Active travelers will find a wealth of opportunities for exploration and adventure at Kauai's popular Poipu Beach Resort area. Boasting such activities as downhill biking, kayaking jungle streams, all terrain vehicle (ATV) excursions, coastal hikes, helicopter tours, surfing and scuba diving, Kauai's sunny south shore offers visitors numerous soft adventure options on both land and sea.
Poipu's mild climate and spectacular beaches provide countless opportunities for year-round ocean sports. Poipu Beach, which is part of a four-acre beach park, was named "America's Best Beach" by The Travel Channel in 2003 due to its beautiful setting, sunny climate, creature comforts, and activities for adults as well as children. Marine life is abundant in Poipu's clear blue waters, including endangered sea creatures such as giant green sea turtles, which are often seen by Poipu snorkelers and kayakers.
With visibility up to 100 feet, snorkeling and scuba diving are favorite Poipu pastimes. There are 27 established dive sites in the waters around Poipu, and--for experienced divers--scuba excursions are available to the pristine waters off the Forbidden Island of Niihau. The Poipu area offers at least six different surf breaks for varied surfing and body-surfing experiences, and local boating companies offer fishing excursions, snorkel cruises, scuba diving and sunset sails along Kauai's stunning coastline.
For landlubbers, the Poipu area offers excellent hiking trails. The south shore's magnificent two-mile Mahaulepu Trail is one of Kauai's major shoreline coastal trails. Starting at Shipwreck Beach, which fronts the Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort, the trail continues east along the rugged shore, ending at Mahaulepu Beach, an idyllic and remote stretch of golden sand.
In addition, the Koloa Heritage Trail provides a self-guided tour covering thirteen historic sites in the Poipu/Koloa area within a radius of approximately four miles. (The actual trail length is ten miles.) A free brochure, available at many area accommodations and activity desks, includes a map of the trail, noting driving, bicycling and walking routes as well as detailed information on each of the designated points of interest.
Sports and fitness enthusiasts enjoy Poipu's tennis, championship golf and bicycling options. For the more adventurous, options include kayaking up a jungle stream; hiking to a hidden waterfall, with a rope-swing into the cool waters below; exploring secluded valleys and coastline by horseback or by ATV (all-terrain vehicle), learning to surf and ride the waves, zooming 13 miles downhill, descending 3,700 feet from canyon to coast on a bicycle, or experiencing a breathtaking birds-eye view of Kauai's spectacular waterfalls, lush rainforests and ancient craters on a helicopter excursion.
Set against a serene backdrop of tropical mountains sweeping down to a perfect string of crescent-shaped beaches on Kauai's south shore, the Poipu Beach Resort area has established itself over the years as a premier island destination. Poipu offers wide open spaces and panoramic vistas, with an extensive selection of low-rise accommodations - from cozy inns and bungalows to luxurious resorts, as well as a variety of activities, shopping, sightseeing and dining.
In addition to the various activity companies, some of Poipu's hotels, condos and inns offer special accommodations and activity packages designed for active travelers. For more information on the Poipu area, visit the Poipu Beach Resort Association's (PBRA) website or call toll free 1-888-744-0888.
