Hello all, we will do 2 days /nights in cabin near canyon, then leave to North Shore for 5 or 6 days/nights - but we do need to surf and I heard waves are much better on Southern end in late June/early July.
I prefer the scenery of the North Shore, but any additional hiking trips would be far away, for the most part, from the North Shore, and if waves are much better down South in the Summer, I could be convinced to change our plans and stay near Poipu.
Surfing/bodysurfing/snorkeling is very important to wifey and I and our 2 wild animals (a.k.a., children).
Thank you for your kind assistance!
Poipu vs. North Shore in Summer
the summertime brings swells up from the new zealand area, as it is their winter...so SOUTH SHORE for best surfing and boogie boarding.
However, with the higher surf, the south shore snorkeling has a chance of being a bit stirred up, but you should still be able to get in some snorkeling days,as well.
Trips to the North shore, might be an idea, to combine some snorkeling, and maybe hike the hanakapiai trail.
Tunnels should be really great late june early july.
We, for 12 years of visits, stayed in poipu, and drove up on sunny days to the north shore.
Or, you could stay up in the beautiful north for the best snorkeling, as well as fabulous views, and drive down south for the better surfing and boogie boarding.
Oh, decisions, decisions, when vacationing in paradise.
Either way, you cannot go wrong.
Have a most wonderful visit.
Denny
Poipu vs. North Shore in Summer
I would usually say stay on the NS during the summer but if surfing is your big preference then staying East or South would be better. The trouble is the snorkeling is better on the NS so one way or the other you are going to be doing some driving. On the NS the swells can be pretty good in the morning (4-6 ft maybe) and then like glass in Hanalei Bay the rest of the day. You can still do some boogy boarding and of course one of the most beautiful hikes is the trail at the end of the road.
If you are a very experienced surfer you could surf at Kealia on the East side about 30 minutes from Hanalei. I won%26#39;t go in there but again it is for experienced swimmers or surfers and there%26#39;s a lifeguard tower.
The NS is truly a spectacular place to visit.
Thanks Kalapa and Jebett,
I think NS is just too beautiful to not stay there, and so far it seems 2 days/nights in Kokee wil be PLENTY.
We%26#39;ll probably try to stop at Southern end when we depart Kokee, and then head back as needed for surfing.
Now we need to pick a condo at NS - - such problems to have!!
I just read both of your posts. I think 2 days exploring the Waimea Canyon would be ample time to do the hikes you are interested in. We have done both the Pihea and Canyon trail in a day...they both have absolutly stunning scenery and i think it is a great combination as they are so different. If you do not do the loop, but only the Awa%26#39;awapuhi trail the other day it is about 4 hours. The weather has to be clear in order to enjoy the view at the end. With 2 days hopefully you will get some great weather.
As for The North Shore all of the condo%26#39;s are in princeville. except for the HCR. There are houses to rent in Hanalei...wich gives you the option of walking to to town, the beach, restaurants, etc but you may be booking too late to get anything decent. Are you looking for a large condo resort? How many bedrooms? what is your budget? Dates?
There are many different condo options in Princeville, along with homes. It really depends on what you are looking for and I am sure many people will chime in on that one.
you will love the North Shore.
Sally
Smiles:
Here are some websites to find accommodations on the North Shore. As Sally said, most are in the Princeville area high on the bluff overlooking Hanalei Bay. It%26#39;s a planned community made up of private homes and condos surrounded by a golf course plus the soon to reopen St Regis Hotel. In Hanalei and Heana are homes and Hanalei Colony Resort, a condo complex on the ocean. No TV, phones, internet etc. Remote but a lovely setting.
If you stay in Princeville where you can find condos or homes in all price ranges you are either walk down to a beach via a path or a 5-15 minutes drive to a great beach.
One of the best local surfing spots is below a resort called Hanalei Bay Resort. Puu Poa Beach is below.
http://www.summitpacificinc.com/
www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauaerials.html
vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/鈥rinceville
http://www.vacationrentalsinkauai.com/
Good luck.
Thanks kalapakidooley, sallyho and jebett!!
Access to things is important - although I can justify $250 (or less) for a night in paradise, I need to keep my wife happy if her back acts up....she won%26#39;t be able to last as long as me and the kids, as she had her 2nd discectomy not long ago, so we would prefer to be able to walk to Hanalei Bay, if possible, so she could retire to a comfortable room without having to worry about picking us up in the car (schlepping around).
Walking to the foodstore/ or a laid back restaurant would be a nice but not necessary option. I cannot spend a fortune on food, so we won%26#39;t have more than 1 meal (if any) at Bali Hai, I am sure. We hope to have a place where we can cook (and maybe grill), which seems doable just about everywhere the NS.
We%26#39;ll be mostly in the water or on trails.
A beautiful view of H. Bay or some other body of water with mountains as well....would be very nice
Please help me decide if I should be in Hanalei Bay Resort or Hanalei Colony, or a house in Hanalei. HBR seems to cover all our needs, and Halanei Colony sounds great, but it maybe out of the way of conveniences ( I haven%26#39;t checked on Colony - thanks for the suggestion Sallyho).
Houses....if the view is right, I would consider.
If H. Bay Resort is walkable to the Bay and other conveniences,it is my leader so far.
We would like a place fresh and attractive for our last 6 nights in paradise.
And thanks again for the Hanalei River recommendation kalapakidooley - I will be at KayakKauai doing just that!
Thanks again for your help everyone - I am also going to post this under some topic more distinctively North Shore -
Just so you know, the Bali Hai Restaurant at HBR is closed for now, and it will probably be awhile before it reopens.
Yup Bali Hai been closed for a long time. Hopefully the lounge reopens soon. I know I%26#39;m a broken record but jeez. What%26#39;s the owners problem?
Anyway the positive about HBR is there%26#39;s bell service to schlep your junk to the beach. The walk down is 5 minutes but back up is 10 and a good workout. The pool is very relaxing and a new massage company is coming in to do poolside back rubs or full massages in the recently redone gazebo area overlooking the mountains. There%26#39;s poolside barbeque service and the sundry shop is getting their liquor license soon and can sell beer and wine.
Hanalei Colony is a much different experience. They too have a day spa next door, but it is just more remote.
Houses in Hanalei are a great way to go but it might be getting too late to find something nice. Maybe check at Anini. Serentity Rentals is a good rental company.
Have you checked VRBO?
I should have added my endorsement for Hanalei Bay Resort even though the Bali Hai Restaurant is closed. It%26#39;s a beautiful resort that I think you and your family would really enjoy. The pool is absolutely gorgeous and very kid-friendly, but peaceful as well.
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