Need Expert Kauai advice.
 

We are thinking of heading to Kauai in June. I don't know much about it - I've been to Maui years ago - but I hear it's beautiful. Is June a good time to go? Rainy, windy? We would like beautiful beaches - is there a better side of the island for this? My husband and I will be traveling with a 17 year old son (last hurrah before college) and we would like to do outdoor things - golf, tennis, snorkeling, etc, as well as relaxing on the beach. We would like a nice hotel (nice, but not Four Seasons nice) or a nice condo complex with a pool. Don't have much time to do research - you people on this site are my saviors! Thanks for any suggestions!!

My husband & I went to Kauai May 5-12, 2007. We had absolutely perfect weather in May. The "rainy/wetter" season is Nov-Mar/Apr. We stayed 4 nights in Princeville, which is the North Shore, at the Sealodge Condos. We stayed in the D7 unit. The Sealodge is situated on a bluff so you are looking out at the ocean. It was absolutely beautiful and we loved the North Shore! We felt "secluded" on the North Shore, in a good way, as opposed to the "busier" South Shore.
*The D7 would be a good choice for a family of three because there is a second bed in the loft. The D7 is through the summit pacific website.

Here are a few websites for the Sealodge:
http://www.hestara.com/index.html
http://www.summitpacificinc.com/sealodge.html
http://www.kauai-vacations-ahh.com/k...odge-kauai.htm

After staying on the North Shore, we then moved to the South Shore for 3 nights. We stayed in Poipu at the Kuhio Shores in unit 213. Not ON the beach but right on the ocean!
Here is the website: http://www.kuhio-shores.com/
http://www.kuhio-shores.com/KS213.html

Also here is a link to a map of Kauai so you can get an idea of the North/South Shore and other areas of interest.
http://www.summitpacificinc.com/kauai_map.html

Another tip: I recommend buying this book: http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Kauai...d_bxgy_b_img_b
The Ultimate Kauai book is an absolute must! It has everything you could possibly want to know about the island. One of my favorite insider information in the book was the directions on how to get to Secret Beach. This beach is unbelievably beautiful and can be seen from the Kilauea Lighthouse. It is a 15 minute hike to get to the beach and my husband & I wouldn't have known about if it weren't for this book! That is just one tip and there is so much information in these books! This book is also available for the other Hawaiian islands.

We had so much fun boogie boarding (body-surfing) at Brennecke's Beach which is on the South Shore. Brennecke's is located near Poipu Beach which you can see on the map below. It is the perfect beach that is made especially for boogie boarding. Your son might find this fun! Most condos have boogie boards or if you need to rent one we used: http://snorkelbob.com/cgi-local/Soft...d76+1300383012

We loved eating at:http://bubbaburger.com/ We especially love the North Shore location in Hanalei because we love the little town of Hanalei!

Our upcoming trip in May, we plan on trying ziplining. We are going to do it at:http://www.adventureskauai.com/index.html
We also want to try surfing and plan on a surf lesson with:http://www.hawaiianschoolofsurfing.com/

As for a rental car...we used Budget and got a convertible.

I check this board frequently so if you have any more questions just respond to this post and and I'll check back. I absolutely LOVE Kauai and my husband & I are going back this May! We are already counting the days!

June might be the best month of the year to go, as you're likely to have good weather regardless of where you stay. Beaches are nice everywhere, but to us, those on the north shore are more lush and exotic. Many of them are protected by reef, which makes for great snorkeling. But you'll find more options for other activities on the south shore, where beaches will remind you more of Maui.

Heck, I'm talking in circles here. You can't make a bad decision here.

Please let us know your budget so we can make better suggestions. North Shore would be beautiful that time of year, all of Princeville is up on a bluff so you have to walk downhill to the beaches. Hanalei has a nice beach, Kee and Tunnels have good snorkeling, as do Lawai down near Poipu.

A 17 year old would probably enjoy surf lessons if he does not already know how.

We are headed to Kauai tomorrow so watch this site and tripadvisor for some postings for the next couple of weeks! Will try to send a pic every couple of days or so. We are staying on the east side of the island at Pono Kai and also Kauai Beach Villas. Both moderate condos. I would suggest you do your research and see what part of the island appeals to you the most and go from there. We love every part of the gorgeous Garden Island!!

Good advice given so far. We go in the summer months and like staying on the north shore, particularly in Hanalei, which I think your 17 year old would love. Lots of surfer culture. There are no hotels and no condos, but there are quite a few vacation rentals either on the beach or close to it. Maybe icee can post pictures of Hanalei Bay? Weather tends to be drier in the summer, even on the north shore. It will rain at night many nights and there will quick passing showers during the day on some days.

Hanalei Bay is classic Hawaii. A beautiful curved bay with a two mile stretch of lovely hard packed sand perfect for walking on. The lovely backdrop of the pali (mountains) where you will often see waterfalls. The water conditions in the bay in June should be good. Smooth water, sandy bottom. Great for paddle boarding, swimming, and lounging about.

Makua Beach (Tunnels) further up the road has the best snorkeling on the north shore, especially in the morning when the water is calm, the winds are low and the fish are out. This is my favorie spot on the island.

We've rented from napaliprop.com with good results. Other agencies that get good marks are:

kauaivactionrentals.com

http://www.kauai-vacation-rentals.co...cation=hanalei

http://www.balihai.com/KauaiVacationRentals/

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

I have happily rented thru a few the above agents. Another I would suggest is Amy Grant, who is known to negotiate to fill owners calendars - in case you would prefer a condo with a pool instead of a beach house.

http://www.greatvacationretreats.com/

That said the freedom of a beach house for a 17 year old to walk into town or walk to the pier or the pines seems ideal.

Good luck with your search.

It should be noted for trailblazers and non-trailblazers that the path down to Hideaways is a steep stair and mud combo pathway that should be taken slowly and cautiously. A fairly trail-savy friend recently slipped on the slick mud, fell and broke her wrist. Please be careful on Kauai.

Wow, thanks for the great ideas. This will get me started for sure! And I will definitely get a guide book!

I agree that the North Shore of Kauai is beautiful and is truly Hawaiian in feel. The first time I drove from Lihue to Hanalei and we came around the corner and the valley came into view it literally took my breath away!

As far as the best time to go to the islands, I think anytime is the best!! There is never a bad time to be in paradise IMHO. :)

For the record, I didn't bust my wing on the trail, I busted it crossing da beach on some mossy rocks that looked dry. When I hike down all those horrible beach paths to miserable secluded places, I am like an ancient haole polynesian ninja ready for duck and cover rolling while protecting my noggin. . . . from what I'm not sure as it is mostly dull grey matter. When I walk across a lovely sandy beach with a few rocks, well I am a blonde with my eyes on the surf singing to the sound of palm fronds in the tradewinds.

Climbing back up the Pali, one winged, I am again a polynesian warrior, fearless and light of foot. But I never turn my back on the ocean and always study the horizon before going to places like Queens Bath and Lumahai, where many have been lost. The middle of the pacific is a very dangerous place.

Great info! Now, need Kauai golf advice! Any of you experts have info on the local golf courses? I know that they are expensive (less so in the afternoons) but are there any that are a "must do" or ones that you definitely want to stay away from?

I stand corrected.