South Pacific Journey. Kauai, Hawaii. April 2025

 

🌴 Kauai: Our Wet and Wild Adventure on the Garden Island

3rd April 2025

Our next stop is Kauai, known as the Garden Island, it welcomed us with open arms—and buckets of rain! Despite the stormy skies and a few unexpected changes to our plans, we had an unforgettable time exploring this lush Hawaiian paradise. From turtle sightings and canyon views to cancelled boat tours and sandwich-stealing chickens, here’s how our Kauai trip unfolded.

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✈️ Arrival at Lihue Airport & First Impressions

Touching down at Lihue Airport, we were instantly struck by Kauai’s vibrant greenery—this island really lives up to its nickname; The Garden Island. It's no wonder so many iconic films have been shot here, including Jurassic Park, South Pacific, and Raiders of the Lost Ark.

However, our holiday started with a slight hiccup: a long wait for the Sixt shuttle bus to the car rental location. By the time we got our vehicle, the skies had turned grey and stormy—classic tropical drama.

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🚫 Cancelled Tour: Nā Pali Coast Disappointment
No sooner had we hit the road when I received a text from the company we’d booked a tour with. Our long-anticipated boat ride along the breath-taking Nā Pali Coast aboard the Amelia K was cancelled due to rough, stormy seas. Definitely a let down—but better than getting seasick in stormy weather!

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🛏️ Finding Our Home Base in Poipu

Our drive to the south shore was easy and scenic. We stopped in the quaint town of Koloa for a bite at the local food trucks—just as the rain began again.

We checked into Prince Kuhio Condos, where we were assigned Studio number 133. The unit was clean and comfortable, with a private patio, a communal pool, and a BBQ area—perfect for our needs. Though a bit dated in décor, it had a cosy charm.

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🐢 Turtles, Beaches & Wild Chickens

Later that afternoon, we walked to Poipu Beach, where we were thrilled to see large sea turtles snoozing right on the sand. Such a peaceful and magical experience.

4th April 2025

The next morning, the weather looked better inland, so we made our way to Waimea Canyon, often dubbed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The canyon’s sheer beauty and scale left us speechless.

We set up for a picnic, but just as we started eating, one of Kauai’s famous wild chickens had other plans—it flew at me and snatched my sandwich, then sprinted off like a bandit with the rest of the flock in hot pursuit! Wild Kauai, indeed.

🌧️ Rain Delays & North Shore Road Trip

5th April 2025

Our plans to hike the Nā Pali Trail were also thwarted when we received an email from Go Haena: the park was closed due to heavy rain, and over 50 people had been stranded overnight in the area. Some were even helicoptered out by the army! 

We decided to drive up to the North Shore anyway, just to explore. Despite flooded roads and churning seas, the trip was worth it. We visited the beach where Mitzi Gaynor famously "washed that man right out of her hair" in South Pacific. Even in the rain, it was stunning. The seas were really rough.

Haena was a chilled-out town with a relaxed vibe—perfect for a slow, scenic drive despite the weather.

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🍹 Sundowners, Beach Time & Farewell
We couldn’t resist returning to Poipu Beach to check on our turtle friends again. The rain held off long enough for us to enjoy a gorgeous sunset and drinks at The Beach House restaurant, conveniently located right across from our condo.
The following evening, we treated ourselves to dinner there—worth every dollar for the oceanfront view and fresh island flavours.

6th April 2025

Finally, a day of sunshine! We could make use of all the beach chairs and umbrella found in the condo. We soaked up the rays on the beach, savouring every moment before our flight the next morning to Honolulu.

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🌺 Final Thoughts

Despite the wet weather, cancelled excursions, and rogue poultry attacks, Kauai delivered an unforgettable experience. The island’s wild beauty, charming towns, friendly turtles, and adventurous spirit made it a place we’ll never forget. We’re already dreaming of our return—hopefully with clearer skies next time!