The Hawaiian Islands are, without a doubt, spectacular. These fascinating islands, rich with culture, started from a volcano in the ocean. Volcanic eruption after eruption built the beautiful chain of islands, creating a place like no other.
The four main islands of Hawaii are the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. Each island is very unique and known for special reasons.
The Big Island is often referred to as the “Orchid Isle.” The Big Island is massive and is larger than all the other Hawaiian islands combined. On this huge island, you’ll find almost all the world’s climate zones, including snow! The Orchid Isle has a little bit of everything people love about Hawaii, including rich culture, volcanoes, forests, and of course, beaches.
Maui is known as the “Valley Isle.” It’s the second-largest of the four main islands and has many lush valleys and incredible beaches. People love to visit Maui for surfing, swimming, snorkeling, whale watching, and some of the land attractions, such as the Haleakala Trail or the Road to Hana.
Oahu has been called “the gathering place,” and is home to Hawaii’s largest cities, including the capital of Hawaii, Honolulu. Dining, shopping, surfing, and fun nightlife are some of the exciting things you’ll find in Oahu. You’ll also find an important part of US history in Oahu, Pearl Harbor.
The fourth island is one that many people often overlook when planning their Hawaiian getaway. And that’s the beautiful island of Kauai.
Kauai, also called the “Garden Isle,” is loved for its untouched, natural beauty. Full of dramatic landscapes, wildlife, and small Hawaiian cities, Kauai is a treasure trove of adventure.
Want to learn more about the island of Kauai and what it’s known for? Keep reading below!
The Greenest Island
Kauai is often called the Garden Isle because it’s so green. How green is the island, you may ask? Well, the Garden Isle is 97% covered by lush forests and cliffs. Kauai receives more rainfall than the other islands, which is why it’s covered in beautiful rainforests and rainbows.
The rainbows and luscious green forests make for a perfect opportunity to take a boat tour during the rainy season with spectacular views.
The Undisturbed Beauty
Kauai is not known for its nightlife, shopping, or cities by any means. And that’s another reason why people love Kauai. Kauai is very quiet compared to the other islands and makes for the perfect relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Kauai doesn’t have many large, developed cities. Most of the island is rural. Across the island, there are many places that you can’t reach by car. Several interesting locations in Kauai can only be accessed by boat or by air.
Dramatic Landscapes
One of the most fascinating landmarks in Hawaii is the Na Pali Coast, found on the island of Kauai. Na Pali means cliffs in Hawaiian. And the Na Pali Coast is home to some of the most dramatic and beautiful cliffs in the world. These cliffs stretch 4,000 feet in the air and 15 miles across Kauai’s north shore. Across the Na Pali Coast, visitors can find deep valleys, stunning waterfalls, and mysterious sea caves, including one of the largest sea caves in the world.
You’ll also find Waimea Canyon in Kauai. Waimea Canyon State Park is a beloved hiking location with beautiful waterfalls, forests, and of course, a 3,600 ft. deep canyon.
The Oldest Island
While the Big Island of Hawaii is the largest, Kauai is the oldest and northernmost of the islands. Scientists believe the island of Kauai formed nearly 5.1 million years ago from volcanoes. In traditional Hawaiian culture, it’s believed that as the oldest island, Kauai has a very different history from Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island. Some even believe Kauai to have a different kingdom. Over the years, Kauai has acquired a fascinating history steeped with legends.
Magnificent Creatures
Being a more rural island, many animals have found Kauai to be a sanctuary. Across the island, you’ll find monk seals, sea turtles, dolphins, manta rays, dozens of tropical fish and sea creatures, and humpback whales.
Kauai is one of the best locations for whale watching. In some areas, you can even see whales while standing on land. However, nothing beats going whale watching on an authentic catamaran.
Explore Kauai with Kauai Sea Tours
As we mentioned, there are many places and sights around the Garden Isle that can only be seen from the air or the water, and we’re here to help you find them. Our team will take you to some of the most incredible places around Kauai to see the coral reef, go snorkeling, and even whale-watching. We bring the snorkeling gear, make great cocktails and snacks, and teach you about Kauai’s fascinating history.
Our team has been providing award-winning tours since 1991, with a history of ten consecutive TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards. With a team that’s passionate about creating incredible adventures in paradise, we’re excited to explore Kauai with you.