south side of Oahu and Kauai during the summer, because the surf can get huge. Good for experienced surfers, bad for rookies.

Thanks for the great advice. We are going in July and staying up north. I know i have to check water conditions daily but but these are good links and good advice. Any suggestions for a safe place for a very novice snorler(my sweet other)? She is desperate to do this and I will make sure she has a best on but I would love some suggestions.

Snorkler......spell check

Lydgate Park is probably the calmest spot to snorkel because it's completely protected -- like being in a pool. It's about a 30 minute drive from the North Shore -- but you can combine it with banana macadamia nut pancakes for breakfast or lunch at Kountry Kitchen and make it a perfect day . You could also visit nearby Opeaka'a Falls -- although I prefer Wailua Falls which are closer to Lihue.

Most of the time Anini and Ke'e are also quite tame in the summer.

Enjoy!

Songdoc, you can't imagine how helpful you have been! I have read all your trip reports and have been mesmerized !. I wish we could hang with you on our semi-annual Nashville Memphis trip! Thanks for the advice.

now I am kinda getting scared that the waves might be too much... since I want to stay on poipu... i am thinking about maybe just doing something like florida (siesta key) since it is known for it's calm waves. I love love love Hawaii though!! =( I have been to maui twice and oahu once and really want to give kauai a shot but it might be best if I wait till my little man is a little older.
boo.
can't beat the weather in hawaii though.

willowjane: so glad to have helped

laceelite: I honestly don't think you need to worry. There are lots of safe places to swim ... including swimming pools .

I have never been to Kauai without seeing kids safely splashing in the ocean. You'll be able to see if you've got a day -- or an area -- with high waves.