Kauai in October?
 

We're going to spend a week in Kauai the last week of October. What's the weather typically like that time of year? We know that the Princeville region of the island gets a lot of rain. How rainy and overcast can it get? Would we be better off in Poipu?

Kauai is usually closed in October for cleaning and maintenance. That's why is is so pretty.

Aloha, Kauai is beautiful.My favorite side is the cool Princeville,Hanalei area.The Island is small so you could spend time seeing all of it. Poipu has really nice white sand beaches and is the dry side of the Island. You will have a great trip, if you are interested a trip to the Fern Grotto is also worth it.Patti

Don't know about October but Princeville in late-May was fabulous! Would take it over Poipu again in a flash. <BR><BR>Hanalei is kinda funky and fun. The Princeville Resort is perched on the side of a cliff and enriches the soul with its vistas and ambience. The mountains are awesome.

Some people like Kal (regular on forum) go every winter and never have a problem. Myself I would not go out of July and August unless I was willing to brave some rain and see those whales and albatrose in Winter. Rainy season is November to May. I would not want to be in the area too close to November.<BR><BR>Weather forcast for the rest of the year is predicting a dry winter this year, El Nino so maybe you will get lucky. You would be better off in Poipu but I don't think that side of the island merits a visit the way the N.S does. If you don't see yourself making regular trips to Hawaii I would go when you have less chance of rain and stay on N.S. <BR><BR>Big Island Kona would be nice alternative to Kauai that time of year. A week is also perfect for Maui.

My wife and I spent the 2nd week of October last year on Kauai. The weather was fine and the one rainy day we had was rainy all over the island, even in Poipu. We spent that day at the Botanical Gardens on the South Shore and we wandered around in the intermittent light showers without being cold or inconvenienced in the slightest. The one issue I had with weather was that the surf was pretty high the whole week so snorkeling wasn't as great as it could have been, although I still went out at Anini almost every day. I think the surf is more a matter of chance than anything else so I guess it was just slightly bad luck. We had a wonderful time and would go back again in October in a heartbeat.

surf is rougher in Winter I would consult a guide book or tourist bureau for accurate details on N.S swimming in October.

This is for Sarah. I've seen several posts of yours now saying you only go in the summer. Is there a reason or you just prefer the summer weather? Since it's hot in N CA during the summer we save Hawaii for cooler periods and have never had any bad weather problems and have no crowds. I'd love to hear what your experience is. I assume you contend with more families?

Sarah, thanks for the tips..unfortunately we must go in October, it's our honeymoon and we aren't interested in delaying it! We will spend the first week in Maui and second (last week of October) in Kauai. It is a tough decision to make as I am sure we would prefer the North but would like to maximize the sunshine! We may end up splitting the week or staying in between. But from the little I've read of these posts, Princeville sounds like heaven!

John,<BR>It's very encouraging that you had a good trip last October. I am sure that we will have an amazing time no matter what and are looking forward to seeing a lot of both islands.

I guess I do like summer on Kauai and Hawaii in general. The waters are best for snorkeling and swimming at this time the N.S Kauai. Also throughout the islands there is a much more festive environment. Everyone is on break (residents and tourists alike) and there are actual festivals going on like the Dragon boat races, Obon festivals in August, Okinawaiian festival on Labor day. More families but nothing to speak of nothing like what I would come across at a busy seaside resort of the East Coast. I am never on a beach with more than 20 people and that is a high number and over a mile stretch in Hanalei. I am sure the experience is different if you are in places like Waikiki but I go for the low level people beaches. We had a condo on Lanikai last summer (windward side), NO PEOPLE during the week other windward beaches like Kailua also no people. I was not on the beach over the weekend. <BR><BR>I lived on Oahu for a few years and was told Kauai was best in summer by residents. I also remember many storm accounts coming up on the news in Winter. Apart from this I am not a big fan of swimming in 70% weather. Dry hiking terrains are important to me and I know the rainy season on Kauai to be from November to May. I don’t ever recall being in crowds on the outer islands. <BR><BR>Just my experience, I post under the same name so people can see that it is one opinion. <BR>

Hi John it might be fine for you. The North Shore is shangrala!!! Let us know what you are doing for lodging. I think condos give you more space and privacy if they are stand alone. My favorite place to stay is Hanalei towards beach but not on it and away from town shops.

Hi Sarah,<BR>Not sure but think your last post may have been for us...anyway, we are more than likely staying at a condo in Kauai..Hanalei looks interesting and we have found alot of different options on the web. We figure it will be nice and relaxing and hopefully a bit cheaper.

Sarah, <BR>When you say Hanalei do you mean just that region or the Hanalei Bay Resort?<BR>thanks!<BR><BR>Kim

No I mean Hanalei Town. It is about 5-10 minutes further along the road leading past princeville. This is why I like Hanalei Town. You can walk to Hanalei Bay which is flat. Up in princeville which has some cute beaches you are always treking down some steep hill and it is always 5-10 minute walk. I like to walk on the beach at the top of my day and at the end of my day, I don'w want to factor in walk time to beach. I also want to pop down and back inside. <BR><BR>In Hanalei I can run in and out of the House for a walk on the beach. I am also walking distant to restaurants and a shorter drive to Tunnels, Kekee beach and the kalalau trail. I think these last beaches I am mentioning are about 20 minutes from Pville. Pville is more of a resort complex and our condos in Hanalei always seem to be mixed in with people who live there year round, I like this also. No parking lots slamming doors early morning late at night. <BR><BR>Down side you have to add time when you are exploring other sides of islands, the good grocery store is

No I mean Hanalei Town. It is about 5-10 minutes further along the road leading past princeville. This is why I like Hanalei Town. You can walk to Hanalei Bay which is flat. Up in princeville which has some cute beaches you are always treking down some steep hill and it is always 5-10 minute walk. I like to walk on the beach at the top of my day and at the end of my day, I don'w want to factor in walk time to beach. I also want to pop down and back inside. <BR><BR>In Hanalei I can run in and out of the House for a walk on the beach. I am also walking distant to restaurants I can pop into town for a shave ice during the day or lunch. A shorter drive to Tunnels, Kekee beach and the kalalau trail. I think these last beaches I am mentioning are about 20 minutes from Pville. Pville is more of a resort complex and our condos in Hanalei always seem to be mixed in with people who live there year round, I like this also. No parking lots slamming doors early morning late at night. <BR><BR>Down side you have to add time when you are exploring other sides of islands, the good grocery store is up in pville.

Great advice, most of the places we've looked at have been up on the cliffs of Princeville. We'll definitely look into Hanalei.

Kim I am not sure about cheaper in Hanalei they book up 6 months before pville, some properties a year a head of time. I never understand why so many people go to princeville too many people up there. You do get a nice view but that is it as far as I can see.<BR><BR>Perhaps someone else can tell us what they love about Princeville.

I would not say Pville is crowded just a lot of complexs you have stand alone homes in Hanalei this makes it more quant, but again this is just one opinion.

Cliff can give you incredible views if that is priority for you. Sealodge looks very affordable

This is who we used last year we were in the Aloha Unit and loved it. This August we are in the Mauka unit<BR><BR>http://www.hanaleihouse-kauai.com/information.html

Well, we want good value but are flexible as well. Do you mind my asking what the average rate at Hanelei House is? I didn't see rates on the website or wasn't looking in the right place. Ideally we would pay no more than $250 per night but we haven't booked anything for this trip yet and are looking at all options.

Thanks SSS, we'll look at Sealodge, too.

The Aloha unit is $950 per week and a $200 security deposit with $80 deducted for cleaning and then I think 11% tax. Mauka and Balihi are $850. She also has a new place up in princeville. Did you look at the unit links at the bottom of the page. I don't understand why she does not put in prices that is a big selling point for me.<BR><BR>What to look for: If on beach, how far from public access or parking. Sometime night people can gather and be loud not an every night event but it happened to us one night on Lanikai. We noticed people on the beach in Hanalei one night on a walk back from town but could not hear them as that culdasac is 1 block in (feels like half a block walking)from beach. <BR><BR>If you are going for any other beach you want to ask is it near any public camping. You don't want a veiw of tents and in some areas of Haena "SOME" not all you see this. People also complain about this at some spots on Anini. <BR><BR><BR>Next I like high ceilings, open breezes, curtains on windows for morning sun, not flimsy fly aways something that will shade. If you are in a two condo unit make sure you are on the top, get the feeling this is cooler and for most units it means high ceilings.<BR><BR>Will leave some more links later work is calling me

We took the exact same trip last november for our honeymoon. kauai was much cooler and rainer than maui, we stayed at poipu and had sunshine there but when we ventured out, we ran into alot of rain. we stayed at the sheraton in poipu but i think the hyatt is nicer. have fun!

Thanks, Kim!<BR><BR>We are anticipating the change in temp and rain etc...may end up staying 3 nights in Poipu and 3 in the North for the full experience...I am so excited. Love these boards for all of the good advice! Let us know if you have any good suggestions...we are looking at the Renaissance Wailea for Maui too.

I suspect that October is a slow Month for North Shore Condos so I would ask about stays. I think if there is no booking any place will book you. <BR><BR>If you can though you might want to pamper yourself at the Pville. I think there rates are only $275 if you are a Starwood member which I think only takes sign up before reservation. That is if you are going to split your time and not nest as we do for a week or more.

meant to say don't be shy about asking for stays shorter than a week where there are no booking.

Well, Andrew & Kim, we were on Kauai at the end of Sept and stayed in Poipu at a wonderful condo. Stayed 5 nights. We were not looking for the big resort scene. (we were celebrating 20 years and away from our 2 young uns 8 & 12 so we wanted privacy!!) We were glad we stayed in Poipu because of the weather at the time. We had a convertible so we didn't care about driving anywhere. It was all good. Lots of great restaurants in Poipu! <BR>You'll love Kauai no matter what!

Sounds interesting. We'll check out the membership, I hadn't heard about deals at the Princeville. Thank you also for the rate info. on Hanelei House.

Suzie...thanks, I know we will have an amazing time no matter what!

I think it is a 35% discount if you have membership in Starwood

and no other obligations other than membership?

fees etc...

No if you mean a fee to join. I think it is a promotional to get people to frequent Starwood hotels, I don't just think it is for people who have stayed because I have seen it mentioned here. Call Starwood and ask them. <BR><BR>There are probably room taxes added on to that rate. Also you want to join AAA we got a 50 dollar discount this summer at the Hyatt putting our room at $350. We also found our best car rental deal without bidding on the rental. There was a room at $300 but I like to stay clear of the bottom of the barrel. Think any place will be great to you on a honeymoon. But I find when I get the best absolute best deal I get the room no one wants. I usually complain and get that fixed but I don't want to bump into it during high capcity season when their are no rooms to switch me to. <BR><BR>Look at the units at Hanalei North Shore properties also if you go Condo route.

Andrew & Kim:<BR>My partner &I have been to Kauai in October on 2 separate occasions, and we had fine weather, only about 1-2 days rains on each trip. On one of the trips, it rained very hard, and we were at the Hyatt. Since most of the hotel have open publicspaces, many of the rugs got soaking wet, After i day, though it all dryed up. I would suggest breaking up the stay between south & north shore. <BR>In terms of hotels, Iknow hotwire.com has offered the Hyatt Kauai, and checking their site for the last wk of Oct., they have a 4 1/2* resort @$255/nt. Iam fairly confident this is the Hyatt.<BR>If you need help with their site, or have any other questions, please ask!

Sarah and Anthony we can't thank you guys enough...We'll definitely report back with our choices. Sarah, I hear you on getting the best deal, sometimes it really is worth it to spend the extra $50-100 to ensure comfort!