Hello,
My boyfriend and I will be honeymooning in Kauai in mid-October of this year. A couple of questions: Where should we stay, north or south shore? We are staying for 12 days and are trying to decide between resort or a condo (our budget would allow for a moderately priced place, not super lux but nice). Will 12 days we way too long on one island? Should we hop over to Maui at all? Thanks for any and all input!!

21 days on Kauai wasn't enuff in my humble quite biased Kauai opinion!

Congrats on the pending Nups.

Oct. should be still in the safe zone for a stay on the NoShore (Rule of Kauai thumb-Winter SoShore/Summer NoShore)...but since you may have 12 days, you may wanna split it between No and So Shores?

Or a condo on the East Shore so you can hedge your weather and travel time bets?

Mucho Mahalos,
Kal

Hello, I prefer condo's in the North of Kauai, in the Princeville Resort Area, either way south Kauai is only 1-2 hour drive from there. With 12 days, I think 7 days would be the most I would spend on Kauai, then spend a few days on Maui (Road to Hana!), and a day or 2 on the Big Island (Volcanoes Natl Park).
Where you choose to stay should reflect what activities you want to do, check out "Ultimate Guide to Kauai". The surf can be rougher in the north than the south in Kauai, though the north is more scenic overall.

Hey Amy,

Just returned from 11 day Hawaii honeymoon. My wife and I spent 5 days on Maui and 6 on Kauai and we could have spent a week more on each.

If this is your 1st time in Hawaii, I would probably recommend doing 2 islands in the 12 days so you can get a feel for the uniqueness of the each of the islands. Kauai and Maui are both very beautiful but they are very much different....you may fall in love with one over the other which can help in planning any return trips you may make in the future.

But if you do decide on just Kauai, I agree with Kal in that you splitting your time between the north and south shore would be a great idea. This way you don't have to do a lot of driving from one side of the island to the other, even though as JohnD said it does only take a couple of hours to get from the north to the west.

If you decide to spend the entire time on Kauai why not split the difference and stay on the East side? We stayed 7 nights at the Marriott - a wonderful resort and 5 nights at Pono Kai-not of the Marriott caliber, but large clean condos, beautiful views, nice gardens, walking distance to breakfast at the Ono Restaurant and to Bubba's for a burger.

Thank you so much to all of you, I'm so excited. I think that splitting time between the north and south shores is a great idea - thanks everyone! I also think that we will give some more thought to going to another island during our stay. Doug, where did you stay while on Kauai? Iceeu, your input on the east coast is also valuable, thanks so much! I've heard great things about the Marriott. I guess I have a lot of research to do! Amyc

icee,
I forgot to ask if they were still working on the road in front of the Pono Kai?

Kal

Amy,

We stayed at The Princeville. It's not cheap but in my mind it's worth every penny (only, of course, if it's in your budget). But even if you don't stay there, definitely visit as it's a beautiful place with gorgeous views of the Napali Coast.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.....

My vote is to do six nights on Kauai and six on Maui.

We stayed on the south shore at the Hyatt while in Kauai. The south shore is sunnier and more "beachy" while the north is greener and lush. We liked both sides and have decided to try the Princeville next time we go for a different experience. The Hyatt is a beautiful hotel and we enjoyed our stay there very much.

Hey Kal,
They are doing road work all through that area...You have to turn right out of Pono Kai...and about 11 am one day traffic was like rush hour...Still didn't dampen my spirits!!

I agree with splitting your time between two islands. We really loved Kauai & Maui for reasons you already heard. Oahu was pooey! I heard the Big Island is very nice as well. Didn't go there but for a day, but loved Volcano National Park. Plus if your lucky you might get to see some surface lava flow!

icee, it's called the "Kauai road crew permanent employment project"!

Hope they are done in around 271 mo' days!
Kal

The Big Island is really great. I spent five days there and loved every minute...I actually liked it better than Maui! But I think Maui is a great island for a honeymoon--it has the "vibe" if you know what I mean

As for Oahu, I love that island too. The trick is making sure you have a car and driving OUT of Waikiki to explore.

I'm another fan of two islands.
Of the two shores of Kaui, I was there last May and would vote south, because it is closer to more attractions, shopping, and restaurants.
I stayed at the Sheraton and thought it was very nice. If you don't have to have an ocean view room, the rates should be within your budget.
Mark

Hi Amy-I would say split your time on 2 islands but Kauai is wonderful! I went there for 5 days last summer and was exhausted by the end b/c there was so much to do. There was a great 6-hour tour through kayakkauai.com where you hike, kayak, eat, go on a tractor pull that was really great. It was written up in a travel magazine and was a lot of fun. I stayed at the Radisson which is right by the airport, and a good middle point between Princeville and Poipu. Poipu seemed very crowded and with more families, while the Princeville area was more mellow with beautiful resorts. One place I kind of stumbled onto was Polihale State Park, which is a drive past Poipu. It was stunning with an amazing view of the start of the Napali Coast as you sit on the beach (which was deserted). I also took a helicopter ride which was amazing. I can't remember the name of the company but it was the one where the helicopters have no doors. Sounds scary but it was a once in a lifetime adventure. Have a great trip!

I have to say thanks again to all the great posts. For those of you that have stayed at the Marriott Resort and Beach Club did you happen to notice condos that were on the property? I have found a listing for condos (or "bungalows") that are on the Marriott property so you are able to use the Marriott pools, grounds, etc. They are oceanfront, but on a cliff...so I'm guessing it would be a good walk to the water. Any insights? Sounds like a good idea to me. Thanks again!! Amyc

12 days in paradise is great! I would hop over to other islands, if your budget allows. The airlines have a book of tickets you can buy, I don't know how much they are. (Hawaiian airlines and Alohoa Airlines)

We had the best time on Kauai, loved Oahu, Maui was OK (some locals really made us feel unwelcome) and the Big Island doesn't have that much besides the volcanoes. Kona is nice.

I heard that the interisland ticket books were discontinued after Sept.11th...Anyone know for sure?

Confirmed: The coupon books have been discontinued.

Amy kauai is a small island and there is not much night life. Maui has all the beaches and all the night life and more activities. I know it is hard to decide what to do . I booked 5 nights on each island. And wish i had booked 7 on maui and 3 on kauai or 6 and 4. Just more diversity on maui. Now dont get me wrong kauai gave me the most exciting moments ( hiking the grand canyon,helicopter ride, hiking kee beach and snorkeling kee beach) i experienced. but i did not have enough time to see all of maui, as for kauai i went to every spot and then some in 5 days. So consider what is it you like, less activities , or more activities, either way you will not be wrong. hawaii is a slice of paridise. nick