jenny1962

Hi--
My husband and I are attending a family wedding in Hanalei in early October. We've never been to Hawaii and have several questions.
We will will try to rent a beachfront house in Haena or Hanalei. What is meant by "seasonal swimming"? We most enjoy (at least on our Caribbean trips) snorkeling, swimming, hiking, relaxing and reading on the beach. I'm worried that the water will be too rough in early October to enjoy snorkeling or swimming; do we need a pool? Do we need air conditioning? Which are the best beaches for quiet reading, snorkeling and swimming in October? We really treasure our privacy; any suggestions for homes to rent?
Thanks (in advance) for your advice!--Jen

jafrogg

Hi Jen,

Just got back from Kauai. We stayed on the south shore but we were up visiting the north shore, too.

Seasonal swimming probably means it's safer in the summer, when the surf is generally calmer on the north shore. (In winter, the south shore tends to be more calm.) I guess autumn could go either way. There are some beaches, that are relatively safe much of the year because they are protected by reefs. Tunnels Beach, also called Makua Beach, is a North Shore beach that is often mentioned. It's absolutely essential to observe conditions and use good judgment because most beaches on Kauai can be dangerous in the wrong conditions.

You will be near one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world - the Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali coast. Many people will hike the first two miles in for some spectacular views high above the Pacific. Start early. We left at 7:30 a.m. from a nearly empty parking lot and returned around noon to utter chaos - people everywhere, cars jockeying for spaces. Unbelievable.

As I said, we stayed on the south shore. But I have friends who have stayed twice at a place in Hanalei that they love. It's called River Estate, and there's a website: http://www.riverestate.com/ Not oceanfront, but near it and very private.

I would very highly recommend "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook," which will answer all your questions in far greater detail.

sail10

I agree with frogg! The weather can be humid and very wet and the water can be rough. Also the water is cool not warm all year round , but very nice . The Kalalaua Trail is the best , very beautifull. So bring a lunch and beverages leave them in the car on ice , and hike the trail at the end on the north highway , then as i like to say ( hike till you stop smilling ) and return to the best snorkel beach right there 50 yards from trail head , retreive your lunch and change into swim gear and enjoy very calm water and lots of sea life. The turtles are just on the other side ( rough side ) of the protective reef, some swim across but the reef is shallow and can cut you pretty bad. As for air conditioing i vote yes it get humid at night some times if the trade winds are not blowing. nick

JayH

Most likely in early October the water will still be calm enough for good swimming and snorkeling. You won't need a pool, and very few vacation rentals on the North Shore have one. I suppose a/c would be nice to have if the trade winds aren't blowing, but I've never had it and never missed it.

Tunnels Beach (Haena) is my favorite for all the activities you mentioned. We rented a beautiful little private, non-oceanfront house there through Kauai Vacation Rentals, which has a wide selection, or try vrbo.com.

ribar55

Water should be ok in Oct, but can never tell. Just got back from staying in Princeville for a week, and the water was too rough to do anything. Several beaches closed completely as passing storms caused high surf. Princeville is only a few miles from Hanalei and there are many condo units there.

salgal

Check out Anini Beach- very calm waters great for snorkeliong. Alos check out Larsen's Beach. We have been to Kauai twicw and went to Larsen's Beach both times. We were one of the only ones on the whole beach. It ahs a nice reef for snorkeling as well. We were there in November and February. The water is very swimable in NOvember and would assume it would be more so in October. It isn't WARM, but it is refreshing. In February, I could barely get in because ot was too cold. If you enjoy snorkelin, I recommend Poipu BEach on the south shore and The beach outside of the PRinceville. Tons of fish. It is amazing!
Another beach you may want to check out is Moloa Beach. There are tons of beaches on Kauai and it is just a manner of finding them. Definitely get the Ultimate Guidebook to kauai. It will tell exact directions on howe to get to these off the beaten path beaches.