We would like to return to Kauai next summer. We have stayed at the Hanalei Bay Resort, which was fine, but I would prefer a beach front cottage that could sleep five for a reasonable price. Something that is not to far from restaurants and grocery stores and where there is sufficient surf for surfing. Anini Beach is often described as a calm beach. Does that mean that there are no waves suitable for surfing? Any suggestions. I would love to hear where other people have stayed. I would like to keep the rate in the "reasonable" range.

Dawn, I am topping this for you because it is a subject close to my heart. I have been researching rental cottages for next summer as well. When are you going? Hope you get some reponses.

There are a LOT of condos in the Princeville area, but the gas and food is pricey compared to the east side. A lot of surfing during the summer is done at Hanalei at the sandy beach a mile or two west of the pier, access the pier by going right at the end of Aku street. But, you need to go further west thru town to the surfing beach (don't recall the name of the dead-end street off the main road, but I think it's fairly close to the elementary school). It is best before noon (generally 2-4 ft and soft), and the varying bottom along the beach creates beginner to better spots. Better waves at Poipu, but it is rocky there and a heck of a drive from the north. There is a great mid-season surf beach just east of Anini called Kalihiwai, I would guess about 4-5 miles from Princeville (take the *second* Kalihiwai Rd turn-off when heading away from Princeville toward the lighthouse), this past February I body-surfed some nice 4-5 foot curls here (winter storms can easily create 20 ft or higher waves along the north shore).

Hi, Dawn
We rented a house directly across the street from Tunnels beach in Ha'ena. Not sure it's exactly what you're looking for since it is not directly on the water but it is literally a two minute walk down a dirt path to the best snorkeling on the island (IMHO).
The house is called Hale Anuenue (not the one in Poipu). We rented through North Shore Properties (if I remember right). It's a very large house with a spacious yard and could easily sleep 5. I think it went for $1500 per week usually but they rented it to us for $1200. Let me know if you want more details or just do a search on "hedgerow" for my trip report.
Oh, and in case no one else has mentioned it, a great way to save money on your rental is http://www.vrbo.com. Owners rent directly through the site so broker fees don't inflate the price.
Good luck and let us know what you find!
hedgie

Hi Dawn!
We rented this house on Anini Beach:
http://planet-hawaii.com/daystar/anini.html
However, it is only 2 bedrooms, so don't think it will sleep 5 *unless one is tiny?* We loved it. My husband rented a surfboard for a couple days, and there were surfers every day at one end of Anini, but it was offshore and you had to swim quite a ways. Hanalei Beach was perfect for all levels of surfing, about 20 mins away. As DB said, Kalihiwai also had good waves, only 5 mins away. Princeville was only 10 mins away and has full shopping center.