Kauai: North or South shore in October?
 

I was thinking about staying in the north shore of Kauai in the middle of October but I was told it gets alot of rain and the south shore doesn't.

Is this true? I had my heart set on the north shore!

My wife and I have traveled to Kauai for three weeks in each of the last 15 years. We generally go in July, but have been there in Winter.

Yes, there may be more rain and higher surf on the North shore, but the island is only 30 miles in diameter and you can be down south in about an hour of local roads.

I would not hesitate to experience the beauty of the north shore over the fear of some rain.

Drop me a line if you have any other questions.

Yes the north shore does get quite a bit more rain than the south shore - but in my opinion it's FAR more beautiful and tropical looking - not to mention the fact that the scenery is much more dramatic.

Personally, when we return to Kauai I won't stay anywhere else but the north shore (rain or not).

For what it's worth,

Ken

My husband and I got back from Kauai in Dec. after 2 wks and we stayed on the east but traveled all over and only saw rain twice and it only lasted for about half an hour at most.The north shore was sunny and warm the whole time.Go for it!!! Have fun, Kim

We have visited Kauai 4 times. Usually in February. The first three visits we stayed in Poipu on the south side. In October 2005, we stayed on the North Shore for the first time. Although it is beautiful, we had more rain than on any other visit and the surf was so high we could not swim or snorkel on any of the beaches. I mostly go to Hawaii to swim in the ocean and snorkel, so the October trip was a bit of a bust. I won't stay on the North Shore again for that reason (we always go in winter, and the surf is usually high on the north shore in winter).

I agree with pdxgirl. The north side of the island is easily the most beautiful and dramatic, but Kauai is not like other tropical destinations I've visited where the rain is sometimes a welcome relief to the scorching sun. So if you have sun, sand, and snorkeling in mind, stay in Poipu, and visit the north side beaches when you know the weather to be nice.