I suggest you look for something in Poipu. Surf conditions on the north shore at that time of year will probably keep you out of the water most days. And there aren't many good snorkeling and/or swimming beaches around Kapa'a regardless of the time of year. Also, rather than a B&B or hotel, you might want to consider a condo.

Stay Poipu. Hanalei will likely be wet and windy -- pouring rain wet, not 'showers'. The ocean will be rough.

You won't swim off Kapaa either.

You want Poipu in winter.

Do you have your flights already, or could you choose another island. This is not the optimum season for Kauai's most gorgeous north shore -- or Oahu's, or northernmost Maui either.

Also, meant to ask about rain, have read about certain parts of the island getting more rain than others. Are certain parts of the island wetter than others in December? Passing showers wouldn't be a big deal, but of course I'd rather spend my time in the sun, than the rain. That got me looking along the south shore, where some say it is less rainy. In Kekaha, I'm looking at Hale Puka Anna. Any thoughts on location or lodging? Thanks again.

No touts allowed, Smithers109.

This is probably going to offend someone, but there's not much in Kekaha. The beach is nice, and the West is drier, but it is not where I would choose to spend my vacation on Kauai. As others have said Poipu would be your best bet at that time of year if you want to swim and snorkel. There are also lots of nice places to eat. Take a look at Kiahuna Plantation. vrbo.com lists owner's units for much lower rates than advertised by Outrigger or Castle. If you don't care about being on a beach, Waikomo Stream Condos are a nice budget option. With only six nights, pick one place to stay.

Thanks everyone for the advice and recommendations. I've turned my search to the south and west. As mentioned, I'm considering Kekaha (Hale Puka Ana) and Poipu (Hyatt, I can do a deal with points). I want to be close to hiking and beaches and less crowded areas, but also do want to have access to some good dining options for evenings. My only concern with Kekaha is being far from dining options. How long of a drive to Poipu from Kekaha? Being close to shopping is not a consideration for me. I'll be at the beach or on the trail. I want to explore as much of the island as time allows. Any input you can provide is appreciated. Thanks.

I was recently on Kauai and bought a snorkel guide book to help identify the best spots. Here's what it has to say about the southwest area, generally from Port Allen to Kekaha.

"Most of the southwestern beaches are pretty and dramatic with few tourists, so they offer excellent places to hike and escape the rain. On the rare day when you find calm water the swimming and snorkeling can be quite good." [emphasis mine]

Best of the southwestern beaches for snorkeling is Salt Pond, which most likely means that on those rare calm days, it'll be quite crowded. Of the accessible beaches on the west coast, none are recommended as good for snorkeling and swimming.

So I again suggest you stay in Poipu, where the swimming and snorkeling are best at that time of year, and there are a number of good restaurants. Then, drive to the southwest and/or north for your hiking. (not to discount the Maha'ulepu Trail, which starts at the Hyatt)

Huge Northshore/Princeville/Hanalei/Bali Hai fan - but in Dec - you could get some strong storms. You would still probably have a few clear days - but to play it safe - Poipu - but do get up to the North Shore, which does get the most rain and hence - is the most beautiful green. After a rainfall - you can count double digit waterfalls on the hills.

And the Hyatt at Poipu is great. Use the points is my advice.

We stayed at the Hyatt for 8 nights in April (a few years back) and adored this experience. Yes its a big resort and might not have the remote old hawaii feel, but the service was superb and we enjoyed the wide variety of food/dining options on site and nearby. (Also as a side note, we really liked Stevenson's Library, the hotel bar - we love whiskey and the bartender really knew his stuff, plus had billiards tables and live music). You may not have much luck swimming on-site (except in their lagoon/pools of course), but nearby should have many options.

Kauai is a small island. It feels even smaller because so much of it is too vertical to be seen except from a helicopter or a boat.

Poipu is the best place to stay on Kauai in winter months. Drive up to Princeville to sightsee, but stay south. Be very cautious about hiking anywhere it's been raining or where rain is predicted. Kauai's red dirt makes a super-slippery mud. Shallow streams become torrents in minutes. Every winter the island's rescue teams risk their lives and limbs saving foolhardy tourists who ignore 'Trail Closed' warnings and those who who wander off the trails. (Also pay attention to ocean conditions.)

Are you staying on another island too?

We stayed at the Hyatt last October. We enjoyed our stay...it's a very nice hotel, but it IS a mega-resort. It couldn't be more different from Surfboard House or Hale Ho Maha. Just be sure you know what kind of vibe you're looking for, because small and intimate are not words I'd associate with this Hyatt It is low-key and laid-back only in the sense that all of Hawaii (and especially Kauai) is those things.

We stayed in Poipu when we visited in February but we would watch the weather report and head north when the weather was clear. My husband is rain phobic so we stayed on the south/drier side of Maui and Kauai. I didn't even mention that the winter is the rainy season or he would have wanted to cahnge our destination..

I would return in the winter though to escape the winter in Ohio but mainly because of the whales. Try to get a condo/house on the water and take binoculars. Watching the whales from the lanai was so great when we visited.

We only had a little rain.

Something else to add about the Hyatt, and I mention this only because you included swimming and snorkeling in you OP. The beach at the Hyatt is called Shipwreck Beach. It is a nice place to watch the locals surf and body surf. I have been there many times and the red flag for high winds and surf has always been flying. It is not known as a swimming beach. If you do stay at the Hyatt, you can take the path to the right that goes through the Poipu Kai green space and eventually dumps you out just south of Poipu Beach. It is about a 15 or 20 minute walk and a 5 minute drive.

Thank you everyone for the recommendations. I think I'm going with Kauai Banyan Inn in Lawai. It's close to Poipu, more centrally located to seeing all the island, should give me a good choice of evening dining options and still a bit away from the hustle and bustle of Poipu.

ChiSue - yes, I'm heading to Maui after Kauai and am staying at the Ritz-Carlton (was able to get the stay on points which made the decision easy).

<<<hustle and bustle of Poipu>>>

Just a small point of clarification - "hustle and bustle" is a real stretch

The Kauai Banyan Inn looks beautiful (as long as you're okay with being on a hilltop and having to drive to the beach).

There are much nicer places to stay than Kauai Banyan Inn and it is not that convenient in my opinion. I would also stay in Poipu. You are already going to be staying in a wet and windy area on Maui. The Ritz is lovely but hold onto your hat!