Active families, even those with Tiny Travelers, can enjoy the beauty of Kauai, often called "The Garden Isle," "The Island of Discovery" and the "Adventure Island," for its eco-tourism.

Hawaii's oldest island, Kauai has been the location for many movies. The  "Jurassic Park" films were shot in its dense jungles, and it is these very well preserved forest habitats that attract a new breed of eco-tourist.  With a strong focus on adventure travel and outings in nature, there is much for the family to do, and with the wide variety of beaches, there will be a favorite for each member of your family.  For travel information visit the Kauai Visitors Bureau (800/262-1400)

The Beaches of Kauai

If you want exquisite beaches, you've come to the right place.  Here, they are varied and too beautiful to describe.  Many of the beaches offer elaborate playground facilites, and the golden sand is perfect for castle building.  Most are unspoiled, secluded spots safe for swimming, while others are perfect for shell hunting and wave watching. The most famous spots include Hanalei Beach Park, Ke'e and Lumaha'i on the North Coast; Kalapaki Beach and Lydgate State Park on the Coconut (East) Coast, Mahaulepu Beach and Poipu Beach Park in Poipu and Salt Pond Beach Park on the West Side.  Poipu, with its sparkling sand and gentle surf, has been named "Best Kid's Beach" and "Best Family Beach" in several recent surveys. Read on for details of Poipu and Kalapaki Beaches:

Poipu Beach
PO Box 730
Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii 96756
808/742-7444
A short 20-minute drive south of Lihu'e Airport along the sunny, dry south coast brings visitors to this popular and happening beach. Here, great weather and wide, white sand beaches make it perfect for water sports, and an offshore reef creates ideal diving, surfing, boogie boarding, snorkeling and swimming conditions for all ages. If your hotel isn't along this strip, be sure to stop by for an afternoon.

With over 3 miles of coastline, this spotless and safe beach is comprised of three areas.  The "Baby Beach," only inches deep, is perfect for toddlers encountering the ocean for the first time, to swim and splash and dig around in; don't forget the pail and shovel.  The second is a great spot for beginner swimmers and body boarders due to gentle, small waves. Here, kids as young as five-years-old may take surfing lessons with their parents present through companies like Surf Lessons by Margo Oberg (808/332-6100). Finally, a third area is ideal for snorkeling because of its crystal clear water.

Kalapaki Beach
Rice Road
Lihu'e, Kauai, Hawaii 96766
This sublime beach, nearest to the city of Lihu'e with easy access from Lihu'e Airport, is a huge draw because it is suitable for various ocean activities such as surfing, boogie boarding and kayaking. It's probably the safest beach on Kauai for those whose children are not very strong swimmers because a protective bay prevents the stronger open ocean currents from reaching the gentle surf close to shore. A great compliment to the perfect beach is the astounding 26,000-square-foot swimming pool – one of the largest in Hawaii.

Kauai Fun for Little Ones

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
State Hwy 56 and Lighthouse Rd
Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii 96754
808/828-1413
Getting to this attraction's prime observation point, the Kilauea Lighthouse, requires an easy 1/5-mile walk, but visitors are well-rewarded with possible spottings of humpback whales, spinner dolphins, or monk seals, as well as a variety of protected seabirds, as they look out to the ocean from the northernmost point in the Hawaiian Islands.

Kilohana Plantation
3-2087 Kaumualii Highway
Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii 96766
808/245-5608
Visit with farm animals, ride the Plantation Railway, tour the plantation grounds and sugar baron's mansion.  Top the day off with an authentic luau.  There is something for everyone here.

Limahuli Garden and Preserve
808/332-7324
This garden, also located on Kauai's North Shore offers gentle hikes with views of a pristine waterfall that drops over 1,000 feet.  There is also a 2/3 mile loop trail that climbs to a dramatic view of the ocean.  Pursue at your own pace, ability, and comfort zone with little ones in tow within the garden's 17 acres open to visitors.

Lydgate State Park
Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii 96746
808/742-7444
Near the Wailua river's mouth is Lydgate State Park, where the remains of a heiau that was a place of refuge for those who had broken a kapu (taboo) can be found. Spend some time here swimming, snorkeling, strolling along the beach or having a picnic on the park grounds.  There is also a nice playground where keiki (children) can have fun and expend some energy.

River Cruise/Wailua River
Wailua, East Kauai, Hawaii
The Wailua River is a beautifully scenic area that was a sacred place in ancient times and reserved for the kings and high chiefs of Kauai. Rent a kayak or take a riverboat cruise to explore this gentle river.  A popular destination is the Fern Grotto. In this beautiful, jungle-like setting, a natural amphitheater, with remarkable acoustics, has been formed.

Spouting Horn
Lawa'i Road
Po'ipu, South Kauai, HI 96756
Located near Poipu Beach, Spouting Horn is a lava rock outcropping known for the shooting geyser of sea water that appears during high tide, sometimes reaching as high as 60 feet. It is especially beautiful at sunset, when the spray takes on the colors of the rainbow. Ask your kids what they think makes the weird groaning noise that you hear. The local legend is that it's from a large lizard trapped in the lava tube.

Waimea Sights
Highway 550
Waimea, Hawaii 96796
Waimea Canyon State Park and the adjacent Koke'e State Park are must-sees. Koke'e State Park's 4,345 acres of rain forest beckons experienced outdoor enthusiasts with hiking trails. Younger children and the less energetic will enjoy a 20-minute self-guided nature walk to view native plants and trees, such as the rare Hawai'ian koa tree. Waimea Canyon, named "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific" by Mark Twain, is one of the island's masterpieces. The Canyon Drive takes you into the interior of the island where hikers (and non-hikers) will be amazed by this 10-mile-long gorge whose reddish-orange hues change throughout the day.

Traditional Feasts

Attending alu'au show could be an interesting sensory experience for the brave.  Usually there is enough music, ceremony, and general noise to drown out your own family's raucousnous from other guests' ears. After a torch-lighting ceremony and the presentation of leis, a lu'au meal might appeal most to the adults in the family - kalua pig roasted in an underground over, lomi salmon, taro chips, mahi mahi, and other native and American specialities.  The's a great variety, though, so picky eaters should be able to find something to enjoy. The lu'au at the Grand Hyatt is recommended.