You've got the perfect amounty of time to spend say 5 days to a week at one end (the North Shore is our favorite) and the rest of your time at the other end.

Plenty of places to dine both ends, and hike, including the nice hike beyond Ke'e beach - past Hanalei/Princeville on the North side - and the Grant Canyon of the Pacific at Kokee - closer to Poipu, etc.

Just google away for various lodging options and check the other posts in here under Hawaii.

We usually rent homes in Hanalei and go in the summer. Our experience is that Hanalei Bay is like glass most of the time in July/August. September would probably be similiar. It is a perfect place to swim. Our experience is that during the summer Tunnels is usually pretty flat with a minor current within the reef, especially in the morning. Some people find staying on the north shore too isolated. We love it. I'd go in September if I had the choice you mentioned.

You might want to check out Kiahuna Plantation in Poipu. The units are very nice and it is located right on a lovely beach in Poipu. It is a bit more developed than the north shore (other than Princeville), but it is Kauai, so it is still very laid back and nice. There are many Kiahuna units available on vrbo.com for lower rates than the rack rates through the resort.

Thanks for the replies. We'll check out you recommendations. 2 things I forgot to mention are:

-we'd like to be right on the beach
-we like to do some snorkeling

For the Poipu area, you might be able to get the Sheraton for that price range or the adjacent Kiahuna Plantation condos already mentioned, both on the same great beach. The Sheraton recently finished a remodel. Try and get ocean view, the garden view rooms although cheaper, are across the street from the beach.

For the North Shore I would look into condos in Princeville, there are some nice ones there, I visited a friend who owns at Hanalei Bay Resort and it is a lovely property, the only problem is, the bar and restaurant are closed at present (the restaurant had a fire) and they recently applied for permits. Otherwise it has a lovely pool area.

I own a timeshare at the Marriott in Lihue and it is also nice and might be in your price range (Travelzoo recently had a special on it) with several restaurants onsite and others within walking distance. Lovely pool and nice beach area with grassy strip adjacent to the sand.

For being on the beach, the Marriott in Lihue is great. It is on Kalapaki Beach which IMO is one of Kauai's best swimming beaches. The Sheraton and Kiahuna Plantation are also excellent on the beach resorts. But be aware that the KP units are not airconditioned.

i have stayed at the Marriott at Kalapaki Beach and frankly i don't think the beach is anywhere near the beauty of the beaches on Kauai. not to my liking at all.. the hotel is huge and takes many turns and twists to get to your room. the pool is big and very "resort like" with lots of water coming out of lions mouths if you get the picture. stayed because it was close to the airport but would not stay again.I'd check VRBO for some good condo's or the Kiahuna, Sheraton, Waiopouli (sp/) in kapaa. Most places unless they are new do not have a/c as the trade winds keep things comfortable. if A/C is importnat than stay at a newer resort or newer condo.....

I am also not a huge fan of the Marriott in Lihue. We stayed one night last October after 4 nights at the Hyatt in Poipu. We thought the Marriott was in need of sprucing up - parts of it just looked "tired" to me (the condition of the tennis courts was appalling - I never did find out they were planning to remodel them). I also agree with Shar about the beach. Compared to Poipu and the fabulous beaches up north (Ke'e for example), we didn't think it was great. I'd personally choose one of the other suggestions - Kiahuna (no A/C, but the grounds and beach are fabulous) or other resorts on Poipu, and someplace up north -- best of both worlds.

We visited Kauai for 6 days last October and stayed at the Sheraton. We liked the hotel, especially the breakfast buffet and the happy hour at the hotel bar We took a short ride to Poipu Beach many days, and we were able to visit beaches on the North Shore. Enjoyed snorkeling at Tunnels. Waimea Canyon is close to Poipu and is definitely worth a trip.

I'm told the weather on the South Shore is better in the fall, but I don't think you can go wrong in Kauai.

The best snorkeling we have found is all the way at the end of the road - over the 7 one lane bridges past Hanalei - at Ke'e beach - where there is a nice reef. And I believe you can also walk down the beach to Tunnels and check that out too, or find the road in.

It's also a great place to watch the sun set and see if you can see the green flash.

It's always been great snorkeling when I was there - but if the waves are really kicking up (rare in the summer) - use your best judgement.

And DO NOT leave valuable in the car - especially in plain sight. Rental cars get broken into if that happens.

edjim. a bit confused about your report on the Sheraton and "driving to Poipu beach". Isnt the Sheraton\ON POIPU BEACH? is there another one? The canyon is closer to Poipu than Princeville but I wouldn't say it was "Close". It is still quite a drive to get to the canyon but well worth the drive. better yet is a helicopter ride over the canyon - breath taking!

I wondered about that too!

I think driving around Kauai is lovely almost everywhere - and from Poipu it's what - 30 minutes to where you head up to Kokee/The Grand Canyon of the Pacific?

We also loved our helicopter ride on Kauai - and took the best there was back then - Jack Harter - but not sure if he is still flying. Be sure to get a company where the pilots have a lot of hours/experience.

<<<I think driving around Kauai is lovely almost everywhere - and from Poipu it's what - 30 minutes to where you head up to Kokee/The Grand Canyon of the Pacific?>>>

I'm not sure - I think it's probably close to an hour to get to the top (the lookout) from Poipu, but in this direction, the roads are fairly empty.

Thanks very much to everyone. These replies have been very helpful with our planning.

Yes, SF7 - that's why I said a half an hour from Poipu to where you start up the hill. After that - everybody drives at different paces, pulls off to admire the scenery, etc.

From the North Shore to the entrance - it's probably an hour and a half or so, maybe less if you hit it right (and drive like I do. )

I'd say 30 minutes is pretty accurate to Waimea Town.


Here are some rough estimates for driving time in minutes:

From To
Minutes

Lihue Kapaa 15
Lihue Princeville 45
Lihue Poipu 25
Lihue Waimea 35
Lihue Waimea Canyon 60
Princeville Poipu 70
Princeville Waimea 80

pretty good time estimates but with traffic (which seems to be getting worse and worse everytime we go) it could be longer.