Hi there, we are a couple in our late thirties. We are planning our first trip to Kauai. We are looking to stay in a place where we can bbq and cook most of our meals. We would like to be located where we can explore the whole island. We are also looking for calm beaches (I am not a strong swimmer) to relax and play in the water in.
Here is the information that we are looking for:
which month would be best for weather:
April/May or June
will the water be warm on these months? which is the best month?
should we stay on the north or south side?
I have heard that the summer is better up north, but what about in April/May or June?
Also, if we stay south will it be to rough to swim in those months?
Is it realistic to do a trip to the northern beaches on one day?
Which side of the island is Costco located on?
Thank you for any help that you may offer.
Looking for some help.
Even though April is considered a transitional month, I would still suggest you consider the north shore. Go in May and not in June and you%26#39;ll have wonderful weather and the seas should be calm. I have to go in June since I have school aged children, but if you can go before schools let out, that would be better. The beaches are wonderful on the north shore in the later spring into summer months (and into early fall). Check ocean conditions each time you go out, though.
I would highly recommend the Hanalei Bay Resort. We toured unit 4222 last summer and really loved everything about it. Beautiful interior and fabulous views! It was close to the great pool (but not too close). My 6 year old spent several hours swimming while we enjoyed a nice lunch from Happy Talk Lounge. You also have access to a very nice beach. We walked down a totally cool path but there is a shuttle that can take you down and back. It was a short walk. They also have nice tennis courts, barbecues and a smaller pool area. You can find some great condos through Summit Pacific.
summitpacificinc.com/hanalei_bay_resort.html
Here is the link to the unit we toured:
www.summitpacificinc.com/4221-4222.html
Costco is located in Lihue (where the airport is located). We never shop there since we cannot eat that much food, even for 2 weeks with a family of 4. There is a Safeway in Kapaa as you head up to the North Shore. It is a larger grocery store with fairly good prices (for Kauai). But if you need to go to Costco, it is only a few minutes from the airport but towards Poipu.
BTW, I%26#39;m a huge fan of Poipu and know it well. The seas in the summer months are never very rough in the south unless there is an unusual storm. If you decide to stay in the south, I can give you some ideas on where to look for a condo.
Looking for some help.
Regarding Poipu condos, check out this post:
tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g29218-i304-k24516…
Our favorite time to go to Kauai is late May/early June. By then the weather is usually nice on the north shore, which is our favorite place to stay, but we still beat the summer crowds. That is also a great time to visit the north shore beaches. The water is very nice around that time - I would guess in the high 70%26#39;s. We often snorkel for hours at at time without a wetsuit and find the water very comfortable - and my wife hates to be in the water if it%26#39;s too cold.
Sounds like Anini Beach might be the ideal place for you to stay, depending on what happens with the permits for vacation rentals outside the VDA. (After March 2009 all vacation rentals outside the VDA - Princeville on the north shore and the Poipu area on the south shore - will need to have a NCU permit to legally rent the units.) Anini Beach is generally very calm due to the reef - it can often be more like a calm lake than the ocean - and it remains pretty shallow even out quite a ways.
We stayed here a couple of years ago and I think it would meet all your requirements:
http://www.vrbo.com/22597
The owners are great to work with. You might give them a call and ask them about the permit situation and I%26#39;m confident they%26#39;ll be straight with you. The cottage was nothing fancy, but we cooked almost all our meals there between the grill and the kitchenette. It was clean and private and only a short walk to the beach. The owners even supplied kayaks and helped us load them on our vehicle.
Costco is near the airport in Lihue, but depending on how long you%26#39;re staying, it may not be worth the stop for just two people. Since we usually stay for 2 weeks, we find it worthwhile to stock up on some items there and then just hit the grocery store for what we need the rest of the trip.
Overall the island isn%26#39;t that big so it%26#39;s pretty easy to make a day trip from just about any part of the island to another part. We always stay in the north and usually make a day trip to Waimea Canyon, so going from south to north in a day is definitely doable. but my guess is that you%26#39;ll want to spend more that one day on the north shore, depending on howlong you%26#39;re going to be there.
We have stayed at both Poipu Shores and Poipu Kapili and enjoyed both very much. I liked the bbq area at Poipu Kapili better. Both are very very nice.
You already have some great scoops, and agree.
We came over in June/July for many years, and yes the families were here, but we stayed in a condo, and never noticed a problem.
the water will be fairly warm, but not like a bath tub. Also , it should be calmer up north than in Poipu...but, some days you will still be able to snorkel in the south.
No worries on exploring the island, no matter which shore you are on...just make it a special day, and plan to do more than just one thing and drive back.
We often drive up north, and did drive up north when staying at poipu. We would hike, or snorkel, have lunch, Erica would do some shopping at Tropical Tantrums in Hanalei, and we would the head back south.
Or you can reverse that, and head south, maybe stop at Opeakea Falls and take a photo, and kayak the wialua river to the secret falls.
Or head to Lihue Airport for an early morning helo tour, and then drive into Koloa Town, browse the shops, treat yourself to some lapperts ice creame, or have lunch at tomkats, or next door devour a pizza.
Drive to spouting horn, or take a tour of allerton botanical gardens, and maybe do some snorkeling at poipu or allerton gardens....mix and match as you wish.
COSTCO is on the south east shore, in Lihue, so you could add in shopping with some south shore fun things to do.
That is why the Ultimate Kauai Guide Book is so much help as it will have loads of things listed, and how to find them.
We also bbq%26#39;d most all of our meals as visitors, and still do as residents....tonight will be COSTCO filet mignon%26#39;s...great thick tender and tasty, Erica is marinating them at this very moment.
Either the north or south shores will be a great decision...you have to make the choice as to what feels best for you....then we can amplify on places to stay.
Denny
I just read marti%26#39;s idea of the Hanalei Bay Resort, and unit 4222. We have actually stayed in both the one bedroom, full kitchen unit, as well as the 1 BR lock out....they are actually connected,and can be made into a two bedroom for larger families.
Both have absolutely heart warming, down to your toes, great views of Hanalei Bay, and Bali Hai.
Also, I believe there are bbq%26#39;s, jbett can help you with that.
Wonderful pool, with water falls, and tiny little cozy coves.
Which might be kind of a good idea for a not so experienced swimmer. Although in june, the north shore beaches are pretty well protected from the ocean swells by reefs.
Denny
Denny
A lot depends on your budget for housing and how long you%26#39;ll be here. You can find some really nice BnB accommodations off the beach but if you want ocean views you%26#39;ll pay a bit more.
Do check VRBO for condo pricing.
I agree with most of the above. Between those 3 months, I%26#39;d pick May. Less people, plenty warm enough. The water will seem like a bath compared to Vancouver even in the dead of winter. By May it should be very nice for your no matter which side of the island you choose. Poipu is more touristy and more densely populated especially relative to beach area available.. The North is more lush and there are more empty beaches. Kapaa is fairly convenient to either end and generally cheaper especially if you are inland a few miles.
You can always have storms and even in good weather the beaches are not risk free. In May, I doubt there%26#39;s much difference in sea conditions anywhere other than random chance. Pick where you want to stay based on the topography and your budget. You can go pretty much anywhere here in a day though if you are at the far reaches of Haena you%26#39;re looking at a looooooong roundtrip to Polihale (3+ hours each way).
I%26#39;d say your decision tree is:
1) Condo or BnB/Vacation rental home
2) North vs. South vs. East
3) $$$/night
VRBO or Kauai Vacation Rentals both have a lot of info on possible units and price ideas. And there%26#39;s no harm in making a bid lower than the asking price.
At HBR there are 2 barbeques near the small pool close to the 4000, 6000, 7000 buildings. If you rent in the 1000, 2000 or 3000 it is a far walk. My favorite time is the end of May, early June.
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