By Jim Bebbington and GoHawaii.Com
There is a reason why Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has set up a 2,300-acre end-of-times compound on the north shore of the Hawaiian-island of Kauai.
If you have to die somewhere, you might as well do it in heaven.
Kauai is home to a surprising array of great golf courses – from gorgeous coastal municipal courses to elite private clubs and resorts inland. But the majority of the island is a collection of stunning mountain views, remote and quiet beaches, and a shocking variety of feral chickens.
But the chickens will leave you alone if you leave them alone, and there is plenty to keep any visitor well-housed and occupied without them.
Hāʻena Beach Park has the picturesque backdrop of Mount Makana (Bali Hai).
ʻAnini Beach Park features miles of white sandy beach protected by a huge coral reef. The quiet lagoon and tranquil waters are perfect for beginning snorkelers and windsurfers.
Kēʻē Beach is located at the end of Highway 560. The reefs here make for great shoreline snorkeling on calm days, or you might be able to grab some glimpses of the Nāpali Coast while you sunbathe. Lifeguards are on duty.
Lydgate Beach Park is shielded from the open ocean by a lava rock wall, so the snorkeling lagoon at Lydgate is a popular place for keiki (children) to play. Restrooms, picnic grounds and lifeguards are available at this family-friendly East Side beach.
Lydgate Pond is located in Lydgate State Park with a large salt-water pool which makes it one of Kauaʻi‘s safest year-round swimming sites.
Keālia Beach Park is a half-mile stretch of golden coast that hugs the curve of Highway 56. Its long sand-bar bottom provides a nice surf break. Swim or boogie board near the north end, where a breakwater creates a protected area. Facilities and lifeguards are available.
Kalapakī Beach fronts the Marriott Kauaʻi Beach Club. Pack a picnic, grab a shave ice and watch Kauaʻi surfers ride the waves. The beach is partially protected from the open ocean, creating calm and safe conditions for kids.
Poʻipū Beach Park is one of Kauaʻi’s most popular beaches, with its crystal-clear waters and occasional Hawaiian monk seal appearances. Poʻipū also has a natural wading pool for young swimmers. Lifeguards, picnic facilities, showers and pavilions make this South Shore beach a great day trip for families.
Salt Pond Beach Park is located near Hanapēpē on the West Side. This inviting park is an ideal setting to relax, swim or explore the shallow tide pools. Lifeguards and facilities are available.
Kekaha Beach is a favorite local surf and fishing spot on the far west side Kauaʻi. This long, sandy stretch is also great place to beachcomb and scope out the sunset. At times, strong winds and currents can make Kekaha Beach dangerous for swimming, so be mindful of the conditions.
For one of the most luxurious stays on the island it is difficult to top the 1 Hotel on Hanalei Bay.
The gorgeous property on the north shore is a relaxed 45 minute drive from Lihue Airport, and along the way you will pass the 3,200-acre compound being built by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. From the grounds to the beachfront to the proximity to one of the island’s best golf courses – Princeville Makai – the property offers an outstanding high-end experience.
The property opened as a hotel in 1985, operating for many years under the Princeville flag. But after a $300 million renovation the current iteration opened in 2023, bringing the lush Hawaiian countryside inside.
From the open-air lobby surrounded by lush native landscaping and fountains, to the interior hallways of the floors with go down (not up) the hillside to the shoreline, the hotel gives guests a sense that they are tucked within the natural environment, not intruding upon it.
A massive open-air dining room and several cozier cafes offer plentiful options for meals, and the complex is near the local village of Hanalei Bay for a short excursion.
The complex is built into the cliffside, with floors descending from the lobby. An adults-only pool and spa provide the perfect place to relax, and the family pool complex is on the lowest level with easy access to the beach and sea.
The newly outfitted rooms are handsome and modern. Showers are brought out into the main room with glass barriers, and single-bed options are arranged so that a spacious sitting area is closest to the windows to provide the ideal place to view either the pools, ocean or mountainside.
Room rates fluctuate but start at around $1,200 a night.
On the south side of the island the Sheraton Kauai Resort puts guests smack in the middle of a popular collection of condominiums, shops, beaches and near the shore-hugging Poipu Bay Golf Course.
The sprawling complex has rooms on both sides of the main road through the area with open-air lobbys and patios throughout. The massive family pool facility is beside the seashore, and can easily be a family basecamp for several days.
The rooms are nicely executed, with some seaside rooms providing south-facing rooms that can be hard to pull your eyes away from. Rates start around $500 a night for ocean side rooms and $300+ a night for villas further from the water.
The hotel gives visitors access to the entire Poipu shoreline which is packed with dining options at the many hotels and local restaurants. The area offers horseback riding and all manner of water activities.
The oldest of the populated Hawaiian islands offers unique treasures By Jim Bebbington and GoHawaii.Com There is a reason why Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has set up a 2,300-acre end-of-times compound on the north shore of the Hawaiian-island of Kauai. If you have to die somewhere, you might as well do it in heaven. Kauai
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